Cruise Information

River Vessel Amalotus is a new cruise and will open in September 2011. Amalotus cruise raises the bar in river cruising in the Mekong Delta. Amalotus offers unparalleled cruise experience, top notch excursions along the Mekong Delta between Saigon and Siem Reap. Amalotus is the first river vessel of esteemed Indochina Sails cruise company where its reputation is derived from endorsements from its customers. World Class paired gourmet dining experience adds sparks to its river cruise while its carefully researched excursions to cultural destinations allows for passion revival for its travelers.

The concept

This new luxury boutique ship, will join the ms La Marguerite on the Mekong River. Together, they set a whole new standard in river cruising. With only 62 suites, an intimate cruising experience aboard the ms Amalotus is assured. Our twin balcony concept is a feature of most suites, while the variety of stylish public areas provides the ultimate in recreational choice and comfort. Every feature contributes to a truly opulent discovery of the sights, sounds and remote beauty of the Mekong Delta.

Revolutionary Suites - More than 90% of suites on board feature an Outside Balcony as well as an AMA Private Balcony, which creates a cosy conservatory-style area.

Private Outside Balconies - Watch the floating villages and markets drift by from your own personal balcony, knowing that your air-conditioned suite is but a step away.

Swimming Pool on the Sun Deck - Head to the Sun Deck, grab a drink from the bar and cool off with a refreshing swim in the pool after a day of discovery.

Largest suites on the Mekong River
Youngest ship on the Mekong, launching in 2011
Over 90% of suites with exclusive twin balconies
Choice of delicious Asian and Western cuisine
Regional wine included with lunch & dinner
Soft drink, local beer and spirits included all day
Two lounges, a library, Sun Deck with pool and bar, salon, spa, Fitness Centre and restaurant on board

Standard Suite (Cat. C, 226 sq. ft.) - These large entry-level suites feature porthole windows and represent amazing value.

Deluxe Balcony Suite (Cat. B & A, 226 sq. ft.) - 44 Deluxe Balcony Suites offer both Outside and AMA Private balconies.

Sadec Balcony Suite (Cat. Sadec, 290 sq. ft.) - Also benefitting from two balconies, Sadec Balcony Suites have more space, a larger balcony, a king-size bed and an ensuite with a separate bath..

Owner's Balcony Suite (Cat. Owner's, 624 sq. ft.) - In addition to an Outside Balcony and an AMA Private Balcony, these huge suites have a large Balcony Terrace with cane rocking chairs. Other extra features include a bathroom with a whirlpool tub that offers riverside views, and a separate living area. With another ensuite, a second television, a sitting area and a sofa-bed, this adjoining area makes these suites perfect for families, or for entertaining. See Indochina Balcony Suite cabin plan here.

Exclusive Air-conditioned Public Areas
The ms Amalotus offers a relaxed ambience in a luxurious setting. The modern, air-conditioned restaurant and lounges are embellished with a level of finesse you won't find on other ships, as so many of the touches are exclusive to our vessels.

Enjoy a Wealth of Choice as You Cruise
Relax with a book in the Panoramic Lounge and Library, enjoy a drink at the Saigon Lounge & Bar, or get in touch with home using the wi-fi internet available in selected areas. Take in the approaching sights as you stroll around the shipfront Bridge Deck or head to the Sun Deck and make use of the bar and swimming pool while taking in riverside views. Wind down or pamper yourself at the Beauty Salon & Spa, or work out in the Fitness Centre. On the ms Amalotus, there really is something for everyone.

Note: as the ship has not been launched, images are indicative only and may be artists' impressions. Layout and décor may vary slightly.

Cruise Itinerary

Departure Dates in 2012

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

July

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

9, 23

6, 20

5, 19

Maintenance

9, 23

6, 20

3, 17

1, 15, 29

12, 26

10, 24

Day 1: Embarkation - My Tho - Cai Be

Register between 11: 00 to 12: 00 at Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel. Transfer overland by coach to My Tho port for embarkation aboard of Indochina Sails’ ship for journey from the Mekong Delta to Holy Angkor. We embark the ship at 13: 30. Welcome drink served in Saigon Lounge for a short briefing followed by a lunch served in Mekong restaurant. Your cabins are ready for check in after lunch. After port clearance formalities captain raises the anchor and cruises towards Cai Be. Join the Cruise Manager at Saigon Lounge for safety demonstration and briefing at 18: 00 followed by Captain’s Cocktails. Enjoy the first gourmet dinner onboard with fellow travelers. After dinner join us for the folk performance of Mekong Delta at Saigon Lounge. We moor overnight midstream near Cai Be.

Day 2: Cai Be - Vinh Long - Sa Dec

After breakfast we take a morning junk trip around Cai Be to see a floating market, and go ashore to visit the French Gothic Cathedral and colorful port area, with its colonial buildings, delightful flower gardens and local rice paper manufacturers. Back to the boat at 12: 00. Enjoy lunch while our vessel sails toward Vinh Long - the Vietnam second biggest city by the Mekong river. Visit to the bustling afternoon market. A visually stunning boat ride and walk through the market, where all manner of aquatic life were being sold, as well as a lot of everything else edible and imaginable. Cocktails and briefing from 18: 30 followed by a dinner in Mekong restaurant. After dinner the ship raise anchor and cruise to Sadec. Tonight ship moors midstream of the Mekong River near Sadec.

