Low Prices On All Mekong River Cruises

Mekong River Cruise Quick Facts & Overview

• Sailing Season: Year-round (Peak/Dry Season: November through April; High Water/Green Season: July through October)

• Average Duration: 7 to 15+ Nights (Cruisetours combining Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Angkor Wat range from 12 to 21 nights)

• Primary Departure Ports: Ho Chi Minh City / My Tho (Vietnam), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and Siem Reap / Kampong Cham (Cambodia)

• Top Cruise Lines: AmaWaterways, Viking River Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Emerald Cruises, Avalon Waterways

• Key Highlights: Ancient temples of Angkor Wat (Siem Reap), Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cai Be floating markets, Sa Dec silk workshops, and traditional monk blessings

• Top Cruise Deals Advantage: Exclusive Onboard Credit, Group Rates, Free Excursion & Visa Planning Assistance

When is the Best Time to Cruise to Mekong River?

• Peak Dry Season (November through April): Features comfortable humidity, minimal rainfall, and warm temperatures ($75^\circ\text{F}$ to $88^\circ\text{F}$). November through February is the most popular time for North American travelers, providing ideal walking conditions for exploring open-air temple sites like Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm. Demand surges during winter holiday weeks, so booking 9 to 12 months in advance is essential.

• High Water & “Green” Season (July through October): The absolute best time to find cheap Mekong River cruises and agency promotional discounts. Tropical afternoon rain showers keep the countryside lush, vibrant green, and photogenic. Higher water levels allow river vessels to navigate deeper into Tonle Sap Lake and remote tributaries, bringing guests closer to stilted villages and floating markets with far fewer tourists.

• Warmest Months (March & April): High summer in Indochina brings hot, dry weather ($88^\circ\text{F}$ to $98^\circ\text{F}$). Cruise lines offer deep promotional pricing, airfare credits, and extra onboard spending money to fill staterooms during these warmer weeks.

Must-Visit Ports of Call on the Mekong River

• Siem Reap (Angkor Wat), Cambodia: The gateway to the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Angkor Archaeological Park. Excursions feature sunrise tours of majestic Angkor Wat, the carved stone faces of Bayon, the jungle-entwined ruins of Ta Prohm, and evening Phare Cambodian Circus performances.

• Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Cambodia’s vibrant, historical capital. Highlights include guided visits to the glittering Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, the National Museum, and sobering historical visits to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields.

• Sa Dec & Cai Be, Vietnam: Authentic, sensory-rich river towns nestled deep in the Mekong Delta. Tour colorful floating markets brimming with tropical fruits, visit historic French-colonial villas (such as the house from Marguerite Duras’s The Lover), navigate narrow canals on traditional wooden sampans, and visit artisanal candy and rice paper workshops.

• Tan Chau, Vietnam: Located near the Cambodian border, Tan Chau is famous for traditional hand-dyed silk weaving. Guests take local xe loi (motorized tricycles) through peaceful rural streets, visit floating catfish farms, and observe local silk artisans at work.

• Kampong Tralach & Oudong, Cambodia: Explore ancient Cambodian capitals and rural villages. Ride through emerald rice paddies on traditional ox carts, visit the Buddhist monastery at Oudong for a sacred monk blessing ceremony, and tour local silversmith villages.

Choosing the Best Cruise Line for the Mekong River

• Best for Exceptional Value & Space (AmaWaterways & Emerald Cruises): AmaWaterways operates custom-designed vessels (like AmaDara) featuring twin-balcony staterooms (both a French balcony and an outdoor balcony), onboard swimming pools, localized Vietnamese and Cambodian culinary menus, and daily included excursions.

• Best for All-Inclusive Luxury & Butler Service (Scenic & Uniworld): Scenic (Scenic Spirit) and Uniworld (Mekong Jewel) operate ultra-luxury, all-suite Super Ships featuring private butler service, 100% all-inclusive drinks and gratuities, resort-style spa facilities, and small-group touring.

• Best for In-Depth Cruisetours & Land Packages (Viking & Avalon Waterways): Viking and Avalon offer seamlessly integrated 12-to-15-day land-and-river packages that bundle luxury hotel stays in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Siem Reap with overnight junk boat cruises through Ha Long Bay.

