PHOTO: Century Emerald entered service in 2010. (courtesy Century Cruises)
With seven ships plying the waters of the Yangtze River, Century Cruises, a division of Chongqing New Century Tourism Group, has fast become one of North America's leading river cruise companies. Offering passengers five-star service onboard a luxury fleet all built since 2003, Century Cruises is a favorite among tour operators and travel agents alike.
The cruise line boasts the largest standard cabins of any fleet on the Yangtze and touts the fact that every cabin on each of its ships has a private balcony. Additionally, it has the largest number of vessels with mid-ship sightseeing elevators and is the only fleet with a sun deck bar or a la carte restaurant with panoramic views.
Catering to a Western crowd, each vessel features a Western-style buffet for breakfast and lunch, while offering guests the best of Chinese cuisine with a nightly set dinner. Passengers may also learn more about Chinese culture through onboard entertainment such as local opera and ethnic dancing, and cultural exercises such as Tai Chi, Mah-jong and folk dancing. Those looking to say more than "shay shay" can take Chinese 101.
Depending on whether guests select the four-night downstream sailing or the five-night upstream sailing, passengers will embark and disembark in either Chongqing or Yichang. From there, each itinerary includes excursions to the Shibao Palace and the Three Gorges Dam site. Optional excursions include visits to the Fengdu Ghost City, the White Emperor City and rowboat excursions through either the Shennv or Shennong Stream or Lesser Three Gorges.
Meet the Fleet
Century Star: Making its maiden voyage in 2003, this ship has a 186-passenger capacity and is the most intimate of the fleet with 93 cabins (two Presidential suites, seven Junior suites and 84 Deluxe cabins). Onboard amenities include a two-story atrium lobby, spacious observation lounge, panoramic restaurant, beauty salon, sundeck and sundeck bar, fitness center, massage (by appointment), health clinic and library.
Century Sky: Launched in 2005, this ship has room for 306 passengers in 153 cabins (six Deluxe suites, four Junior suites and 143 Deluxe cabins) and introduced the five-story atrium design. Onboard amenities include spacious observation lounge, panoramic restaurant, sundeck and sundeck bar, beauty salon, fitness center, massage (by appointment), health clinic, library and 24-hour Internet cafe.
Century Sun: With room for 306 passengers, this ship launched in 2006 with 153 cabins (six Deluxe suites, four Junior suites and 143 Deluxe cabins). Onboard amenities include five-story atrium lobby, spacious observation lounge, panoramic restaurant, sundeck and sundeck bar, beauty salon, fitness center, massage (by appointment), health clinic, library and 24-hour Internet cafe.
Century Diamond: This ship, launched in 2008, has capacity for 264 passengers and 132 cabins (two Presidential Suites, 14 Deluxe suites, four Junior suites and 112 Deluxe cabins). Onboard amenities include five-story atrium lobby, spacious observation lounge, panoramic and a la carte restaurants, sundeck, fitness center, massage (by appointment), health clinic, library and 24-hour Internet cafe.
Century Emerald. Launching in 2010, this ship has capacity for 264 passengers in 132 cabins (two Presidential Suites, 14 Deluxe suites, four Junior suites and 112 Deluxe cabins). Onboard amenities include: panoramic restaurant, sundeck with 360-degree views, spacious main lounge, beauty salon, massage (by appointment), fitness center, health clinic, same-day laundry service and library.
Century Paragon and Century Legend: These sister ships debuted in 2013. Able to accommodate 408 passengers each, both offer 196 cabins (two Presidential suites, 34 Executive Suites, four Junior Suites and 156 Deluxe cabins) each with bathtub and shower. Common areas include panoramic and a la carte restaurants, a library and 24-hour Internet cafe.
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