Aqua Expeditions vs Scenic on the Mekong: which is better?

No score and no verdict of ours: what Aqua Expeditions and Scenic each publish on their own websites, read 10 November 2026, topic by topic, each line linked to the page it came from.

Aqua Expeditions vs Scenic on the Mekong: which is better?

Neither is better for everyone. On the Mekong, Aqua Expeditions carries 40 guests on Aqua Mekong and Scenic carries 68 guests on Scenic Spirit; Scenic publishes 2027-season fares for US residents (the fare on this page is for the Rhine and Moselle) and Aqua Expeditions publishes no river fare tied to a sailing date on the pages read.

What is each line?

Aqua Expeditions runs small-ship expeditions and was founded in 2007 by Francesco Galli Zugaro; on rivers it sails the Peruvian Amazon and the Mekong between Cambodia and Vietnam. Source

Scenic sells all-inclusive river cruises in Europe and on the Mekong, ocean voyages and land journeys; established in 1986, it is part of Scenic Group, which designs, builds and operates its own ships through its shipbuilding division MKM Yachts. Source

Which ships does each line sail?

Aqua Expeditions sails Aqua Mekong on the Mekong (launched October 2014) and two ships in the Peruvian Amazon: the 20-suite Aqua Nera (joined in 2021) and the 16-suite Aria Amazon (debut in 2011). Source

Scenic's river fleet is 13 ships, growing to 16 with additions planned for 2027 and 2028 in Europe, the Mekong and India; its Europe ships are the Scenic Space-Ships and its Mekong ship is Scenic Spirit. Source

How many guests are on board?

Aqua Expeditions carries 40 guests with 40 crew in 20 suites on Aqua Mekong and 32 guests with 26 crew in 16 suites on Aria Amazon; Aqua Nera has 20 suites. Source

Scenic carries up to 163 guests on its Scenic Space-Ships in Europe and 68 guests on Scenic Spirit on the Mekong. Source

Which rivers does each line sail?

Aqua Expeditions sails the Mekong between Cambodia and Vietnam all year, with itineraries departing from Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap; it also sails the Peruvian Amazon in the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve. Source

Scenic sells named sailings on the Rhine, Main, Moselle, Danube, Seine, Rhône and Douro, wine cruises in Bordeaux and Mekong cruises through Vietnam and Cambodia. Source

How large are the cabins?

Aqua Expeditions: On Aqua Mekong its Design Suites measure 322 square feet (30 sqm); of the 10 on the second deck, four have a balcony and six do not. It gives no suite sizes for Aqua Nera or Aria Amazon. Source

Scenic's suites have a Queen-size Scenic Slumber bed, with Scenic Sun Lounge all-weather windows in all suites on its Mekong ship and in Royal, Junior and Balcony Suites on its Europe Space-Ships. Source

What does the fare include?

Aqua Expeditions: On the Amazon its rates include all meals, non-alcoholic drinks, design suite accommodation, small-group excursions with expert guides, the entrance fee to the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, high-speed satellite internet and laundry service; on the Mekong the only additional expenses are airfare, cocktails, boutique purchases, spa and gratuities. Source

Scenic's river cruises include a wide selection of daily excursions and special events and list five dining options; spa treatments and optional tours such as helicopter and hot air balloon rides cost extra. Source

Are shore excursions included?

Aqua Expeditions includes small-group excursions with expert guides in its Amazon rates; all its excursions run in groups of no more than 12, with naturalist guides on private skiffs. Source

Scenic includes a wide selection of daily excursions and special events on all river cruises, with a choice of Scenic Freechoice excursions; optional tours, including helicopter and hot air balloon rides in selected destinations, may cost extra. Source

What does a sailing cost?

Scenic sells Castles & Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle, 8 days, from USD $4,528 per person, double occupancy, 2027 season, for legal residents of the United States. Source

Aqua Expeditions does not publish a dated price on the pages read.

What do solo travellers pay?

Scenic: For US bookings, its Solo Program Select Fares carry a 75% single supplement and Preferred Fares give 50% single supplement savings, with a free single supplement on select dates, in Stateroom (E) and Balcony Suites but not Deluxe Balcony, Junior Balcony, Royal or Riverview Suites. Source

Aqua Expeditions does not publish this on the pages read.

How much is the deposit?

Aqua Expeditions asks a deposit of US$1,000 per person to confirm bookings made 91 days or more before departure, with the final balance due 90 days before departure; private charters pay 20% of the gross charter hire at signing and 30% at 180 days before departure; charter deposits are non-refundable. Source

Scenic does not state its deposit amount; for US bookings on Europe and Southeast Asia river cruises it asks for the deposit within 48 hours of booking, with final payment 90 days before departure on Full Fares or 120 days on Select Fares; on Preferred Fares for sailings more than 10 months away, full payment is due 10 months before departure. Source

What happens if you cancel?

Aqua Expeditions refunds the deposit less a US $500 service charge per person for cancellations 121 days or more before departure; from 120 to 91 days all deposits are non-refundable and at 90 days or less full payment is the cancellation penalty. Departure dates can be changed without penalty at least 181 days before departure. Source

Scenic publishes no standard cancellation scale on its booking policies page; for US bookings its optional Flexible Booking Plan ($125 on river) lets you defer or cancel up to 90 days before departure, less third-party fees, for a Future Travel Credit valid 24 months; its optional Penalty Relief Program, $295 per person per river cruise, gives a refund or credit for eligible reasons when you cancel 31 days or more before departure (70% at 15 to 30 days). Source

What happens if the water is too high or too low?

Aqua Expeditions offers complimentary flight extensions to Siem Reap when its Mekong vessels are seasonally unable to travel up the Tonle Sap Lake due to low water levels; if a voyage is cancelled or curtailed and no substitute vessel is provided, it offers credit towards a future voyage or a pro rata refund per cruise night not used. Source

Scenic does not publish this on the pages read.

When is each not the fit?

The limits below are published by each line on their own websites.

• Aqua Expeditions: not the fit if you may need to cancel late: from 120 to 91 days before departure all deposits are non-refundable and at 90 days or less full payment is applied as the cancellation penalty. Source
• Scenic: not the fit if you are not a legal resident of the United States: its prices and offers apply to legal US residents. Source

How do their reviews compare?

Their figures per platform, read 10 November 2026, each from a listing under the line's own name; a whole-company profile is marked. Figures are never added together.

• Aqua Expeditions: Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 11 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
• Scenic: no Google or Trustpilot listing under Scenic's own name was found.

The lines at a glance

One card each, as on every Uncompromised Travel river cruise page: what each sells, why to choose each, what to ask for and the limits each publishes.

Which other lines sail the same rivers?

The lines that sell sailings on the same rivers are compared on What are the best alternatives to Scenic river cruises?

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 10 November 2026 · updated 10 November 2026