Luxury and Romance 1: Cruising on Amanresorts' Amanikan

A cruise on the Amanikan is a truly luxurious experience

Note: This is the first in an ongoing series of luxurious getaways perfect for romantic and honeymoon travelers.

Luxury boutique hotel chain Amanresorts has announced the debut of Amanikan, a custom-built 105-foot coastal cruiser that fuses the romance of spice trading vessels with luxurious modern amenities. Based out of Amanwana, a luxury tented hideaway on Indonesia’s Moyo Island, the ship offers a seven-night adventure through the pristine wilderness and waters of Indonesia's Komodo National Park.
 
Built in the style of traditional Indonesian vessels of wood known as Phinisi, Amanikan features three above-deck cabins, a foredeck with an outdoor dining and bar area, and extensive dive facilities. A large master cabin with king-sized bed at the stern of the upper deck offers sweeping 270° views from wraparound windows; it contains a private sun deck. The second spacious double cabin on the main deck features a queen bed and spectacular views from both inside the cabin and a private balcony with built-in daybed. Both air-conditioned cabins feature oversized en-suite bathrooms with double vanities, double wardrobes, showers and separate toilets. A third smaller cabin on the main deck has a semi-private sun deck in front of the wheelhouse and offers a queen-sized bed that can be converted to two single beds. Amanikan's principal lounge is built into the bow and serves as the main gathering spot for sunbathing, drinks, or even a night sleeping under the stars.

The Komodo Expedition highlights a five-night excursion on Amanikan capped by a two-night stay at Amanwana, where you’ll enjoy wall dives from the beach and treks to jungle waterfalls, as well as spa treatments and a range of water- and nature-based activities. A haven for hikers, divers and naturalists, Amawana features 20 air-conditioned hardwood floor tents set in a cove on the western edge of Moyo Island. Nine miles northeast of Sumbawa at the western end of Indonesia's secluded Nusa Tenggara Islands, Moyo's 89 acres are home to extensive bird and animal life, including deer, wild boar, macaque monkeys, wild ox, sea eagles and osprey. The property is surrounded by tropical rainforest and overlooks Amanwana Bay and the Flores Sea. Facilities include an open-air Dining Room, Bar, Library, Gift Shop and Jungle Cove Massage area.

But back to the cruise, during which you’ll encounter creatures unchanged since prehistoric times on a visit to the only two islands in the world where the infamous Komodo dragon can still be found. The ship cruises through the Nusa Tenggara island chain to some of the world's most biologically diverse and acclaimed snorkel and dive sites.

The Komodo National Park is a World Heritage Site where park rangers will escort you to view Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Other wildlife on Rinca and Komodo Islands includes buffalo, deer, monkeys and wild horses. From the colorful reefs of Tatawa Island to the seductive setting and colors of Komodo's Pink Beach, Amanikan's island-hopping itinerary will take you to some of the world's most pristine marine environments.

Rates for the Komodo Expedition start at $22,300 for two in a double cabin/tent and include full crew, all meals and non-alcoholic beverages, two dives per person per day on Amanikan, one dive per person per day at Amanwana and ranger's fees at Komodo National Park.