New Mekong River cruises set to stun

If you want an endlessly fascinating journey along one of the world's great rivers, then these offerings on the Mekong might be exactly what you're looking for.

As anyone who has meandered along the Mekong River will know, it’s an endlessly fascinating river journey. Days are spent learning about the Vietnamese, Khmer, Thai or Laotian cultures, while lazy late afternoons on deck afford views of villages and life along the snaking waterway.

Plus, you can bookend the cruise with stays in Siem Reap to see the Angkor Wat temple complex or sample the exceptional cuisine of Ho Chi Minh City, for example. Luckily right now there’s now even more choice, with an array of experiences on offer.

In August, Heritage Line will embark on its first Upper Mekong voyage, taking in Laos and Thailand over four days from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai. Included are guided visits to Pak Ou Caves, complete with 4000 Buddhist statues in Laos, and the chance to learn about organic produce from farmers in the Thai village of Kok Aek. Add to this yoga on the deck, a Laotian barbecue dinner under the stars and a cooking class. What’s more, cruisers will do it in style aboard Heritage Line’s new boutique vessel, Anouvong. According to Heritage Line, the French colonial-style vessel has the most spacious accommodation of any vessel sailing the Upper Mekong. It’s also intimate, with only 10 suites.

This year, APT’s new vessel, Mekong Serenity, started plying the mighty Mekong. The 88-guest vessel has a top-deck pool and alfresco cafe, plus a speciality restaurant serving five-course menus. To really explore, consider APT’s in-depth 17-day Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery itinerary with departures from August to December. The adventure starts in Hanoi followed by a three-day cruise at Ha Long Bay. Cruisers then board Mekong Serenity where besides visits to Phnom Penh and riverside villages, they will enjoy an APT exclusive, a table at Luke Nguyen’s renowned Vietnam House in Ho Chi Minh City.

Heritage Line will also offer yoga on the deck and a Laotian barbecue dinner under the stars.

Keen to keep active after all the feasting that a Southeast Asian cruise entails? Aqua Expeditions itineraries put an emphasis on cycling, with bikes available for shoreside rides through the Vietnamese and Cambodian countryside, as well as kayaks to paddle. Its three-night Mekong Discovery between Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City on board Aqua Mekong features full-length windows to take in the ever-changing view and menus designed by renowned chef David Thompson. Aqua Mekong is also the first small ship expedition line to offer Starlink Wi-Fi access, which means you can stay in touch, and post to social media along the way.

Those with a little more time might like a world river cruise that takes in the Mekong. Uniworld’s 55-night Rivers of the World 2024 itinerary starts in Lima and ends in Ho Chi Minh City on four Uniworld Super Ships through Peru, Brazil, Europe and Southeast Asia. The Mekong portion is aboard the 68-guest Mekong Jewel, which has two dining venues, a pool and a spa. The world adventure ends with a grand finale at the Saigon Opera.

Originally published as New Mekong River cruises set to stun