Anawrahta Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We joined the ship in Mandalay at 9am, just on sailing time, even though we did not know this (note for ship - better information to agents re boarding time, or maybe a suggestion would be to start the voyage the night before at a hotel to ensure all guests are there and make it on board - Rupar Mandalar Hotel would be perfect).
From the moment we were on board, everything was just wonderful. The ship layout and our cabin (junior suite) was as per the photos, spacious and lovely. The welcome flowers and the champagne in the cabin to toast our sailing was what turned out to be the excellent and ever present attention to detail that was the hallmark of the whole 11 nights/12 days on board.
The staff service was superb, the shore excursions interesting, not too long, nor arduous, very safe and most enjoyable (note - a certain level of mobility is desirable on this cruise and cruise ship - no lifts but only 3 easy levels of decks to move between and some river banks and walks were a bit on the steep or rocky side. Whenever this happened the crew were there with an amazing level of support, friendly hands to guide up and down slopes and everybody felt well cared for).
Cabin Review
We had the starboard junior suite. There are only 3 junior suites on board.
We loved the size, layout - kingsize bed, lounge area, separate bathroom with shower, freestanding claw footed bath with a river view and a walkin robe of sorts, plus a very long (if not skinny) balcony complete with comfortable chairs and a side table to watch the scenery go by. Totally as the photos depict.
The A/C in the room was excellent, in a way too cold for us given the outdoor temperatures but easy to adjust.
Junior suites come with a mini bar restocked daily with soft drinks and water and free laundry - nice - given you had several changes of clothes each day with the steamy heat.
Re other rooms - we could have upgraded to an executive or Royal suite on the ship as it was not full. Some US passengers had withdrawn for ethical reasons re Rohinga treatments). The upgrade prices were still fully priced and we felt the Executive offered nothing more than what we had really but a tad more space (not worth paying for in our opinion) and the Royal Suite (3 discrete rooms) would have been lovely (there are 2 and one was on offer, again fully priced on board so we could not justify it but would have taken it if priced a bit more of a last minute price) but as the cruise went on we decided it was probably not such a great move - always in the sun, with lots of wind from our constant steaming, the personal spa, again in the sun and/or wind.
We were VERY HAPPY with the junior suite.
All other rooms note mentioned here are the same size, layout and furnishings, deck level does not matter and these rooms were very comfortable as well with a nice window seat with a view (no balcony).