With its inaugural voyage in December 1995 Road to Mandalay marked a new venture for the famed Orient-Express. With the Union of Myanmar (formerly Burma) gradually reopening its doors to the outside world - Road to Mandalay became the ideal way to explore the undiscovered beauty of this long-hidden land.

The ship itself originally began life as a Rhine cruiser in Germany - making her maiden voyage in July 1964.

Originally built to very high standards for its day, the ship was purchased by the Orient-Express in 1994. It then underwent a US$6m major refurbishment in Hamburg. Facilities were upgraded and the interior was redesigned and redecorated to create 14 new deluxe State cabins, as well as 38 Superior, 8 Standard and 6 Single cabins along with the latest in high-tech communications systems.

Once the work was completed the ship was transported, courtesy of a specialist transporting ship, via the English Channel and the Suez Canal to Myanmar.

In Yangon, Road to Mandalay was unloaded and, after attracting a great deal of local interest, sailed up the Irrawaddy river to Mandalay. Here local craftsmen added final decoration and fittings such as locally woven furniture for the Observation lounge, and carvings for the Restaurant. Local antiques were also sought and carefully chosen to provide a true Burmese atmosphere on board.

The ship has a swimming pool, a large sun deck, a spacious observation lounge with large windows in addition to the excellent cabin facilities already mentioned, a restaurant able to accommodate all passengers in one sitting and satellite communications. Consultant designers were also appointed to devise new internal and external decorative schemes in sympathy with the vessels new role and the 'Orient-Express' image.

Today Road to Mandalay continues to ply the waters of the Irrawaddy river giving passengers the opportunity to see this fascinating and ancient land while traveling in modern comfort.