AMAWaterways adds the Irrawaddy to its 2015 river schedules

AmaWaterways has launched its new brochure for 2015  and will also launch a new ship, the 56-passenger, all-balcony suites AmaPura, and new river cruise proogramme on Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River in November 2014. Myanmar has a unique, centuries-old culture and architecture, including sacred structures gilded with gold leaf and encrusted with precious gems. AmaWaterways’ river cruises are designed to take in all the highlights, from the temple complex of Bagan to the ‘Golden City’ of Mandalay. AmaPura is built in colonial style, with luxurious, all-balcony suites, fine dining and a plunge pool on deck.

Two itineraries will be on offer: the 10-night Golden Treasures of Myanmar and 14-night Hidden Wonders of Myanmar, with the first departure on 24  November 2014. Cruises will operate year round, except for June, July and August.

The Golden Treasures of Myanmar itinerary costs from £4,679 per person including two nights pre-cruise and one night post-cruise in Yangon, transfers to and from the ship, ten nights on board the ship, all tours, all meals, free-flowing wine, beer and soft drinks with meals, on-board entertainment including cultural shows and lectures, and port charges.

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Mekong cruise, £1295pp, saving £328 with AMA Waterways

Mekong cruise, £1295pp, saving £328

From exotic floating markets to bustling cities, AmaWaterways cruise from Siam Reap to Ho Chi Minh City meanders along Asia’s magnificent Mekong taking in life along its banks with daily included excursions to temples, markets, cities and riverside villages. A week's stay on board the majestic La Marguerite, the most luxurious ship on the river, now costs £1295pp on 19^th March, was £1623pp, saving £328pp. The price includes all meals on board, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, daily excursions and nightly entertainment on board.

 Contact AmaWaterways on freephone 0808 223 5009, www.amawaterways.co.uk

Into Africa for a new, safari-cruise in June 2012: wuth AMA Waterways.

AmaWaterways marks its tenth anniversary in 2012 with the addition of an exclusive new ‘Africa Safaris and Wildlife Cruise’ programme, which includes a four-night cruise aboard the beautiful MS Zambezi Queen, specially-designed for wildlife viewing on the Chobe River. The ship travels along the banks of Chobe National Park, home to one of the densest populations of wildlife in Africa. Here guests will encounter elephants, leopards, lions, and buffalo on excursions by boat or open-air vehicles, a visit to a local village, an authentic ‘boma’ dining experience and delicious cuisine on board. The cruise is preceded by a choice of three extensive land tours take into the heart of Africa, from the expanses of the Serengeti to the awe-inspiring Chobe National Park and the towering landscape of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Each tour concludes with two nights in Victoria Falls, one of the world’s most magnificent sights.

AmaWaterways’ three new Africa itineraries, ‘Stars of Africa’, `African Sunsets’ and `Golden Trails of Africa’, range from 16 to 19 days, commence in June 2012 with prices from £5622pp, excluding flights and transfers

Follow this link to The Cruise Line. UK River Cruise Specialists

Riches of the Mekong form AMA Waterways

AmaWaterways’ Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong 15 night land-cruise includes two nights in vibrant Hanoi followed by an overnight aboard a luxury junk in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay. A short flight then transports guests to Siem Reap, Cambodia, the gateway to the magnificent Angkor Archeological Park to experience tours of world-renowned sites such as Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, the Bayon and the newly-reopened Baphuon Temple. The journey continues with a 7 night voyage along the Mekong River from Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, calling into the bustling capital of Phnom Penh and numerous points of historical and scenic interest, including Kampong Chhnang, Oudong, Tan Chau, Sa Dec, Xeo Quyt and Cai Be. Along the way, guests visit floating markets, rainforests and Buddhist monasteries; ride an oxcart and a trishaw and participate in the delicate craft of rice-paper making.

AmaWaterways’ 15 night land-cruise costs from £2422 per person and includes hotel accommodation, excursions and all meals, wine, beer, local sprits and soft drinks with meals on board, and the seven night cruise-only option costs from £1060 per person, including excursions and drinks. Contact AmaWaterways on freephone 0808 223 5009, www.amawaterways.co.

AmaWaterways will launch the debut of its luxury river cruiser AmaDagio on the Rhone and a new season of its “In Celebration of Wine Cruises” with a President’s Wine Cruise featuring its “Provence and Spain” itinerary. The cruise takes place from March 29 - April 5, 2012 on the Rhone River from Arles to Lyon, France and costs from £1645pp based on two sharing a stateroom, including port taxes and all meals, excluding flights.

This exceptional wine cruise aboard the MS AmaDagio will transport guests through some of France’s most renowned wine regions and explore the Provencal landscape that has inspired poets, painters and writers for centuries.

