New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/21/2012 -- Century Cruises, a leading Yangtze River cruise line, has announced the completion of an extensive “Quality Enhancement Program” (QEP) encompassing everything from the hotel management to the food quality to the entertainment onboard its luxurious 5-star fleet.

A key aspect of the QEP was additional staff training, which included Century’s European Hotel Managers. Some senior staff members were sent to Europe for training and meetings with their counterparts aboard 5-Star ships operated by one of world’s premier river cruise lines. The program also included a review of Century’s food supply system, which resulted in improvements in the quality of food served onboard, and the addition of new international dishes into Century’s menus.

Enhanced Activities and Amenities
As part of the QEP, Century hired a professional choreographer and dancers to improve its program of onboard dance performances that features Chinese folk dances, music and beautiful costumes. Amenities such as “afternoon tea” have also been enhanced with the serving of delicate deserts and cookies, and a more elegant atmosphere in which talented Century staff members play traditional Chinese instruments or teach passengers Chinese. All other onboard activities and amenities have also been subject to a thorough review to ensure that Century’s 5-Star standards are maintained or exceeded in its 2012 sailings.

“Our Quality Enhancement Program ensures that Century will maintain its well-deserved reputation for providing our passengers with a world-class river cruise experience while discovering one of the world’s most historic waterways,” commented Alex Ye, Century’s Vice President, Marketing.

A History of Excellence
Since the company’s launch in 2003, Century Cruises has been setting the standards for onboard hospitality, service, and amenities among 5-Star Yangtze River cruise lines. Its first ship, the Century Star, was the first cruise ship to feature private balconies with every cabin.

In 2005, the Century Sky was the first ship to have a grand atrium lobby and two mid-ship observation elevators. It also boasted the largest standard cabin on the Yangtze (278 sq. ft). Three years later, the Century Diamond became the first cruise ship to install pure drinking water in every cabin.

And in addition to such state-of -the-art amenities as a 2,150 sq. ft. heated indoor swimming pool, spa and fitness center, Century’s two newbuilds, the Century Paragon and Century Legend, feature the first integrated E-Propulsion and Rudder Propeller System on the Yangtze, substantially reducing vibration and noise, and significantly increasing the ships’ maneuvering capability.

The current Century fleet is comprised of the 5-star Century Star, Century Sky, Century Sun, Century Diamond, and Century Emerald. For more information, contact the company’s Senior U.S. Representative, Jeff O’Rourke, at 888-980-8747 or jeff@centuryrivercruises.com. You can also log on to http://www.centuryrivercruises.com.