Few cruises feel this quiet.

Century Glory is the newest luxury ship on the Yangtze (maiden voyage in Sept. 2019), and it leans hard into comfort: full silence on board, a 1000-square-meter sunshine deck, and 24-hour WiFi. I also like the onboard double-deck global restaurant setup, which makes meal time feel less like a chore and more like a smooth part of the day.

One small thing to watch: there’s an added 200 RMB service charge payable at boarding, and not every extra stop is included (two optional shore tours are add-ons). If you’re cost-sensitive, budget a little beyond what’s listed.

Key things I’d focus on before you book

• A newer luxury ship with maiden voyage in Sept. 2019 and 650-passenger capacity, so you get modern hardware and lots of onboard space.
• 24-hour internet/WiFi plus a dedicated sunshine deck—great if you like planning your next stop or just staying connected.
• Included land sights like Shibaozhai Pagoda and Shennv Stream, plus the big finale at the Three Gorges Dam site.
• Small-tour feel inside a big ship, since the experience maxes out at 15 travelers (helpful for smoother shore days).
• Meals are mostly handled (3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners), but the captain’s welcome reception doesn’t include dinner.
• Optional morning add-ons (Fengdu Ghost City, White Emperor City) mean you can customize your pace.

Entering Century Glory: Luxury on a Moving River, With a Quiet Twist

Century Glory isn’t pretending to be rustic or rugged. It’s built to feel like a modern hotel that happens to float. The ship is described as the newest luxury option on the Yangtze, with a high-capacity layout (up to 650 pax) and a design focus on comfort, including the promise of full silence and a “zero paint” approach.

What I like about a ship that brands itself around comfort is that it changes how you handle the cruise days. You’re not just trying to survive the motion; you can actually spend time on board—reading, resting, using WiFi, or hanging out on deck. On the Yangtze, the scenery does the heavy lifting, but you still need downtime that doesn’t feel cramped.

Also, you’re sailing a classic route: Chongqing down to the Yichang area. That stretch mixes city energy with dramatic river engineering, so it’s easy to balance sightseeing with recovery time.

Cabins and Dining: Double-Deck Meals, Big Shower, and Balcony Time

Your cabin is a deluxe standard cabin on the 2nd floor, and you get a bed set up for the cruise duration. The ship’s style is meant to feel upscale rather than basic—one of the standout notes from past passengers is that cabins are practical and well-equipped, with a spacious balcony and a bathroom with a huge shower.

Dining is set up around the ship’s double-deck global restaurant, which matters more than it sounds. Bigger river cruises can turn meals into a line game, but a multi-level restaurant design usually helps spread crowds and keeps the service moving. In your case, you’re not left starving either: the package includes 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners.

One more detail that’s easy to miss: the captain’s welcome reception is listed as included, but dinner is not included for that specific reception night. If you want a full dinner plan on Day 1, you’ll need to pay attention to how the ship handles meals that evening.

On Board You Actually Have WiFi: Plan, Rest, Repeat

I’m a big fan of travel days where the ship doesn’t force you into total “offline mode.” Century Glory offers internet and WiFi accessible onboard with 24 hours available. That’s useful for small things—checking weather, confirming shore timing, translating a menu, or just sending a message when you don’t want to queue for the view.

It also changes your shore-day rhythm. When you know what time you’ll return, you don’t waste energy guessing. You can also keep your photos organized and avoid that end-of-trip scramble that hits on cruises.

Day 1 in Chongqing (Chaotianmen): Night Boarding and a Welcome Reception

You start in Chongqing at Chaotianmen Dock, and the day has a “night cruise” feel. Boarding runs 19:00–21:00, then you’ll do an embarkation safety briefing around 21:00–21:30. Departure is listed at about 21:30.

The captain’s welcome reception comes after departure, around 21:30, and it’s included. Just remember: dinner is not included for that welcome reception. If you land hungry, plan a snack or a later meal option on board.

This timing is actually one of the smart parts of the trip. By the time you’re moving downstream, you’re past the hectic part of city logistics, and you can ease into cruise life rather than rushing from sightseeing into a long boarding line.

Day 2: Fengdu and Shibaozhai—Legends in the Morning, Cliff Views in the Afternoon

Day 2 starts with a choice, which is great on a cruise where you may otherwise feel locked into a single pace.

Optional morning: Fengdu Ghost City

In the morning you’ll have the option of an extra shore tour to Fengdu Ghost City, scheduled 8:00–10:30. It isn’t included, so you’d pay for the add-on if you want it. Fengdu is famous for its ghost culture connections—an ancient town site with many Buddhist and Taoist temples tied to legend, and a reputation for demons and gods in the local stories.

You can also skip it and do onboard activities instead. That choice is valuable because mornings can be tiring on ships: you’re up earlier than you’d like, and the water setting can make walking days feel longer.

Included afternoon: Shibaozhai Pagoda (cliffside wonder)

In the afternoon you’ll head out for Shibaozhai Pagoda with a shore excursion starting 15:00. This one is included, and the entry ticket is free. The pagoda sits in Zhong County on the south bank of the Yangtze, built against the side of a sheer rectangular cliff—so the setting is part of the attraction.

The practical upside of this stop is that it’s visual from the start. Even if you only spend the right amount of time climbing or walking the viewpoints, you still get the “this is dramatic” payoff without a full-day grind. The downside: cliffside areas often mean uneven paths and lots of stairs, so comfortable shoes matter.

Day 3: Baidi City Optional Morning + Shennv Stream in the Afternoon

Day 3 keeps your pace flexible early, then turns scenic in the afternoon.

