Sanctuary Ananda

Sanctuary Ananda cruise ship is a newbuild (launched in 2014) luxury riverboat operating 3- to 11-night cruise tour itineraries in Myanmar. Sanctuary Ananda sails on the Irrawaddy and Chindwin (Irrawaddy's tributary) rivers, with departures from Mandalay, Bagan, and Yangon. The ship was designed as a "floating hotel" and was custom-built using traditional Southeast Asian materials by local craftsmen. The vessel is named after Bagan's Ananda Temple. The Burmese word "Ananda" translates as "ultimate happiness".

Sanctuary Retreats' fleet of fully owned vessels also includes Nile Adventurer, Sun Boat 3, and Sun Boat 4 (all three in Egypt), as well as Yangzi Explorer (China).

Shipowner

The shipowner Sanctuary Retreats owns luxury lodges and safari camps in Eastern and Southern Africa, as well as a fleet of six premium riverboats operating regular cruises in Burma, China, and Egypt. Established in 1999, the company focuses on adventurous safari-style cruises combined with stays in some of Africa's most luxurious lodges and nature camps, with professional tour guides who have intimate knowledge of the local environment.

Sanctuary Retreats Myanmar cruise deals include three daily meals (on all full cruise days) plus breakfast on the debarkation day, beverages with all meals (local beers, house wines, soft drinks, bottled water), entrance fees (on scheduled sightseeing tours), and scheduled shipboard activities and entertainment.

For the Ananda ship, Sanctuary Retreats Burma partnered with L'Occitane (France) to offer an unrivaled spa experience. Trained by L'Occitane en Provence, expert therapists deliver some of Burma's best spa treatments. The massage menu was specially designed to include traditional Burmese therapies, Thai massages, reflexology sessions, and signature treatments (such as "Immortelle Secret of Youth") at the ship's "Thambyadine Spa by L'Occitane" (midship-portside on Yangon Deck).

Available between October and March, at about 5:30 am, Sanctuary Ananda cruise passengers can take an optional hot-air balloon tour over Bagan's pagoda-filled landscape. These tours are subject to availability and offered at an additional cost (USD 300 "Standard Package", USD 360 "Premium Package"). Wi-Fi on the ship is complimentary but has limited coverage outside Bagan and Mandalay.

On the North American market (the USA and Canada), Sanctuary Retreats is represented by the luxury travel company "Abercrombie & Kent Ltd". The company is a subsidiary of Abercrombie & Kent Group and is headquartered in Cheltenham (Gloucestershire, England, UK).

Cabins

Sanctuary Ananda is an all-suite / all-balcony cruise ship with a total of 21 staterooms ranked among the largest offered on the cruising market in Myanmar. All passenger cabins feature floor-to-ceiling windows opening to step-out balconies (fitted with premium outdoor furniture).

All cabins offer the following standard amenities: polished teak furniture (dark-colored), hand-made lacquerware, lush silks, top-quality Egyptian-cotton sheets, en-suite bathroom (with L'Occitane bath products, glass shower with monsoon showerhead, mirrored single-sink vanity, magnifying mirror, hairdryer, robes), double bed (convertible to twins), bedside tables, wall-mounted reading lamps, mirrored vanity / writing table with padded stool, flat HDTV (satellite reception, bow camera view), telephone (onboard calls only – Reception Desk and passenger cabins), and individually controlled air-conditioning.

