Down the Mekong River on the Emerald Harmony

[BVI Diver]

We booked Emerald’s 13-day Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong going from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Booking procedures online was easy, and all questions were answered cheerfully and immediately.  We especially liked the Trip Personaliser, which packaged passenger data, transport data, visa data and gave gentle reminders re incomplete items.  The fine backpacks and passport case Emerald sent were a pleasant surprise, and they got good use!  We also appreciated the quality vacuum water bottles.

 

The hotels’ locations (in Siem Reap before the cruise and in Ho Chi Minh City after the cruise) were very convenient to restaurants, activities and shops.  Food at Shinta Mani Angkor & Bensley Collection was superb, though French-style (small portions, lol).  The room was large and service was excellent.  There was always a tuk-tuk outside to whisk us away to a museum or to a massage & body treatment. There was always time and flexibility to go on the Emerald excursions, choose our own (visit to a floating town and a sunset dinner), or just relax.  I do recommend the Craft Beer Adventure, because it’s… beer!

 

The Grand Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City was large and comfortable, though dated, but the buffet was disappointing.  I had saved 70,000 dong to pay for the two tiny water bottles we drank, but it was not enough!  Lesson learned.  Stop in the 7-11 and buy water.

 

The choice to go downriver instead of upriver was made entirely by which flights worked best.  We booked our own flights, with a 3-hour layover in Singapore both ways.  Entered the data into Emerald's Trip Personaliser, and was gratified that it went in smoothly and was acknowledged immediately.  Immigration data was equally easy and acknowledged. 

 

Both the Cambodia and Vietnam guides were superb; we hope they are paid well for taking care of us, being very informative and welcoming.

 

The Emerald Harmony looks new.  The stateroom was spacious, and all the appointments were appreciated: 

 

• service was friendly and attentive,
• the little exercise room was adequate,
• the stateroom window ingenious,
• the closets were spacious (with enough hangars, and TWO walking sticks!),
• the laundry was convenient,
• and the nice-sized pool added that extra touch. 

 

The ship had enough spaces to relax without feeling crowded, coffee & tea were at hand, and the food choices at all meals were varied enough (and more than good enough).  Hats off to the cruise director, captain and crew, activities director, chef, servers and room attendants!

[worcestergal]

Thanks so much for your report. It sounds like Emerald did a great job!

we are doing the Scenic Mekong trip next March and I hope that we enjoy it as much as you did yours. 
Just wondering…were there any excursions between Siem Reap which were particularly impressive?