The Hottest New Hotel Amenity? Small Boats for a Personal Cruise

The hotel amenity of the moment: a small ship that navigates remote waterways and lets guests cruise for a day (or five).

By Eimear Lynch

February 10, 2016

Courtesy of Oberoi Resorts & Hotels

Oberoi Philae | Egypt

Route: After a trip to Oberoi’s Sahl Hasheesh beach resort, board this plush ship (with a pool and a theater) and wind down the Nile.

Highlights: The Temple of Edfu and the Valley of the Kings.

Meal Plan: Egyptian dishes like tapenade-crusted Nile perch.

Details: oberoihotels.com; from $1,644 per night for two people, all-inclusive.

Courtesy of Aman Resorts

Route: Amanwana resort’s double-masted, five-cabin sailboat takes guests to see rare Komodo dragons.

Highlights: The dragons, and snorkeling among sharks and manta rays.

Meal Plan: Barramundi with turmeric, basil, and rice.

Details: aman.com; five nights on the ship and two nights at the resort, from $42,850 for two people, all-inclusive.

Courtesy of the Datai Langkawi

Route: Datai Langkawi guests can now sail to deserted Andaman Sea islands on this stunning three-bedroom schooner powered by 65-foot red sails.

Highlight: Swimming with clown fish.

Meal Plan: A refreshing post-swim lunch of marinated tomatoes, mint, and feta.

Details: thedatai.com; four-hour cruise from $127 per person, including lunch.

Courtesy of The Strand Cruise

Route: The Strand Yangon’s 27-cabin boat sails on the Irrawaddy River between Bagan and Mandalay.

Highlight: A morning at a Buddhist monastery.

Meal Plan: High tea with Burmese and Western touches: tea-leaf salad and shrimp pinwheels.

Details: thestrandcruise.com; three nights from $2,592 per person, all-inclusive.