AmaWaterways has just announced details of its 2015 itineraries along the Mekong, including the launch of the brand-new AmaDara, which will make her inaugural sailing on August 17, 2015.
Designed as a near-sister-ship to the line’s popular 124-guest AmaLotus, AmaDara will join her fleetmate in operating cruises along the Mekong that sail from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and reverse. These can be booked as cruise-only options, or as a long 16-day overland journey that includes popular highlights like a stop in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay.
“AmaWaterways continues to meet traveler demand for more river cruise options by expanding our fleet of custom-built ships in some of the world’s most sought-after destinations,” says Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. “The new AmaDara will be a welcome addition to our family, as we enhance our offerings of unforgettable journeys on the magnificent Mekong River.”
The new AmaDara will replace the smaller La Marguerite, which will end service with AmaWaterways this year. The new AmaDara will be largely similar to AmaLotus, but with a few key differences.
To start with, AmaDara will be an all-balcony ship; no fixed-window “riverview” staterooms will be available. Each stateroom will feature both French and full step-out balconies for increased flexibility, and all staterooms will be positioned aft, rather than forward, of the reception area as they are aboard AmaLotus.
AmaDara will also join AmaLotus in being one of the few ships along the Mekong to feature staterooms and suites accessed by an interior, climate-controlled corridor. Many other vessels along the Mekong feature staterooms with doors that open to exterior decks.
“At AmaWaterways, one of our core philosophies is to focus on building the most innovative ships on the market,” Karst says. “With AmaDara, travelers will see the benefits of this innovation in the form of authentic Southeast Asian touches, the comforts of home like air-conditioning and Wi-Fi, and the largest cabins on the Mekong. When you see AmaDara in port, there is a clear distinction in design and décor and we are excited to see the reaction of our guests.”