Day 3: Sa Dec - Tan Chau

After the breakfast follow guides to the hometown of Marguerite Duras’ lover, quaint little city. Visit the old house of Huynh Thuy Le’s, partake in the bantering of local markets along the paved river banks, pagoda and the Fujian Temple, build and donated to the city by Le’s family. You will pass by the home of Marguerite Duras from across the riverbanks. We spend the rest of the day to cruise to Tan Chau. Join the lecture onboard on "Vietnam - The Past & Present". We arrive in Tan Chau - the Vietnamese town on near the border with Cambodia on the Mekong River. Our cruise ship moors safely at the riverbank of Tan Chau. After dinner join us in the Crew Show in Saigon Lounge.

Day 4: Tan Chau - Border Crossing

Today will truly be a highlight with a visit of Tan Chau - a small town untouched by tourism. Morning excursion start with sightseeing by local boats, navigate narrow channels to visit an evergreen island. You will have a chance to visit floating fish farm and travel along the tiny tributaries where slit houses are haphazardly leaning on one another. Then you will go ashore and have a tour around the town on rickshaw (Xe Loi). Then we will visit a rattan mats and slippers making factories. Go back to the ship and enjoy a lunch while the ships departs for border. In the afternoon Cooking Class performed by our Executive Chef at Saigon Lounge, while the border formalities are going on. We cast off for an overnight cruising the main Mekong channel, an international shipping route to Phnom Penh

Day 5: Phnom Penh

Today is also busy day with many interesting sightseeing and activities In the morning, we will have sightseeing by bus in Phnom Penh. Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum with outstanding displays of the Khmer crafts will be the places that you will visit. Places where you visit in the afternoon will help you know more about a part of Cambodia’s history: the Khmer Rouge’s grim Toul Sleng (S21 detention center) and the Killing Field. If you want to spend more free time for yourself shopping or taking a tour around the city instead, please inform to the Ship Manager. Cocktail hours from 18: 30 to 19: 30. Dinner is served from 19: 30 to 21: 00. After dinner, please join the Khmer folk dances and songs at the Saigon Lounge. Before midnight you can hang out in the bars many of which are located just opposite the dock.

Day 6: Phnom Penh - Chong Koh - Oudong - Kampong Tralach

Early in the morning our vessel will sails towards little known village Chong Koh. After breakfast we go spend time in Chong Koh silk weaving village for a morning walk at leisure. Back to the ship 10: 00. Join the lecture onboard “Cambodia - The Past and Present” presented by our tour guide while the ship cruises toward the Prek K’dam, where we start our afternoon tour to Oudong Between 1618 and 1866 Oudong was the capital of Cambodia, built on the top of Phnom Oudong. This hill is made up of a series of stupas and shrines in a variety of conditions. However we do not climb the hill by a steep stairway with 509 steps as we join our tour guides to the Buddhist monastery at the foothill. After Oudong we take 45-minute bus ride to Kampong Tralach, visit to Wat Kapong Tralach Pleu and then take a 20-minute ox-cart ride to the Tonle River traveling through countryside and a small village on a dusty road, past rice fields and amused locals. Go back to the ship and cruise to Kampong Chhnang.

Day 7: Kampong Tralach - Kampong Chhnang - Prek K’dam

Kampong Chhnang is a busy rural port town with bustling markets. Mooring mid-stream, we make a truly wonderful motorboat excursion into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Here a stunning variety of birdlife may be seen, and of considerable interest are local life and floating village. Go back to the boat and cast off towards Prek K’dam – a small village that is around 35km away from Phnom Penh. Time for packing and prepare for Farewell Cocktail this evening. The ship docks overnight in Prek K’dam.

Day 8: Disembarkation - Tonle Lake - Siem Reap

Breakfast is served from 6: 30 – 8: 00 in the Mekong Restaurant. After breakfast, bid farewell to crew and disembark at Prek K’dam at 8: 30 AM. We take 5 and a half hour bus drive to Siem Reap with stop at Kampong Thom. We arrive about 13: 30 at Le Meridien Angkor Hotel in Siem Reap.

Prices quoted in US$ nett per person:

Prices quoted in US$ nett per person Valid until 30 Apr 2013
Cabin	Lower Deck	Main Deck	Upper Deck	Junior Suite	Indochina Suites
18 Jun - 19 Aug 2012	1480	1850	2130	2410	3320
10 Aug - 26 Aug 2012	1570	1940	2220	2490	3410
27 Aug - 02 Sep 2012 & 15 Apr - 29 Apr 2013	1670	2030	2310	2590	3520
03 Sep - 9 Sep 2012	1760	2120	2410	2680	3610
10 Sep - 16 Sep 2012	1850	2210	2490	2770	3710
17 Sep - 23 Sep 2012	1940	2310	2580	2860	3790
24 Sep - 30 Sep 2012	2030	2410	2680	2950	3880
01 Oct - 07 Oct 2012 &08 Apr - 14 Apr 2013	2130	2490	2770	3050	3970
08 Oct - 14 Oct 2012 & 25 Mar - 7 Apr 2013	2220	2590	2860	3140	4070
15 Oct - 21 Oct 2012 &18 Mar - 24 Mar 2013	2310	2680	2960	3230	4150
22 Oct 2012 - 17 Mar 2013	2410	2760	3050	3320	4260

Inclusions of the trip

Entrance fees
Transportation and English-speaking tour guides’ services
Taxes, fuel, pilot, port dues, passenger levies, full board during the itinerary
Welcome and Farewell Dinners, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner including local beers, local brand spirits and local wines served during meals; coffee, selection of teas, selection of herbal infusions, local mineral water, local canned soft drinks served free through the day.
Transfers between the ship and the to meeting points at the start and end of the voyage

Exclusions of the trip

International flights
All visa costs
Imported beverages such as wines, premium beer, premium spirits and liqueurs, imported mineral waters, espressos and cappuccinos at bar
Gratuities, laundry, shop purchases and other personal expenses

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RV Amalotus from Saigon to Siem Reap 8 Days/7 Nights