Ayravata Cruises

ACCOMMODATION

- All Cabins are Air-conditioned and have en suite shower and wc facilities.
- Sockets are Euro-American 2 Pin (220 V)
- Blankets, Slippers and Hairdryers are available in each cabin.

HOT WATER: IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE WATER GETTING HOT, PLEASE TURN ON THE HOT TAP TWO MINUTES BEFORE HAVING THE SHOWER. WE APOLOGISE FOR THIS INCOVENIENCE.

FOR YOUR HEALTH AND WELL BEING
PLEASE READ ALSO THE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION “CARD” IN YOUR ROOM.

Air-conditioning
- All cabins have their own air-conditioning unit which can be adjusted for your comfort. During the coolest months (November to February) we recommend at night to use the “Fan only” option.
- Please NEVER leave the Air-condition “ON” with the window open.

Insect Precautions
- Keep close during late afternoon/dusk and at night the entrance door, sliding door, window and sliding windows.
- At Dusk and at Night, if you are outside your cabin or going ashore we recommend applying an insect repellent to the exposed parts of your body.
- Always switch off lights before leaving your cabin.
- Between January and March a kind of HARMLESS insects (not mosquitoes), can invade the ship. Our staff will do their best to keep them at bay.

Medical Facilities
- We have on board medicines and first aid equipment provided by SOS INTERNATIONAL. All our Hotel staff has attended a First Aid course at the Yangon Red Cross.
- Should you need the assistance of a Doctor there is no worry about it as we are never so far from a medical station and the Burmese doctors usually speak English and practice a good standard of field medicine. Mandalay has now a good international standard hospital.

Security
- When the ship is moored or docked we have always someone watching the gangplank and controlling all the access of the ship, although we invite you to lock your cabin door.

Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in the inside areas of the ship. Passengers may smoke outside on the Sun Deck, Promenade of the Main Deck and all “open air” areas.

Water
Tap water is not 100% safe. Bottled Mineral water is provided for drinking, free of charge. During the shore excursions never accept ice in drinks and avoid ice creams, crushed sugar cane, salads and the skins of fruits.

FOOD AND DRINK

Drinks
- Tea, Coffee (not Italian Espresso) and Mineral Water are available at all times in the dining room and Sundeck, free of charge.
- Early Morning tea and coffee are served in cabins on request.

Meals
Meals are served in the dining room on an open sitting basis. According to the number of passengers on board Breakfast & Lunch may be served on a buffet basis, but Dinner is always a sit-down meal with a table d'hôte menu. Vegetarian or other special meals can be arranged upon request (Please advice your tour leader/guide or travel agent before embarkation or our Ship Manager with a 6 hours prior notice).

SERVICES AND FACILITIES

Communication
Calls can be received and made via a GSM during the Mandalay to Bagan cruises, but the network coverage is limited to 70% of the voyage. For cruises to more remote areas a satellite phone might be available (subject to Government approval).

Laundry
This service is not provided during short cruises, but it is available ONLY for the 3 or more night cruises in the Mandalay area or during charter cruises in the Upper Irrawaddy or Chindwin River.

Morning Call
Please advise the Ship Manager or his assistant the night before.

Shop
The on-board shop is located in the Saloon Bar (Sundeck). You will find traditional Burmese handicraft, clothes and object d'art. There are also available a range of merchandising designed for Rv Paukan 2007, Camera Films, Memory Sticks, Insect Repellent and other useful items.

SHORE EXCURSIONS

The shore excursions are organised and accompanied by the Ship Manager and other members of the hotel staff. For some cruise programmes we offer the service of a qualified English Speaking Guide. Passengers who prefer to visit the site by themselves are welcome to come and go from the ship as they like, but they must return on time for the next sailing time as written in the Daily schedule. The captain 15 minutes prior to casting off will sound the ship’s horn to warn the passengers of the imminent departure.

Advices and Useful Tips
- When visiting Buddhist sites you are required to walk barefoot therefore we recommend wearing a slip-on or slipper shoes that are easy to take off. The code of conduct wants you to dress modestly and wear cloths covering shoulders and legs.
- We at AYRAVATA CRUISES are concerned to preserve and respect the local culture. We invite you also to do the same and in order to avoid spoiling the children we kindly ask you to not give any present. Any time we stop in a river village we make a donation to the village chief that will use the funds for the benefit of the community included the children of course. If you wish to contribute to the donation you are welcome and the Ship Manager will assist you on this.

ON BOARD PAYMENTS

- All transactions on board are in US$.
- Credit Card payments are not accepted at the time of writing, but we are working to have this service available soon. It is advisable to carry small US Dollars denomination notes and to change some money in local currency (Kyats) before the embarkation.
- The bill should be settled at least one hour before the arrival time or the evening before.