Aqua Expeditions launching third luxury vessel on the Mekong River

Aqua Expeditions is launching its third luxury vessel in October, on the Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam. Aqua Mekong will be in keeping with the style of the company’s Peruvian vessels – Aqua Amazon and Aria Amazon – with just 20-suites and beautiful, local designs - small enough to be intimate but equally spacious and luxurious.

Aqua Mekong has been designed by renowned Saigon-based architectural firm Noor Design. Measuring 62.4m in length, she will have 20 outward-facing design suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, perfect for guests to relax and watch the scenery float by.

Upstairs on the Observation Deck, guests will be able to slide onto sleek, contemporary interpretations of the region’s cane planters chairs, unwind on cushioned loungers or ease into the river-facing plunge pool.

Dishes include local ingredients such as Khmer Kampot Pepper and Mekong River Prawns.  Aqua Mekong’s bar will showcase the flavours, colours and cultures of the Mekong River Basin along with the leisurely and romantic drinking rituals of colonial Indochina.

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Arts and crafts are the big draw on an excursion to Cambodia's National Museum with Voyages to Antiquity

Cambodia highlight: the National Museum in Phnom Penh

• Our latest guest blog by Zoe Bromley-Fox, Land Programmes Manager of cruise line Voyages to Antiquity. The line’s one ship, Aegean Odyssey, returns to south-east Asia this winter for the first time since the winter of 2012-13. Zoe looks forward to the forthcoming visit by recalling highlights of the journey two years ago.

Calling into the Cambodian port city of Sihanoukville, some passengers opted to head off on a full day excursion to explore the capital Phnom Penh, still boasting evidence of the French Colonial times. We visited the city’s main attractions – the National Museum and the Royal Palace with an inside visit to the Silver Pagoda.  The National Museum was the highlight for many passengers with one of the world’s largest collections of Khmer art, including sculptural, ceramics, bronzes, and ethnographic objects.

The exterior of the museum was as much of a draw as the artefacts inside – inspired by ‘traditional Khmer’ architecture, it is also described as a building enlarged from Cambodian temple prototypes seen on ancient bas-reliefs and reinterpreted through the eyes of George Groslier (1887-1945). A historian, curator and author, he was responsible for the revival of interest in traditional Cambodian arts and crafts and designed this quintessential building.

More details of Aegean Odyssey’s cruises visiting Cambodia in 2015 on Voyages to Antiquity's website. Which is also where you can read Zoe’s blog in full, together with her pick of the top excursions in south-east Asia.

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Pandaw Feature Burma, Vietnam & Cambodia

Travel to the Far East is booming this year as holiday-makers seek out increasingly exotic destinations, and river-cruises are proving especially popular, hence Pandaw River Expeditions are highlighting their great range of options to Burma, Cambodia and Vietnam in 2014.

Operating a fleet of 12 luxurious river-vessels, Pandaw explore many destinations still largely undiscovered by the European traveller, with many areas accessible only by river. The elegant vessels are designed with the shallowest drafts on the rivers, allowing them to access parts of the Irrawaddy and Chindwin Rivers in Burma and the Mekong River through Cambodia and Vietnam that other ships aren’t always able to reach.

Finished in hand-crafted teak and brass, the unique vessels are designed as replicas of the original colonial river steamers and offer the highest passenger space ratio of any ships in the region, sea going or river, with a crew to passenger ratio of 2:1.

Every Pandaw river expedition includes a superb range of intrepid shore excursions to local - and often inaccessible - communities, and all shore excursions are included within the expedition price, as well as a range of locally sourced and international food, all drinks and gratuities. 

 

Guests are able to dine in open-air dining rooms on deck on most expeditions and, in the evening, enjoy cultural performances from local performers and musicians. Pandaw operates cruises in Burma, Vietnam and Cambodia from June to April.

Their seven-night Mekong cruises cost from £1,095 per person based on two people sharing, including all food and drink, gratuities and all shore excursions.

