Heritage Line is relaunching its newly refurbished boutique vessel Jayavarman to sail a series of amazing itineraries on the Lower Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. Photo: Supplied.
To cruise or not to cruise is a question that reverberates in our minds when we start thinking about holidaying on the high seas. Will it be expensive? Is it the first? If not, then are you likely in a precarious situation where you may be unnecessarily influenced by family or friends, who may not always be helpful? Choices are personal when it comes to the pros and cons.
We get to see and do a lot in a short time when we are on a cruise. The itinerary is all laid out for you, it is budget-friendly and you’ve already paid upfront. What appears expensive at first is not necessarily so. Remember the package price includes accommodation, tours, multiple locations and ports, food, drink, onboard entertainment and transportation.
You only need to pack and unpack once, have fun sightseeing and making new friends. Now, it begins to look like a beneficial deal. Cruises are an affordable vacation with many advantages. It’s hard to get bored when there are so many things to do on a ship.
Bursting with life and combining the fascinating cultures, history and scenery of Vietnam and Cambodia, the Lower Mekong River is one of the world’s greatest cruising waterways. Photo: Supplied.
Aside from the beautiful scenery you get to see, there are also plenty of activities that you can participate in onboard. You are in a floating hotel! At the end of an enjoyable day in port, you can come back to a familiar cabin. While on the high seas, you have ample time to unwind during the hours between ports. Think of a cruise as an all-in-one vacation. You get to visit numerous ports without the worry of repacking, unpacking, changing hotels or stressing about catching taxis.
There’s something for everyone when it comes to relaxation. Each cruise ship has different facilities, including shopping, entertainment, libraries, theatre shows and much more. The disadvantages, which do not outweigh the advantages, include limited time in each location, and there’s no flexibility when it comes to being able to easily change your travel plans if you want to stay longer at a destination.
Ultimately, for minimum effort, there is maximum reward!
Some immersive itineraries on the Lower Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia look appealing as the leading luxury South-East Asian boutique river cruise specialist relaunches its newly refurbished boutique vessel Heritage Line Jayavarman.
A floating art gallery Jayavarman is the father of Heritage Line’s unique ship collection and is named after renowned Cambodian monarch King Jayavarman VII, who was known for his tranquillity and love for artistic creations. He created some of the most famous temples of the lost Angkorian civilisation.
As Jayavarman gently glides by, marvel at the ornate temples and gold-top pagodas that dot the countryside and observe the daily interactions of local residents.
The Lower Mekong River is one of the world’s greatest cruising waterways, bursting with life and combining the fascinating cultures, history and scenery of Vietnam and Cambodia. Take your pick: from the lively Mekong Delta to the slow pace of rural Cambodian life to the incredible architecture and history of Phnom Penh.
According to Heritage Line’s director of sales and marketing Andreas Schroetter, cruising the Lower Mekong should be on everyone’s wish list.
“Meandering the waterways of the Lower Mekong is a bucket list experience for many travellers, especially the growing number of people actively seeking more educational, exotic and authentic destinations — something Vietnam and Cambodia can definitely deliver,” Andreas said.
“This region is renowned for its flavoursome cuisine, food markets, street stalls and sellers, fisherman behind every river bend, exotic tropical fruits, and traditional local delicacies, so we’ve enhanced the culinary offering onboard Jayavarman to dial up the opportunities for guests who are keen to engage with food wherever they travel.”
A Signature suite on the Heritage Line Jayavarman offers luxurious accommodation and a dedicated butler service. Photo: Supplied.
Jayavarman’s transformation blends timeless French-Colonial style with artisan Khmer accents for a captivating journey exploring the rhythms of riverside village life alongside some of South-East Asia’s most remarkable landscapes across a range of seven-, four- and three-night itineraries to Saigon, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
To celebrate the relaunch, holidaymakers booking a seven-night sailing departing between 16 December 2023 and 31 December 2024 can take advantage of a special offer — US$300 (A$466.23) per person discount for 2023 departures or US$200 (A$310.82) per person discount for 2024 departures.
This offer is available for bookings made by 30 November 2023.
