What are the best Mekong river cruises?

By Richard Jasinski·Updated 10 November 2026

These 20 river cruise lines sell a Mekong sailing on their own websites, read 10 November 2026. Each card gives what the line says about it, with the ship, sailing, length, price or number where it names one, then why to choose it, what to ask for and the limits it publishes.

What are the best Mekong river cruises?

20 river cruise lines in the Uncompromised Travel table say on their own websites that they sell a Mekong sailing; Phoenix Reisen, Travelmarvel and Thurgau Travel have the most Google reviews under the line's own name.

Who is on this page and why. The Uncompromised Travel river cruise lines table holds 48 companies: the river cruise lines ChatGPT names most often when asked about river cruises, plus river lines added by hand from the trade, each kept only if its own website sells river voyages under its own name. Their own websites were read on 10 November 2026, with their Google and Trustpilot listings matched by name. This page carries every line in the table that, on its own website, sells a Mekong sailing: 20 lines. Cards are in alphabetical order. Each line on a card gives what the company's own website says, with a link to the page it came from; a second reader checked 288 of the table's rows against the pages. No company paid to be on this page.

AmaWaterways

Best for: Europe, Nile and Mekong river cruises
Mekong sailing: Sails a 7-night Mekong cruise in Vietnam and Cambodia; its Mekong 2-for-1 Land offer adds 8 more nights on land, valid through 31 December 2026.
Why choose them: Offers over 100 river cruises across 35 countries on 12 rivers. Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 67 reviews; Trustpilot: 1.7 out of 5 from 109 reviews, newest 24 October 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
Not the fit if: you need a doctor on board, as medical doctors are not available on any vessel.
Money protection: ATOL 11232 for flight-inclusive UK packages; ABTA bond, membership no. Y6393.
Website: amawaterways.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: home page, terms-conditions/booking-sales, uk/terms-conditions/booking-sales.

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APT

Best for: Fully inclusive Rhine, Danube and Mekong cruises
Mekong sailing: Sails Mekong Serenity, built for no more than 88 guests in 44 suites, on trips such as the 17-day Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery with a seven-night cruise.
Why choose them: Launched two new river ships, APT Solara and APT Ostara, in 2025.
Ask for: Ask for a Luxury River Cruise from the UK, which includes return flights and home-to-airport transfers by private car.
Not the fit if: you may need to change plans late: the one free amendment applies only when you are more than 100 days from departure.
Money protection: ABTA member; air-inclusive packages bonded under the CAA's ATOL scheme; Client Fund Protection in a separate bank account (UK bookings).
Website: aptouring.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: en-gb/articles/asia/onboard-the-mekong-serenity, en-us/why-choose-apt/about-apt, en-gb/why-choose-apt/book-with-confidence.

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Aqua Expeditions

Best for: Small-ship Mekong and Amazon expeditions
Mekong sailing: Sails Aqua Mekong, for 40 guests, between Vietnam and Cambodia all year, including a founder-hosted 7-night voyage in 2027.
Why choose them: Founded in 2007 by Francesco Galli Zugaro, it runs excursions in groups of no more than 12. Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 11 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a high-water departure, mid-August to November, when Aqua Mekong sails between Ho Chi Minh and Siem Reap.
Not the fit if: you want to sail to Siem Reap from December to mid-August: low water keeps the ship between Ho Chi Minh and Phnom Penh, with a complimentary flight to Siem Reap instead.
Website: aquaexpeditions.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: offers/founder-hosted-cruises-franceso-galli-zug, aqua-experience/our-story, destinations/mekong-river-cruise.

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Avalon Waterways

Best for: Suite Ships with open-air balconies
Mekong sailing: Sails the Mekong through Vietnam and Cambodia aboard the Avalon Saigon, a Suite Ship built for the river with 18 Panorama Suites for 36 guests.
Why choose them: Its Panorama Suites in Europe measure 200 square feet, which it says is an average of 30% larger than others. Google: 4.2 out of 5 from 22 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.4 out of 5 from 1,905 reviews, newest 25 October 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the Avalon Choice Excursions on your sailing, in Classic, Discovery or Active style.
Not the fit if: you use a wheelchair or walker: outside the United States you must be able to walk up and down steps and ramps without one; many of its small ships have no lift.
Enquiry: avalonwaterways.com/contact

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: why-avalon/explore-our-suite-ships, why-avalon/suite-ships, terms.