More info: call 0203 287 6113 or visit www.pandaw.com.

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More Voluntourism Chances With Crystal

Crystal Cruises’ guests and crew will have twice as many more opportunities to give back locally during the line's 2014 World Cruise, with an expanded You Care, We Care programme during Crystal Serenity’s 89-night, Los Angeles to Southampton global journey (departing January 18).

The new-look voluntourism offers can help underprivileged children, the eco-system or a local memorial in places like Hawaii, Asia and Africa, with Crystal handling all costs and logistics. Crystal offers one complimentary voluntour per cruise, always aiding a small, local organisation. However, the five segments on next year’s World Cruise boast seven unique excursions in seven ports. Assistance opportunities include:

• Gardening and weeding Honolulu’s Makapu’u Beach to help preserve dwindling native plant life.
• Helping build structures and clean playgrounds at Father’s Home Care Ministries’ home for disadvantaged children in Takoradi, Ghana.
• Reading to underprivileged children to improve literacy as part of Singapore’s LIFE programme (offered on two World Cruise segments).
• Teaching, singing, gardening and playing with orphans in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
• Preparing meals, babysitting or reading to the abandoned, abused, neglected or orphaned children of Baphumelele Children’s Home near Cape Town.
• Crafting the commemorative candles to be lit at Nagasaki’s annual Peace Ceremony, in remembrance of the lives lost to WWII’s atomic bomb.
• Engaging in the day-to-day programmes (knitting, gardening, schoolwork etc) of the orphaned children raised and cared for by families in Durban’s SOS Children’s Village.

More info: call Crystal Cruises on 020 7399 7601 or visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk.

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An Asian Odyssey With Voyages To Antiquity

Boutique line Voyages to Antiquity have crafted a fabulous tour through the Indian Ocean to south-east Asia in their new brochure for winter 2014/15, with 12 cruises from November to March combining the most breathtaking natural and man-made sites in the world, from the remarkable beauty of Africa’s big game parks to architectural treasures such as Angkor Wat and the Taj Mahal. 

As with every Voyages To Antiquity cruise, shore excursions are included, pre and post-cruise land stays in major cities are in deluxe hotels and every sailing features outstanding guest speakers.

Key highlights are:

• Inaugural visits to East Africa, each featuring an included 3 day (2 night) safari to Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks
• Inaugural calls to the Indian Ocean Islands of Zanzibar, Seychelles, Mayotte and the Maldives.
• City centre mooring in Yangon (Burma), Bangkok (Thailand) and Ho-Chi Minh City (Vietnam) where the size of the ship enables cruising upriver to the heart of some of Asia’s most fascinating cities.
• A chance to explore Bali, Borneo and the islands of Indonesia – including visits to the stunning temple of Borobudur and the dragons on Komodo
• A return to the fascinating sights and sounds  of South-east Asia: Burma, Cambodia and Vietnam
• Cruising India’s historic Malabar Coast, before passengers disembark to enjoy the included 5-day Golden Triangle tour of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

Brochure prices start from £3,150 per person for an 18-day cruise-tour, including scheduled flights and transfers on arrival. Prices also include free domestic flight connections via London from seven regional airports, shore excursions where available, Quietvox headsets to enhance the sightseeing experience, gratuities to cabin and restaurant staff on-board and wine with dinner on board.

Guests can save up to £5,000 per cabin when booking by December 31 and several itineraries feature special rates for single travellers. 

More info: visit www.voyagestoantiquity.com or call on 0845 437 9737.

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Take a River Cruise - And Save!

AmaWaterways have a new series of worldwide river-cruise special offers this week, with savings of up to £391 per person for their distinctive voyages in Russia, France, along the Danube and in the Far East.

Here are the full details:

July 26: Cruise Russia’s waterways, saving £271pp 

Discover Russia’s waterways and her vast and spectacular lakes, dine traditional style with a Russian family and discover the cities en-route between St Petersburg and Moscow. This 11-night sailing is now £2,979pp (was £3250pp).

