New options for luxury cruise aficionados, including a special departure that coincides with Myanmar's Thadingyut or Lighting Festival in October 2018, a new two-night cruise option from Mandalay and Bagan, and a lowered minimum age limit for more family inclusive sailing.

As it reaches the end of it's second season sailing the beautiful and evocative Ayeyarwady River in Myanmar, The Strand Cruise is looking forward to resuming operations in September 2018 with a number of new options for luxury cruise aficionados, including a special departure that coincides with Myanmar's Thadingyut or Lighting Festival in October 2018, a new two-night cruise option from Mandalay and Bagan, and a lowered minimum age limit for more family inclusive sailing.

The Thadingyut or Lighting Festival coincides with full moon and is a three-day celebration to mark Buddha's descent from the heaven. It is an important religious festival that is closely intertwined with the spiritual life of Burmese people, with streets, houses and public buildings decorated with hundreds of coloured electric bulbs or candles and offerings made to monks. The Strand Cruise's Lighting Festival cruise is a four-night cruise from Bagan to Mandalay departing on 22nd October 2018. During the voyage, passengers will participate in traditional activities to mark the festival such as floating candles on the waters of the Ayeyarwady at night and watching them drift magically into the distance, and joining local communities for their exuberant celebrations, which usually involve colourful fireworks and fire crackers. 

From September 2018, The Strand Cruise will also be offering passengers the option of a two-night itinerary from Mandalay to Bagan in addition to its current three-night cruise from Mandalay to Bagan and four-night cruise itinerary from Bagan to Mandalay. This two-night/three-day option, departing Mandalay each Friday and arriving in Bagan on Sunday, gives greater flexibility for passengers seeking a shorter cruise option to fit into a longer tour of Myanmar, or alternatively looking for a long weekend option from elsewhere in South-East Asia.

The minimum age limit for passengers on The Strand Cruise has recently been lowered to four-years old, meaning the experience is more accessible for family groups. Owing to the relaxed atmosphere on board the ship and the adaptability of its staff and onshore excursion programming, The Strand Cruise is perfect for travellers wanting to discover Myanmar with young explorers. The 25-cabin ship acts as the ultimate time machine; not just a luxurious means of transportation, but also an intelligent, informative and authentic experience, transporting modern day explorers of every age in comfort back to the 11th century when Bagan was the capital of ancient Myanmar and the typical means of transportation around Ava was a horse and cart.

The lead in price for the new two-night journey on The Strand Cruise between Mandalay and Bagan is from US$650 (from GBP 482/AUD 866) per person based on double occupancy. The lead in price for a three-night journey on The Strand Cruise between Mandalay and Bagan is from US$900 (from GBP 667/AUD 1,200) per person based on double occupancy. The lead in low season price for a four-night journey on The Strand Cruise between Bagan and Mandalay is from US$1,050 (from GBP 778/AUD 1,400) per person based on double occupancy. Rates are per person based on double occupancy and include all suite cabin accommodation, excursions and activities as described in the set itinerary, three meals during full sailing days, breakfast on day of disembarkation, soft drinks & local beer, house wine during meals, port charges, English speaking guides (alternative language guides can be provided on request subject to availability) and WI-FI in all cabins and public areas.

The Strand Cruise is sister property and floating extension of The Strand Yangon, Myanmar's recently renovated grand dame luxury hotel, and passengers can expect the same style and seamless standard of service across both ship and hotel. Passengers of The Strand Cruise can now take advantage of a special two-night accommodation package at The Strand Yangon when they book a cruise. Priced from USD 1,300 (from AUD 1,732/GBP 964), the package includes two nights in a suite at The Strand Yangon on a bed and breakfast basis, based on double occupancy, and domestic flights for two passengers between Yangon and cruise embarkation/disembarkation ports.