44 Edition 2020

44th | Vol 29 | 2020 | www.hotelier-indonesia.com 11
Qui Heritage Line to Chart New
Waters on Upper Mekong.
Luxury cruise operator schedules
September launch for latest vessel
LUANG PRABANG, LAOS (Feb. 12, 2020) — One of Southeast
Asia’s leading boutique cruise operators Heritage Line, is
making progress on its sumptuous new ten-berth ship
Anouvong, which will be the first luxury boat to ply the
upper-Mekong river in Laos upon its launch later this year.
“We are well on course to complete Anouvong in good
time,” said Andreas Schroetter, Heritage Line’s director of
sales and marketing. “It’s always a really exciting feeling
watching the team at the shipyard guiding our boats to
completion, and this is no exception. It makes it even more
thrilling when you know that this particular ship will be
such a game-changer when it comes to cruise journeys on
the upper reaches of the Mekong River.”
Winding its way from the mysterious Golden Triangle at
the Thailand/Laos border in the northwest, through the
royal city of Luang Prabang and down to the Lao capital,
Vientiane, the boat, with its eight spacious staterooms and
two luxurious suites, will plot a course through some of the
planet’s most spectacular riverine territory.
The cruise operator offers two journeys. The shorter sailing
travels from Luang Prabang to the town of Huay Xai on
the Laos/Thailand border (or vice versa) over three days.
A longer journey unfolds over 7 or 9 nights and charts a
course between the Laos/Thailand border at Huay Xai and
Vientiane.
The shorter trip offers spectacular scenery, a trip to the
village of Huay Palang to meet ethnic Khmu tribes and
other highlights such as Pak Ou Caves, which is home to
4000 sacred Buddhist statues.
The longer alternative embraces sight-seeing along
remote river areas and various activities such as kayaking
through calm, shallow stretches and a gourmet banquet
on a river sandbank.
The longer journey is also inclusive of a full discovery of
Luang Prabang at the mid-point of the journey.
It’s fair to say that the boat – which is named after the last
Lao king – will be something of a pioneer. But then that’s
nothing new for Heritage Line, an operator that is used to
charting fresh horizons on Asia’s waterways and doing it
in style.The use of small vessels offers a sense of intimacy
unmatched by operators who use bigger boats. This
exclusivity, meanwhile, is enhanced by an array of enticing
extras. Each of Heritage Line’s boats has been crafted to
the very highest specifications, with inimitable décor and
outfitting ensuring the ultimate in onboard luxury for
guests.
Anouvong stays true to this philosophy. Its
design aesthetic combines traditional Lao
design with French colonial elegance.
The Deluxe and Deluxe Executive rooms (20sqm) feature
French balconies and occupy both the main and upper
(terrace) decks, with four rooms on each level. The two
Signature Suites are located at the front of the main deck
and each boast 30sqm of floor space. Both Signature
Suites have their own private balcony as well as a spacious
bathroom with Jacuzzi.
The terrace deck is the highlight of the vessel’s public spaces
and is also conveniently connected to the comfortable,
laid-back and air-conditioned café-bar lounge. From the
shaded sun beds, passengers have widescreen views
of the passing river landscapes and local life onshore. In
Anouvong’s “Bodhi Spa”, treatments for singles and couples
are offered throughout the day. The exquisite De-Lagree
Dining Hall, meanwhile, offers gourmet dining with local
delicacies and international favorites in a venue flanked by
expansive panels on both sides.