• Owner's Suite (1 cabin, named "Aloungpayah Suite", sized 75 m2 / 810 ft2, located aft-portside on Bhamo Deck) is the ship's largest cabin. It has separate dressing and living areas, a bedroom (with king-size bed, bedroom bench, daybed), a large step-out balcony (with sun loungers, table and chairs), and an en-suite bathroom (with freestanding bathtub, double-sink vanity). Suite perks include 24-hour butler service, a private tour guide, complimentary laundry, exclusive in-cabin dining, and early morning coffee and tea service.
• Luxury Suite (4 cabins, sized 31-33 m2 / 335-355 ft2, on Bhamo Deck) feature a seating area with a single sofa bed (for one child) and two armchairs. Suite perks include complimentary laundry and early morning coffee and tea service.
• Deluxe Cabin (14 rooms, sized 27-28 m2 / 290-300 ft2, on decks Bagan and Mandalay) have double beds convertible to twins. Two pairs are offered as connecting cabins (with adjoining doors).
• Classic Cabin (2 rooms, sized 27 m2 / 290 ft2, on Bagan Deck) have double beds convertible to twins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Onboard dining options reflect the culture and cuisine of Myanmar. A selection of international dishes and Western favorites is also available. Specially crafted menus include dishes such as red curries, soft-shell crab, mango and pomelo salad. An extensive Italian-inspired selection features fresh salads, freshly made pasta, burgers, and steaks. For guests interested in learning how to prepare traditional meals, cooking demonstrations are hosted by the ship's professional chefs.

• Talifoo Restaurant (midship-aft on Bagan Deck) is a complimentary dining venue with an a la carte menu. Complimentary beverages (local beers, house wines, soft drinks, water) are served at all meals.
• Kansi Panorama Lounge (midship on Bhamo Deck) features floor-to-ceiling windows, making it an ideal location for afternoon tea or evening cocktails. The lounge hosts daily lectures as well as arts and crafts and cooking demonstrations. Sliding doors lead to the sundeck area with a small plunge pool.
• Mindoon Al Fresco (aft on Mandalay Deck) offers fine cuisine, from house-baked pastries and freshly squeezed juices at the buffet-style breakfast to a rich menu of international and local favorites. Lunchtime features a salad buffet, a la carte options, and a selection of desserts.
• Dufferin Library is a lounge in the lobby area on Bagan Deck (midship-portside).
• Six staircases (1 forward, 2 midship, 3 aft) connect all decks.

Guest speakers and professional guides regularly present lectures on the history and culture of Myanmar. After learning about local customs during shore excursions, guests can also try some during onboard demonstrations. Passengers can learn how to make and apply natural sun cream called Tanaka or how to tie the traditional skirt worn by men and women, known as the longyi.

Evening entertainment consists of performances by skilled Burmese dancers dressed in bright costumes, typically enjoyed after dinner.

Sanctuary Retreats Burma cruise itineraries

Below are all Sanctuary Retreats Myanmar cruise tours on the Irrawaddy River.

• 2-day from BAGAN to MANDALAY is a northbound (upstream) itinerary.
• 3-day from BAGAN to MANDALAY is a southbound (downstream) itinerary.
• 4-day from MANDALAY to BAGAN via SIN KYUN and TAN CHI TAUNG MOUNTAIN.
• 4-day from MONYWA to BAGAN via MANDALAY (Chindwin and Irrawaddy rivers) visiting SALINGYI, PO WIN CAVES, and BODHI TATHAUNG.
• 7-day roundtrip from BAGAN and 7-night roundtrip from MANDALAY – both visiting SIN KYUN and TAN CHI TAUNG MOUNTAIN.
• 10-day on the Chindwin River (from MANDALAY to BAGAN via PAUNG PYIN), visiting SIN TAE, MONYWA, OWN PIN SEIK, NGAR OWN, KALEWA, MAWLEIK, HAE NIN, SITTHAUNG, PAUNG PYIN, MASEIN, MINKIN, KANI, Po Win Taung Caves, YESAGYO, and PAKOKKU.
• 11-day from MANDALAY to BAGAN via BHAMO (Upper Irrawaddy River), visiting NWE NYEIN, KYAR NYET, KANN NI, KATHA, SHWE GU, BHAMO, SIN KHAN, MOEDA, KYAR NYAT, SIN KYUN, SAGAING, MANDALAY, and YANDABO.
• 11-day from YANGON to MANDALAY via PYAY and BAGAN.

Note: You can see CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.