29 Sep 2019
Overall it was a good cruise. Seven was is lovely, and easy to get a seat or lounge chair.
There were around 200 guests, and perhaps 10-15 that spoke English. We paid the extra 3000 yuan to upgrade to an Executive Suite. If the boat is not full, this will be offered to you - or even 10,000 for the Presidential Suite. The rooms are much bigger, but the regular rooms are more than acceptable with private balconies. There is a separate dining area for the Executive Suites, but other guest can pay a bit more to use it. Apparently the food is better, and you get an allocated table. Buffet food was good and plentiful.
Service is good - they generally don’t speak English well, but are friendly. You room is made up promptly every day.
A drinks package is available at 799 yuan. This includes all drinks including cocktails. Good value if you drink a lot. We paid as we went instead. There is a 15% service charge on everything. It adds up.
There are a number of optional tours. We didn’t take them up as we were not feeling 100%. They are around 299 yuan per person.
The entertainment on the ship is pretty ordinary. A “live band” each night was a duo with an iPad for backing tracks, a keyboard player who played awfully and a female singer who was ok. There was also a cabaret show featuring the staff - great outfits but not very good. The Chinese guests seemed to enjoy it. For a cruise of this cost, there should be MUCH better entertainment.
Please note a compulsory 150 yuan tip charge per person is added to your account. It is not disclosed.