Emerald Cruises is announcing a newly expanded offering of cruises and tours in Southeast Asia, with nine exciting river cruise itineraries on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia, and—new in 2019—on the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar. Emerald Cruises is offering guests their choice of free, roundtrip airfare or $1,500 per person off itineraries of 12 days or longer, and reduced airfare of $495 or $1,000 per person off itineraries of eight to 11 days. Offer applies to all bookings for 2019 Southeast Asian river cruises, and must be booked by April 30.
The Mekong River, the longest in Southeast Asia and the lifeblood of the region, encapsulates the region’s centuries-old culture while supporting nearly 60 million people who live, work and play in the heart of Indochina. Travelers looking to explore this river through Vietnam and Cambodia can choose from a variety of Emerald Cruises itineraries ranging from eight to 19 days aboard the purpose-built Mekong Navigator. The shortest of these sailings—the Magnificent Mekong—includes seven nights cruising between Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City with ports including Cai Be to visit floating markets; Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh, where the elaborate Royal Palace complex stands in contrast with the tragic reminders of the Khmer Rouge regime at the Killing Fields; Wat Hanchy for a stop at a local monastery and a traditional Buddhist blessing; and Siem Reap, where guests visit the ruins of the world’s largest temple, Angkor Wat.
In addition, Emerald Cruises also offers longer land and river journeys to allow guests a deeper look into this fascinating region. On the 12-day Mekong Discovery Cruise, guests stay two extra nights in Siem Reap and in Ho Chi Minh City, giving time to explore these flourishing cities before and after the sailing. The 16-day Highlights of Vietnam, Cambodia and Mekong sailing adds two nights aboard a traditional style Vietnamese junk boat for a two-night cruise on the stunning Halong Bay and an overnight in Hanoi, while the 19-day Vietnam and Cambodia Explorer and Mekong Cruiseincludes two nights in Hanoi and three nights in the historic port town of Hoi An.
Also for 2019, the company added three brand new itineraries on the Irrawaddy River through Myanmar. These journeys on board the Irrawaddy Explorer range from 11 to 17 days and introduce guests to this 2,500-year old country where the cultural tapestry, threaded by more than 130 ethnic tribes and scenic geography that ascends from tropical rainforests to snow-capped highlands, is sure to captivate their imaginations. All itineraries along the Irrawaddy, including the 11-day Irrawaddy Discoverer Cruise—feature time in the capital Yangon, where markets are built on ancient cobblestones; a visit to the Shwesandaw Pagoda complex, a Buddhist pilgrimage site; a morning spend in Bagan, where a signature Discover More excursion takes guests on a hot air balloon flight over the temples; a visit to a local school in Hnaw Kone; and a trip to Ava Kingdom by horse cart to discover the 200-year-old teak Bagaya Monastery dating back to 1593.
rod graham says
please send info on the irrawady cruise