August 9: Cruise through Provence, saving £391pp 

This one-week luxury river cruise from Lyon to Arles along the Rhone takes in famous wine growing regions, historic towns and the spectacular Provencal countryside. The price is now £2,299 per person (was £2,690).

August 16: Vietnam, Cambodia & Riches of the Mekong

Departing on August 16, AMA has a magnificent 7-night cruise along the Mekong between Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City, including a 2-night pre-cruise stay in Siem Reap (B&B basis) in Cambodia, for just £2,299pp, saving £239. The cruise is on board the La Marguerite, and visits floating markets, exotic villages, temples, monasteries and historic pagodas along the way.

August 26: Cruise the Danube, save £281pp 

Or how about a week’s Danube cruise from Vilshofen to Budapest, highlighting the very best of this region from Austria to Hungary. The price is now £2,064 per person (was £2,345). 

All prices include return UK flights, transfers, full board, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, complimentary daily tours and excursions, plus use of onboard bicycles on Provence and Danube routes. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury river cruising specialists.

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Take A 'Secret Retreat' To Asia

The Floating World of Asia - Sojourn the Seas in Search of Mystery, Adventure, Dragons and Mythical Wonder

Travel like the explorers of centuries past who sailed the seas of the Far East eager to discover the great unknown. Embark on a voyage to Eastern Indonesia, where you will find the famous Spice Islands or encounter the primeval looking Komodo Dragons. Experience the exotic cultures of South East Asia as you cruise along the Mekong that runs through China's Yunnan province, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Savour a slice of Kashmiri lifestyle on board a luxury houseboat on Dal Lake and approach the "venerable city" of Srinagar. All these experiences are possible with the deluxe touch of Secret Retreats, who invite guests on a journey of adventure and mythical wonder as they explore the floating worlds of Asia. Silolona Sojourns - Indonesia The Silolona is a modern incarnation of Indonesia's majestic sailing ships which were used by the Bugis people for centuries. Made from tropical hardwoods and constructed using the indigenous methods of the Konjo people of Sulawesi, the Silolona offers the discerning traveller comforts of the highest standard while preserving the charm and elegance of timeless travel. Special Offer: Solely operating on charter basis, Silolona is generously offering individual travellers the opportunity to experience their beautiful vessel from June 1-6 for a "Cruise throughout the Komodo Archipelago." The voyage starts from Labuanbajo, sailing north up the eastern coast of Komodo Island to Sabolon Island, the Rinca island park to see the Komodo Dragons in their natural habitat, then the Padar for sea kayaking, water skiing, diving and snorkeling, Batu Muncul for some stunning crescent-shaped beaches with pristine white sand and Banta Island known for its large population of giant turtles and manta rays. And finally back to Labuanbajo. Rates are $2,136 per day/person in the Master Cabin or $1,495 per day/person (all taxes included). The Jahan - Mekong River Cruise A product of a hopelessly romantic tale, the Jahan was the original name of a boatin which the mesmerising Lady Kashmira and British poet Lord Byron eloped when their love was not accepted by her aristocratic ancestors. A harmonious blend of luxury, elegance and sensuality, it is hard not to feel of noble descent as you are served your Royal High Tea, prepared to perfection every afternoon. Special Offer: Get 30% off public rate in June and July by booking via Secret Retreats, now from $2,800 for 7 nights, with additional benefits, including FREE upgrade from Superior to Deluxe (subject to availability); $100 redit voucher per cabin for Spa treatments; a 10% discount on bar bills. And for August 2013: Get 20% off public rate by booking via Secret Retreats, from $3,140 for 7 nights, with free upgrade from Superior, Deluxe to higher category (subject to availability) and $100 credit voucher per cabin for Spa treatments. Sukoon Houseboat - Dal Lake, Kashmir Valley, India Sukoon, a Sufi term for an elevated state of mind that combines peace, wisdom, and contentment, is Kashmir's first ecological houseboat, created as a haven where you can relax and revitalise. Surrounded by lotuses and the pristine mountain ranges of the Himalayas, Sukoon is moored on the tranquil Dal Lake in the heart of Kashmir Valley. Lotus Houseboat - Kerala Backwaters, India The Lotus houseboat offers you serenity and relaxation while cruising through the languid backwaters of Malabar, the undiscovered jewel of northern Kerala. Embark on a blissful journey that offers an exceptional combination of four days at Neeleshwar Hermitage, a stylish retreat on a peaceful palm-fringed beach, and a two-day cruise through the tranquil Malabar backwaters. For more info, visit www.secret-retreats.com; for more luxury river and adventure cruising, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruise specialists.

