Road to Mandalay River Cruises

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UPDATE: ORIENT-EXPRESS OPERATIONS IN BURMA (MYANMAR)
FOLLOWING CYCLONE NARGIS

Following the effects of Cyclone Nargis, the Road To Mandalay river cruise service will be suspended for the 2008/2009 season during which time the vessel will be repaired and substantially reconditioned in Burma. The boat will return to service in the summer of 2009 at the start of the 2009/2010 season.

All passengers who were booked to travel during the suspension of services are being contacted directly or via their travel agents so that they can re-arrange their travel plans and assistance will be offered to make alternative arrangements, if required.

Road to Mandalay - Experience the Magic of Myanmar
Few places on earth remain untouched in their natural beauty and charm from one century to the next. The ancient land of Burma, now known as Myanmar, is however, an exception to the rule, and on board the Road To Mandalay we bring you the best of this fascinating, unspoiled country. A journey along the Ayeyarwady River is a voyage of a lifetime. From this mighty river, which runs the length of the country, treasures can be admired which have for so long been hidden from the world’s gaze.

The Road To Mandalay provides the most comfortable vantage point from which to absorb the surrounding serene beauty, taking in its golden-inspired pagodas, ancient temples, sleepy riverside settlements and saffron-clad monks. The Road To Mandalay incorporates elegant Burmese materials and unique styles with high standards in decor and modern comfort. Air-conditioned throughout, the ship has 4 decks and accommodates 110 passengers. All of the 58 spacious cabins are sympathetically decorated using Burmese style fabrics.

VOYAGES

Mandalay-Bagan-Mandalay (8 days/7 nights)
Join the Road To Mandalay for a seven night cruise along the Ayearwaddy River. Explore Mandalay and Sagang before cruising south to Bagan. Spend two nights exploring the magnificent ruins of Bagan and Mount Popa - sacred home of Nats, before cruising north again to Mandalay visiting Ava and Mingun enroute.

Bagan-Mandalay-Bagan (8 days/7 nights)
Fly from Yangon to Bagan for a tour of the city. Join the Road To Mandalay for the seven night cruise along the Ayeyarwady River. Visit the ancient city of Ava and Mingun and discover the city of Mandalay. At Bagan the ruins of more than 2,000 temples remain. Enjoy local riverlife as you cruise the Ayeyarwady River.

Bagan-Mandalay (5 days/4 nights)
Join the Road To Mandalay for the four night cruise to Mandalay. Visit Bagan, where the ruins of more than 2,000 temples remain and enjoy local riverlife as you cruise the Ayeyarwady River, visiting Sagaing, and Mingun enroute. Arrive in Mandalay, where magnificent sights await.

Mandalay-Bagan (4 days/3 nights)
Join the Road To Mandalay for a relaxing cruise to Bagan, visiting Mandalay and Sagaing enroute. Spend Friday exploring Bagan, where the ruins of more than 2,000 temples remain.

Mandalay-Bhamo-Bagan (12 days/11 nights)
At the end of the rainy season when the Ayeyarwady floods, join the Road To Mandalay for this incredible passage north. Pass through magnificent gorges and visit riverside towns and pagodas along the way.

With the Union of Myanmar (formerly Burma) gradually reopening its doors to the outside world, the Road To Mandalay became the ideal way to explore the undiscovered beauty of this long-hidden land.

The ship itself originally began life as a Rhine cruiser in Germany and made her maiden voyage on 6th July 1964. Originally built to very high standards for its day, the ship was purchased by Orient-Express Hotels, Trains & Cruises in 1994 following a period as a floating hotel in Dresden. The ship underwent a major refurbishment programme at Lauenberg /Hamburg at a cost of US$6 million. This mostly consisted of reducing the number of cabins from 98 to 72, and installing decorations that blend contemporary designs with traditional Burmese, plus a state-of-the-art sewage system to preserve the purity of the Ayeyarwady River.

Once the refurbishment was completed the ship was transported, courtesy of a specialist transporting ship, via the English Channel and the Suez Canal to Myanmar, arriving towards the end of 1995. The Road To Mandalay was unloaded in Yangon and, after attracting a great deal of local interest, sailed up the Ayeyarwady River to Mandalay. Once in Mandalay local craftsmen added final decoration and fittings including locally woven furniture for the Observation Lounge, and carvings for the Restaurant. Local antiques were also sought and carefully chosen to provide a true Burmese atmosphere on board.

