4-day Yangtze River Cruise on President 7
Post on Oct,20,2013
I have never been on a cruise before so I was more than excited to go on the Yangtze River Cruise on President 7. From the moment I stepped foot on the ship I was mesmerized. This cruise ship is absolutely beautiful! All of the luxuries of daily life were all in one place. I have to say convenience was a large concern of mine; however once I saw everything that was aboard the ship my worries were put to rest. Typically I do not talk about my travels and experiences but this one was so amazing I just have to share it with you.
The Yangtze River and What to See
First let me break down and share all of the beautiful things there are to see along the Yangtze River. I had no idea I would see such breathtaking beauty. The Chongqing Jinyun Mountain was my favorite site along the river to see. I loved the white clouds that looked kind of like smoke that hung over the mountains. While in the cruise I found out that this mountain actually nine peaks. Something else I saw while going along the Yangtze River was the Yunyang Zhangfei Temple. I loved the architecture and structure of the building. It was also pretty cool listening to the history behind this famous temple. In general it has a very.
Before I forget I have to mention one more very beautiful site along the Yangtze River; the Red Cliff. You can see the effects of battle on the cliff which makes it pretty unique. I must say it is no shock that I saw so many lovely sites along the Yangtze River considering it is the longest river in Asia. I am just as happy to have learned about the culture and history of these sites as we went along as well!
On Board Activities
I knew cruise ships had a variety of things you can do onboard besides just sightseeing; however I had no idea exactly what I was in for. I would say my favorite onboard activity would be the beauty salon and sauna. I went to the gym a few times for a heavy workout and let me tell you it was great to relax in the sauna afterwards. My body felt so relaxed! In addition the ship has a massage room. I bet that would be great after a workout or just as a treat. I did not get to experience the massage room myself though. Oh, and there were tons of shops to browse for those who have the itch to shop. Here is a list of the other onboard activities available:
- Nightly shows
- Full size go lf course
- Huge indoor heated pool
- Full bar
- Internet café
- Library
- Large luxury cinema
- Play rooms for kids
No matter what you are in the mood to do, chances are you will find it on this cruise ship. I really enjoyed getting some books from the library and reading on my private balcony while enjoying the weather.
Dining Onboard
I was a bit nervous about dining onboard since I am a picky eater. What if I didn’t like the food? It’s not as if I could have just jumped in my car and went somewhere to eat right? Luckily for me the food was amazing! The breakfast and lunches consisted of both Western foods as well as Chinese foods.
Dinner was always a Chinese dish. I would smell the food and my mouth would begin to automatically water with delight. Clearly the food was prepared by 5 star chefs. That really isn’t a shock though considering this is a 5 star luxury ship. Expect nothing less than the best when it comes to the food. I often took advantage of the Chinese buffets while on the trip but a few times I did order some exquisite Chinese dinners. I can honestly say I was never disappointed when it came to the food.
Shore Excursions
Even though there were so many luxuries and things to do and see while on the ship I am glad we had time to get off and enjoy some shore excursions. The first excursion was to Fengdu Ghost City. This is an optional excursion and I decided to check it out. Talk about a place full of culture! My eyes were wide the entire time! I tried to make the most of this excursion by checking out the Tianzi Hall, Ancestral Temple, the Naihe Bridge, and the national forest park. I love looking at different types of architecture and was not disappointed with what I saw in this city. It was absolutely stunning.
Later on that afternoon we went on another excursion. We visited the Shibaozhai Temple. The first thing it reminded me of was an older action movie set. It is a 100 foot high pagoda that is beautiful to look at from far away. My legs were already a little sore from walking around Fengdu Ghost City so I decided to take the exit route that was inside the pagoda. The stairs were bigger and less steep as the ones outside. There were many visitors though that took the trek up the steep small stairs to experience the scenic route. Either way I am willing to bet the view was incredible.
The third day I went on the optional White Emperor City excursion. Keep in mind this excursion will depend on the river conditions. I did know prior to the cruise that this city is known as the City of Poems. I love poetry
For those who love to be in the water you will certainly enjoy the Shennong Stream excursion. Visitors will hop into a boat and take a tour through the waters while taking in all of the beautiful views. At one point the people operating the boat started to sing for us! That was pretty cool. I would say this was one of the more peaceful excursions of the entire trip. It is very relaxing to just sit and float down the river looking at beautiful mountains. My mind started was at ease and it felt like I did not have a care in the world.
The last excursion I want to talk about is the Three Gorges Dam. It was only a one hour excursion but still enjoyable. This dam is the world’s largest water conservancy project. I don’t know much about that kind of thing so seeing this dam was actually educational for me. I found out some pretty cool facts about the project.
I do have a few tips for those who want to go on shore excursions. My first tip is to do some research prior to the cruise so you understand exactly what you are experiencing. Knowing the history of the places makes the experience much more pleasurable. Also, try and rest prior to the excursions. They involve a great deal of walking which some people may not be prepared for. Make sure you have enough to pay for the tickets also. If possible check your e-mail right before the cruise in case there have been any changes in the stops.
Other Services
If you have any kind of special diet restrictions please let the cruise line or ship receptionist know ahead of time so that proper arrangements can be made. Keep in mind that alcoholic beverages can be expensive and typically only soft drinks and beer are free with your meals; wine is extra. It is very important that I mention the service available if you need an adapter. It is best if you just bring the proper charger from home since not all ships will carry all adapters. If you do not bring one you can check with the front desk but be advised it is not guaranteed that there will be an adapter available for use.
Other services onboard include medical services, elevators, and internet services. Oh, and not every room will have a hair dryer so bring your own if possible. If not then you may be able to borrow one from the front desk.
Tips for the Staff
Another thing to keep in mind is that a ship tip will be required; plan your budget accordingly to avoid any confusion or inconvenience. When it comes to tipping please understand that the staff works very hard to make sure you have a stellar experience. While some of the services you may not typically tip for while not on a cruise you should leave a tip on the trip. Tip anyone who makes your trip comfortable and do not forget the tour guides.
This was an amazing experience and I highly recommend this cruise trip to anyone looking to relax, explore, and get a taste of real culture and history.
