Mekong River Cruises

The Significance of the Mekong River

A Scenic Mekong River cruise sails through various parts of Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, and it provides an enlightening view of how important the river is to the local Cambodian people and to their livelihoods. While it is true that severely fluctuating water levels can make cruising on the Mekong difficult from time to time, much of the region’s fertility is derived from those dramatic changes in the river’s elevation. During monsoon season (May to October), the lower basin of the Mekong often floods, which forces the river to flow backwards, or upstream. Occasionally, these floods will be severe enough to damage villages and destroy crops; however, most of the time these floods have a greater positive impact on the region. Flood waters are often stored and used for irrigation purposes during the dry season later in the year. The annual flood pulses also help to sustain the Mekong’s freshwater fisheries, which are crucial, since some reports indicate that close to 80 percent of the protein found in Cambodians’ diets comes from fish that have been caught in the river.

Mekong River Cruising: Cultural Immersion

Like every Scenic journey, a river cruise down the Mekong River provides guests with opportunities to immerse themselves in the local culture and the history of the region. Immersion begins with a visit to Wat Hanchey, a pagoda set atop a prominent hillside near the city of Kampong Cham. The Buddhist temple and monastery was a significant place of worship as far back as the Chenla period in the 8th century. The site consistently fascinates visitors with its bright colors, large fruit sculptures, and a brick Hindu temple from the 7th century that was built in honor of Shiva, one of the three major Hindu deities.

Only a short distance down the river in the city of Kampong Cham itself, travelers can visit Wat Nokor, a religious site that is made up of a colorful, modern Hinayana Buddhist pagoda that has been built inside the walls of a 12th-century Mahayana Buddhist shrine, which was originally constructed by Khmer King Jayavarman VII, a Buddhist ruler who built more than 100 hospitals and many monuments during his three-decade-long reign. 

Scenic Space-Ships: All-Inclusive Luxury Riverboats

Every Scenic Asian river cruise begins aboard one of the company’s boutique vessels or custom-built Space-Ships, so named for their spacious guest cabins, dining, and entertaining areas. Each of these four-deck Scenic Space-Ships includes numerous dining and sightseeing areas, as well as a lounge and bar area that offers panoramic views. Additionally, guests can soak up the rays at the top-deck swimming pool or retreat to the wellness center, which is equipped with a fitness area, beauty salon, and massage rooms. These ships are also noteworthy for their luxury suites, which are outfitted with sun lounges, 32-inch high-definition TVs, and complimentary wireless internet access. 

Scenic’s Mekong River cruises take place aboard Scenic Spirit, a 279-foot vessel that was launched in 2016 and can accommodate 68 passengers in 34 one-bedroom balcony suites, as well as 50 crew members. The Scenic Spirit, which offers an almost 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio, is equipped with a sleek swimming pool, a steam sauna, and an open-air cinema, among other amenities.