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CroisiEurope

Best for: French family line on European rivers
Mekong sailing: Sells Vietnam and Cambodia programmes on the Mekong in its Visages et Fleuves du Monde range, on boats including Toum Tiou I and Toum Tiou II.
Why choose them: Runs a fleet of 50 ships and barges. Google: 3.6 out of 5 from 134 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.8 out of 5 from 448 reviews, newest 9 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a CroisiFamille river cruise, where up to 2 children up to 16 sail free in a paying cabin.
Not the fit if: you may cancel late: from 90 days before a river cruise you lose 20% of the price, rising to 100% from 8 days.
Website: croisieurope.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: information/conditions-generales-ventes-2026, home page.

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Emerald Cruises

Best for: Star-Ship river cruises in Europe and Asia
Mekong sailing: Sails Emerald Harmony through Vietnam and Cambodia, including the 10-Day Meandering Majestic Mekong Cruise, Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City, in the 2027 season.
Why choose them: Founded in 2013, it now sails eight Star-Ships in Europe and one on the Mekong. Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 37 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a Solo Program Preferred Fare, which gives 50% single supplement savings.
Not the fit if: you need time after booking: the deposit on river cruises is due within 48 hours.
Enquiry: emerald.cruises/US/en-US/contact-us

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: US/en-US/offers/southeast-asia-river-cruises, US/en-US/about-us, US/en-US/offers/europe-river-cruises.

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Gate 1 Travel

Best for: Escorted tours with chartered river cruises
Mekong sailing: Sells Vietnam and Cambodia tours that include a Mekong river cruise on ships run by other companies.
Why choose them: Founded in 1981, it began with tours to Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Greece and Turkey.
Ask for: Ask for the Cancel for Any Reason waiver, which allows cancellation up to 72 hours before departure for a future travel credit.
Not the fit if: you use a wheelchair, walker or scooter: none can be accommodated on its international river cruises.
Enquiry: gate1travel.com/terms

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: terms, about.aspx.

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Heritage Line

Best for: Small-ship Mekong and Vietnam bay cruises
Mekong sailing: Sails 7 nights Saigon to Siem Reap or reverse on The Jahan or Jayavarman, with 3 and 4-night lower Mekong options; Anouvong sails 3 to 9 nights on the upper Mekong in Laos.
Why choose them: The Jahan cruises the lower Mekong with 26 staterooms and suites, all with large balconies.
Ask for: Ask for a selected cruise with no single supplement for solo travellers.
Not the fit if: your children are under 5: they are not allowed on board unless Heritage Line grants special permission.
Enquiry: heritage-line.com/contact

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: cruise/lower-mekong-river, terms-conditions.

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Mekong Cruises (Luang Say)

Best for: Two-day Mekong slow boat trips in Laos
Mekong sailing: Sails 2-day cruises between Houayxay and Luang Prabang with a night at Luang Say Lodge in Pakbeng; it also sells 1-day cruises.
Why choose them: It has run Mekong cruises since 1999 and its Luang Say Lodge in Pakbeng was built in 1998.
Ask for: Ask for the 2-day cruise with an overnight at Luang Say Lodge, which it calls its signature experience.
Not the fit if: you need to sail downstream on a Sunday or upstream over two days on a Tuesday, as those cruises do not run then.
Website: luangsay.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: home page.

