What Is The Best Mekong River Cruise?

The Mekong River offers a variety of cruises, including the Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Market Three-Day Cruise, which starts at $483 per person. Other options include Scenic, Avalon Waterways, Riviera Travel, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Lotus Cruises, Aqua Expeditions, Viking, and Pak Lai Luang Prabang. Top Mekong Cruises offers a unique opportunity to explore the Mekong River on luxurious vessels. Some of the top Mekong River Cruise Ships for 2024-2025 include Aqua Mekong MS, Amadara RV Indochine II, Scenic Spirit Jahan Emerald Harmony, and Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise. The Viking Mekong, with 56 guests and cabins ranging from 168 square feet, is the best option for an organized land and cruise tour. The Mekong Eyes Cruise, starting at 130pp, is considered the best Mekong delta cruise. TourRadar.com offers a variety of options for travelers looking to explore the Mekong River.

What is the best month to cruise the Mekong River?

The best time to take a Mekong River cruise in Vietnam is from November and ends in April, the dry season. However, from November to January is considered as the best time of the year to do a Mekong river cruise as the weather is not too hot or too cold, no heavy rain. You have a chance to relax on the sundeck, capture any beautiful photos of the mighty river and gain a lot of memorable experiences with rustic local people.

In addition, the dry season is also when the fruits of the region are at their ripest, and visitors can taste delicious fruits like mangoes, durians, and jackfruits.

However, if you want to experience the floating markets on Tonle Sap, then the best time to visit is during the peak of the wet season, which is from August to early October. During this time, the water levels in the Mekong Delta rise, and the region’s numerous tributaries and canals become navigable, allowing traders to sell their goods from boats. This is a unique cultural experience that should not be missed.

Which river cruise is best for first timers?

Here are some of the top choices:Danube River Cruise. … Rhine River Cruise. … Douro River Cruise. … Mekong River Cruise. … Nile River Cruise. … Tips for First-Time River Cruisers:

My first river cruise was a short voyage on the Danube River. I loved every minute and was immediately hooked. I love being able to travel through the heart of a country and enjoy the changing landscape, historic landmarks and picturesque towns and villages. Keeping the same room while exploring different places is a big advantage. The proximity of the shore allows for stunning views, there is always something new to look at.

River cruises offer a unique perspective and leisurely pace. For first-time river cruisers, choosing the right itinerary can be overwhelming and I often get asked about the best river cruises. Here are some of the top choices:

Danube River Cruise. The Danube River, Europe’s second-longest river, flows through ten countries Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. There are a diverse range of itineraries available. For first timers, a classic Danube cruise between Budapest, in Hungary, and Vienna, in Austria, is a great introduction. This river cruise is like a series of back to back city breaks with three incredible capital cities to explore: Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest. You can even add a fourth if you sail further south on the Lower Danube to Belgrade. Read more about my experiences in my Danube River Cruise blogs.

What are 5 facts about the Mekong River?

The Mekong River is the 12th longest river in the world. … The Mekong River Basin is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. … The Mekong River is a vital source of food and income. … The Mekong River is home to the world’s largest freshwater fish. … The Mekong River is a popular destination for river cruises.

The Mekong River is one of the most significant and longest rivers in Southeast Asia, stretching for over 4,900 km from the Tibetan Plateau to the South China Sea. It passes through six countries: China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

The Mekong River is more than just a body of water. It has played a vital role in shaping the region’s culture, history, and economy.

Here are some fascinating facts about the Mekong River that you probably didn’t know.

Is a balcony worth it on a river cruise?

I prefer a balcony cabin so that I can relax and enjoy the view and some fresh air. However, I do have clients who decide that they will spend most of their time outside of their room in the shared spaces and would like to make their holiday budget stretch further. They’ll opt for a lower deck cabin with a fixed window. It’s down to personal preference and budget. If finances allow, I highly recommend a balcony option.

It is worth noting that one morning, you could have an incredible view over the river, but the next day, the view could be of a dock wall and your balcony becomes less important. In busy ports, river ships may need to dock next to each other and on one occasion I opened my curtains, and my view was straight into the cabin of a passenger on the adjacent ship. The view from the deck can’t be obscured by another ship as they are all the same height.

When I travelled on Uniworld Joie de Vivre, I had a stateroom with a French balcony – the top half of the floor to ceiling window glides down to the halfway point allowing an uninterrupted view and plenty of fresh air to circulate.

Cabin, room, stateroom or suite?. The terminology can vary between river cruise lines. For example, AmaWaterways and Uniworld have Staterooms and Suites. On Scenic river ships, each room is known as a Suite with larger options named Junior Suites or the opulent Royal Suite. Riviera refer to their “wonderfully spacious and luxuriously appointed cabins”.

What is the difference between the Upper Mekong and the Lower Mekong?