The specially-crafted AmaWaterways “In Celebration of Wine” itineraries include complimentary wine-themed shore excursions and winery visits; onboard lectures, wine tastings and wine pairings at meals. Highlights of the President’s Wine Cruise include the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Arles and Avignon; the beautiful villages of Viviers, Tournon, Vienne and Trévoux plus excursions to the Beaujolais wine region.

Contact www.amawaterways.co.uk or luxury river cruise specialists The Cruise Line.

AMA launches second boat on the Mekong

Award-winning river cruise line AmaWaterways has launched its second new vessel on the Mekong River, the 124-passenger MS AmaLotus. The 7-night maiden voyage set sail this week after a traditional Vietnamese praying ceremony at the shipyard. The MS AmaLotus joins the MS La Marguerite (2009) in providing distinctive river cruises from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam as part of the highly-popular “Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong” program.  

Featuring ultra-spacious 624-sq. ft. Suites; ten Jr. Suites at 290 sq. ft. and standard staterooms at 226 sq. ft., the MS AmaLotus has outside balconies on 90 percent of her staterooms. The décor combines Colonial elegance with regional Khmer accents, staterooms include comfortable sitting areas, individually controlled air-conditioning, a mini-bar, safety deposit box, kimonos and slippers and luxurious bathtub (Jr. Suites/Suites). Guests enjoy fine dining consisting of both Asian and Western specialties; free-flowing complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner with complimentary house-brand spirits and soft drinks throughout the cruise. Onboard highlights include folklore dances, musical performances and culture discussion forums.

The expansive Sun Deck on the MS AmaLotus provides the perfect place to enjoy a refreshing cool drink, take a swim in the outdoor pool or simply admire the spectacular sunsets over the Mekong. The ship also features two lounges, a fitness room, spa and gift shop. The hotel manager aboard the MS AmaLotus is European, and the entire staff is fully English-speaking.

Launched in 2009, the “Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong” river cruise and land programme is part of the “AmaVoyages” line of river cruises. Separate and distinct from the AmaWaterways European river cruise product, “AmaVoyages” deliver an exceptional experience in some of the world’s most intriguing destinations. The “Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong” itinerary includes two nights in vibrant Hanoi followed by an overnight aboard a luxury junk in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay. A short flight then transports guests to Siem Reap, Cambodia, the gateway to the magnificent Angkor Archeological Park. A two-night stay there includes tours of world-renowned sites such as Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, the Bayon and newly-reopened Baphuon Temple.

From Siem Reap, guests embark on their 7-night odyssey along the Mekong River from Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam. Calls include the bustling capital of Phnom Penh and numerous points of historical and scenic interest, including Kampong Chhnang, Oudong, Tan Chau, Sa Dec, Xeo Quyt and Cai Be. Along the way, guests experience the unforgettable hospitality and ancient traditions of this singular part of the world as they visit floating markets, rainforests and Buddhist monasteries; ride an oxcart and a trishaw and participate in the delicate craft of rice-paper making. The “Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong” program concludes with an overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

The 15 night land-cruise option costs from £2422 per person and includes hotel accommodation, excursions and all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with meals on board, and the seven night cruise-only option costs from £1060, including excursions and drinks. Contact   www.amawaterways.co.uk or The Cruise Line

AmaWaterways to relocate `AmaDagio’ to the Rhone

Award-winning river cruise line AmaWaterways will relocate its beautiful 150-passenger MS AmaDagio to the Rhone River in Southern France at the start of the 2012 season. The ship will cruise a 7-night Lyon to Arles (and reverse) itinerary from late March through to the end of the year as part of the company’s popular “Provence” river cruise programme.

“We are extremely happy that our guests in France will be able to travel the Rhone on a ship that we custom-designed and built ourselves. The AmaDagio will enable us to deliver the premium onboard experience, and provide the same high level of amenities and services that our passengers have come to expect from an AmaWaterways cruise on the Danube and Rhine,” says AmaWaterways President, Rudi Schreiner.

Highlights of the “Provence” cruise itinerary include excursions to the renowned Beaujolais wine region; visits to a winery, local market and olive farm; tours of Roman ruins; and overnights in the UNESCO Heritage sites of Avignon and Arles, where guests will experience the Provencal landscape that inspired poets, painters and writers for centuries.

A week’s `Best of Provence’ sailing on board AmaDagio in 2012 costs from £1654 per person, based on two sharing, including all meals, free flowing wine with dinner, complimentary use of on board bicycles, free wi-fi and infotainment centre and daily escorted tours.

Visit www.amawaterways.co.uk or The CruiseLine.

Down the Mekong with AMA

From 19th of July until October AMA Waterways are offering 16 Days - Spend 2 nights in Hanoi, overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay, then travel to Siem Reap for 3 nights before embarking on a 7-night Mekong River cruise, ending your journey with a 2-night stay in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Log on to AMA waterways to find out more.