Viking River Cruises has introduced a new 15-day itinerary on the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia for its 2010-2011 sailing season.
Viking is the second U.S. river cruise company to introduce a Mekong River program.
AmaWaterways first introduced sailings on the Mekong River in September 2009, when the 92-passenger La Marguerite was launched. Earlier this year, AMAWATERWAYS announced that it plans to introduce a second 124-passenger ship on the Mekong that will launch in summer 2011.
AMAWATERWAYS has been bullish about the market from the get-go. Rudi Schreiner, president of AMAWATERWAYS, has said the market can handle additional capacity.
And now, Viking is following suit.
“Our guests have requested that we expand to other destinations so they can experience even more of the world,” said Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen. “With the addition of this new Mekong River program, Viking now offers itineraries in six regions.”
Viking has partnered with Pandaw Cruises, a Singapore-based river cruise line with head offices in Scotland, to charter the 66-passenger Tonle Pandaw.
The Tonle was built in 2002 with 28 deluxe and 10 single outside facing staterooms. The cabins all have air conditioning, private bathrooms, safes and hair dryers. The ship also features a sun deck with a shaded sitting area, a restaurant with panoramic viewing windows, observation bar and lounge, library, onboard boutique and
Viking’s 15-day Magnificent Mekong itinerary includes stops in Hanoi, Sa Dec, Cai Be and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, as well as Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Kampong Thom, Kampong Cham, Tonle Sap and Phnom Penh in Cambodia.
There is one departure on Dec. 27 in 2010, followed by 17 departures in 2011.
Cruise prices start at $3,399 per person, based on double occupancy. Pricing includes accommodations, all onboard meals, daily guided shore excursions and port charges. Viking also offers extensions to Ha Long Bay, Vietnam or Bangkok, Thailand.
“We are proud to launch this new Mekong River program and know that it will soon become a favorite of both past and new Viking guests,” said Hagen.
Margaret Urquhart says
As above
Margaret Urquhart says
Why do Prices for this cruise on the website state “starting from $3,399 ” and my brochure states £4,299 with a whopping 100% single supplement for a decent sized stateroom?