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Mekong Eyes

Best for: Small-boat Mekong Delta cruises from Saigon
Mekong sailing: Sails Saigon roundtrips and cruises to Phu Quoc and Phnom Penh on Mekong Eyes Classic, including 2-day cruises.
Why choose them: Mekong Eyes Classic is a wooden cruiser with 14 cabins, converted from a rice barge. Google: 4.2 out of 5 from 61 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a private cruise on Gecko Eyes (1 cabin) or Dragon Eyes (2 cabins).
Not the fit if: you want Dragon Eyes to yourself but book only one cabin: the other cabin may be booked by someone else.
Enquiry: mekongeyes.com/contact

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: tours/saigon-roundtrips/2-day-mekong-delta-tour-, home page, tours/private-tours.

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Mekong Kingdoms

Best for: Small-boat Mekong voyages in Laos
Mekong sailing: Sails Bohème from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, 5 nights from USD 3,750 per person in a twin cabin on 3 January 2027; Gypsy takes up to four guests from Luang Prabang to Chiang Khong, priced per trip.
Why choose them: Its 50-metre boat Bohème has 13 cabins.
Ask for: Ask for The Bohème Journey, a 7-day cruise package with a stay at Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane or Avani+ Luang Prabang.
Not the fit if: you may need to cancel, as overnight cruises carry a 50% non-refundable deposit and cancelling less than 31 days before departure costs 100%.
Enquiry: mekongkingdoms.com/contact-us

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: our-boats/boheme/schedules-and-prices, our-boats/boheme, offers/vientiane-luang-prabang.

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nicko cruises

Best for: River cruises for German-speaking travellers worldwide
Mekong sailing: Sails the all-suite MEKONG NAVIGATOR (68 passengers) on 13-day cruises between Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City, from €5,199 per person including flight on 3 April 2027.
Why choose them: Sails a fleet of 22 ships and says it has been market leader for river cruises in Germany since 2007. Trustpilot (whole company): 3.2 out of 5 from 387 reviews, newest 5 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a Single-Spezial departure, where the single supplement is cut by 50%.
Not the fit if: you want an English-only ship: most river ships run in German and English; CYRANO DE BERGERAC runs in French and German.
Money protection: Insurance certificate naming the insurer, required before any payment under its package travel terms.
Website: nicko-cruises.de

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: falstaff-dream-cruises, en/fleet/river-fleet, en/fleet/flussschiffe/cyrano-de-bergerac.

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Pandaw

Best for: Small-ship Mekong and India river expeditions
Mekong sailing: Sails the Classic Mekong, 7 nights from Saigon to Siem Reap on RV Bassac, Indochina or Mekong Pandaw, plus Deeper and Further on the Mekong over 10 nights.
Why choose them: Founded in 1995 by Scottish historian Paul Strachan, it sails ships with fewer than 30 cabins each.
Ask for: Ask for a departure with no single supplement, which it offers on a wide selection of expeditions and dates.
Not the fit if: you use a wheelchair: wheelchairs are not allowed and some river stations have steep and sometimes slippery banks.
Enquiry: pandaw.com/contact-us

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: vietnam-cambodia-river-cruises, about, passenger-information/booking-conditions.

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Phoenix Reisen

Best for: German-speaking river voyages at published euro fares
Mekong sailing: Sails Reich der Könige on the MS Lan Diep, 12 days from Saigon through the Mekong Delta and Phnom Penh to Angkor Wat, with all excursions, Rail & Fly (2nd class) and a 4-star hotel stay in Siem Reap included.
Why choose them: Says it has nearly 40 river ships in its fleet. Google: 4.6 out of 5 from 1,259 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a voyage marked Singles sparen, with heavily reduced single cabins.
Not the fit if: you do not speak German: there is only one language on board, German.
Website: phoenixreisen.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: erlebnisreiche-mekong-kreuzfahrt-in-asien-mit-ph, unser-team-in-bonn.html, fjorde-kreuzfahrt-in-norwegen-dem-land-der-troll.

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Plantours Kreuzfahrten

Best for: German-language river cruises with themed events
Mekong sailing: Sails MS La Marguerite, which it calls 5-star, on the Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia.
Why choose them: Its flagship MS Lady Diletta carries 173 passengers and has 11 single cabins.
Ask for: Ask for the Single Special on selected Christmas voyages, which opens more single cabins for booking.
Not the fit if: you want to book shore excursions by phone, as they are booked only online through the customer portal.
Money protection: Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds GmbH, with a Sicherungsschein issued with the booking confirmation.
Enquiry: plantours-kreuzfahrten.de/infos-service/das-sind-wir/unser-t

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: infos-service/drucksachen/neu-routenvorschau-ms-, infos-service/drucksachen/landausflugsprogramme-, impressum.