The inaugural cruise departed Mandalay on 31st January 1996 and arrived in Bagan on 5th February 1996, guests included HRH Prince Michael of Greece, Helena Bonham Carter, HRH Princess Michael of Kent and HRH Princess Marina of Greece. Today the Road To Mandalay continues to ply the waters of the Ayeyarwady River giving passengers the opportunity to see this fascinating and ancient land while traveling in traditional comfort.

Stretching for over 1,930 km from the North Himalayan region to the South tip of the Tenasserim region, which faces the Andaman Sea, Myanmar (Burma) borders India and Bangladesh to the North West and West, China and Laos to the North East and Thailand to the East and South East.

The Road To Mandalay cruises the Ayeyarwady River which flows over 2,000 km from the Kachin Hills in the North to the Andaman Sea

Dining: While you are on board the Road To Mandalay, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. No journey to Asia would be complete without sampling the regional cuisine and on board you can enjoy an acclaimed menu of Eastern and Western delicacies, which are served with natural Burmese courtesy and charm. Buffet-style lunch is served on the Observation Deck or in the Restaurant in seven different themes: Burmese, Shan, Thai, Indonesian, Chinese, Indian and European. Dinners are served in the Restaurant, at a time to suit you, and offer a choice of dishes to suit all tastes from the a la carte menu. A selection of European and Australian wines are available to compliment your meal. The buffet breakfast is augmented by an a la carte selection of hot items cooked to order. Early morning coffee and afternoon tea is served in the Lounge, on the Observation Deck or in your cabin on request. Tea, regular coffee, soft drinks and bottled still water are available, complimentary at all times.

Accommodations: Inside this graceful river cruiser the emphasis rests on traditional comfort. The spacious en suite cabins are air-conditioned and furnished with beautiful fabrics, fine linens and soft towels, while a friendly room service is available to guests 24 hours a day. Three types of cabin are available, Single, Superior and State all with en suite shower and WC facilities. Each cabin has a personal safe, telephone, satellite TV with in-house video and hairdryers. Sockets are suitable for 2-pin round plugs (220 volts).
Single Cabin: The Ship has 6 Single Cabins located on B deck. Single Cabins are 11.25 square metres.
Superior Cabin: The ship has 38 Superior Cabins, located on both decks A and B. Superior Cabins on A deck are 11.25 square metres with twin beds and a panoramic window. Superior Cabins on B deck are 11.25 square metres with twin beds and two smaller windows.
State Cabin: The ship has 14 beautifully appointed, spacious State Cabins located on A Deck. The State Cabins are 22.5 m

Will I need to tip the staff?
The price you pay for a journey aboard the Road To Mandalay is fully inclusive of all service charges. However, if a member of staff has helped make your journey particularly special then any gratuities you wish to give are entirely at your discretion.

Passports and Visas
Advice on up to date requirements should be sought from the consulate office in your country of residence, or from your travel agent. For general guidance please note the following:
-Your passport must have at least 6 months remaining validity at time of travel.
-Visas are required by all visitors to Myanmar and are valid for 28 days.
A visa must be obtained before entering Myanmar. Your Reservations Office/travel agent will issue you with a package tour letter prior to you contacting your local Myanmar Embassy or Consulate for a package tour visa.
Alternatively passengers may obtain a tourist visa before entering Myanmar but must exchange US$200 into Foriegn Exchange Certificates (FEC's) and produce 3 passport size photos. The FEC’s can be used to settle hotel accounts in shops and restaurants within Myanmar. The present exchange rate is US$1=1 FEC.
Please note that it is the responsibility of each passenger to ensure that they are in possession of any necessary and valid documentation and the Company assumes no responsibility for the consequences of any failure to comply. Any passenger without a visa will not be allowed to board their flight to Myanmar.

Holiday Insurance
Passengers must take out travel and luggage insurance as soon as the journey is booked. If you have not already arranged travel insurance, we suggest you contact us.

