Vietnam & Cambodia Christmas Cruise & Tour – Save $3,000 per couple*

DAY 1 – SIEM REAP

Sous Sdei and welcome to Cambodia. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for your included three-night stay in Siem Reap. In the evening, you’ll meet your Cambodian tour director to learn more about the days ahead.

DAY 2 – SIEM REAP

Today, start with a visit to Angkor Thom, not a single temple such as the historic sites it neighbours, but rather one of the most remarkable royal cities of the Angkor Period and an architectural wonder. As the last capital of the Khmer Empire, it was a fortified city, home to priests, officials of the palace, military and buildings for administering the kingdom. Afterwards, visit the sacred Temple of Ta Prohm. In an incredible standoff between human creation and nature, the jungle’s root systems have reclaimed this spiritual location now enshrouded in wild vegetation. The backdrop to many Hollywood scenes, the incredible Ta Prohm is both a cinematic and contemplative location. This afternoon is free time to visit the markets or try a DiscoverMORE tour.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 3 – SIEM REAP

Rise early and witness the sunrise over Angkor Wat. Afterwards walk through this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site known for its elaborate decorations and intricate carvings throughout. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Siem Reap, or join a DiscoverMORE excursion. Later, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy an immersive evening and highlight dinner at Satcha Handicraft Centre, accompanied by an Apsara dance performance.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4 – PREK K’DAM, 7 NIGHT MEKONG CRUISE

Today, leave Siem Reap and venture to the town of Prek K’Dam to embark your Emerald Cruises award-winning Star-Ship. En route, stop in Kampong Kdei and see the impressive Angkor Bridge, before having lunch at a local restaurant. On arrival, you’ll be welcomed by your captain and crew. Later, set sail up the Tonle River to Kampong Tralach whilst you enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow guests.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5 – KAMPONG TRALACH – OUDONG – PHNOM PENH

Begin the day with an Ox Cart ride in Kampong Tralach to a local temple before driving to Oudong. Oudong was Cambodia’s former royal capital until it relocated to Phnom Penh in 1866. In Oudong Monastery’s main temple, receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the resident monks, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience.

Return to Emerald Harmony and sail to Phnom Penh. Spend the afternoon at leisure, either experiencing one of our DiscoverMORE excursions, visiting the Central Market, or relaxing on board. After dinner, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy Phnom Penh by night on a remork (local Tuk-Tuk) tour.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6 – PHNOM PENH

This morning, learn more about the Khmer Rouge and the darkest days of Cambodia’s history. A short drive will take you to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek, where you’ll be able to stroll through the fields, visit the memorial and understand more about the country’s sombre chapter. Afterwards, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (known as ‘S-21’), a former school converted to the Khmer Rouge’s main prison and torture headquarters. Back on board, savour a Cambodian Street Fair lunch, before visiting the majestic Royal Palace, with its French-inspired gardens. This evening, for your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation, before sailing for the border.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7 – CROSS VIETNAM / CAMBODIA BORDER  – TAN CHAU

Today, you’ll cross the border into Vietnam and sail on to Tan Chau. Relax on board, or join our DiscoverMORE excursion to Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, before returning for a late lunch on board.

This afternoon, embark on a sampan to Evergreen Island for a stroll through a local village, revealing the lives of the local farming community. Reboard your sampan to travel back to Tan Chau and as part of our EmeraldPLUS, programme, visit the recently renovated Cao Dai temple. The religion of Cao Dai is a syncretic, monotheistic religion established in southern Vietnam in the city of Tây Ninh in 1926. Here, you will learn more about the mix of ideas that form the basis of this fascinating religion. Afterwards ride in a Xe Loi (local form of cyclo) from the temple back to your sampan before returning to Emerald Harmony where, later this evening as part of our EmeraldPLUS, programme, you’ll be delighted by a traditional Lion Dance performance on board.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8 – GIENG ISLAND – MY AN HUNG

Known as ‘Mango Island,’ Cu Lao Gieng is a small, scenic island that is untouched by tourism located along the upper Mekong River. Travel by local motorcycle rickshaw through the island’s villages to visit families who work in a variety of local industries, including mango farming, boat construction and temple incense sticks.

Return to Emerald Harmony by sampan and sail to My An Hung Island. Recognised as a cultural and historical destination, this small rural village specialises in cultivating red-hot chilli and peppers. As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, listen to local folk singing, wander through coconut farms and immerse yourself in traditional village life.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9 – SA DEC – CAI BE

Take a short ride on a sampan to Sa Ðéc, a Mekong Delta hidden gem. Enjoy a walking tour around town with a stop at the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras’ celebrated novel, L’Amant, and a stroll through Sa Ðéc’s bustling central market. Return to Emerald Harmony by sampan for lunch, while cruising to Cái Bè.

Upon arrival, travel via sampan to Tan Phong, a small island located nearby, rich in alluvial soil suitable for cultivating tropical fruit orchards year-round. At this established ecotourism destination, try a hands-on experience at a workshop specialising in weaving water hyacinth into artistic crafts. Board a motorised buggy for a ride through fruit orchards, stopping to sample tropical fruits. Reboard the sampan and cruise back to Cái Bè, discovering local cottage industries where families produce rice-paper and sweets from pop-corn, pop-rice and coconuts. Return to Emerald Harmony.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10 – HO CHI MINH CITY

Drive away from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels, watching the city skyline fade into the distance as the road winds through rice paddies, villages and scenes typical to southern Vietnam. Spend a couple of hours walking around Cu Chi’s rugged grounds with a local guide. Upon your return to Ho Chi Minh City, enjoy a Pho (noodle soup) lunch with the remainder of the afternoon and evening yours to enjoy at leisure or venture out on one of our DiscoverMORE excursions.