Understanding Mekong River Cruise Itineraries

• Classic 7-Night Mekong River Cruise: Sails one-way between Ho Chi Minh City (My Tho) in Vietnam and Siem Reap (Kampong Cham) in Cambodia (or vice versa). Focuses purely on the river journey, passing through the Mekong Delta, crossing the international border, and exploring rural Cambodian villages.

• 12-to-15-Day Comprehensive Indochina Cruisetours: The most popular format for North American travelers. Combines a 7-night Mekong River cruise with pre- and post-cruise hotel stays in Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap (for full temple exploration), and Hanoi, often including an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay.

• Tonle Sap Lake Navigation Variations: During high-water months (August to November), river vessels can cross Tonle Sap Lake directly to dock right in Siem Reap. During low-water months (December to July), ships dock at Kampong Cham, with comfortable motorcoach transfers completing the final leg to Siem Reap.

Top Cruise Deals’ Insider Tips for Cruising the Mekong River

• Book a Twin Balcony or French Balcony Suite: The shores of the Mekong River are alive with stilted houses, fishermen casting nets, and floating markets. A balcony suite provides a private, front-row seat to daily riverfront life right from your room.

• Select Full Land-and-Sea Packages: Flying to Southeast Asia involves significant travel time. Booking an all-inclusive cruisetour package through Top Cruise Deals ensures that your internal flights, international border crossings, hotel transfers, and temple permits are managed seamlessly by expert local guides.

• Pack Light, Breathable Clothes and Temple-Appropriate Attire: Indochina is warm and tropical year-round. Pack lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing, broad-spectrum sunscreen, and a wide-brim hat. When visiting sacred temples like Angkor Wat or the Royal Palace, knees and shoulders must be fully covered.

• Bring USD Cash for Local Shopping and Visas: U.S. Dollars are widely accepted alongside local currencies (Vietnamese Dong and Cambodian Riel) in tourist areas, markets, and for tipping local tour drivers and rickshaw operators. Bring small, crisp, un-ripped bills ($1, $5, $10).

Why Book Your Mekong River Cruise with Top Cruise Deals?

Booking Direct on Cruise Line Website:

• Standard public rate only
• Long call center wait times
• Standard line promotion only
• Self-managed loyalty details & cabin selection

Booking with Top Cruise Deals:

• Lower exclusive agency rates 
• Direct access to your personal cruise advisor
• Agency exclusive promotions and extra Booking Bonus
• Automatic loyalty discount stacking & expert cabin guidance
• 100% Free Booking Service ($0 extra fees)

Frequently Asked Questions About Mekong River Cruises

Do I need a passport or visa for a Mekong River cruise?

Yes, a valid passport book with at least 6 months of validity remaining beyond your scheduled return date is required. Both Vietnam and Cambodia require tourist visas for U.S. and Canadian citizens. Vietnam e-visas should be obtained online prior to departure, while Cambodian tourist visas can be pre-arranged electronically or processed onboard by your cruise line during the river border crossing. Your Top Cruise Deals specialist provides a complete visa checklist prior to travel.

What is the cheapest month to cruise the Mekong River?

July, August, September, and October offer the lowest baseline pricing for Mekong River cruises. During these green season months, cruise lines offer deep promotional discounts, free international airfare promotions, and generous agency onboard spending credits.

Are shore excursions included on Mekong River cruises?

Yes! Nearly all major river cruise lines sailing the Mekong River (including AmaWaterways, Scenic, Viking, and Uniworld) include a choice of complimentary guided shore excursions in every port of call led by certified, fluent English-speaking local guides.

Will I experience motion sickness on a Mekong River cruise?

No. The Mekong River is a smooth, inland river system with zero ocean swells, tides, or deep waves. Motion sickness is virtually non-existent on river vessels, making it ideal for travelers sensitive to open-ocean movement.

Ready to Book Your Mekong River Cruise Adventure?

Don’t leave your bucket-list Asian river voyage to chance or pay full price booking direct. Contact Top Cruise Deals today to lock in exclusive group rates, bonus onboard credit, and expert advice from dedicated river cruise specialists.

Call or Text our Cruise Advisors at 1-855-699-9983