If ever there was a travel brand that had the ultimate cachet it was “Orient Express”. Since the founding of the company in 1976 with the acquisition of the legendary Cipriani Hotel in Venice, followed by the iconic train, Orient Express Hotels, Trains and Cruises was a paragon of all things “luxe.” The company’s name was changed to “Belmond” in 2014, but it maintains the same peerless standards. Today, the line owns seven river ships in France and two in Myanmar.
Intimacy: Life on board is a creative blend of captivating excursions and chill-out time offering the chance to meet shipmates, a friendly mix of Americans, Australians, and Europeans.
Creature Comforts: While all of the ships are decadent, Orcaella and Road to Mandalay are especially luxurious. On these ships, which sail in Myanmar, public rooms and private accommodation revel in their colonial Burmese theme while the endearing crew is adept in the art of hospitality.
Superb Food: Gala night menus can feature foie gras; Mediterranean sea-bass; Wagyu Beef; and French cheeses. On other nights the chefs display their mastery of regional dishes which are nothing short of a triumph. Breakfast and lunches are served buffet-style in the restaurant and on deck respectively. The sailings in France are especially wine-focused.
Experiential Travelers: This venerable company has always fascinated travelers, especially those with travel "bucket lists" they are looking to complete.
This Is Not the Place to Cut Calories: With so many rich temptations, you'll want to indulge on these cruises.
The Line Welcomes Children Age 12 and Up: In summertime, you can expect to find some children on the France sailings.