La Estrella Amazonica First Ship in Peruvian Amazon to Offer Onboard Internet
La Estrella Amazonica, International Expeditions’ Amazon riverboat, launched onboard WiFi in October, making the vessel the first passenger ship in the Peruvian Amazon offering internet. IE offers two Amazon River cruise itinerary options aboard La Estrella Amazonica — a 10-day Amazon Voyage and a seven-day Amazon Riverboat & Lodge tour.
“To many travelers, staying connected even while on vacation in a remote area is as essential as air-conditioning,” said IE President Van Perry. “While guests may choose not to take advantage of internet while in the Amazon, it is great to finally offer this option to our travelers.”
Onboard internet also offers an added safety measure, including satellite communication in a region where cell coverage is limited, and International Expeditions has enabled additional functionality allowing the Operations team to track the riverboat via GPS location. IE anticipates hosting live chats and webinars from the ship.
Past IE guests will enjoy complimentary 30mb of internet service while on their Amazon cruise, sufficient for checking email and light social media use. A 100mb option will also be available for a small fee.
The addition of onboard internet access is just one of the program enhancements International Expeditions has introduced aboard La Estrella Amazonica. Naturalists currently use hydrophones during excursions, allowing guests to listen to the sounds of the famed river dolphins, and spotting scopes are essential for spotting birdlife in the dense rainforest. In summer 2014, IE began offering guests optional overflights of the river and rainforest aboard float planes for a different perspective of the Amazon’s network of forest, rivers and lagoons.
La Estrella Amazonica, which launched in late 2013, offers accommodations for a maximum of 31 guests in 15 outward-facing cabins. Each air-conditioned cabin measures approximately 220 square feet and features furniture hand-crafted by Peruvian artisans, native handicrafts and textiles from Amazonian tribes and river villages, and ample private baths decorated with Italian tile. Private balconies for each cabin are equipped with two cushioned chairs, providing a comfortable retreat where travelers can unwind while surveying the passing jungle.
Pricing for 10-day Amazon cruises starts at $4,398, and includes daily naturalist-guided excursions; complimentary laundry service while onboard; nightly receptions with complimentary wine and beer; most meals; transfers; pre-cruise accommodations at Lima’s Swissôtel; post-tour dayroom; tours of Colonial Lima and Iquitos; services of an experienced expedition leader and two local naturalist guides.
For more information or a brochure on Amazon cruises, call International Expeditions at 1-800-234-9620 or visit www.IEtravel.com.
About International Expeditions
Celebrating 35 years of nature travel, International Expeditions specializes in small-group journeys to Earth’s most exhilarating destinations. A pioneer of environmentally responsible travel, IE is committed to preserving natural habitats and improving the welfare of the people and communities it visits. International Expeditions has been named to Travel + Leisure’s list of “World’s Best” tour operators & safari outfitters seven times and to National Geographic ADVENTURE magazine’s list of “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth.