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Award-winning river cruise line Amawaterways has commissioned the construction of a second ship to cruise the Mekong river as part of the line’s hugely successful “Vietnam, Cambodia & the Riches of the Mekong” programme. The as yet unnamed new build is expected to debut in late spring 2011. When completed, the ship will join the luxurious MS La Marguerite in offering seven-day Mekong river cruises from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to Siem Reap, Cambodia and the reverse. The two vessels will depart on the same day of the week, one sailing downstream from Siem Reap, and the other sailing upstream from Ho Chi Minh City.
“The Mekong is a magnificent river, ideal for river cruising for a number of reasons,” says Amawaterways President, Rudi Schreiner. “The first advantage of the Mekong is its size. The river is huge, in most places almost a mile wide, so it has a whole lot of potential. The scenery is incredible, with many small villages, islands and temples. The other remarkable thing about the Mekong is that it includes three major cities. You have Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon, the metropolis of Vietnam; Phnom Penh, the capital and largest city of Cambodia, located on the river front with beautiful cafes and restaurants. And then, you have the fascinating town of Siem Reap, with the temples of Angkor. It’s the perfect backdrop for river cruising.”
Launched in September 2009, Amawaterways’ exclusive 15-day “Vietnam, Cambodia & the Riches of the Mekong” itinerary highlights the most renowned historical and cultural treasures of Southeast Asia. In addition to an unforgettable Mekong river cruise, the programme’s features include:
– Two nights in Vietnam’s bustling capital of Hanoi, famous for its graceful colonial architecture, verdant parks, tranquil lakes and ancient temples;
– An overnight cruise onboard a luxurious traditional Junk in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its spectacular limestone towers;
– Three nights in Siem Reap,Cambodia, gateway to the Angkor Archeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the legendary Angkor Wat;
– An overnight in historic Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
Prices for the new ship have yet to be released but for 2010 and early 2011, prices for this itinerary on MS La Marguerite start at £1,825 per person including bed and breakfast hotel accommodation as detailed on the itinerary, all meals on board, local beer and spirits on board, internal flights and all excursions as detailed in the itinerary. International flights are extra.
The new Amawaterways vessel on the Mekong will be larger than the newly-built MS La Marguerite, 295 feet long, as opposed to 246 feet long, and will accommodate 124 passengers in 62 balcony cabins. It will feature a total of 10 spacious junior suites as well as two suites. Cabin layout and decor will be similar to that of La Marguerite, featuring beautiful tropical woods, elegant textiles, and regional Khmer artifacts. Adding to its appeal to sophisticated travellers is the award-winning philosophy, service and attention to detail that has made Amawaterways the premier river cruise operator in Europe.
TravelDailyNews Asia-Pacific editorial team has an experience of over 35 years in B2B travel journalism as well as in tourism & hospitality marketing and communications.
