Irrawaddy Explorer
For this exploration of Myanmar we have chartered the all-suite, luxurious river vessel the RV Irrawaddy Explorer. Launched in September 2014, the vessel features 28 spacious suites and is the perfect vessel for our exploration. The friendly onboard staff of 33 will provide you with excellent service and do much to contribute to your enjoyment throughout your journey and the atmosphere on board will be relaxed and informal.
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Virtual Tour of Irrawaddy Explorer
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Ship Directory
Ship Directory
Please find below further details pertaining to the vessel or click on the booklet to download.
We are delighted you have chosen the RV Irrawaddy Explorer for your upcoming voyage along the Irrawaddy.
The RV Irrawaddy Explorer is an all-suite, luxurious river vessel. Launched in September 2014 with 28 spacious suites she is the perfect vessel for your exploration. The friendly onboard staff will provide you with excellent service and do much to contribute to your enjoyment throughout your journey and the atmosphere on board will be relaxed and informal.
We hope this information booklet answers any questions you may have pertaining to the vessel and wish you a pleasant voyage.
VESSEL TECHNICAL DETAILS
Passengers: 56
Length: 188 feet/57.3 metres
Width: 40 feet/12.19 metres
Draft: 4 feet/1.22 metres
Registered: Myanmar
Crew/Staff: 33
Year built: 2014
Language: English
Gross Tonnage: 1279
Net Tonnage: 384AIR CONDITIONING
All public rooms and staterooms on board are air-conditioned. Adjustable climate control allows you to regulate the temperature in your own stateroom. For maximum efficiency, keep windows and doors closed whenever the air-conditioning is switched on. ALARM An alarm will be sounded in the event of an emergency. Please follow the instructions provided on board for what to do in the event of an emergency.
ALL ABOARD
The daily programme specifies the ship’s arrival and departure times in the various ports visited each day. When participating in shore excursions, our tour guides will ensure that you return to the ship in time for departure. Should you decide to explore on your own, please return to the ship no later than the
ALL ABOARD TIME
indicated on that day’s daily programme. It is the sole responsibility of our guests to be aboard in time for the vessel’s departure.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The ship is equipped with a PA system. Announcements will be made during an emergency situation. No daily announcements are made on the ship’s speaker system, except for one announcement 15 minutes prior to a tour departing.
BAR/BEVERAGES
The Writers’ Lounge is open daily from 6:00am until late. Complimentary teas, coffee, selected soft drinks, and local beer are available throughout the day. Premium drinks are available for purchase. Bar service is also provided on the Sun Deck. Please check that your name and suite number are correctly indicated on all receipts when signing for purchases made.
BEAUTY SALON
The Explorer Spa is an oasis where relaxation and pampering is offered. Guests may enjoy Western spa treatments, or the traditional Myanmar massage, which uses oils and creams made with the ground, sandalwood-scented, bark of the Thanaka tree, said to have anti-fungal and anti-aging properties, as well as sun protection. The Explorer Spa only uses all-natural products.
BICYCLES
No bicycles are available on board.
CABIN FACILITIES
The cabin facilities include luxury cotton robes, slippers and bath amenities, a pillow menu, luxury cotton linens with duvet, premium mattresses and a convertible bed configuration (excluding the Mandalay Suite & Kipling Staterooms). The cabins also feature individual climate control, electronic safe, flat-screen LCD television with on-demand movie system, I-phone docking station with alarm clock, hairdryer and generous closet space and under-bed storage. For your comfort, bottled water is provided, and replenished daily, and upon arrival there is a welcome flower arrangement and fresh fruit. All cabins feature floor-to-ceiling French doors or a balcony.
CABIN SIZES
• Category 1 Mandalay Suite with king sized bed and balcony measures 409 square feet/38 square metres. • Category 2 Kipling Suite with king sized bed with balcony measures 273 square feet/25.4 square metres. • Category 3 Orwell Suite twin with balcony measures 280 square feet/26 square metres. • Category 4 Maugham Suite twin with French balcony measures 280 square Feet/26 square metres.
COMMUNICATION
At the time of writing, international SIM cards will not work in Myanmar. You may purchase an inexpensive Myanmar-registered SIM card whilst in Myanmar, and your Cruise Director will be able to assist you with this. However, even with a Myanmar-registered SIM card please note there may be little or no signal along the Irrawaddy River. There is a mobile phone on board which passengers may use in case of an emergency, and any phone charges will be added to your onboard account.
CRUISE DIRECTOR
The ship’s professional, English-speaking Cruise Director will look after your comfort and answer any questions. Please do not hesitate to contact them at any time. A Noble Caledonia Tour Manager will also accompany you on your voyage.
CURRENCY
The official currency on board is USD. The ship does not offer a currency exchange on board, but the Office will assist in breaking down larger bills into smaller increments. Please note that personal cheques are not accepted on board.
