In a sign of high-end travelers’ interest in touring Burma, a second Orient-Express Hotel river vessel will be launched to cruise the Irawaddy River.
The “Orcaella,” a 50-passenger vessel, is now under construction in Rangoon and will be launched in June 2013, joining its sister ship, the 82-passenger “Road to Mandalay,” which has been cruising the Irrawaddy for 17 years.
The new ship will have 25 cabins with floor-to-ceiling, sliding-glass doors and balconies with river views. There will be four decks with two balcony suites on the main deck as well as 15 state cabins and eight deluxe cabins on the main and upper decks. All will have air conditioning and ensuite facilities, and four of the cabins will be interconnecting.
The luxury ship also sports a fitness center and spa treatment room, plus two restaurants.
The Orcaella will operate from January to April and July to December, offering a seven-night, 506-mile cruise from Rangoon to Bagan (and the reverse) and an 11-night, 682-mile cruise from Mandalay up to Bhamo, near the Chinese border, and ending in Bagan. There will also be an 11-night, 854-mile cruise along the Chindwin River.
Such accommodations don’t come cheap, starting at $5,040 per person for a seven-night cruise including all meals onboard, excursions, transfers and domestic flights.