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More Oceania Offers

It's the New Year, so the cruise offers are rolling in thick and fast. Here are the latest from Oceania Cruises, with some great savings on a selection of exotic voyages. 

February 2: Caribbean hideaway, 10 nights £1502, saving £1266 
Escape the British winter and spend 10 nights cruising the Caribbean on board the new, food-lovers cruise ship, Riviera. The 1250-guest, mid-sized luxury ship will be sailing a round-trip cruise from Miami to the British Virgin Islands, Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Barts, including a $500 shipboard credit per stateroom. 

February 26: 16 nights Australia/New Zealand, £3589, saving £1975
 This 'Splendours Down Under' cruise is on the 1250-guest Marina, renowned for its culinary excellence, wine pairing centre and hands-on cookery school. The sailing of New Zealand’s south-eastern coastline concludes in Australia, to call into Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney. 

March 10: 25-night Oriental Grand Cruise, £3222pp, saving £3441pp
 Cruise from Beijing to Bangkok in the spring, visiting Korea, Japan, Taiwain, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand on board Oceania's mid-sized Nautica, now with a $500 shipboard credit per stateroom. 

March 28: Caribbean Hideaways, 10 nights £1809, saving £959
 Cruise the Caribbean islands of Tortola, Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Barts on board Riviera, and receive a $300 per stateroom credit to spend in the ship’s bars, spa and boutiques. 

April 20: 19-night cruise with a Panama Canal transit and £1692pp saving
 Oceania's long cruise from Miami to San Francisco, on the mid-sized Regatta travels through the Caribbean Sea and along the west coast of Mexico via a magnificent Panama Canal transit, including a $500 per stateroom credit to spend on board. 

May 9: Gatweay to Alaska, £1749pp, with £1028 saving 
Cruise from San Francisco along the west coast of the USA and Alaska, to arrive into Vancouver 9 nights later, on the 650-guest Regatta, and including a $500 per stateroom credit to spend on board.

All fares include return UK flights, all meals, no supplement for speciality dining, complimentary bottled water and soft drinks.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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SeaDream's New Brochure Bonus

SeaDream Yacht Club has introduced a newly-designed, full-colour, 80-page brochure reflecting their yachting lifestyle and featuring the 2013/14 voyage programme of their chic, twin vessels SeaDream I and SeaDream II. For the first time, all voyages are shown in pounds sterling.

The highlights are as follows:

The all-new autumn 2013 Costa Rica programme sees SeaDream’s first sailings across the “top” of South America, its first visit to Gatun Lake and Nicaragua, Costa Rica, itself, with inaugural sailings through the great Panama Canal. Typical voyages such as SeaDream I’s 7-night Caldera round-trip 'Costa Rica & Panama Discovery' sailing on November 30 start from £2,266pp, including all fees, handling and port tax.

The brand new autumn/spring 2013/14 Asia programme aboard SeaDream II features 18 different departures, and visits almost every nation with a coast in Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar (Burma), East Timor, Indonesia, New Guinea, Vietnam, Cambodia and Hong Kong. Sailings range from 7 to 14 nights and the programme kicks off with an inaugural trans-Suez and a trans-Indian Ocean sailing.

