Cruising the Mekong in style

Luxury river cruising meets timeless cultural discovery

Our Uniworld River Cruise Through Cambodia & Vietnam

My husband Stuart and I were lucky enough to be invited to experience a river cruise with Uniworld along the mighty Mekong River, travelling through Cambodia and Vietnam. It was a journey that was as enriching as it was indulgent and we loved every minute of it!

Home for our adventure was the Mekong Jewel, an elegant ship with 36 beautifully appointed suites onboard. Opening the door to our suite for the next five nights was a genuine wow moment. The bedroom was spacious and tastefully decorated, but the real showstopper was the bathroom. It was incredibly large, glamorous, and complete with a luxurious rain-head shower. I was absolutely in heaven.

From the moment we stepped on-board the staff, who were mainly from Cambodia, won us over. Their warmth, attentiveness and genuine care are unforgettable. Somehow they remember your name within minutes and make you feel truly spoilt throughout the journey. The staff are without doubt a highlight of this Uniworld experience. Every evening is filled with entertainment and during Music Trivia night we danced the night away – my face actually hurt from smiling and laughing so much!

Each day brought two thoughtfully curated shore excursions. We wandered through vibrant flower markets (the Vietnamese buy flowers around five times a week – gentlemen, take note!), explored bustling local produce markets that stimulated your sight and smell, and visited local farms where we witnessed how they make use of everything they grow – there is no waste. One particularly humbling moment was being welcomed into a local home – while our lifestyles may differ, the love and happiness within those walls was obvious.

Another standout highlight for me was visiting a local Cambodian school. The children were thriving, proudly practising their English and taking turns to speak with us. Two girls I spent time with shared their dreams of becoming a doctor and a teacher which I found incredibly inspiring and deeply moving.

And then there’s the food… Uniworld truly excels here. Breakfast, lunch and dinner offered a generous array of options, always featuring fresh ingredients and local flavours. The spreads were impressive and you certainly won’t go hungry. All beverages are included (with a small surcharge for premium drinks), which meant afternoons floating in the rooftop pool with a cocktail in hand was a real treat. The bar quickly became a favourite spot for sunset views and sharing stories from the day.

For those keen to stay active or unwind, mornings included sunrise yoga, there’s a well-equipped gym, a spa offering a range of treatments, plus fun onboard activities like cooking demonstrations and learning how to dress in traditional local costumes.

Travelling along the Mekong aboard the beautiful Mekong Jewel was a truly special experience. It’s the combination of immersive destinations, exceptional comfort and, most importantly, the remarkable Uniworld team that makes this journey so memorable. We returned home with full hearts and memories that will last a lifetime.

If this is a trip that inspires you, contact me and let me help turn your dream into a reality – Sharon.

Highlights

• Meeting local children at a Cambodian school
• Engaging with villagers in their homes and feeling the happiness and love
• The Uniworld Staff – outstanding!
• Everything about the Mekong Jewel – our bedroom, the bathroom, the food and the happy and friendly staff
• Having a pool to sip a cocktail in and watch the sun set
• Well thought out and rewarding shore excursions