Currency
The local currency in Myanmar is Kyat. FEC's (Foreign Exchange Certificates) and US Dollar bills are also widely used in Myanmar and accepted almost everywhere.
We recommend that passengers carry US Dollars (small denomination notes) for miscellaneous spending. Please note that other currencies (£, euro's etc) are not accepted and that travelers cheques are difficult to transact.
Major international credit cards, with the exception of Master Card, are accepted in Myanmar, by the Road To Mandalay and International Hotels. However, please note that most shops in Myanmar do not accept payment by credit card.
Please note that you will also need sufficient currency to pay airport departure taxes, currently 500 Baht from Bangkok, and US$10 when leaving Myanmar. However, the departure tax from Myanmar is included in the cost of your holiday if you are traveling on a Road To Mandalay inclusive programme departing from Bangkok.

Customs
Customs regulations are in line with most other countries of the world. All passengers will be responsible for claiming and clearing their own luggage on arrival in Myanmar. Mobile telephones are not permitted in Myanmar and may be held upon arrival and returned on departure.
Health
Conditions in Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan are comparable to those in other parts of South East Asia. It is recommended that you contact your medical practitioner or travel specialist for advice on health preparations and requirements.
The ship carries a doctor on board. A small fee is charged for medical services and prescriptions.
Luggage
Due to airline restrictions luggage is limited to a weight of 20 kilos per person. Your luggage should be labeled with a contact address.

Hand luggage (air travel): Your passport, travel documents, jewelry, money, camera, fragile items and any medication should be hand carried and not checked in. Due to restricted storage on Air Mandalay flights, each passenger is allowed one piece of hand luggage. Larger items of luggage will need to be checked in before your flight.

Cabin luggage: When you plan your packing, please bear in mind that all luggage must be stored in your cabin. In each cabin there is a wardrobe with hangers.
Please note that there are no facilities available for storage of luggage not required during your cruise.
We suggest that you make arrangements to store excess baggage at your Bangkok hotel. Alternatively, passengers who are traveling via a Yangon hotel to and from the Road To Mandalay, may like to use storage facilities, if available, at their hotel.

Climate
Myanmar is generally described as having three seasons. From September to February the day time temperature is about 28°C (80°F) with cool evenings. March to May is hot but dry. From June to September is the rainy season. The area visited by the Road To Mandalay is protected from most of the monsoon and is described as the dry zone.

Festivals
Myanmar is a land of numerous festivals. One of the merriest is Thingyan Water Festival, which takes place in mid-April. During this religious festival water is thrown on everyone and no passer-by is spared. Tourist can expect to become targets. The experience should be taken in the spirit in which it is intended – that of a fun celebration. Visitors should wear appropriate clothing during this time i.e. something you don’t mind getting wet in, and make provision to protect items such as cameras.

Food
Local cuisine is a cross between Chinese and Indian - with traditional Myanmar curries and soups being the local favorites.

Language
There are many different ethnic groups in Myanmar, all with their own languages. The majority of people speak Myanmar (Burmese). English is widely understood and spoken.

Photography
Observe local notices – some pagodas and temples do not allow photography while others ask for a small payment. Treat Buddhist images with respect and seek permission from monks before photographing them.
Photography of airports, railway stations, police stations, military installations and government offices may result in film being confiscated. We recommend discretion when taking pictures.

Religion
The Burmese are religious people and have a high regard for religious customs and traditions. Dress and conduct should be appropriate when visiting religious sites.
When entering the grounds of a pagoda or monastery it is important to remove all footwear (including socks and stockings). This is both polite and a mark of respect. At the same time visitors should wear appropriate dress (this applies equally to men and women). Essentially, the knees should be covered which means long shorts are acceptable.

Service
The people of Myanmar live an unhurried, leisurely way of life. Service in hotels or restaurants may thus seem a little slow. Instead of being troubled by this, visitors should learn to adapt to the relaxed rhythm to enjoy their visit even more.

Shopping
Many different arts, crafts and antiques are available throughout Myanmar, hand crafted lacquerware, embroidered cotton and wood carvings all make good souvenirs. Myanmar is of course renowned for its precious stones, particularly rubies. You should only buy these from licensed Government shops.