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River Sun Laos

Best for: Sunset and Pak Ou Caves day cruises
Mekong sailing: Sails 2.5-hour join-in or private sunset cruises and 5-hour trips to the Pak Ou Caves from Luang Prabang, Laos.
Why choose them: Its cruise to the Pak Ou Caves runs 5 hours, join-in or private. Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 131 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the Sunset Dinner Cruise aboard the Golden Boat, its largest cruise boat, with snacks, drinks and a traditional Lao dance performance on board.
Not the fit if: you want a multi-day voyage: its listed cruises run 2.5 to 5 hours from Luang Prabang.
Enquiry: riversunlaos.com/contact

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: our-boats.

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Scenic

Best for: All-inclusive Europe and Mekong river cruises
Mekong sailing: Sails the 68-guest Scenic Spirit on the Mekong, including Treasures of the Mekong, 13 days, from US$6,767 per person, double occupancy, 2027/2028 season.
Why choose them: Its river fleet is growing from 13 to 16 ships, with new additions planned for 2027 and 2028.
Ask for: Ask for a Solo Program Preferred Fare, which gives 50% single supplement savings, with a free single supplement on select dates.
Not the fit if: you live outside the United States: these fares and offers apply to legal residents of the United States.
Enquiry: scenic.cruises/US/en-US/contact-us

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: US/en-US/offers/southeast-asia-river-cruises, US/en-US/about-us, US/en-US/terms-conditions.

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Thurgau Travel

Best for: Swiss river voyages on its own ships
Mekong sailing: Sails the Mekong in Asia on RV Mekong Discovery and RV Mekong Pearl.
Why choose them: Founded in December 2001, it sails 19 ships on over 50 waterways in more than 25 countries. Google: 4.4 out of 5 from 181 reviews; Trustpilot (whole company): 4.6 out of 5 from 1,004 reviews, newest 8 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the excursion package with audio guide when you book, as most excursions are sold that way.
Not the fit if: you cannot leave the ship on your own in an evacuation, as guests must be able to do so and must tell Thurgau Travel before booking if not.
Money protection: Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche (Swiss travel industry guarantee fund).
Website: thurgautravel.ch

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: home page, pressebereich/thrugau-travel-schuetzt-seine-gaes, vertrags-und-reisebedingungen.

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Travelmarvel

Best for: Rhine, Danube and Douro cruises plus Asia
Mekong sailing: Sells Essential Vietnam and Cambodia (14 to 15 days) and Discover Vietnam and Cambodia (16 to 18 days, Hanoi to Siem Reap), which include the Mekong; its fleet list names Travelmarvel RV Lotus in Asia.
Why choose them: It added the Contemporary River Ships Polaris, Capella and Vega to its European fleet in 2022. Google: 4.5 out of 5 from 926 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the 2027 Book Early Package on Europe river cruises and the deposit it holds the booking with.
Not the fit if: you may need to change plans late: its one free amendment applies only when you are more than 100 days from departure.
Money protection: ABTA and ATOL (UK packages).
Website: travelmarvel.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: en-gb/discover/asia-cruising-offers, en-gb/media/travelmarvel-our-story, en-gb/why-choose-travelmarvel/book-with-confiden.

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Viking

Best for: Europe, Nile and Mekong river voyages
Mekong sailing: Sails the Mekong on Viking Saigon and Viking Tonle, hosting 80 guests, with access to landmarks in Cambodia and Vietnam.
Why choose them: Says it was voted #1 for Rivers in Condé Nast Traveler's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, the sixth consecutive year. Trustpilot (whole company): 1.7 out of 5 from 384 reviews, newest 10 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the Viking Inclusive Value fare, with one shore excursion in every port, or the current Special Solo Traveler Fares.
Not the fit if: you are travelling with children: Viking says its river ships have no children on board.
Website: vikingrivercruises.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: ships/index.html, why-viking/awards/index.html, why-viking/new-to-river-cruising/about-river-cru.

