Operator profile

Sanctuary Retreats

Boutique river cruising on the Nile, Yangtze and Irrawaddy.

Founded1995
HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
Fleet size4
Rivers2

About Sanctuary Retreats

Part of A&K Travel Group, Sanctuary Retreats operates a small fleet of luxury river vessels including the Sanctuary Sun Boat III and IV (Nile), Sanctuary Ananda (Irrawaddy) and Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer (Yangtze), each designed for fewer than 100 guests with all-balcony cabins.

Today the line operates a fleet of 4 ships ranging from 36 to 80 guests. The newest vessel in service entered the fleet in 2014, while the oldest still sailing under the brand was launched in 2002.

The brand currently sails 2 distinct waterways. Each river demands a slightly different vessel — Rhine and Danube longships are typically 0 ships at roughly 135 metres in length, while the line's Douro, Loire, Mekong and Nile vessels are purpose-built for shallower waters and tighter lock chambers.

Rivers sailed

Irrawaddy Nile

Complete fleet listing

Every active ship in the Sanctuary Retreats fleet, sorted by launch year. Click any vessel for the full profile, including cabin categories, deck plan and signature itineraries.

ShipClassLaunchedGuestsCabinsDecksLengthPrimary river
Sanctuary Sun Boat III Sanctuary Nile 2002 36 18 4 72 m Nile
Sanctuary Sun Boat IV Sanctuary Nile 2007 80 40 4 72 m Nile
Sanctuary Nile Adventurer Sanctuary Nile 2013 44 22 4 72 m Nile
Sanctuary Ananda Sanctuary Irrawaddy 2014 42 21 3 65 m Irrawaddy