Long-term cruise business unlikely upset by Eastern Star tragedy

Travel agencies in Changzhou, Wuxi and Zhenjiang have also reported guests canceling tours, according to media.

But because a good number of cruises in China are designed for the sea, there's a chance that those going on such cruises may worry less, the analyst Zhang says.

Technically speaking, Eastern Star isn't a luxury liner like the ones that normally sail along the sea and are bigger safer and more comfortable, says Zhang.

The cruise business in China is going full-throttle as more Chinese take to this mode of luxury travel. Last year, more than 220 cruise ships set sail from Shanghai alone, with approximately 1.2 million passengers, according to the annual report on China's cruise industry, prepared by Shanghai Center for International Cruise Economic Research, an industry body.

Most river cruise routes are between Hubei province's Yichang city to Chongqing on the Yangtze River, says Chen Caiyin, public affairs manager of Ctrip's Beijing office.

Ctrip's Yangtze River tours usually last for four to five days, the company says, adding that they cover areas that have few records of extreme weather.

"We still have guests signing up for the cruise trip at the moment," Chen says, adding that Ctrip has a procedure to refund money if their customers wish.

Many travel agencies still offer tourism products on the Yangtze River. A five-day cruise on the river costs around 2,000 yuan ($322) at present－the usual price has not been changed after the tragedy, Chen says.

Chen suggests guests choose large-scale foreign cruise ships that are usually safer and offer better services and accommodations in the future.

She also urges travelers to pay attention to demonstrations by a ship's crew on safety measures to be taken in case of an emergency once on board.

Zhang, of Beijing Union University, says: "Many travelers who take the Yangtze River trip have been the elderly and children, and market supply outstrips demands."