River cruising in Asia: The next big thing

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This was published 8 years ago

River cruising in Asia: The next big thing

By Sally Macmillan
APT AmaDara will be cruising the Mekong from August.

APT AmaDara will be cruising the Mekong from August.

While river cruising in Europe continues to attract millions of passengers every year, river cruising in Asia is also on the up and up. New ships are being built to ply the Mekong, more itineraries are being offered on the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar and India's rivers are being "rediscovered" by Western cruise companies. Here's a look at the newest ships on Asia's magnificent waterways.

APT's AmaDara is due to be launched on the Mekong in August, joining the popular AmaLotus. APT operates river and land-based trips between Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos that range from eight to 28 days. AmaDara's 62 staterooms and suites will have twin balconies and other features include a pool, fitness centre, spa and two restaurants.

Avalon Waterways' Avalon Siem Reapis also new to the Mekong this year; the 36-passenger ship is designed to sail between Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap without having to break the journey with a seven-hour bus trip. Aqua Expeditions' luxury 40-passenger vessel Aqua Mekong was launched last year and sails three, four and seven-night itineraries between Phnom Penh and either Siem Reap (Cambodia), or Saigon in Vietnam.

Richard Andrews is a dab hand behind the bar with Carnival Cruise Lines.

Richard Andrews is a dab hand behind the bar with Carnival Cruise Lines.

Meanwhile, cruising on Myanmar's Irrawaddy and Chindwin rivers is booming. Cruiseco launched its second custom-built river ship, the 56-passenger Cruiseco Explorer, in 2014and it will be operating 11, 14 and 17-night Irrawaddy itineraries between August and November 2015. The 36-passenger Avalon Myanmar, which is virtually identical to Avalon Siem Reap, sets sail in September and its main itinerary will be a 14-day round-trip cruise from Yangon.

APT's 30-cabin Samatha and sister company Travelmarvel's 36-cabin Princess Panhwar will start cruising the Irrawaddy early next year. Accommodation on Samatha ranges from 27 square metres to 49 square metres and the ship will have a pool, observation deck and two restaurants; Princess Panhwar's cabins are slightly smaller and the majority will have balconies.

Sanctuary Retreats' top-of-the-range ship Sanctuary Ananda, which was launched last November, offers cruises on the Irrawaddy and Chindwin rivers for three to 11 nights. The elegant ship's accommodation includes the "biggest suite on the river", the 62-square-metre owner's suite.

Sapphire Princess in Alaska.

Sapphire Princess in Alaska.

India's Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers are attracting increasing numbers of river cruisers but there are very few ships operating there compared to the Mekong and Irrawaddy. Cruisco, APT, Travelmarvel and Uniworld are among the lines chartering the new 56-passenger Ganges Voyager for cruises on India's Lower Ganges river in West Bengal. Ganges Voyager is a beautifully appointed ship and many cruises are run in conjunction with extensive land tours. Now's a great time to go.

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MEET THE CREW

NAME Richard Boydon, from Britain

Richard Boydon Second Officer on the Sapphire Princess.

Richard Boydon Second Officer on the Sapphire Princess.

POSITION Second Officer, Princess Cruises' Sapphire Princess

MY JOB I'm a member of the bridge team and my role as a senior officer of the watch involves navigating the ship from one destination to another.

MY TYPICAL DAY … starts at 8am, when I begin a four-hour watch on the bridge. After a quick rest (or if we are in port some additional work onshore) I head to the gym. I'm training for the Great Britain Olympic Rowing Team selections so I follow a strict schedule of weights and time on the rowing machine. After that, it is time for a lovely dinner before arriving on the bridge at 8pm for the evening's watch.

A deluxe cabin in the recently refurbished Spirit of Tasmania.

A deluxe cabin in the recently refurbished Spirit of Tasmania.

FAVOURITE CRUISE MOMENT: Arriving at Singapore in the early hours of the morning – navigating the busy traffic lane and then heading towards the huge skyscrapers and city lights.

MY FAVOURITE CRUISE PORTS: Vancouver – there are always things to do and the ship docks in the city centre. For amazing sightseeing it has to be any of the fiords, whether Alaska, New Zealand, South America or Northern Europe.

INSIDER TIP: I highly recommend visiting the Sterling Steakhouse – book online, especially if it is for a special occasion.

TIP

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NEWS

Get into the Spirit

Spirit of Tasmania is doing a major refurb on its two ships, which sail between the Port of Melbourne and Devonport, Tasmania year-round. Passengers sailing this summer can expect new dining and entertainment options, including the Tasmanian Market Kitchen on Deck 7, updated lounges and bars on Decks 9 and 10, plus a children's play area and teen zone. Designer Richard Nillson said passengers would appreciate a more "contemporary and comfortable" interior "and in the deluxe cabins we have worked to create a hotel character, light and comfortable within the existing cabin space". See spiritoftasmania.com.au/discover.

Melbourne Cup trifecta

Carnival Spirit will leave Sydney on October 30 for an action-packed eight-night round-trip cruise that combines a Halloween theme night, the Melbourne Cup and Crown Oaks Day. Cruisers can enter onboard sweepstakes, take betting advice from well-known race caller John Tapp and join a fashion parade at sea. Racing personality Richie Callander will return to Carnival Spirit to impart his top tips in the lead-up to the big event. Carnival Spirit will spend four days in Melbourne; a behind-the-scenes tour of Flemington Racecourse is part of the package and passengers can opt to upgrade to VIP packages on both race days. carnival.com.au.

Extended cruises

If you're looking for a long sea voyage, one of Royal Caribbean's 2015 repositioning cruises could be just the thing. Departing October 9, Explorer of the Seas will sail from Barcelona to Sydney over 51 nights (from $5069); Mariner of the Seas is sailing a 29-night itinerary from Beijing to Singapore, departing October 7 (from $3569); and Voyager of the Seas will leave Hong Kong on October 14 on a 22-night voyage to Sydney (from $2009). Fares are great value and include taxes and gratuities – just add airfares. royalcaribbean.com.au.

DEAL OF THE WEEK

Enjoy a Regal Princess Baltic Sea cruise and transatlantic crossing with ecruising.travel's 29-day fly/cruise/land package, departing Copenhagen on August 30, 2016. Accommodation in Copenhagen and New York, a scenic helicopter trip in New York and return airfares from Australia are included. From $9189; phone 1300 369 848, see ecruising.travel.

MORE DEALS

CRUISE GURU Escape to the Pacific islands for an eight-night cruise on Celebrity Solstice. The round-trip departs Sydney November 26 and visits Lifou, Noumea and the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia. From $1214; phone 131 303, see cruiseguru.com.au.

P&O CRUISES Looking for a short break? Take off for a three-night food and wine cruise from Sydney. Pacific Pearl has departures on June 13 and 20, and September 4; Pacific Jewel sails on November 6 and 20. From $480. Phone 13 24 94, see pocruises.com.au.

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