hoosier2017

We have sat on the upper deck provided with throw blankets and hot coffee watching the castles of the Rhine go by. It was chilly but beautiful. I also take hand warmers with me that seem to really help overall whether sitting in deck or walking through a city.

I’ll blame my poor spelling on residual jet lag!!! You’ll have an amazing trip. Honestly, everyone we met couldn’t do enough to keep you happy and comfortable. Let me know if you have any other questions. Most importantly have a safe and wonderful trip! Can’t wait to hear your opinion!

People definitely tipped the bus drivers and guides additional $$$. They were outstanding. And yes, you can tip the cruise manager at the very end. The second to last night in Ho Chi Minh City, many guests went to a cirque de soleil (spelling…sorry) type of show that they liked very much. We’ve been to those before so decided we’d do the Vespa tour which I had researched before the trip. The Vespa,was very comfortable. There was a place to put your feet, and a handle bar to hold onto both in front of you and behind you. Last important tip is to take small,packs of tissues with you. Many rest stops (or happy room stops a they were referred to) had no toilet paper or paper towels. We also had hand sanitizer with us and the before getting on the bus the tour guide had for each person as well. we had no issues ice or drinks. Just be careful. We did travel with antibiotics, as well as cipro. Take a pharmacy with you…the ship (as you know) has no infirmary and very little OTC medicine on board. we also visited a school and brought school supplies with us (crayons, pens, pencils and markers). Other guests brought items as well. You can purchase on board if you didn’t bring, and the school also accepts cash donations. Interacting with the students was a highlight of the trip!

The water puppet show is included in Hanoi if you are doing the land portion with AMA. The staff can give you recommendations if you want to go to dinner in Phnom Penh on your own. Some people went to the SkyBar for drinks and the view. In Ho Chi Minh City we took a street food tour with Urban Vespa Adventures. 4 hours and it was incredible! I highly recommend it. They will take you to parts of the city you’d never see otherwise. You’re a passenger on the back. Incredibly fun and the guides/drivers were so friendly. If interested, ask the cruise manager to arrange it for you. You can pay when the tour picks you up in the lobby of the Sofitel.

We had AMA luggage tags from our first cruise with them. Put your normal tag on each bag. With the transfers on the bus they will give you tags and ribbons for each bag (corresponding to your group/bus color). gratuities - the guide from Hanoi (one to each bus) goes as far as the airport when you fly to Siem reap. We gave her cash when we were at the airport. The staff onboard you can pay via credit card, the cruise manager is with you from start of the land portion through departure at the end in Ho Chi Minh city so we gave him cash. Also cash to the guide in Cambodia, and the second guide in Vietnam. There is an ATM next door to the Sofitel in Ho Chi Minh City (which dispenses Vietnamese Dong). We took American currency (new bills) as well. Also tipped bus drivers, Tuk tuk drivers, ox cart drivers, tender drivers, etc. singles come in handy especially in Cambodia. The boat will give you envelopes for crew tips. also as an aside, we took an extra pair of old sneakers with us (left them behind). When it rains there is plenty of mud, etc that you will walk through. Plus the wet markets. Some people had their shoes/sneakers cleaned by the crew upon returning to the boat. Let me know if you have any more questions!

Our first river cruise was an aquarium cabin. It was fine and we were rarely in the room. Second and third cruise were balconies, but second cruise was a surprise upgrade and third was on the Mekong which doesn’t have any aquarium class cabins. Second cruise was November on the Rhine so too chilly to sit outside, third was the Mekong, much too hot and humid to sit outside (and buggy at times). That said, we did raft a few times with other boats so our view was of another cabin. The light coming in is certainly nice to have, but again, we spend most time on deck watching the scenery. It is a personal decision as to where you spend your money and what is comfortable to you.

Amawaterways had instructions as to specifically what was needed for our trip. We fly to Hanoi, then after 6 days flew with the group to Siem reap (visa for Cambodia was $30 per person on arrival ) then had a border crossing on the Mekong back into Vietnam. For Vietnam visas we used CBIT. It was expensive but we needed multi entry and the turn around was fast. You can email the embassy as well and ask, or even call. Hope this helps.

Just returned and fighting massive jet lag. We washed quick dry shirts in our cabin and had a travel laundry line with us. Worked very well. Rooms on boat can be very very cold! Dinner was pretty casual. A few casual sun dresses but mostly capri pants and casual shirts. Bug spray is a must. Walking through villages, and cu chi tunnels a few bites here and there. Happy to answer questions.

Yes this trip started in Hanoi then Siem Reap, the cruise and ending In HCMC. Don’t skimp on bringing extra clothes because you’re gonna sweat! It’s been an amazing trip..

Good morning. Last day aboard AMA Dara. Everything has been wonderful. Regarding malaria pills, some who have taken them report bad side effects. We did not take them. Many people have come down with colds, but we go constantly from air conditioning to hot heat and humidity. Staff is amazing! Know you by name from the minute you walk on and they cannot do enough for you. Each one goes above and beyond. Food has (mostly) been good. Hotels are outstanding. Bring bug spray, light pants (required for temple visits), hat, cooling towels or mini neck fans (lots of people brought them). Also electrolytes for water bottles are helpful. any questions let me know. I’ll check back after the morning excursion.

We had already completed on line check in but docs came approximately 4 weeks out from the start of our trip. We are mid October to November. Happy to let you know what we experience when we return. Visas arrived today so it feels like everything is coming together.

Bleacher04, the document from AMA says what I quoted.

Just received our documents for this trip. Regarding electricity book says “the electricity on board is 220v/50hz with US style (2 prong) power outlets. You may need an adapter and converter for any electrical devices you bring with you.”

My pleasure. I should also tell you that we were told once we paid the final payment we would not be able to change our minds concerning the departure airport. I recall fine print that promotion air fare was linked to specific airports. If we booked on our own, we could have looked at flights from philadelphia, Newark or jfk. Most flights from Philly required 2 layovers, and for us jfk is a nightmare to get to. Check the fine print regarding departure cities.

We have a promotion flight coming up in October. Very satisfied with the flights (both carrier and timing). In fact they were flights I would have chosen. We were able to designate our preferred airport to depart from. And the flights we received only have one layover each way. (The trip is to Asia so no surprise there would be a stop somewhere. ). The cost of the promotion was much better then the cost of the flight if we booked on our own.