A typical 7-night itinerary such as 'Asian Fantasia' round-trip from Singapore on April 4, 2014, costs from £3,095pp, while a typical longer voyage such as her 14-night 'Voyage of the Warrors' sailing from Cairns to Bali departing on February 1, 2014, costs from £5,995pp.

An exciting highlight of the summer 2014 Northern Europe season sees SeaDream operating its first cruise from Britain, a 14-night Baltic Capitals voyage departing on August 30 round-trip from Dover, with lead-in early booking fares starting from £6,655pp. After the inaugural round-trip UK sailing, SeaDream I heads for Lisbon, then Rome and on to Athens to join her sister ship in the Mediterranean through to the end of the summer.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruise specialists.

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AMA's Autumn Specials

River-cruise specialists AMA Waterways have three bumper special offers to tempt savvy travellers this autumn, with a diverse choice of eastern Europe, France and Vietnam.

Take your pick from the following tempting trio:

Black Sea Voyage with up to £445pp saving

Cruise the lower Danube through five countries, from Rousse in Bulgaria to Budapest, Hungary, with daily port calls and complimentary tours and excursions on a 7-night voyage on board the luxurious 5-star river cruiser AmaDolce. AMA's Black Sea sailing now costs from just £1,395 per person (was £1,840pp) with all meals, wine with dinner, free use of onboard bicycles, free Wi-Fi and all port taxes. 

Autumn wine-themed cruise, saving £499pp

This blissful 7-night voyage sails from Lyon to Arles (and in reverse) on board the luxury river cruiser, AmaDagio, cruising through legendary wine regions such as Beaujolais and Cote du Rhone. The cruise departs on October 11 and 18 and costs from £1,591pp (was £2,091), including wine tastings at local vintners, daily tours and excursions, all meals, wine with dinner, free use of onboard bicycles, free Wi-Fi and all port taxes. 

Cruise the Mekong  
Experience the exotic villages, towns, markets and temples of the mighty Mekong River on a 7-night river cruise from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City in Cambodia and Vietnam. This 10-night adventure departs on November 10 and includes a night stay in Siem Reap, a 7-night cruise, two overnight UK flights and all necessary transfers. It now costs from just £2,695pp, a saving of some 30 per cent.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's river cruising specialists.

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SeaDream's Asia Debut

SeaDream Yacht Club has announced that, for the first time, they will deploy one of their twin mega-yachts, SeaDream II, to Asia for the winter season 2013/14 after the completion of her advertised summer Mediterranean season.

The first of her Asia programme departures is “Passage to the Far East”, which will depart Athens on October 12 and include a transit of the Suez Canal, excursions to Egypt’s fascinating archeological sites (accompanied by an Egyptologist) en route to Mumbai, India. Prices for this epic 15-night voyage start from £4,050 per person, including all fees and port taxes. 

 

From Mumbai, she will sail onwards via Cochin, Sri Lanka, and the Andaman Islands to Thailand, before dropping down to Singapore. This 13-night trans-Indian Ocean sailing costs from £3,995 per person, including fees and taxes.

Thereafter, SeaDream II will visit almost every coastal country in South East Asia, as well as visiting Northern Australia during a six-month programme featuring Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, East Timor, Indonesia, New Guinea, Vietnam, Cambodia and Hong Kong.

Offering 18 unique sailings in total, each voyage offers unique and exciting ports of call, each ranging from seven to fifteen nights duration. Most may be combined to create longer back-to-back holidays. Typical 7-night itineraries such as the “Asian New Year Celebration Cruise” from Phuket to Singapore on December 28, cost from £3,645 per person while a typical longer voyage such as the 14-night “Voyage of the Warrors” sailing from Cairns to Bali on February 1, 2014, costs from £5,995.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Titan & Uniworld Showcase 'World's Best' River-Cruises

Titan Travel has unveiled its brand new 2013 brochure of award-winning river cruises for independent travellers in an exclusive UK partnership with Uniworld.

