Viking adds capacity on Bangkok-Burma tour

[HostDave]

Viking River Cruises increased its 2014 capacity in Southeast Asia by adding a second ship, the 60-passenger Viking Sagaing, built in 2011.

This will increase departures on the 'Memories of Mandalay' cruise-tour of Bangkok, Thailand, and Burma/Myanmar, which the line said sold out in record time on Viking Mandalay, a vessel that also carries 60 passengers and was refurbished this year.

The 15-night program includes 14 guided tours and begins with a two-night stay and touring in Bangkok, followed by a flight to Mandalay in Burma for touring prior to embarking the vessel.

After a second day in Mandalay, the cruise begins, traveling down river to the former capitals of Amarapura and Ava, the village of Yandabo, the former capital of Bagan with its thousands of temples, and several other destinations en route to Yangon. There, passengers disembark and stay two nights in a hotel before flying back to Bangkok for another overnight.

An additional two-night Bangkok extension is available.

A reverse itinerary, Yangon to Mandalay, bookended by the Bangkok stays, is also available.

Prices start at $5,000 per person. For bookings made until Oct. 31, 2013, Viking is offering two-for-one cruise fares plus a $500 per person savings on round-trip air.