DAILY PROGRAMME
The daily programme is printed on board and delivered to your cabin every evening during dinner. It provides details of the following day’s programme, meal times and other activities, as well as interesting and helpful information about your next port of call.
DRESS CODE
The dress code on board the ship is casual and comfortable by day and smart casual for dinner. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for shore excursions. At Buddhist sites visitors are required to walk barefoot, therefore we recommend wearing sandals or slip-on shoes that are easy to remove. Please also remember to keep legs and shoulders covered.
DRINKS
Bottled water is available in your stateroom and is replenished daily. Complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, local beer and house wine are included with lunch and dinner on board (wine with dinner only).
ELECTRICITY
The electrical current in the ship’s public areas and suites is 220v/50Hz. The suites are equipped with multi-configuration plugs to accommodate most western plugs. Electrical products from the United States that are not dual voltage will require a converter plug.
EMBARKATION/DISEMBARKATION
Embarkation is approximately 16.00 hours, unless advised otherwise. The official embarkation time will be advised in your final documentation. The official disembarkation time is between 08.30-09.00 hours and your Cruise Director will provide detailed information prior to the end of the cruise. This will include departure transfer information.
EMERGENCY AND SAFETY PROCEDURES
A safety evacuation plan is posted on your cabin door. Please take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with your closest emergency exit and indicated routes to all Muster Stations. Please speak to your Hotel Director if you miss the safety briefing or if you are unclear of the emergency procedure.
FIRE SAFETY
On your cabin door is a deck plan displaying your closest (and all other) emergency exits. Emergency exits are marked in green and fire extinguishers fitted in all corridors. An alarm button is fitted in your cabin should an emergency arise. Should you detect fire or smoke please alert the reception desk immediately and await instructions from the crew.
FIRST AID
A number of crew are fully trained and certified to provide First Aid. Should you require further medical attention, please contact the Hotel Manager or your Cruise Director immediately. Further medical assistance can be sought from one of the hospitals along the river in the event of emergency. Please note there is no doctor on board.
FITNESS ROOM
The ship’s Fitness Centre is located on the Sun Deck and open from 06.00 hours until 20.00 hours daily. Please note that the use of fitness equipment is at your own risk.
GIFT SHOP
The gift shop is located in the Writers’ Lounge selling a selection of local handicrafts from Myanmar, shirts and hats. Kindly note that the ship is prohibited to sell or supply any prescription medications on board.
GRATUITIES
Gratuities have been included in your holiday price, however if you feel that certain individuals deserve a special award, you are of course free to remunerate as you please.
HAIR DRESSER
None on board.
HYGIENE
In the interest of health and hygiene we kindly ask all guests to consistently use the hand sanitiser when entering the Customs House Dining Room at all meal times. The hand sanitiser is located at the entrance to the dining room.
HOT TUB/SWIMMING POOL
None on board.
HOUSEKEEPING
Your suite will be serviced by your Housekeeping Attendant twice-daily: a morning service and an evening turndown service.
‘INFOTAINMENT’ SYSTEM
Your cabin comes equipped with a flat-screen LCD television, with on-demand movie system.
KEYS TO CABIN
Each cabin will receive their own cabin key. Before leaving the ship we kindly ask all passengers to swap the cabin key with a shore pass which will be provided to you by the ship’s reception desk. After your return to the ship, please exchange your shore pass for your cabin key at reception.
LAUNDRY
A laundry bag and price list are available in your closet. Please leave the laundry bag and completed list on your bed and the Housekeeping Attendant will collect it during the morning or evening service. Generally, laundry service requires a 24-hour turnaround time. Please note that no laundry service is available on the day before disembarkation.
LIFT
There is no lift or chair lift on board.
LIBRARY
The Library is situated inside the Writers’ Lounge. The library provides a small selection of books including some by authors who were enchanted by Indochina. The ship asks that all books are returned prior to the end of the cruise. If you do not wish to keep any books that you bring with you from home, the ship will gladly adopt them for the library.
LOST PROPERTY
Lost property should be handed to the ship’s reception. Please ensure you have all of your belongings with you before you return home. Should you leave items on board the ship we are only able to return them at your own cost.
MEALS
Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style, whilst dinner is seated waiter service. Meals are served at a single open seating. The cuisine will be a choice of regional and western dishes. Complimentary tea, coffee, water, soft drinks and local beer are available throughout the day. House wine with dinner is included. At all other times, spirits and wines are not included and will be added to your on board account. Drinking water is provided at all meal times and complimentary bottles of water are provided in your suite for drinking. The ship’s water supply comes from the river after passing through a sterilisation plant. This water is suitable for washing but NOT for brushing teeth and should not be drunk. Bottled water is used for cooking, food preparation and ice on board. Guests are welcome to eat ashore but should select an establishment that looks clean and well run. We suggest that you avoid eating at roadside stalls. Off the vessel do not accept ice in drinks. Avoid ice creams, crushed sugar cane, salads and fruits unless you peel the skins yourselves. Special dietary requests such as vegetarian, low salt and low cholesterol diets should be made to Noble Caledonia (in writing) at least six weeks prior to departure. However, we recommend that you contact the Hotel Manager once on board to reconfirm such requests. We regret that the ship is unable to guarantee special requests and is not equipped to prepare or serve kosher or halal cuisine.