The new brochure has been rebranded as the 'World's Best River Cruises' and showcases more than 30 outstanding itineraries aboard Uniworld's fleet of floating boutique-style hotels to some of the grandest and most scenic waterways of Europe, Egypt, China, Vietnam and Cambodia.

The name 'World's Best' recognises the supreme quality of each ship with sumptuous interiors, award-winning service, spacious and beautifully appointed staterooms, fine cuisine (including complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on the majority of the cruises) and choice of shore excursions included at every major port of call, plus a range of splendid on-board amenities, including a Serenity Spa, available on each vessel.

The brochure features five new itineraries, including the 8-day 'Venice and Po River' voyage on the newly refurbished River Countess. This is the first time Uniworld has featured Italy and, following a stay in Venice, the trip continues along the Po to include a visit to Bologna for a pasta-making workshop, as well as a city tour of Verona and a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Ravenna. 

The holiday will operate from April to November 2013 and costs from £1,999 per person (including a saving of £200 if booked before September 30) and includes flights, a 7-night full-board cruise, excursions, transfers and Titan's unique VIP Home Departure Service.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's river cruise experts.

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Save Big On On The Mekong With AmaWaterways

Here's another great saving worth highlighting for those who enjoy the luxury river cruise scene:

From exotic floating markets to bustling cities, AmaWaterways cruise from Siam Reap to Ho Chi Minh City meanders along Asia’s magnificent Mekong River, taking in life along its banks with daily included excursions to temples, markets, cities and riverside villages. 

A week's stay on board the majestic La Marguerite, the most luxurious ship on the river, now costs from just £1,295 per person on the March 19 sailing, a generous saving of £328pp. The price includes all meals on board, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, daily excursions and nightly entertainment on board.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Lindblad's Latest Adventure Options

Starting this month, Lindblad Expeditions' Peruvian Amazon expedition will be the first to offer kayaking in the Upper Amazon, providing guests even more accessibility to the lagoons, small tributaries and creeks of this pristine region.

The intimate and stately vessel, the Delfin II, will be equipped with five 2-person kayaks to provide this in-depth experience. Guests will be able to enjoy the signature Lindblad Expedition, a combination of elegant accommodation, knowledgeable experts and uniquely close encounters with the nature and culture of the region.

Or how about this fabulous itinerary: Vietnam & Cambodia — Along the Mekong River, including Angkor and Saigon. Lindblad's 14-day voyage takes in the sublime temples of Angkor Wat, the floating villages and vibrant markets along the Mekong, and the cities of Phnom Penh and Saigon. Sail aboard the new 48‐guest Jahan, with accommodations of a standard not available here before. Rates begin at $7,980 per person, based on double occupancy.

To find out more, see this link to visit the UK's adventure cruise specialists, the Cruise Line Ltd.

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Avalon's New Mekong River Adventures

Luxury river cruise specialist Avalon Waterways has announced the delivery of a new river cruise ship, the Avalon Angkor, as it launches a dedicated Vietnam, Cambodia & China brochure with a fascinating choice of river cruises and tours in the region.

The new brochure will go on sale on November 24, including a tour of Vietnam & Cambodia with a Mekong river cruise as well as two China tours, including a Yangtze River cruise. Tour and cruise departures are from April 2012 to March 2013.

Due for delivery in 2012, Avalon Angkor (above) has been specially designed to be the first ship in the industry to cruise all the way from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, avoiding more than 7 hours travelling time by coach. Built by local craftsmen with a colonial design, the boat is the first Avalon vessel to be launched outside of Europe but will feature all the modern amenities the company is renowned for.

Accommodating just 32 guests in 16 deluxe staterooms over two decks with a Sun Deck, this small and intimate ship will feature the standard spacious 172sq ft staterooms as on all Avalon ships. The floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors provide an open-air experience without losing any space in the stateroom and are the best way to enjoy the passing scenery.

