CENTURY PARAGON Overview
The Century Paragon was launched in 2013 along with its sister ship, the Century Legend. Owned and operated by the Chinese company, Century Cruises, it is one of the most luxurious vessels to cruise the Yangtze River in China. It is a 5-star cruise ship that carries up to 398 passengers and 150 crew members.
Century Paragon is 456 feet long and has seven decks, which is twice as many as most European river cruise ships. Staterooms range in size from 265 square feet to 1,140 square feet and 96 percent have a balcony. It’s one of the only river cruise ships that has staterooms on the top deck. There are 11 Executive Suites located on Deck 7.
CENTURY PARAGON Staterooms
There are 5 different stateroom categories aboard the Century Paragon. Categories are further differentiated by their relative positions on the ship and their square footage:
Main Deck (Deck 2)
There are 8 staterooms located on this deck. This is the only deck that has this stateroom category.
- Category DO is a Deluxe Outside Stateroom. There 8 available located Midship. This category features a large picture window that does not open. Stateroom size is 265 square feet.
Upper Deck (Deck 3)
There are 32 cabins on this deck, and all are the same category.
- Category DS is a Deluxe Stateroom with a Balcony. There are 32 cabins available located Forward and Midship. Stateroom size is 300 square feet.
Promenade Deck (Deck 4)
There are 66 cabins on this deck. This deck has the most staterooms.
- Category DS is a Deluxe Stateroom with a Balcony. There are 62 cabins available located Midship and Aft. Stateroom size is 300 square feet.
- Category JS is a Junior Suite. There are 2 cabins located Midship. Stateroom size is 325 square feet.
- Category PS is a Presidential Suite. There are 2 cabins (#301 and #302) located Forward on the ship. Stateroom size 1140 square feet.
Bridge Deck (Deck 5)
There are 64 cabins on this deck. It’s one of the decks with the most staterooms.
- Category DS is a Deluxe Stateroom with a Balcony. There are 62 cabins available located Midship and Aft. Stateroom size is 300 square feet.
- Category JS is a Junior Suite. There are 2 cabins located Midship. Stateroom size is 325 square feet.
Observation Deck (Deck 6)
There are 23 staterooms on this deck. Only one category is available on this deck.
- Category ES is an Executive Suite. There are 23 staterooms available located Midship and Aft. Stateroom size is 415 square feet.
Sun Deck (Deck 7)
There are 11 staterooms on this deck. Only one category is available on this deck.
- Category ES is an Executive Suite. There are 11 staterooms available located Midship and Aft. Stateroom size is 415 square feet.
All staterooms with a balcony on the Century Paragon feature floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open to a private balcony. This includes all stateroom categories with the exception of Category DO, which features a large window that does not open. The Presidential Suites have a wrap-around balcony that is furnished with a table and 2 chairs and 2 sunloungers.
At minimum all rooms include a living area with a sofa, a coffee table and a writing desk as well as a bathroom with a shower/tub combination. The Presidential Suites have a separate dining room, a bedroom and a large living room.
Nice comfortable beds feature a firm mattress with a memory-foam topper and are covered with fine Egyptian cotton linens.
Each room is equipped with an HD flat-screen TV, a mini-fridge and mini-bar, a personal safe, individual climate control and complimentary bottled water that is replenished daily. And all guests are treated to luxury bath products, bathrobes and slippers.
Uniworld Signature Suites offer private balconies, cozy sitting areas, comfy robes and slippers, fine bath products, satellite TV, and air conditioning.
Uniworld VIP benefits onboard include complimentary fruit plate upon arrival; complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks in the Executive Reception area; one complimentary sauna visit; complimentary use of the pool; dining in the Executive VIP Restaurant with complimentary house wine, local beers, and soft drinks served during dinner; dedicated Uniworld representative; express check-in and check-out.
Note: While the Century Legend is a serene and comfortable ship, its amenities may differ from those of a Uniworld company-owned ship.
CENTURY PARAGON Public Areas
The Century Paragon is a very large ship compared to most river cruise ships, which means it has more public areas in addition to having more staterooms. While you’ll find many of the same general areas that are found on other river cruise ships, there are a few that aren’t always included, such as a Laundry Room on Deck 2 and a Medical Clinic on Decks 1 and 2. Please be aware that if you need to visit the Medical Clinic during your river cruise, you will need to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses if you choose to use insurance for your visit.
A large Indoor Heated Swimming Pool is located on the Lower Deck (Deck 1). Also located on this deck is the Cinema, a Hair Salon and a spacious Spa and Massage room.
Some guests are sure to enjoy some friendly competition in the Card Room on the Main Deck (Deck 2) and the Game Room on the Sun Deck (Deck 7).
Dining options are somewhat limited. The main Dining Hall is located on the Upper Deck (Deck 3). And the VIP Restaurant, which is located on the Sun Deck (Deck 7), is reserved for guests from select staterooms. Either way, though, your sure to enjoy the chance to savor traditional Chinese cuisine.
A few other public areas for guests to gather include the Sun Deck on the top deck (Deck 7) and the+ Lounge on the Observation Deck (Deck 6).
The Century Paragon features a Boutique Shop on both the Promenade Deck (Deck 4) and the Bridge Deck (Deck 5).
And some other public areas for guests to enjoy, include a Fitness Center located on the Sun Deck (Deck 7) and a Library on (Deck 7).
Itineraries & Pricing
- 11-day Daning, Lesser Gorges, Shennong Stream, Three Gorges, and Yangtze (“Highlights of China & the Yangtze”), 3-day cruise, Beijing to Shanghai, balconies from $4,249, Mar-Oct
- 12-day Daning, Lesser Gorges, Shennong Stream, Three Gorges, and Yangtze (“Treasures of China & the Yangtze”), 4-day cruise, Shanghai to Beijing, balconies from $4,449, Mar-Oct
- 14-day Daning, Lesser Gorges, Shennong Stream, Three Gorges, and Yangtze (“China, Tibet & the Yangtze”), 4-day cruise, Beijing to Hong Kong, balconies from $6,599, Mar-Oct
- 18-day Daning, Lesser Gorges, Shennong Stream, Three Gorges, and Yangtze (“Grand China & the Yangtze”), 4-day cruise, Shanghai to Beijing, balconies from $4,449, Mar-Oct
River Cruisers Should Know!
- Avalon Waterways passengers are booked in Deluxe Balcony staterooms only.
- Uniworld passengers are booked in either an Executive Suite or a Presidential Suite.
- All staterooms have a river view.
- An elevator is available for passenger use.
- Free Wi-Fi is available only in the Executive Lounge area. It is also available throughout the ship, but there is an additional charge to use it.
- All staterooms aboard Century are fitted with 220 volt, European style two-prong plugs. North American cruisers should bring an adapter, such as the Samsonite Europe Non-Grounded adapter.
- Citizens of many countries are required by the Government of China to obtain a visa in addition to their regular passport. All passports must be valid for six months from the date of return. Obtaining these documents is the responsibility of the guest.
See other Uniworld Ship Reviews:
- Century Legend
- Ganges Voyager II
- Queen Isabel
- River Ambassador
- River Baroness
- River Beatrice
- River Countess
- River Duchess
- River Empress
- River Orchid
- River Princess
- River Queen
- River Royale
- River Tosca
- River Victoria
- S.S. Antoinette
- S.S. Catherine
- S.S. Maria Theresa
Read other articles about the Century Paragon.
