Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River (Southbound)

SIEM REAP–PHNOM PENH (EMBARKATION) Your Suite Ship® Awaits!

Fly to Phnom Penh and transfer to the port where your ship’s crew will be waiting to welcome you onboard. Get acquainted with the ship and relax before your welcome reception this evening.

Please note: Flight schedules are constantly changing which may require a scenic overland transfer to Phnom Penh.

AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO WAT HANCHEY

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WAT HANCHEY–ANGKOR BAN Water Blessings and Back-to-School Adventures

DISCOVERY Visit Wat Hanchey, a hilltop temple dating back to the 8th century. Climb or be driven to the top where you will enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and partake in a traditional water blessing given by local monks.

DISCOVERY After lunch, enjoy a Walking Tour through the rural village of Angkor Ban. Here, you will visit a traditional Khmer house and interact with children at a local school.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KAMPONG TRALACH

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KAMPONG TRALACH–KONPONG LOUANG–PHNOM PENH Calm in the Cambodian Countryside

DISCOVERY Your Guided Sightseeing starts in Kampong Tralach with an Ox-Cart Ride through the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Along the way, stop to meet a local farmer and learn about his daily life. At the silversmith village in Konpong Louang, see talented craftsmen use age-old techniques to turn pure silver into works of art.

Sail to the capital city of Phnom Penh this afternoon.

PHNOM PENH

A Dark History or Market Dynamics

CLASSIC After lunch, a Visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and one of the Killing Fields provides a glimpse into the atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge regime, OR:

DISCOVERY Visit the lively Central Market with its unique Art Deco design by tuk-tuk.

This evening, spend some free time exploring the city on your own. Perhaps follow the riverfront promenade to the historic Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC).

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PHNOM PENH The Royal Treatment

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the city by private cyclo with visits to the Royal Palace with the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum featuring an outstanding display of Khmer artifacts.

The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Just before dinner, children from a local orphanage will perform a show, featuring local song and dance.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIETNAM/CAMBODIA BORDER

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BORDER CROSSING–CHAU DOC, VIETNAM Good Morning, Vietnam!

DISCOVERY Take a Village Walk through the Chau Doc market and absorb the atmosphere as locals are busy buying and selling fish, meat, and produce. After lunch, embark on a Guided Excursion down the backwaters of the Mekong. Along the way, see traditional floating homes, speedboat merchants, religious sites, a market selling dried goods, and more.

EVENING CRUISE TO LONG KHANH A

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LONG KHANH A–CU LAO GIENG Cotton Weaving, Conical Hats, and Handcrafted Sampans

DISCOVERY This morning, a sampan brings you to the village of Long Khanh A, for a Cotton-Weaving Demonstration of this well-preserved tradition.

DISCOVERY This afternoon, enjoy scenes of daily life on Cu Lao Gieng Island via sampan and local motor cart. Your Guided Excursion starts with a stop at one of Vietnam’s oldest Catholic churches. Then, visit the home of a local family that makes Vietnamese conical hats, or “Non la,” from materials available to them such as palm leaves and bamboo. These iconic hats are primarily used as protection from the sun and rain, but you may also see them used as a basket to carry home goods from the market. Lastly, visit a local workshop where a skilled family hand-crafts sampan boats.

EVENING CRUISE TO VINH LONG

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VINH LONG Sweets and Rice Treats

DISCOVERY Board a sampan this morning to Visit a Local Workshop in Vinh Long where you will see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candies are made.

This afternoon, enjoy time on board the ship as we sail to exciting Ho Chi Minh City.

AFTERNOON CRUISE TO HO CHI MINH CITY

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HO CHI MINH CITY (DISEMBARKATION) Motorbikes, Monuments, and Mouth-watering Cuisine

CLASSIC Take a Walking Tour of Ho Chi Minh City’s historic landmarks, including a stop at the Rex Hotel for a refreshing drink at the rooftop bar where the U.S. Military held the infamous “Five O’clock Follies” during the war. Then, visit the War Remnants Museum and bustling Ben Thanh Market.

DISCOVERY For lunch, participate in a hands-on Vietnamese Cooking Class. Learn to prepare several local dishes and how to recreate them at home. Last, but not least, sample your delicious creations!

Enjoy time at your leisure this afternoon and evening for independent exploration. Maybe stop for a drink at the famous rooftop bar at the Caravelle Hotel.

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The menu at the Dining Room features a selection of Southeast Asia cuisine and local specialties, based on season and made with fresh local ingredients as well as popular Western dishes. Breakfast and lunch here are buffet-style, the 4-course dinner is served with complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks.

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For some casual relaxation and discussion guests can visit the Panorama Lounge, with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows for a stunning view.

The Panorama Lounge is the Ship's entertainment venue, with stylish furniture, full-service bar and a self-serve beverage station. Here guests can watch a live evening show program by local performers, including dancers and musicians.

Depending on the visited ports along the Avalon Saigon itinerary on Mekong river, the Panorama Lounge also hosts Cambodia and Vietnam culture and history related lectures and multimedia presentations by local speakers. Another entertainment options at the Lounge are the Afternoon Tea service, cocktail hours and movie nights.

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There is an open-air observation lounge with shade system and premium lounge chairs, up on the Top Deck, gives guests a prime view to enjoy with a drink in hand. 

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The onboard Gift Shop offers guests the chance to purchase Cambodian and Vietnamese hand-made souvenirs, traditional clothing, fashion accessories, special occasion gifts, and jewellery.

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On the lower deck, guests can keep fit and release some tension in the small but well equipped Fitness Suite.

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Up on the Top Deck, guests can also make use of the serene Spa Treatment room, managed by professional masseurs. Treatments range from massage to body wraps, and booked by appointment only.

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• Comfort Collection Beds
• Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
• Soft & firm pillows
• Choice of bed configuration
• Nightly turn-down service
• Bedside tables with reading lamps
• 14' Wall-to-Wall Panoramic window measuring that opens to create a large Open-Air Balcony
• Large private bathroom featuring full shower with glass door, hairdryer, and premium L'Occitane bath amenities
• Spacious closets with shelves for ample storage
• Easy under-bed luggage storage
• Alarm clock
• Writing desk/vanity with mirror & comfortable chair
• In-house telephone
• Bathrobes & slippers
• Complimentary water
• In-room safe
• Individual climate control
• One King-Sized Bed or Two Twins
• USB Ports

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• Comfort Collection Beds
• Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
• Soft & firm pillows
• Choice of bed configuration
• Nightly turn-down service
• Bedside tables with reading lamps
• 14' Wall-to-Wall Panoramic window measuring that opens to create a large Open-Air Balcony
• Large private bathroom featuring full shower with glass door, hairdryer, and premium L'Occitane bath amenities
• Spacious closets with shelves for ample storage
• Easy under-bed luggage storage
• Alarm clock
• Writing desk/vanity with mirror & comfortable chair
• In-house telephone
• Bathrobes & slippers
• Complimentary water
• In-room safe
• Individual climate control
• One King-Sized Bed or Two Twins
• USB Ports