Aqua Mekong
Aqua Mekong

A magnificent presence on the Mekong river, Aqua Mekong showcases modern architecture and interiors by renowned architect Noor Design

Dining Experience, Excursions, Spa Services, Outdoor Lounge, Gym Facilities

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What to expect from Aqua Mekong

Overview

A magnificent presence on the Mekong river, Aqua Mekong showcases modern architecture and interiors by renowned architect Noor Design

As part of a fleet which was named the World’s Best River Cruise Line by Travel + Leisure in 2023 and 2024, the Mekong river cruise ship’s 20 spacious, air-conditioned suites feature full-length windows that offer spectacular panoramas of the ever-changing scenery.

As the Aqua Mekong charts a luxurious passage across Cambodia and Vietnam, onboard guests embark on an inspiring journey of local flavors with a dining experience crafted by Michelin-starred consulting chef David Thompson. The ship’s bar menu, created by renowned spirit experts and cocktail designers Proof & Co, echoes a similar locally-minded philosophy.

Aqua Mekong guarantees utmost safety, comfort, and exclusivity for off-shore excursions, featuring the only private fleet of tender boats on the Mekong river. The four tenders bring guests on highly personalized day trips to explore the Mekong Delta. Enjoy twice-daily excursions to landmarks, temples, and villages, discovering local culture and traditions along the way.

Accommodation

When it comes to rest and relaxation, Aqua Mekong cuts no corners. Our 20 spacious, river-facing design suites — including four sets of interconnecting suites — are furnished with inviting hardwood interiors along with premium fittings and bedding. In the fully air-conditioned comfort of your river cruise suite, gaze at the Mekong panorama and watch an idyllic world float by.

Aqua Mekong Deck and Cabin Description

Balcony Suite

Amenities

  • Deluxe ensuite bathrooms with spacious walk-in shower, and overhead rain-shower
  • Equipped with pampering organic natural hair and bath amenities
  • Premium king-sized bed or twin beds
  • Floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows
  • Fully air-conditioned
  • Nespresso machines available
  • Electronic safe
  • Music docking station
  • Professional hairdryer

Non-Balcony Suite

Amenities

  • Deluxe ensuite bathrooms with spacious walk-in shower, and overhead rain-shower
  • Equipped with pampering organic natural hair and bath amenities
  • Premium king-sized bed or twin beds
  • Floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows
  • Fully air-conditioned
  • Nespresso machines available
  • Electronic safe
  • Music docking station
  • Professional hairdryer

Interconnecting Suite

There are four pairs of interconnecting suites —suitable for families or travelers looking for a more spacious  living space.

Amenities

  • Deluxe ensuite bathrooms with spacious walk-in shower, and overhead rain-shower
  • Equipped with pampering organic natural hair and bath amenities
  • Premium king-sized bed or twin beds
  • Floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows
  • Fully air-conditioned
  • Nespresso machines available
  • Electronic safe
  • Music docking station
  • Professional hairdryer

Decks

Top Deck

  • Sun Deck
  • Gym
  • Screening Room
  • Library & Game Room
  • Indoor Lounge & Bar

Second Deck

  • Cabins 201-210
  • Dining Area
  • Reception
  • Boutique
  • Lobby Lounge

First Deck

  • Cabins 102-110
  • Spa

Gratuities

We are often asked what gratuity is appropriate for guides and crew. The quality of service should determine the amount of any tip.

From experience, we recommend an amount in the range of US$70 -  US$95 per day for the crew.

Per passenger, the total tip would therefore be somewhere between US$210 - US$285 for the 3-night cruise, US$280 - US$380 for the 4-night cruise, and US$490 - US$665 for the 7-night cruise.

For private charters, the recommended tip ranges from 7% - 10% of the total amount paid.

Please bear in mind that this is merely a suggestion, since we believe that gratuities are a very personal matter.

Tips can be paid by credit card or cash using the envelopes provided or the designated boxes. This will be explained in greater detail by your cruise director on board.

Entertainment

Designed with exclusivity in mind, every moment on board Aqua Mekong is one to be remembered.

Enjoy social spaces typical to larger cruise ships such as a movie room, a plunge pool, a gym, and a spa, all while keeping the peace and personalized service of a small, luxury river vessel.

Lobby Lounge

This sophisticated space welcomes you with plush seating and a serene ambiance, creating the perfect setting to unwind and socialize.

