Sailing along the historic Mekong River as it meanders through Vietnam and Cambodia, or on Myanmar’s culturally-rich Irrawaddy River, is a bucket list trip for many travelers and the river ships often book up well in advance. Scenic is helping guests get a head start on booking and garnering the best choices of departure dates and itineraries, as well as enjoy several fare incentives by announcing pre-brochure release cabin offerings for Southeast Asia departures beginning July 2018 through April 2019.

Scenic will also be introducing a new itinerary for that season – the 11-day “Luxury Mekong and Temples Discovery” cruise and tour. Guests booking by August 30, 2017 will enjoy free flights on all Mekong sailings of 13 days or longer as well as on the 14-day Mystical Irrawaddy and 18-day Mystical Myanmar itineraries; or US/CAN $700 off per couple on the 11-day Irrawaddy and Mekong cruises.

Scenic Spirit on the Mekong River 2016. Photo courtesy of Scenic

Southeast Asia itineraries range from 11 to 22 days, through some of the most interesting and picturesque landscapes in the world. Along the Mekong on the delta between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap, guests will see floating canal villages, verdant paddy fields and picturesque islands, as well as the magnificent 12th-century Angkor Wat.

New to the itinerary choices is the 11-day Luxury Mekong and Temples Discovery. This itinerary includes seven nights cruising along the Mekong with three nights spent in Siem Reap, which includes a tour of Angkor Wat. This 12th-century World Heritage-listed temple complex is also the location of a Scenic Enrich event, a themed gala dinner at Kravan Temple, with a show featuring the alluring Apsara dancers.

In Myanmar, traveling down the Irrawaddy, guests take in the cultural tapestry, threaded by more than 130 ethnic tribes, scenic geography that ascends from tropical rainforests to snow-capped highlands, and transport options that range from primitive trishaws to charter planes. Itineraries include the country’s economic hub of Yangon, where bustling markets are built on ancient cobblestones; a sea of Buddhist stupas tops colonial architecture; Inle Lake with its stilted bamboo houses, floating gardens and flat-bottomed fishing skiffs; and Sri Ksetra, Myanmar’s first World Heritage-listed city.

Scenic 5-star Space-Ships feature all-inclusive luxury: private butler service, unlimited complimentary  beverages, included gratuities, cultural entertainment and regional cuisine as well as Western dining in customized settings: poolside to cabin, al fresco to fine dining. To explore the exotic treasures of the Mekong, the purpose-built ship, Scenic Spirit, provides an intimate boutique cruising experience with only 34 private balcony suites – the largest available on the Mekong River with sizes up to 861 square feet (80m2). The 44-guest Scenic Aura is purpose-built for the Irrawaddy and offers the largest suites on the Irrawaddy at sizes up to 735 square feet (68m2). And unique-to-Scenic Enrich immersion events and Freechoice activities help create remarkable memories from the regions’ kaleidoscope of customs and cuisine.