Rating: Mid-range
Manatee is a comfortable cruise ship accommodating up to 30 passengers operating on the Rio Napo in Ecuadorian Amazon. During your cruise you'll have time to explore on foot and by canoe, seeking out the varied wildlife and spending time with local people. You'll be well looked after the crew for the duration of your cruise.
MV Manatee, constructed in 2002, has 3 decks and 14 cabins, all air conditioned and with en-suite bathrooms with 24 hour hot and cold water and hydro-massage showers. The cabin has large picture windows giving views of the Amazon scenery.
The dining room, which serves international cuisine, is on the main deck, where you'll also find a useful boutique selling suncream, souvenirs and postcards. Above this is the cabin deck and the top deck with the lounge, bar and sundeck, so there are ample places to relax and enjoy the views when you're not out exploring. Manatee also has a library with a range of reference books as well as magazines and paperback books.
During the cruise you'll have opportunities for walks in the rainforest by day and night, for canoe trips, swimming and to go wildlife spotting. All excursions are led by a naturalist guide who will also conduct briefings on board. There will be chances to visit local communities for an insight into their way of life.
Open: MV Manatee operates all year.
Location: MV Manatee operates on the Napo River in Ecuadorian Amazon. She is based at the port city of Coca, which is a 45 minute flight from Quito.
Rooms: There are 14 cabins, accommodating a maximum total of 30 passengers. Each cabin is air conditioned, has 24 hour electricity and an en-suite bathroom with a massage shower and hot and cold running water. There are large windows in the bedroom, offering views of the river and riverbanks.
Activities: MV Manatee operates 4, 5 and 8 day cruises. Naturalist guides lead excursions and activities which include rainforest walks, bird watching, village visits, canoeing and swimming.
Facilities: MV Manatee was built in 2002 and is 86 feet in length and 23 feet wide. She has 3 decks, including a sundeck with a bar, lounge and an outdoor dining area. There is also an indoor dining room on the main deck. The conference room is equipped with a flat screen TV and projector and is where the nature guides give briefings on activities and excursions. There is a computer lounge where you can access the internet and a small library with a range of reference books and works of fiction. There is a crew of 12 including expedition staff. Manatee is equipped with a small fleet of canoes which allow access to remote areas.
Dining: Meals are taken at individual tables in the restaurant and on deck. Both regional and international dishes are served, accompanied by a selection of wines and beers.
Children: Children are welcome, but some activities will have minimum age limits. There are interconnecting suites for families.
Health: The Amazon is a malarial area.
Communication: There is satellite internet access.
Notes: There are no facilities for credit card payments on Manatee.
An Amazon cruise giving you insight into the habitats, wildlife and people of this remote region.
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0"Pleasant room on top deck, very good meals, pleasant staff."