MOSQUITOES/INSECT PRECAUTIONS
Outer glass or screen doors and windows should be kept closed at all times in order to minimize the number of insects entering into your suite. While you can expect to encounter insects, many are harmless. Make sure to turn off your lights when leaving your suite, so as not to attract them. Insect repellent is recommended when going ashore.
NEWSPAPERS
Newspapers are not available on board.
OPERATIONAL CHANGES
Sometimes it is necessary to make amendments to the itinerary, both for logistical and safety reasons. The Master of the vessel shall decide if necessary. A night watchman is on duty who performs a security check every hour and thus may be away from the office for a short time.
PAYMENTS ON BOARD
The currency used on board is the US Dollar. At the end of the cruise you will be presented with your final bill for on board purchases. This can be settled in cash in US Dollars. Credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) are accepted. Travellers Cheques and personal cheques are not accepted.
POST
Please note that although the reception staff may be happy to post letters and postcards on your behalf, they may not be able to do so straightaway or indeed at the port of call at which you make such a request. Please also note that some postal services are unreliable and that any letters or postcards that you ask to be delivered on your behalf may be delayed or even lost en-route. Staff cannot be held liable for such occurrences and we would recommend that you post your own letters or postcards to be more certain of their prompt delivery.
QUESTIONNAIRES
A questionnaire will be provided to all passengers towards the end of their sailing. We would be grateful for you to complete and return this.
QUIETVOX/AUDIO SYSTEM
Noble Caledonia have arranged for guests to be provided with individual Audio Vox Systems to use on shore excursions for the duration of the cruise. This device enables you to clearly hear the guide’s commentary so you can enjoy each tour to the fullest. The audio device can be found in your stateroom in a charger unit on the desk. Please make sure to always re-insert the device once you return to your room to ensure it is fully charged for the next day.
RECEPTION
Reception can be contacted 24-hours a day by telephone and is manned during the early hours.
SPA & MASSAGE
Please ask the Hotel Director or Purser to setup an appointment for a massage or spa treatment. A menu of available spa treatments can be found in your suite. The spa is open from 08.00 hours to 20.00 hours daily.
SAFE
Your cabin is equipped with a small safe for your personal use. We recommend placing valuables in the safe whenever you are away from your room. Please remember to remove all items from the safe and leave the safe open before disembarking.
SAFETY
In accordance with international law, the Captain has full control over the ship and every person on board must obey his lawful commands. Captains have the authority to take any action deemed necessary to manage situations where guests are verbally or physically disruptive towards any other person on board or otherwise causing problems during the cruise. There is a zero tolerance policy regarding such disruptions as the safety of our guests, crew and the ship remains our first priority.
SMOKING
The ship enjoys a non-smoking environment in all public areas and suites, including balconies. Smoking is only allowed on the aft section of the Sun Deck, behind the bar. When smoking on the Sun Deck, please use the ashtrays provided to discard the cigarette butts and do not throw them overboard. Every suite and public area on board is equipped with an automatic heat and smoke detector.
SUN DECK
Located on the Sun Deck are the Writer’s Lounge, Spa and Fitness Centre and the Observation Deck with chairs, loungers and sun beds. The Sun Deck area may be closed in the evenings and/or overnight to ensure your safety. Please also note that the Sun Deck and its steps may become slippery if the weather is cool or dew forms.
TELEPHONE
To make an internal call please dial the corresponding cabin number.
TOILETRIES
Spa quality bath amenities are supplied in all cabins.
VISITORS
Visitors are not permitted aboard the vessel without the prior consent of the ship’s senior staff. Please provide as much notice as possible to the senior staff so that the necessary arrangements can be made. The ship’s operator reserves the right to deny boarding to any visitors.
WATER
Please do not drink the tap water while on board or ashore. The ship’s water supply comes from the river after passing through a sterilization process. This water is sufficient for bathing, but should not be consumed. Complimentary water is provided for consumption, and additional bottled water will be made available free of charge on excursions. To save water and reduce detergent use, the ship will only change towels daily if they are placed on the bathroom floor.
WI-FI
E-mail/internet is available in all public areas of the vessel, free-ofcharge, for passengers that bring their own Wi-Fi-capable devices. However, please note that Wi-Fi will only be available in certain areas and that the signal may be particularly weak in remote areas.
PLEASE NOTE:
The above information is accurate and correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publishing. Noble Caledonia accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions and none of the facilities or features of the vessel described herein which are not specifically described in our advertisements and on your holiday invoice as being included in your holiday price will be deemed to be included in your holiday package. If you would like further information about the vessel or about any of your holiday arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact us.
V.2 Aug 2017
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