The Mekong Basin if frequently divided into two parts: the “upper Mekong basin” comprising those parts of the basin in Tibet, Yunnan and eastern Myanmar, and the “lower Mekong basin” from Yunnan downstream from China to the South China Sea. From the point where it rises to its mouth, the most precipitous drop in the Mekong occurs in the upper Mekong basin, a stretch of some 2,200km (1,400mi). Here, it drops 4,500m (14,800ft) before it enters the lower basin where the borders of Thailand, Laos, China, and Myanmar come together in the Golden Triangle. Downstream from the Golden Triangle, the river flows for a further 2,600km (1,600mi) through Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia before entering the South China Sea via a complex delta system in Vietnam.

The upper basin makes up 24% of the total area and contributes 15–20% of the water that flows into the Mekong River. The catchment here is steep and narrow with Soil erosion being a major problem and as a result of this, approximately 50% of the sediment in the river comes from the upper basin.

In Yunnan Province in China, the river and its tributaries are confined by narrow, deep gorges. The tributary river systems in this part of the basin are small. Only 14 have catchment areas that exceed 1,000km2 (390sqmi), yet the greatest amount of loss of forest cover in the entire river system per square kilometer has occurred in this region due to heavy unchecked demand for natural resources. In the south of Yunnan, in Simao and Xishuangbanna Prefectures, the river changes as the valley opens out, the floodplain becomes wider, and the river becomes wider and slower.

What cruise line is the most expensive?

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas was the most expensive cruise ship in terms of production costs in 2024, costing around 2 billion U.S. dollars. With a gross tonnage of about 250,800 tons, as well as capacity to accommodate around 7,600 guests, the Icon of the Seas ranks amongst the largest cruise ships to ever set sail.

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What are some of the problems facing the Mekong River?

The most pressing threats are hydropower development, climate change, illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss.

With three of the most pristine large rivers and some of the most extensive intact forest in the region, Myanmar is one of the most biologically diverse and ecologically productive nations on Earth. Its rich natural assets form the foundation for Myanmar’s long-term sustainable development. In recent decades Myanmar has witnessed its neighbors over-exploit their natural wealth, from deforestation to illegal wildlife trade. Now as the country opens up politically and economically, it’s feeling many of the same pressures faced by the rest of the Greater Mekong region.

In 2014, WWF is formally opening an office in Myanmar to ensure its economic growth continues to sustain the lives of people and wildlife. WWF’s aim is to support the country’s sustainable development ambitions with a focus on spatial planning, biodiversity and ecosystem services protection and sustainable livelihoods.

WWF’s Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program (EFN) is offering the best and brightest future conservation leaders from Myanmar the opportunity to pursue graduate-level study anywhere in the world with the goal of advancing conservation. Learn more.

How much is the luxury Mekong River cruise?

2. Luxury Mekong River Cruise Prices. The segment of luxurious Mekong River Cruises is bigger, with a variety of prices. They usually range from about 1500 USD per person for a 4-day short cruise, 1700 USD per person for a 5-day tour, and 2800 USD per person for an 8-day tour.

The most chosen river vessels are Heritage Line The Jahan, Heritage Line The Jayavarman, RV Mekong Pandaw Cruise, RV Mekong Princess Cruise, and RV Mekong Victoria Cruise.

Tourists can refer to the below cruise itineraries:

Is it better to go upstream or downstream on the Mekong?

To expand a bit further on the above, timing has an impact on time spent in port versus sailing.Going upstream lends itself to more sailing time while downstream lends itself to more port time. Some people would rather spend more time exploring a town. Others would love to spend more time sitting back and relaxing, watching the scenery go by. The time differences aren’t huge but may be noticeable. What do you prefer?

In my opinion, river currents make a small difference in the “direction to take” decision. The following, I believe, have a bigger role:

I have clients who, at the end of a cruise can keep on exploring, while others are somewhat weary or time constrained andneed to get home.If you are in the latter group, embark in the city that is of most interest to you. Take advantage of pre-cruise time and the general excitement of the trip. On the other hand, if your preference is “leaving the best to last”, end the trip with what you consider to be the best sites and cities.

What do you wear on a Mekong River cruise?

1. Quick-drying Clothing. “What clothes should I pack for cruises in Vietnam and Cambodia?” is one of the most common questions Top Mekong Cruises received recently. As you’re traveling on a multi-day journey on new lands, make sure to pack enough clothes for these days. For a Mekong river cruise, packing lightweight and loose-fitting clothing is highly recommended. Lightweight clothing is not enough when you travel to countries like Vietnam and Cambodia. Natural fabrics such as cotton, silk, linen would be ideal. You should pack a few quick-drying, moisture-wicking tops and pants for your journey into Southeast Asia.

When visiting temples in Vietnam and Cambodia, remember to wear properly and respectfully. Make sure to pack one or two long pants or dresses that cover your knees and shoulders. A light shawl could be a good option in this case which also helps you to protect from the sun.

The climate in Southeast Asia is changeable all year round. Depending on the time of the year you’re traveling, there could be short rain showers or drizzle, so a light raincoat or an umbrella will come in handy. Do not miss out great time onboard by the ship’s comfortable pool. One or two pairs of bathing suits are advised to enjoy your trip to the fullest.