At a glance
- Riviera Travel is launching its first-ever purpose-built ship on the Mekong in 2027, a five-star boutique vessel with just 25 luxury suites
- A Mekong River cruise with Riviera Travel is a hassle-free way to explore Southeast Asia, with your cruise, international flights, hotel stays, transfers and much more covered
- Expect complimentary shore excursions bundled into your fare, such as visits to temples, floating markets, royal palaces, museums and historical sights
- Booking ahead is the smart move to snag your preferred suite on Riviera Alba’s maiden season
1. Two fascinating countries, one seamless journey
With Riviera Travel’s Mekong River cruises, you explore Vietnam and Cambodia in one effortless voyage. Both countries have long topped the bucket lists of seasoned travellers, and with itineraries like these, you’ll see their most fascinating sights without spending half your holiday worrying about logistics or running for buses.
Everything is taken care of, with an expert Riviera cruise director and tour manager on hand to make sure everything flows smoothly. All you have to do is arrive ready to explore floating markets, historic cities and jungle-clad temples.
In Vietnam, a key highlight is Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, where you’ll spend time ashore visiting landmarks such as the Reunification Palace and wandering bustling street markets. In Cambodia, the capital of Phnom Penh, with its dazzling Royal Palace, is undoubtedly a standout.
2. A five-star ship designed for the Mekong
Launching in 2027, Riviera Alba marks a new chapter for Riviera Travel – it’s the multi-award-winning travel operator’s first-ever purpose-built ship outside of Europe.
The boutique vessel was designed with the Mekong in mind, combining refined interiors with innovative engineering. For instance, its low draft allows it to sit higher on the water so it can navigate the river’s shallower channels with ease.
On board, just 50 guests will be welcomed by 32 crew members, with elegant amenities creating a relaxed, comfortable way to explore Southeast Asia. Expect spacious suites, a jet pool, Jacuzzi, spa, gift shop, library and running track. There is also a restaurant, serving both international and authentic Asian dishes, and a bar and lounge with views of the river. Full-board dining and select drinks, including daily sundowner cocktails, are included in your fare.
During evenings and stretches spent sailing between destinations, guests will also be able to enjoy a programme of activities and entertainment inspired by local culture.
3. All the essentials and more, covered
When you book with Riviera Travel, you’re getting so much more than just a cruise on the Mekong. You can expect a wide range of inclusions built into your fare, from international flights departing from a broad selection of regional UK airports to transfers, porterage, port taxes, fees and much more.
One major advantage is that your itinerary will include time on land, with stays in four-star hotels that allow you to reach landmarks beyond the river itself, such as the Temples of Angkor near Siem Reap and the Old Quarter of Hanoi. These hotel stays also mean more time to experience destinations after dark, from the region's iconic night markets to world-class restaurants.
4. Complimentary shore excursions
One of the great advantages of sailing with Riviera is just how many tours and visits are also bundled into your fare – up to 14 are included, in fact. Rather than whisking you from one place to another and leaving you to fend for yourself, at every stop, you’re greeted with insightful experiences that reveal the texture and character of your destination.
Here are a few top tours and visits you may be invited on, depending on your specific itinerary:
- City tour of Sa Ðéc: See the colourful Cao Dai temple and the local market, then visit the 19th-century mansion made famous by Marguerite Duras’ The Lover.
- Visit to Cu Chi Tunnels: This complex underground network stretches for over 120 miles and once served as a Viet Cong base. If you so wish, you can even try shooting period firearms in a firing range.
- Long Xuyên visit: Here you can experience an authentic floating market by sampan (a wooden flat-bottom boat). Expect fresh flowers, fruits, vegetables and plenty of bartering.
- Excursion to Silk Island: On this visit, you’ll meet artisans preserving age-old silk weaving techniques and see the artistry behind each delicate piece of fabric.
5. Time to immerse yourself
Riviera Travel’s Mekong river cruises span around 15 to 16 days, giving you time to explore at your own pace. You never feel as though you’re simply ticking off experiences, thanks to expertly curated itineraries with breathing room built in so you’re not rushing from one discovery to the next.
This itinerary includes a full day of sailing, giving you the chance to watch ever-changing scenery drift by or take part in onboard activities such as a hands-on Vietnamese spring roll workshop or a cultural showcase of traditional Cambodian attire.
Plus, an overnight stay in Phnom Penh lets you explore the multifaceted city in more depth. You might spend one day visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, with its 5,000 silver tiles; the next might entail visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, where haunting artefacts reveal Cambodia’s darkest chapter.
There’s also ample time to explore independently, whether that means a peaceful walk along a riverside promenade or taking a tour of colonial French architecture.
Why you should book your 2027 Mekong cruise now
To snag your place on a Riviera Alba cruise during its maiden season, it’s worth booking well in advance to secure your preferred suite.
You can also book ahead confident in the knowledge that you'll be getting the best possible deal thanks to Riviera Travel’s price promise. This is a guarantee that in the rare event that prices are reduced after you’ve booked, you’ll automatically receive a Future Travel Voucher for the difference in value, plus an extra 25 per cent.
That’s on top of a quality promise that you cannot find the same quality experience for less with a competitor – and if you do, Riviera Travel will match the price.
What else to know about cruising with Riviera Travel:
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