Library & Games Room

Immerse in the finest literature about the region or play a game of foosball on our exquisite glass and wood table. The library and games room on the Aqua Mekong is the ideal place for quiet contemplation.

Sun Deck

Opening up to the vast Mekong sky, the observation deck on both ends of the Aqua Mekong is the highest vantage point aboard the cruise ship and the ideal place for guests to observe life on the river and riverbanks.

Outdoor Lounge

Enjoy the Mekong breeze and admire the view with a cocktail or two at the outdoor lounge areas, or sit barside and strike up a conversation with our friendly bartender. Plenty of shade is offered at the bow lounge area, thanks to Aqua Mekong’s iconic sun canopy. In the evenings, the Mekong’s iconic sunsets draws guests to the open-air decks. Return to the outdoor lounge after dinner for stargazing, outdoor cinema screenings, or endless conversations as the river settles into a soothing peace and quiet.

Indoor Lounge & Bar

With an inviting ambience tastefully blending modern and classic elements, the Aqua Mekong’s indoor lounge and bar is the focal point for social activities on the top deck. Luxurious lounge sofas let guests relax in air-conditioned comfort while sipping on their drink of choice. The bar menu is designed by renowned spirit experts and cocktail designers Proof & Co, and features classic cocktails as well as creative concoctions that show off local flavors and ingredients.

Screening Room

Enhance any Mekong river cruise journey with our selection of classic films about this exotic region, like The Scent of Green Papaya, The Quiet American, and Good Morning Vietnam. Our cruise director will be happy to organize a private screening for up to ten guests here or on the Observation Deck. The Private Screening Room also hosts guests for private lectures, videos, and documentaries to learn about the fascinating cultures on their Mekong river journey.

Boutique

Supporting local craftsman, the boutique showcases the best artistry the Mekong region. This is the ideal place to take home souvenirs and memorabilia of superb quality and attention to detail.

Enrichment

Aqua Mekong guarantees utmost safety, comfort, and exclusivity for off-shore excursions, featuring the only private fleet of tender boats on the Mekong river. The four tenders bring guests on highly personalized day trips to explore the Mekong Delta. Enjoy twice-daily excursions to landmarks, temples, and villages, discovering local culture and traditions along the way.

Excursions

Mat-weaving

The village of Binh Thanh is the home of the intricate art of mat-weaving using natural materials, a skill passed down over the centuries. Thanks to improved materials and techniques over the years, the weavers of this town can create artisanal mats not found anywhere else.

Temple Visits

No trip to the Mekong would be complete without wandering through hundreds of awe-inspiring temples, including the preserved temples in the lost city of Angkor Wat. The largest religious structure in the world, this is the heart and soul of Cambodia, showcasing over a thousand Hindu and Buddhist temples, ranging from intricate Apsaras, hand carved into the sandstone walls, to serene and smiling stone faces of Buddha and still-intact temples wrapped in thick tree roots.

Floating Villages

A visit to Tonle Sap in the Mekong Delta is only available to travelers during the high-water season of mid-August to November, when the lake is accessible by river boat. It’s home to 170 floating villages which consist of a collection of stilted overwater huts that hover over the water. Guests on Aqua Mekong are introduced to local villagers and their unique way of life in a region where schools, churches, pagodas, and even the karaoke bar and police station all float.

The largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, Tonle Sap nourished a population of more than one million at the height of the Khmer empire in the 12th century. At present, it continues to provide abundance as one of the most productive fishing lakes in the world, supporting over three million people and providing over 75 percent of Cambodia’s annual inland fish catch.

Silversmith Visit

Explore the silversmith villages of Koh Chen — located just 35 kilometers from Phnom Penh, and recognized by the big Buddha statue on its river banks — known for their fine craftsmanship. The intricate craft of silversmithing has been preserved by the local artisans for over 50 years. Keep an eye out for their famous silver bowls, regularly chosen by Cambodia’s king as gifts for visiting dignitaries.

Tuk-Tuk Rides

Explore the cities through tuk-tuk rides – a local form of three-wheeled transport, which offer one of the most convenient ways of getting around.

