Many river cruise companies were forced to suspend cruises on the popular Southeast Asia waterway for nearly two years due to the H1N1 swine flu.
Some of the first cruises on the Mekong River will leave as early as September. Here is a list of the lines and what they will offer.
The 40-passenger Aqua Mekong will resume sailings on Sept. 2 for individual travelers and groups. There are three itineraries on the Mekong: the seven-night Mekong expedition cruise that ventures onto Tonle Lake, the four-night Aqua Mekong Explorer cruise that provides in-depth excursions into Cambodia and Vietnam, and the three-night Aqua Mekong Discovery short cruise.
During the months of August to November and December to August, Aqua Mekong sailings are available. When there are fewer tourists, the December-to-August programs spend more time sailing the Cambodia stretch of the Mekong, while the August-to-November cruises show a more robust scene of Mekong life, with chances to meet Khmer farmers, Buddhist monks and the river line's local partners
The AmaDara is one of the two itineraries that Ama Waterways will resume on October 17th. There is a variety of pre and post-cruise land programs available on the Charms of the Mekong sailings. Both itineraries include stops in the capital cities of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, as well as visits to rural villages and local markets.
Ama Waterways is offering a 2-for-1 land package deal with in-depth visits to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Ho Chi Minh City. Any full-price purchase of the seven-night cruise through June 30 will allow guests to add an eight- night land package in Vietnam and Cambodia. Ama Waterways land packages include overnight hotel, guided tours and ground transfers.
Avalon Waterways will return to the river this fall. Several varieties of Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia and the Mekong River are included in the company's itineraries. The Avalon Saigon has 18 staterooms and is a 36 passenger ship.
The Scenic Group will resume sailings on the Mekong River in October.
One land-only tour in Vietnam is offered by Scenic. There are 34 balcony suites, a swimming pool, outdoor lounges and butler service on the line's Scenic Spirit, which is an all-inclusive line. A cruise-and-land itinerary can be as short as eight days or as long as 27 days.
The National Geographic redesigns tours.
There are four itineraries on the Mekong: the eight-day Majestic Mekong River, the 13-day Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia and the Mekong, and the 17-day Treasures and Temples of Vietnam and Cambodia. Pre- and post- cruise land extension packages are available.
The brand's signature contemporary designs that are fused with Asia influences will be on display on the Emerald Harmony. The Emerald Harmony has an indoor pool that can be turned into a cinema or cocktail lounge.
The cruises on the Mekong River and other cruises in Asia were going to restart in October. There are five different itineraries with different time frames, including the three- or four-night Phnom Penh and Siem Reap or Saigon and Phnom Penh short cruises.
Most of Pandaw's cruises on the Mekong River are on seven of its 17 ships. The ships accommodate from 20 to 60 passengers each.
The 80-passenger Viking Saigon will resume sailings on the Mekong River in August. There is a 15-day itinerary that can be booked from August to December.
There are other rivers where cruising is returning after a two-year hiatus.
The line will restart its Indonesia sailings in April first for groups and charter voyages, and then again on June 4th for individual travelers.
In October,Pandaw will resume cruises on India's Ganges River, and in November, it will resume cruises on the Brahmaputra River.
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