Five Things to Know About Viking River Cruises' Mekong Cruise Ship

Instead of the blonde woods and minimalist aesthetic of Viking’s European river ships, you’ll find gleaming teak decks, mahogany wood paneling, and lots of Asian touches onboard the Mekong. There are also fewer bells and whistles onboard—no room service, for example—but the attentive service and excellent excursions more than make up for it.

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Warm and intimate, rooms have wood paneling and Asian-inspired details like wood carvings or silk throws and pillows. There are just two types of cabins onboard: A 168 square feet Standard stateroom and a 232 square-foot Jr. Suite, both of which have personal deck space outside.

You’ll find plenty of regional cuisine on this ship, but don’t stress if you’re not adventurous: There are always plenty of American options available (eggs, sandwiches), especially at breakfast and lunch. Meals are eaten in the main dining room, and the four-course dinner is the highlight: think dishes like tom kha gai and banana-leaf-wrapped fish, plus standard options like steak and salmon.

When you’re on a bucket-list-level trip, the objective is cultural immersion. One day you might attend a traditional Aspara dance show in Siem Reap and the next visit a school in Angkor Wat. And along the way, members of the ship’s staff or a local professor might give a talk on Vietnamese or Cambodian history.

In keeping with Viking’s no-nickel-and-diming philosophy, everything from unlimited WiFi to beer and house wine at lunch and dinner are wrapped into your cruise fare. And so are multiple shore excursions led by local guides, such as cycling tour through Phnom Penh, a blessing at a monastery, or a rickshaw ride through Tân Châu, Vietnam.