Bike Excursions

Aside from riding in tuk-tuks, the undulating elevation of the Mekong countryside is perfect for cycling. On the Aqua Mekong, guided cycling excursions are available on our expeditions up until the penultimate day. Top-of-the-line, all-terrain Cannondale bicycles sail with the ship, able to cater to all levels, as well as tackle any terrain in comfort and safety. No two bicycling tours in an itinerary are the same, so guests get to experience a different slice of Mekong life and culture with every ride.

Kayaking Excursions

As popular as cycling on the Mekong, kayaking has been a long-time favorite way for our guests to explore the Amazon River. Guests of the Aqua Mekong can now take advantage of eight double-kayaks throughout various locations in Cambodia. For example, kayaking in Oknha Tey, guests can paddle to see local silk-weavers at work, or kayak the Moat Khla region by Tonle Sap Lake and/or in the waterways in the Kampong Chnnang Province.

Skiffs

Four auxiliary aluminum launch boats with retractable canopy covers, each equipped with two low-emission four-stroke engines and maintaining constant radio communication with the main vessel, with a capacity of 10 passengers each.

Presentations onboard

More information coming soon.

Mekong Cruises

Culture and civilizations have flourished around great rivers throughout history and the Mekong is no exception.

While sailing on board the Aqua Mekong luxury cruise, discover rich heritage and traditions shaped by 2,000 years of human history. From the flourishing of the Khmer empire to the prominence of Theravada Buddhism in present-day Cambodia and Vietnam, this is one of the few cultural destinations on Earth that’s best explored through a river expedition. Embark on expert-led excursions: kayak to floating villages, discover historic Buddhist temples, and cycle along picturesque ricefields to explore monuments from the Khmer Empire.

The luxurious Aqua Mekong river boat cruise charts a path through the picturesque lower Mekong basin with expert guides on board. Follow in the footsteps of royalty aboard our award-winning vessel where a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio and luxuriously designed cabins will give you a home away from home. Aqua Mekong luxury cruise provides a truly immersive and personalized experience in this culture-rich landscape. With year-round itineraries departing from Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap, this is the only luxury Mekong river cruise that provides complimentary flight extensions to Siem Reap during the low water season.

Best time to visit the Mekong

The tropical climate of Cambodia and Vietnam means temperatures are warm year-round. Exploring these countries via a luxury Mekong river cruise is even more appealing as temperatures in the water can be two to five degrees Fahrenheit (one to three degrees Celsius) lower than on land. Excursions aboard the Aqua Mekong luxury river cruise are also organized to take advantage of pleasant weather during certain times of the day. Travelers will find that there’s always something fascinating to experience no matter the time of year they visit.

Dining

As the Aqua Mekong charts a luxurious passage across Cambodia and Vietnam, onboard guests embark on an inspiring journey of local flavors with a dining experience crafted by Michelin-starred consulting chef David Thompson. The ship’s bar menu, created by renowned spirit experts and cocktail designers Proof & Co, echoes a similar locally-minded philosophy.

Flavors of the Mekong

The dining experience on board Aqua Mekong was created by Michelin-starred-chef David Thompson. Guests can expect seasonal menus showcasing the full repertoire of flavors from Vietnam and Cambodia in refined style. Our chefs use peak season produce and the freshest ingredients from the Mekong river and the region. Some of their signature creations include lamb curry with Khmer spices and Vietnamese sugar cane prawns, most of which are served in a communal dining style authentic to the region’s traditions.

Guests on board the Aqua Mekong discover the region’s cuisine beyond the plate. Aside from on-board cooking demonstrations, guests can follow our chefs to bustling local markets as they procure the finest produce, from freshly-caught Mekong river catfish to newly-harvested Asian greens, for the day’s meals. Coconut, lemongrass, coriander and turmeric are just a few of the most recognizable flavors our guests can expect on our inventive yet authentic seasonal menus.

Restaurant

Pair Mekong’s stunning scenery with show-stopping cuisine at the refined dining room, stylishly adorned with contemporary Asian artifacts, fine china and crystal glassware. This is also the stage where our celebrated onboard menu by Michelin-starred chef David Thompson shines. Our dedicated and attentive English-speaking crew quickly pick up guest names and their palate preferences while delivering a five-star dining experience from start to finish.

Outdoor Dining

More information coming soon.

Other Cruise Information

ClassCruise Type: river

Class:

Ship Size: mini

Style: luxury

Operator Reference: aqua-expeditions

Nursery: none

Child Facilities: none

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