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Which of these show a dated price on this page?

3 of the 20 cards show a price for a sailing of this kind, with its currency and a date or season. AmaWaterways, CroisiEurope, Emerald Cruises, Gate 1 Travel, Heritage Line, Mekong Cruises (Luang Say), Mekong Eyes, Pandaw, Phoenix Reisen, Plantours Kreuzfahrten, Thurgau Travel and Viking publish fares on their own websites without a sailing date, a per-person basis or a currency on the pages read, so no figure is shown for them. Ask every line for a written quote with the departure date and what it includes.

Mekong Kingdoms
nicko cruises
Scenic

Which of these lines name a scheme that protects your money?

6 of the 20 lines name a scheme, bond, licence or account that protects payments for some or all bookings; check the number with the scheme before you pay.

AmaWaterways: ATOL 11232 for flight-inclusive UK packages; ABTA bond, membership no. Y6393
APT: ABTA member; air-inclusive packages bonded under the CAA's ATOL scheme; Client Fund Protection in a separate bank account (UK bookings)
nicko cruises: Insurance certificate naming the insurer, required before any payment under its package travel terms
Plantours Kreuzfahrten: Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds GmbH, with a Sicherungsschein issued with the booking confirmation
Thurgau Travel: Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche (Swiss travel industry guarantee fund)
Travelmarvel: ABTA and ATOL (UK packages)

Who to contact first

Start with the 3 lines on this page that publish both a sailing price and their cancellation terms on their own websites, then add any other card that fits your dates and the sailing you want.

Mekong Kingdoms
nicko cruises
Scenic

What to ask each one to set out in writing:

What the fare includes, line by line: excursions, drinks, gratuities, wifi, flights, transfers and hotel nights before and after.
The ship: how many guests it carries, the cabin size and whether it has a French balcony, a full balcony or a window.
The deposit, when the balance is due, what you lose if you cancel and what the line does if low or high water changes the route.
Which scheme or licence protects your money and what you need to walk on the excursions if mobility matters to you.

Mekong river cruises: the questions people ask

What should I ask a river cruise line before booking?

What the fare includes, line by line; how many guests the ship carries and the size of the cabin; the deposit and what you lose if you cancel; what happens if low or high water changes the route; and which scheme protects your money.

Can I book with these lines directly?

Yes. Each card links the line's own website or enquiry page; ask for a written quote that lists what the fare includes and the cancellation scale.

Do these lines all sell the same kind of river cruise?

No. Each card names the sailing, ship or offer the line's own website gives; ship sizes, lengths, rivers and prices differ, so compare the cards before you ask for quotes.

What happens if the river is too low or too high to sail?

8 of the 20 lines set out on their own websites what they do when water levels change a sailing, such as a ship swap, a coach transfer or a refund. Ask each line in writing before you book.

Which of these have the most Google reviews?

Phoenix Reisen, Travelmarvel and Thurgau Travel, in that order. A count says how many people reviewed a line, not whether it fits your sailing; each card gives the rating and count, read 10 November 2026.

Which of these have Trustpilot profiles?

6 of the 20: AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, CroisiEurope, nicko cruises, Thurgau Travel and Viking. Each card gives the TrustScore, the review count and the newest review date, read 10 November 2026.

Which of these publish their cancellation terms?

13 of the 20 publish a cancellation scale on their own websites. Ask each for the full scale in writing before you pay a deposit.

Where can I check these facts myself?

Each card links the pages of the line's own website its lines were read from, with the date they were read.

How were these lines chosen?

Each one is in the Uncompromised Travel river cruise lines table, built from the river cruise lines ChatGPT names most often. On its own website it sells a Mekong sailing. A line is on the page because its published facts fit the question, never because it paid.

Is any company on this page paying to be here?

No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be on it.