Optional morning: Baidi City / White Emperor City area

From 08:00–10:30, you have an optional tour to the White Emperor City area. This stop is also not included. White Emperor City sits in eastern Fengjie, and the region is nicknamed Poem City because poets wrote about the county and the Yangtze scenery.

This is the kind of stop that appeals if you like wandering through temples and old gates at a calmer pace. It’s less of a “single landmark photo moment” and more of a walk-and-look experience.

If you skip it, you can stay on board and rest—useful if your Day 2 shore day felt intense.

Included afternoon: Shennv Stream (Beauty Stream) in the 14:00–16:30 window

Your afternoon shore excursion goes to Shennv Stream from 14:00–16:30, and the admission ticket is included. Locally it’s called the Beauty Stream, partly because it’s fast-moving, shallow, and narrow, with a 15-kilometer length and a section that includes a primitive valley. After water storage projects, you can explore a “secret deep stream canyon” style area and see local residents as part of the visit.

This stop is valuable because it breaks the cruise’s heavy emphasis on city ruins and big monuments. It gives you a quieter, nature-side moment that still feels organized and scheduled.

The only real caution is timing: afternoon excursions mean you’ll be walking while light can shift fast. I’d plan a light layer so you don’t get chilled as the river air changes.

Day 4: Three Gorges Dam Site at Maoping Pier—The Big Finish by Yichang

On the final day you disembark at Maoping Pier of Yichang, then head out for the Three Gorges Dam Project shore excursion. The time window is about 3 hours, and admission is included.

This is the engineering endpoint of the whole voyage. The Yangtze’s famous gorges—Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge—are described as the most beautiful section of the river, and the dam site is the place where that “nature’s art gallery” feel meets modern impact.

What I like about ending here is that it gives meaning to the whole trip. If you’ve spent days looking at river bends, cliffs, and towns perched above the water, you’ll finally understand why this part of the Yangtze matters so much.

Value check: What you actually get (and what costs extra)

Your package includes a strong base set of essentials:

• Cabin bed in a deluxe standard cabin on the 2nd floor
• Land excursion entrances that are listed as included
• Night show, welcome party, and Chinese cultural activities on the cruise
• WiFi on board
• Meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

The extras to budget for are also clear:

• Optional shore tours to Fengdu Ghost City and White Emperor City are not included.
• A 200 RMB per person service charge is payable at boarding.
• Transfers between airport/hotel and cruise terminal are not included.
• If you want a single room, there’s a single room supplement (the package notes cabins are usually for two berthes).

One more practical thought: the price shown is $0.00 in the information you shared. That’s almost certainly a placeholder. Before you plan your budget, make sure you’re looking at the actual payable total, including the service charge and any optional tours you want.

Timing and pacing: Why this 3-night cruise can feel easy

This is a short cruise (about 4 days total), but it’s structured so you don’t feel stuck all day on the ship. You get:

• A full Day 1 start in Chongqing with night departure
• Two port days (one with an optional morning choice, one with both an optional morning and a full included nature excursion)
• A big final morning/afternoon in the Yichang area focused on the dam site

Also, the group size cap of 15 travelers is a quiet advantage. Shore days tend to run more cleanly when you’re not wrestling a huge crowd through buses and ticket lines.

Who should book Century Glory and who might not love it

I think this cruise fits best if you want a luxury-focused river trip without needing to book a separate long sightseeing program. It’s a strong pick for:

• Couples who want comfort and a clear schedule
• Families who value a ship that feels modern and well-run
• Anyone who likes major Yangtze highlights but also wants real downtime on board with WiFi and a sunshine deck

You might think twice if you want maximum flexibility. A set schedule is part of the deal, and a couple of key experiences are optional add-ons rather than included by default.

Should you book this 3-Night Luxury Chongqing to Yichang Cruise?

If you want comfort first—quiet ship vibes, modern cabins, and onboard WiFi—this is one of the better ways to experience the Yangtze without overplanning. The mix of included shore highlights (Shibaozhai Pagoda, Shennv Stream, and the Three Gorges Dam site) means you won’t feel like you’re constantly paying extra to get value.

My advice: budget for the 200 RMB service charge, decide in advance whether you care about Fengdu Ghost City and White Emperor City, and wear shoes you can trust on hillside or cliffside paths. If those boxes match your style, book it and use the ship as part of the experience, not just a floating hotel room.

FAQ

FAQ

What time do I board in Chongqing?

Boarding is scheduled from 19:00 to 21:00 at Chaotianmen Dock. After boarding you’ll do an embarkation safety briefing, then the cruise departs at about 21:30.

Where do I disembark for Yichang?

You disembark at Maoping Pier in Yichang, near Zigui County, Hubei.

Are WiFi and internet available on board?

Yes. WiFi and internet are accessible onboard, with 24 hours available.

What meals are included?

The package includes 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners.

Is dinner included at the captain’s welcome reception?

No. The captain’s welcome reception is included, but the information states that dinner is not included for that welcome reception.

Which shore excursions are optional?

The tour to Fengdu Ghost City in the morning (8:00–10:30) and the tour to the White Emperor City area in the morning (08:00–10:30) are optional and not included.

What shore excursion is included on Day 2?

The shore excursion to Shibaozhai Pagoda is included, and the ticket is listed as free.

Is Shennv Stream included?

Yes. The Shennv Stream shore excursion runs 14:00–16:30 and includes the admission ticket.

Is there an extra fee at boarding?

Yes. The service charge is listed as 200 RMB per person, payable at the time of boarding.

What if the trip is canceled due to weather?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.