Cruising the Mekong with AmaWaterways

Think of the most famous rivers of the world...now imagine cruising down one of them in an ultra-luxurious, six-star river vessel. My colleague Natalie has written about her incredible experience cruising along the beautiful Mekong River through Cambodia and Vietnam with Ama Waterways in April 2017. Here's Natalie's story...

"I was lucky enough to sail along the Mekong with Ama Waterways a few years ago and it was the most memorable experience I have ever done! I love that side of the world and it was really a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I flew from Manchester to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and stayed in the beautiful Sofitel Ho Chi Minh. We had a leisurely first afternoon and evening in the hotel and a little sightseeing walking tour around Ho Chi Minh. Wow what can I say, the city was bustling, it was like nothing else I had seen. The roads were some of the busiest I have ever seen. The following day we enjoyed a full day visiting the vibrant Phnom Penh ‘Pearl of Asia’.

The following day we travelled to meet the stunning AmaDara in My Tho for a 7-night cruise along the Mekong River. On board that evening we enjoyed a welcome dinner and drink and met our fellow passengers.

During my 7-night cruise I enjoyed many excursions along the Mekong River, my favourite tours including the rice and candy workshops, the colourful market Cao Dai Temple in Vietnam. Evergreen Island following along to the Killing Fields and detention centre which was heart-breaking and eye opening. The following day we visited the memorable traditional Buddhist Blessing Ceremony then we took a local tuk tuk ride to visit some of the beautiful French Colonial architecture.

The highlight of my entire trip was Angkor Wat in Cambodia, it was mesmerising to see the sunrise over the beautiful temples. We enjoyed an evening dinner and a special ‘Apsara Dancing Show’.

The food in this part of the world is so, so good! Noodles for breakfast? Yes please, there was something for everyone on board the AmaDara if you don’t fancy some of the local delicacies, they will be able to offer a simpler menu.

The rooms were gorgeous with a double balcony on all decks and spacious rooms including on the top deck beautiful suites with a large marble bath! The crew on board could not do enough and remembered every single person’s name and your preferred drinks.

I have since been back on board with Ama Waterways and I couldn’t fault them; from start to finish everything ran smoothly and the cruise directors were so informative throughout the whole experience.

I can’t wait to visit this part of the world again."

I don't know about you, but I am dying to return to Southeast Asia and enjoy a cruise along the Mekong, after hearing Natalie give it rave reviews over the past few years.

Find out more about Mekong River Cruises 

Want to experience this? Give the Panache Cruises team a call on 0161 513 8200 and they'd be happy to help!