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.

See Vietnam The Orion Way

From Ho Chi Minh to My Son, Nha Trang to Ha Long Bay, Vietnam is intoxicating. With energy and charm in equal proportions and a regal history of passion, war and conquests to rival any European history, Orion II’s nine-night Vietnam Explorer voyages include not one, two, but four UNESCO World Heritage sites - Hue, Hoi An, My Son and Ha Long Bay. Extraordinary, even by Orion Expedition's standards.

Whether it is the organised chaos of cruising the Saigon River with its junks, exploring the traditional fishing village of Baie de Cu Mon, rarely seen by outsiders, or exploring Nha Trang with its Communist Party headquarters, beach brewery and $1 lobsters for lunch, a voyage with Orion promises - and delivers - the unexpected.

Even Ha Long Bay is explored with fresh eyes. Seen from onboard a traditional junk, wending peacefully through the islands, the soaring limestone karsts are spectacular; venturing into limestone caves with the expedition team on Orion II’s Zodiacs adds another dimension completely.

In both 2011 and 2012 there are three scheduled nine-night Vietnam Explorer voyages, alternating between Haiphong (for Hanoi) and Ho Chi Minh City and including Nha Trang, Baie de Cu Mon/Bai Nam Beach, Da Nang (for My Son and Hoi An), Chan May (for Hue) and Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba. 2011 departures are November 18 and 27 and December 6, while 2012 departures are March 12, 21 and 30.

Prices start from £4,295 per person including nine nights onboard Orion II, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes.

For more info, visit www.orionexpeditions.com or contact the UK's leading adventure and luxury-cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Viking Launches 'Magnificent Mekong' For 2012

Ahead of the launch of its main 2012 brochure, Viking River Cruises has released its 'Magnificent Mekong' programme with massive savings for early bookers. Double discounts, giving savings of up to £1000 per person, are offered on any Mekong departure booked by June 30 for travel in 2012.

The early release of the programme follows huge demand for the 16-day itinerary, which combines a land tour of Vietnam and Cambodia with a seven-night cruise on the 66-passenger RV Tonle, a graceful, French colonial-style vessel hand-finished in brass and teak.

Along the journey, highlights include visits to the ancient Khmer monuments at Angkor Wat; the chance to explore the floating markets of the Mekong Delta and the old city of Hanoi in Vietnam; as well as visits to the elegant French colonial capital of Phnom Penh and the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City.

Other escorted tours include a visit to hilltop Wat Hanchey and the Twin Holy Mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey; a small boat excursion through the Kampong Chhnang wetlands; a Cyclo tour featuring the Royal Palace and National Museum in Phnom Penh with an excursion to the Killing Fields; and a visit to the market of Prek Touch.

Prices start from £2,699 per person (with £1,000 discount) and include return flights from London to Hanoi and from Ho Chi Minh City (or vice versa); a seven-night river cruise with river-view stateroom; two nights' hotel stay in Hanoi, three nights in Siem Reap and two nights in Ho Chi Minh; 14 guided tours with audio headsets; and the internal flight between Hanoi and Siem Reap. A programme of 'Cultural Highlights' featuring a traditional Vietnamese wedding ceremony and a visit to the Siem Reap arts and craft school, plus a 'Culture Curriculum' programme giving language lessons and talks are also included.

For those with more time to explore the region further, Viking also has two add-on packages, with two nights at Ha Long Bay priced from £299 per person, or three nights in Bangkok from £599 per person, with escorted tours included throughout.

Full details can by found by visiting www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk or via the river and adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Two AMAWATERWAYS river cruise ships to debut in 2011

River cruise operator AmaWaterways, known for its innovative ships and itineraries, is launching two state-of-the-art river cruisers in 2011.

In September 2011, the brand-new MS AmaLotus will join AmaWaterways’ first Mekong vessel, MS La Marguerite, to sail the ‘Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong’ itinerary. 

The décor of AmaLotus will combine colonial elegance with local artefacts and regional Mekong touches. The ship features all-outside accommodations and deluxe 226 sq. ft. staterooms with all the amenities of a fine hotel. Some 90 percent of staterooms have a private outside balcony, while suites, at 624 sq. ft., provide the ultimate in onboard pampering.

AmaLotus features a restaurant serving Asian and Western specialties as well as an authentic Vietnamese ‘Lau’ (Hot Pot) dining facility. In addition, there is a beautiful lounge, gift shop, spa, fitness room and sauna. The expansive Sun Deck is a haven for relaxation, where passengers can mingle and observe the unforgettable Mekong scenery from comfortable lounge chairs; take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool or enjoy a cool drink from the Sun Deck bar. 

AmaLotus makes its debut on September 5, 2011 and will sail seven-night Mekong river cruises from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Prices start from £1,224 per person, including all meals on the ship, port charges, all shore excursions as detailed in the itinerary, free-flowing wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, bottled water in every stateroom and a rich programme of entertainment, from local dancing and music performances to themed dinner and cultural lectures. Flights are extra and a 15 night land-cruise itinerary can also be booked with AmaWaterways from £2442 per person, including two nights in Hanoi, an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay, 3 nights in Siem Reap, the seven night Mekong cruise and a two night stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Contact AmaWaterways on 0808 223 5009, www.amawaterways.co.uk

The completely redesigned MS AmaKatarina will be inaugurated on May 10, 2011, debuting as the most luxurious vessel on the Volga-Baltic Waterway travelling from St. Petersburg to Moscow.  The AmaKatarina is being rebuilt starting from the hull and designed to meet AmaWaterways’ demanding specifications. The ship is unequalled in terms of spaciousness, accommodations and enticing public areas. The only luxury vessel in Russia featuring outside balconies in over 70 percent of its staterooms, AmaKatarina’s four suite categories range in size from 280 to 432 sq. ft.  All 76 staterooms feature a sitting area, a refrigerator, hair dryer, safe, TV and phone (onboard communications only) and bottled water is replenished daily.   

Stunning public areas aboard AmaKatarina include two dining rooms offering complimentary wine and soft drinks at dinner; a beautiful Panorama Lounge; bar/nightclub; conference hall and solarium. The ship also features an elevator, gift shop, infirmary and Internet access. 

Prices start from £2,249 per person for 11 nights, including full board on the voyage; free-flowing wine and fruit juice during dinner; bottled water in every cabin; detailed excursion programme; a ballet performance at the Hermitage Theatre in St Petersburg; cultural entertainment and musical performances on board; lectures; Russian language classes; and port charges. Flights are extra.

AmaWaterways produces a dedicated brochure for the UK, with sterling pricing. Visit  www.amawaterways.co.uk, or The Cruise Line