All Avalon cruises are fully packaged with flights, transfers, airport taxes, port charges and gratuities, as well as a private door-to-door transfer service (within 75 miles of your chosen international airport), local guided sightseeing and a full board cruise with complimentary wine served at dinner.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out the UK's luxury river cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Uniworld's New Vietnam Venture

River-cruise specialists Uniworld are launching an exciting 14-night itinerary to Vietnam and Cambodia on the Mekong River featuring the new River Saigon cruise ship with a limited capacity of just 60 guests. The comprehensive itinerary starts at Ho Chi Minh City, where guests will stay for three days exploring the city and visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels.

From there, guests sail down the narrow canals of the Mekong River stopping off for excursions at small towns and visiting floating markets and homes. The cruise continues down to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, where guests learn about the violent Khmer Rouge regime, as well as a visit to the National Museum.

Guests continue on their cruise up the Mekong towards Siem Reap, stopping off at small towns along the way. At Siem Reap, two days are dedicated to exploring the UNESCO heritage site of Angkor Wat and then there is a short flight back to Hanoi, where guests will stay in the luxury of the Inter Continental Hotel before departing for home. UK prices for this package are still to be confirmed but will be finalised shortly.

The package will include: 7-night Mekong River Cruise in a riverview stateroom onboard the beautiful new River Saigon; 7 nights in centrally located deluxe hotels featuring luxurious accommodations, buffet breakfast, and all services charges; taxes and porterage; fully escorted excursions with English-speaking local guides made up of more than 20 people; 14 buffet breakfasts, 9 lunches and 11 dinners; complimentary wine with dinner onboard, and complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, local beer and local spirits throughout the day; domestic flight from Siem Reap to Hanoi or Hanoi to Siem Reap; all transfers on arrival and departure days.

For more info, see www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk or luxury river-cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

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AMA Launch Second Boat On The Mekong

Award-winning river cruise line AmaWaterways has launched its second new vessel on the Mekong River, the 124-passenger MS AmaLotus.

The 7-night maiden voyage set sail this week after a traditional Vietnamese praying ceremony at the shipyard. AmaLotus joins MS La Marguerite (2009) in providing distinctive river cruises from Siem Reap, Cambodia, to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, as part of the highly-popular “Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong” programme.

Featuring ultra-spacious 624sq ft Suites; 10 Junior Suites at 290sq ft and standard staterooms at 226sq ft, AmaLotus has outside balconies on 90 per cent of her staterooms.

The décor combines Colonial elegance with regional Khmer accents, with staterooms including comfortable sitting areas, individually controlled air-conditioning, a mini-bar, safety deposit box, kimonos and slippers and luxurious bathtub (in all Suites).

Guests enjoy fine dining consisting of both Asian and Western specialties; complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner with complimentary house-brand spirits and soft drinks throughout the cruise. Onboard highlights include folklore dances, musical performances and culture discussion forums. The ship also features two lounges, a fitness room, spa and gift shop.

Launched in 2009, the “Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong” river cruise and land programme includes two nights in vibrant Hanoi followed by an overnight aboard a luxury junk in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay. A short flight then transports guests to Siem Reap, Cambodia, the gateway to the magnificent Angkor Archeological Park. A two-night stay there includes tours of world-renowned sites such as Angkor Wat, Terrace of the Elephants and newly-reopened Baphuon Temple.

From Siem Reap, guests embark on their 7-night odyssey along the Mekong River from Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City.

The 15-night land-cruise option costs from £2,422 per person and includes hotel accommodation, excursions and all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with meals on board, and the seven night cruise-only option costs from £1,060, including excursions and drinks.

For more info, visit www.amawaterways.co.uk or the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Orion Expedition Cruises Unveil 2012 Programme

Free Flights on Selected Kimberley, Borneo & Vietnam Itineraries plus 15% Early Booking Discounts on Selected Sailings
Orion Expedition Cruises has released an expanded range of path-less-travelled itineraries for 2012, which include free flights from the UK on selected Kimberley, Borneo and Vietnam voyages as well as early booking discounts of up to 15% on most sailings.

