This luxury cruise ship is returning to Southeast Asia

The train will now run on two seasonal routes between Singapore and Penang. Matt Hind/Belmond

After a four-year hiatus, luxury passenger trains are returning to the tracks of Southeast Asia, with the Eastern & Oriental Express (E&O) scheduled to resume service in February 2024, reports Rachel Chan of Condé Nast Traveler.

The luxury train operator suspended operations in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since then, interior designers have been hard at work refurbishing the 15 hunter-green carriages, which include a piano bar car, two restaurant cars, an open-air observation car, and eight sleeper cars, reports Rachel Cormack of Robb Report.

The team at Belmond, the luxury travel company that operates the train, has also used the time to develop two new routes in Southeast Asia: When E&O reopens next year, travelers will be able to choose between two seasonal three-night itineraries departing from Singapore.

From February to November, the Essence of Malaysia Route travels through Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, and Penang, offering several excursions along the way, including a 25-minute boat trip to Pulau Payar Marine Park, where you can enjoy a picnic and spend the afternoon snorkeling or exploring the islands.

Available from March to October, the Wild Malaysia Route is a journey into the wilderness of Malaysia’s jungle. The itinerary includes a variety of excursions, from a visit to Taman Negara National Park to a guided tour of the old town of Georgetown on Penang Island.

On board, passengers can relax, enjoy fine cuisine, and engage with on-board musicians, storytellers and artisans while immersed in the local culture. All three carriage styles – Pullman, State and Presidential – are air-conditioned and equipped with private bathrooms. They are decorated with cherry wood paneling and rich red and blue hues.

According to Belmond, the E&O’s history dates back to the early 1990s, when businessman James Sherwood purchased the carriages in Japan and shipped them to Singapore for refurbishment. The train made its first run from Bangkok to Singapore in 1993, becoming popular with tourists who enjoyed the slow pace of a nostalgic train journey.

Luxury train travel has become more popular amid pandemic closures. Helen Cathcart/Belmond

Belmond also operates the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, another luxury train that runs between several European cities, including Amsterdam, London, Paris, Venice and Prague.

Luxury train travel appears to be making a comeback around the world after pandemic shutdowns. French travel company Accor is modernizing 17 carriages on the historic Orient Express line, aiming to welcome passengers back within the next few years. The company also runs the Orient Express “La Dolce Vita” in Italy.

Belmond spokesman Arnaud Champenois told Tatler Asia’s Coco Mallet that these experiences are likely to remain popular.

” in [era] “We expect interest in long-distance rail travel to continue to grow as demand for travel increases post-pandemic and as demand for greener alternatives to flying grows,” he says.

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Categories: Family Travel, South Asia, Tourism, Trains, Transport, Travel



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