A new partnership with
Haimark will see Scenic Tours
launch private charters on
the Irrawaddy as well as the
Mekong.
New river cruises are set to be offered
next year on two luxurious newbuilds, the
56-pax Irrawaddy Explorer and the 68-pax
Mekong Navigator, which are currently under
construction for Haimark, a leading Asian
specialist river cruise operator.
Speaking exclusively to CW, Scenic Tours
product manager Brett Lemish revealed the
company would open bookings next month for
the new Burma and Mekong programs.
Fares will be “competitively priced”, he added.
It will be Scenic Tours’ first offering in Burma
and its first private charters in Vietnam/
Cambodia after only small allocations on
Mekong vessels in the past.
“We’re especially excited to be introducing
Burma, the hottest destination in south-east
Asia,” Lemish said.
“Particularly with the new boat, I believe
Burma is now ready for clients who expect
Scenic Tours’ high standard of service delivery.”
The new partnership with Haimark, an
American company founded last year by three
former Pandaw executives, “will redefine the
standard of luxury in Burma”, Lemish said.
“With Haimark’s experience in Asia and
our signature Scenic Enrich and Free Choice
programs, I’m confident it will be the most
authentic high-end product in the region.”
The two vessels are “not the steamboat
concept” often seen on these rivers, Lemish
told Cruise Weekly in India.
Luxurious cabins start at 24 square metres,
with private balconies or floor-to-ceiling
windows in all rooms on the Irrawaddy
Explorer and 88% of the Mekong Navigator.
All-inclusive fares include drinks, transfers,
tipping, wi-fi, butler service (for all cabins
on the Mekong and selected suites on the
Irrawaddy) and all Scenic Enrich and Free
Choice activities and excursions.
Scenic Tours is chartering five Mekong and
two Irrawaddy departures between Sep
2014 and Mar 2015, ranging from eight days
for cruise only, up to 27 days for packages
incorporating a cruise with a land tour itinerary
bolted on.
A brochure and earlybird deals are expected
to be available in late Oct, following an initial
pre-release to past passengers.