Included Excursion: Cu Chi Tunnels

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10 – MY THO – HO CHI MINH CITY

After sailing from My Tho, you’ll leave the Mekong Delta and enter the Cho Gao canal, considered one of Vietnam’s major arterial canals that connects Tien Giang Province with Ho Chi Minh City. Today, you’ll be fascinated watching the heavy commercial traffic navigating this important waterway, where upwards of 1,800 vessels transit each day. Relax on board, taking in the everchanging vistas of mangroves, cargo barges and local fishing boats. Tonight, you’ll dock in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, where you can admire the city lights; due to Vietnamese customs regulations, you’ll not be permitted to venture ashore.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11 – HO CHI MINH CITY DISEMBARKATION

After disembarkation, drive away from Ho Chi Minh City port to Cu Chi Tunnels, watching the city skyline fade into the distance as the road winds through rice paddies, villages and scenes typical to southern Vietnam. Spend a couple of hours walking around Cu Chi’s rugged grounds with a local guide. Upon your return, enjoy a traditional Pho (noodle soup) lunch then check in to your hotel for your included two-night stay. Tonight join a DiscoverMORE excursion.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 12 – HO CHI MINH CITY

Enjoy a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City, starting with a visit to the city’s most iconic building, the Reunification, or Independence Palace. Formerly the South Vietnamese Presidential Palace, images of the building were seen around the world on 30 April 1975 when tanks stormed the gates as Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese. Then, stroll through Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial quarter, walking past scenes of everyday life on the way. Admire the beautiful architecture of the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Saigon Post Office and listen to the stories about the glory days of French Indochina and how that era continues to influence aspects of modern Vietnamese culture. Tonight, enjoy your farewell dinner with your fellow guests.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13 – HO CHI MINH CITY

After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to the Ho Chi Minh City airport to catch your onward or homebound flight.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Sail the Mekong River in style on board Emerald Harmony, the luxury cruise ship custom-built to journey through the region, with the ability to dock in exciting destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City. The bespoke Star-Ship sailing the Mekong River through Southeast Asia has set the precedence for luxury cruising in the region, fusing contemporary design with authentic Asian style.

Emerald Harmony exceeds expectations as she introduces you to the majesty of the Mekong. Unlike other similar sized ships, she is specifically designed to sail into the centre of Ho Chi Minh City, allowing them to dock in the heart of this fantastic city.

Reaching 239ft (73m) in length, 42 cabins accommodate 84 guests and 40 crew members, enabling Emerald to provide spacious suites and public areas, as well as an excellent staff-to-guest ratio. Every minute you spend on board will be one of complete relaxation. Unwind in the serene surroundings of the Lotus Lounge, rejuvenate by the pool on the Pool Deck, or enjoy a locally flavoured cocktail in the Asian-themed Horizon Bar & Lounge.

At Emerald Cruises, they are dedicated to ensuring that every aspect of your stay on board the Star-Ships goes above and beyond your expectations. The wealth of amenities on board are complemented by the highly-trained, skilled and attentive crew, dedicated to ensuring your Emerald Cruises holiday is unforgettable.

ON BOARD ENTERTAINMENT

With Emerald Cruises the journey is just as important as the destination. It’s about enjoying every moment and creating memories that will last a lifetime. That’s why they believe that entertainment is an integral part of your cruise experience. To ensure there’s never a dull moment on board, the Cruise Directors oversee a fantastic range of entertainment activities for you to enjoy. From their ever-popular crew show and bar quizzes to local performances in a traditional style, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

The crew members will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the entertainment schedule and point you in the direction of the latest activities taking place on board. With so much to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

HORIZON BAR & LOUNGE
The Horizon Bar & Lounge is the social heartbeat of the Star-Ships. Surprisingly spacious and exceedingly modern, this contemporary and comfortable haven is one of the most popular areas of the vessels day or night. There’s a fully stocked bar with attentive bartenders, help-yourself to a selection of coffees from out high-tech coffee-machine, or try one of the speciality teas, and take a seat in our plush and spacious sofas and chairs.

In the day it’s a place to catch up with new friends and unwind.Each evening before dinner, your Cruise Director welcomes you to the Horizon Bar and Lounge for an informal yet fascinating talk on your forthcoming ports of call. With tips on what you’ll see and things to look out for, this is an ideal opportunity to plan for the day ahead. When the evening arrives, we have a medley of entertainment planned especially for you.

DRINKS & DINING 

Experience à la carte and fine dining on board the Star-Ships. Whether you’re sailing the Mekong in the Southeast Asia or the rivers of Europe, you’ll find delectable meals on board inspired by the regions you’ll sail through.

With a selection of wines, beers, and soft drinks included with lunch and dinner, there’s always a delightful pairing for your meals. If you’d like to extend your selection of beverages, there’s a range of drinks packages to choose from.

FITNESS & WELLNESS ON BOARD

Wellness and active experiences are at the heart of Emerald’s river cruises, with a number of activities available.

Their activity managers are on hand to ensure you make the most of your cruise. Join them on board for classes such yoga or aqua aerobics—or head to the gym if you prefer to work out on your own schedule.

Ashore, you’ll find a number of EmeraldACTIVE excursions to take part in, from guided hikes to canoeing trips and cycling tours.

FIND YOUR SANCTUARY OF SERENITY

Whichever cabin option you choose on board your Europe or Southeast Asia Star-Ship, you can be assured of a comfortable and restful getaway. Every suite and stateroom benefits from an en-suite bathroom, complete with a selection of luxury ESPA toiletries, as well as a sumptuous bed, draped in luscious linens.