Incorporating the first full year of voyages for Orion II, as well as their original boutique cruiser Orion, these expeditions - well off the marine superhighway - include rarely visited destinations from polar ice cap to the tropics.

In addition to existing itineraries, Orion takes a fresh look at New Zealand with new Pure New Zealand and Bay of Islands voyages. Orion II’s new sailings feature the islands of Micronesia and additional voyages to Japan with Art of Japan and Culinary Voyage of Japan itineraries. China is included for the first time, with expeditions that includes the Yangtze Delta (Kobe to Shanghai) and Shanghai to Tawau (Yangtze, Taiwan, Philippines), while an inaugural visit to Java includes Borobudur.

Free flights are available on all Kimberley sailings between April 13 and September 10; on three Vietnam sailings departing March 12, 21, 30 and on one Borneo sailing departing February 17.

In all, 2012 will see the two purpose-built expedition cruise ships undertake 68 voyages to 17 countries and 174 destinations stretching from Antarctica to the Russian Far East, including Borneo, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, the Inland Sea of Japan, Korea, China and Micronesia (onboard Orion II). Australia’s Kimberley coast, Arnhem Land, Great Barrier Reef, the Spice Islands, New Zealand, the Sub Antarctic islands and Papua New Guinea feature in Orion’s range of expeditions.

The complete 2012 Calendar of Sailings is now on sale. Prices start from £1,630 per person, cruise-only, for a five-night Great Barrier Reef voyage on September 27 and from £4,400 per person for a nine-night Vietnam Explorer voyage, including free flights, with departures on March 12, 21 and 30.

For more info, visit http://www.orionexpeditions.com/ or the UK's expedition cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Celebrity's First Asia Season Now On Sale

Celebrity Cruises has announced its first-ever season sailing in Asia in the winter of 2012/13, and the series of voyages on Celebrity Millennium is now on sale, visiting nine countries new to the brand, including Vietnam, Thailand and China.

Celebrity's inaugural Asian season will consist of a series of 14-night open-jaw cruises between Singapore and Hong Kong and includes overnight stays in Singapore, Bangkok (Thailand), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Halong Bay (Vietnam) and Hong Kong. The season also will include two 14-night sailings round-trip from Singapore with overnight stays in Bali (Indonesia) in January 2013.

At either end of Millennium’s Asia season will be two trans-Pacific sailings. The westbound cruise will coincide with the total solar eclipse in November 2012. Guests will be able to view the eclipse while at sea when sailing from Fiji to New Zealand. In April 2013, the ship will reposition from Hong Kong to Shanghai on a cruise featuring overnight calls in Hong Kong and Beijing (Tianjin). Millennium will then continue eastbound across the North Pacific to Alaska and will call at various ports in China, Japan, and Russia.

Guests can also take advantage of one of Celebrity's signature cruise-tours, which combine a cruise with a five-night pre or post-cruise escorted land package out of Hong Kong. They will feature trips to Xian and Beijing to view the famed Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall of China. All of these packages are escorted by a local tour director and include hotel accommodations, transportation, select activities, breakfasts and some additional meals.

While sailing, a variety of shore excursions are available. A number of overnight stays in port will offer the opportunity to enjoy two or three-day excursions, with examples including a two-night/three-day overland experience from Bangkok to Siem Reap to visit Angkor Wat (Cambodia). The tour focuses on the temples of Angkor to see the best examples of stone carvings recovered from temples across Cambodia.

During cruises that include an overnight stay in port at Halong Bay (Hanoi), an overnight shore excursion offers a visit to the Old Quarter of the city; an opportunity to witness unique Vietnamese performing arts at the Hanoi Water Puppet Theatre; dinner at a traditional restaurant; and an overnight stay in a leading hotel.

For more info, see www.celebritycruises.co.uk or contact the cruise agent specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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