Emerald Waterways has expanded its 2016 season offerings to include a 16-day itinerary sailing the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia.
During the voyage guests will visit Hanoi, with stops at the former home of Ho Chi Minh, the city's historyc quarter and an ancient temple, as well as the former Imperial capital of Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. There will also be an overnight cruise in Halong Bay.
In the Mekong Delta region, highlights include a tour of a French gothic cathedral in Cai Be and floating markets in Chau Doc. Travelers will also visit Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, including the Royal Palace complex and the Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge. A stop at a local monastery will offer up a traditional Buddhist blessing. In Siem Reap, guests will visit the ruins of Angkor Wat.
As part of the line's Discover More program, guests can customize their sailing with excursions like a visit to a local market in Hoi An, a Vietnamese art history tour in Ho Chi Minh City or a three-hour street food banquet, also in Ho Chi Minh City.
Guests will sail onboard the Mekong Navigator, which launched in September 2014. Features include a lounge, sun deck, spa, fitness room and library. Each suite offers a minibar, bottled water daily, flatscreen TV with on-demand movies, Internet access, a safe and air conditioning. Many have panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows and either French or full balconies. Guests in the Grande and Prestige Suites have their mini-bars restocked and also receive a one-hour spa treatment, all minibar consumption, daily laundry, and in-suite evening canapés.
Fares range from $4995 to $7095, and guests who book by June 30 will receive free roundtrip air from major North American gateways. Emerald’s Extension Packages include 5-day/4-night trips to Sapa and 4-day/3-night trips to Luang Prabang. Emerald can also arrange stays at Silk Path Hotel in Hanoi, Shinta Mani Resort in Siem Reap or Grand Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. A 3-day/2-night stopover at Singapore’s Park Regis hotel is also available.
The cruise fare includes all transfers; all onboard (and some on-shore) meals; unlimited tea and coffee; wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; bottled water in the cabins; continental breakfast, pre-dinner canapés and after-dinner sweet treats served in the top suites; Wi-Fi onboard the ship, daily shore excursions – as well as all gratuities, a savings up to $650 per couple on 15-day cruises.
Visit www.emeraldwaterways.com