What to Wear
Rarely is anything more than a short-sleeve shirt or blouse required in Yangon. Further north a light jacket or sweater will be needed during the cooler months. Shorts, short skirts or revealing clothing are not appropriate because Myanmar preserves a conservative and largely Buddhist culture. Conservative dress is particularly appropriate when visiting temples. Essentially the knees should be covered which means long shorts are acceptable. It is obligatory to remove shoes and socks for all temple visits in Myanmar. This is both polite and a mark of respect. It is recommended that visitors wear sandals or shoes which can be easily slipped on or off. Hats and sunglasses are obviously advisable, as is an umbrella for the rainy season. Rainy seasons often start out sunny but outbursts of rain can be heavy, even if short and infrequent.

Is it safe to visit Myanmar?
Yes. Until recently, this fascinating country has kept itself in isolation from the rest of the world. As a result its beauty and charm have remained unspoiled. Myanmar is now welcoming travellers - and the Road To Mandalay is the best way to experience this unique country.

Will I require visas and injections for my journey?
Advice on up to date requirements should be sought from the consulate office in your country of residence, or from your local travel agent. For general guidance:
- Your passport must be valid for ten years and have at least six months remaining at the time of entry into your country of residence.
- Visas are required by all visitors to Myanmar and are valid for 28 days.
A visa must be obtained before entering Myanmar. Your Reservations Office/travel agent will issue you with a package tour letter prior to you contacting your local Myanmar Embassy or Consulate for a package tour visa.
Alternatively, passengers may obtain a tourist via before entering Myanmar but must exchangeUS$200 into FEC’s (Foreign Exchange Certificates) and produce 3 passport size photo’s. The FEC’s can be used to settle hotel accounts and in shops and restaurants within Myanmar.

Is the Road To Mandalay similar to an "ocean-going" cruise ship?
No. The Road To Mandalay is more intimate, and passengers enjoy a number of opportunities to go ashore and explore Myanmar. The other main difference is in the entertainment. While you'll see none of the cabaret shows found on cruise ships, you will enjoy a relaxing pianist, and more cultural entertainment which gives you an enhanced experience of this fascinating country.

How many days does a cruise last?
You can join the Road To Mandalay for different lengths of time. The shortest cruise is 3 nights, but there are other options available up to 11 nights. The most common complaint from passengers who travel for 3 or 4 nights is that they wish they had booked for longer!

Where does the Road To Mandalay travel to?
Along the Ayeryarwady river in Myanmar (Burma) between Mandalay and Bagan with occasional longer cruises to Bhamo and Pyi.

Are there any beauty facilities on board?
"La Source Beauty Spa" offers guests facials, aromatherapy massages, manicures, traditional Burmese head massage, hair wash and western styling (blow-dry, curler set) etc.

Can I buy souvenirs or presents on board the ship?
Yes. In the on-board boutique you will find a range of lacquerware as well as traditional Burmese fabrics, silver and gold jewelry and objects d'art. There is also a range of international gifts exclusively designed for the Road To Mandalay. Camera film and batteries are also stocked. However, the range of film is limited and if you require a special type of film it is recommended that you bring your own supply.

What currency do I need on board the Road To Mandalay?
All transactions on board are in US Dollars, in cash. Items for sale are priced in US$. Foreign currencies, credit cards and travelers cheques are not accepted.
The local currency in Myanmar is Kyat. FECs (Foreign Exchange Certificates) and US dollars are also widely used in Myanmar and accepted almost everywhere. We recommend that passengers carry US dollars in small denominations for miscellaneous spending. Please note CREDIT CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTED IN MYANMAR, likewise travelers cheques and other currencies.
What do I take to wear on board the Road To Mandalay?
The atmosphere on board is relaxed. For dinner, appropriate dress is "smart casual", e.g. open-neck shirt and jacket for men. Formal wear is not required. Between September and February it is advisable to pack a light sweater for the evenings. Shoes, which can be easily slipped on and off for visits to temples are also recommended.

Will there be room in my cabin for my all my luggage?
When you plan your packing, please bear in mind that all luggage must be stored in your cabin. In each cabin there is a wardrobe with hangers. There are no facilities for storage of luggage not required during your cruise. It is recommended that any excess luggage is stored at your hotel in Yangon or Bangkok.

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