Orient-Express has announced that it will launch a new river cruiser in Myanmar from July 2013.
Currently under construction in Yangon, the 50-guest ship will complement Orient-Express’ existing ‘Road to Mandalay’ riverboat which has been cruising the Irrawaddy River for 17 years.
Named ‘Orcaella’ after the Irrawaddy dolphins, the boat will offer a range of cruises between Yangon, Mandalay and the upper reaches of the Irrawaddy. The ship will also cruise on the Chindwin River as far north as Homalin, less than 50km from the Indian border.
The Orcaella will feature 25 cabins with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and balconies. Other facilities include an observation deck with a retractable awning and deckchairs, a restaurant, lounge, bar, fitness centre, spa treatment room, two boutiques and swimming pool.
Irrawaddy cruises to be undertaken by the Orcaella include an 11-night, 1,097km cruise from Mandalay to Bhamo, near the Chinese border, and finishing at the temples at Bagan, and seven-night, 814km cruises between Yangon and Bagan and vice versa.
The vessel will also undertake a range of cruises on the Chindwin River, including an 11-night, 1,374km voyage through rugged landscape of western Myanmar.
