Lotus Cruises Mekong Jewel

Route: Siem Riep - Phnom Penh - Chau Doc - My Tho

Highlights

The Mekong Jewel redefines elegance and luxury for the sophisticated travellers with 34 indulgent suites and onboard facilities that set new standards in all aspects of elite river voyages combined with the 360-degree experience of panoramic views. Choose from an outstanding selection of suites with high ceilings, meticulous attention to every opulent detail and modern comfort, each offering a private balcony and landscape vistas. Guest will experience an unforgettable 4-night or 7-night journey along the Mekong River through Cambodia and Vietnam. The ancient temples of Angkor Wat, the spectacular Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, a water blessing by the monks of Wat Arang and the French architecture of the Opera House in Ho Chi Minh City are only a few itinerary highlights.

Lotus Cruises Mekong Jewel

Route: Siem Riep - Phnom Penh - Chau Doc - My Tho

Highlights

Details

Day 1: Siem Reap - Kampong Cham Embarkation

In the afternoon, guests enjoy a scenic drive from Siem Reap to Kampong Cham, Cambodia with a stop for lunch en route, then embark the luxurious Mekong Navigator. As your downstream journey commences towards Kampong Cham, experience our cordial hospitality at a welcome reception and introduction to our friendly and professional crew who will present a safety briefing. In the evening a Cambodian themed dinner served in Le Marche Dining Room offers a cultural and innovative introduction to native cuisine.

Day 2: Wat Hanchey - Angkor Ban - Phnom Penh

Guests begin the morning with a walk up the hill to Wat Hanchey a thriving religious complex of both Hindu and Buddhist temples with breath-taking panoramic views over the Mekong. There is the option to receive a traditional Buddhist Water Blessing from the monastery’s resident monks. There are many outstanding stupas, temples, pagodas and statues worth exploring before descending all 303 steps when returning to the ship. For gentle walkers, there is a small coach provided for ascent and descent of the hill.

In the afternoon there’s a visit to the rural and charming village of Angkor Ban, with its stilted houses and grazing Brahim cows seeking the shade of a banana tree. Guests feel a sense of timelessness here, witnessing the rhythm of rural life. A visit is made to the home of a local family who discuss their lifestyle, then onto the local school to join children in their classroom and glimpse a typical school day. A leisurely stroll through the village back to the ship offers an opportunity to take photos of this place that time forgot. This walking route includes a brief stop at the local monastery before returning to the ship.

Day 3: Phnom Penh

Guests will this morning learn more about the darkest days of Cambodian history and the harrowing loss and sadness that haunts its people. A 45-minute drive through countryside are the Choeung Ek killing fields where more than one million people were killed and buried in mass grave sites by the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979. Walk through the fields, visit the small museum and buddhist memorial stupa and learn more about the atrocities committed during the Pol Pot’s regime. Before returning to the ship there is a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21), a former school that was converted to the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge.

Guests enjoy an unscheduled afternoon and have the option to take the coach accompanied by their local guide from the port to the central market to explore the city of Phnom Penh in the afternoon, from shopping, dining at one of the many wonderful restaurants, to sightseeing around the city independently.

Day 4: Phnom Penh

Breakfast is taken on board before guests are greeted at the pier by their appointed Tuk Tuk driver for an enchanting tour of the best sites in Phnom Penh. Guests are expertly pedalled along the riverfront to the Royal Palace which is the official residence of the King of Cambodia. Comprising several buildings, the main palace is an important symbol of the Kingdom set in beautifully manicured gardens. Guests stroll through the grounds to see the Throne Hall and Moonlight Pavilion, the famous Silver Pagoda, home of Cambodia’s Emerald Buddha and Maitreya Buddha encrusted with more than 9,000 diamonds.

The city tour continues by Tuk Tuk to the National Museum, Cambodia’s largest museum of cultural history with one of the world’s largest collections of Khmer art and ceramics as well as Angkorian artifacts, excavated at the Angkor Temple complex in Siem Reap and further afield in Cambodia. In the afternoon, guests are free to further explore Phnom Penh on a variety of optional excursions at a small cost. Alternatively, guests can opt to go shopping or sample the city’s vibrant restaurants and bars.

Pre-dinner cultural entertainment is provided on the Sun Deck as guests enjoy a performance by local children of Aspara, the Khmer national dance and other traditional folk dances.

Note: This day is also embarkation day for guests who join 4 nights cruise itinerary from Phnom Penh to My Tho. Guests embark the luxurious Mekong Navigator in the late morning and lunch onboard. In the afternoon, guests are free to further explore Phnom Penh. Alternatively, guests can opt to go shopping or sample the city’s vibrant restaurants and bars. Guests also enjoy pre-dinner cultural entertainment and dinner on board.

Day 5: Border Crossing

Relax and enjoy a morning of leisure on the sundeck, in the lounge, library or wonderful La Vie spa as the ship sails downstream towards the border. Guests observe a fascinating transformation in the riverfront architecture and landscape. Exciting cultural activities will take place on board.

Day 6: Long Khanh Island - Cu Lao Gieng

In the morning, you are taken by traditional sampans to the local island village of Hong Ngu in the Mekong Delta, close to the Vietnam-Cambodia border. Here, a large number of traditional Khmer scarves are woven in many village homes and exported to Cambodia. Guests have the opportunity to observe the weaving process passed down many generations. Some villagers are also embroidery artists and display their art for visitors to enjoy. The inhabitants of this rural area have only recently become familiar with western travellers and always offer a friendly welcome. Before returning to the sampans, guests can enjoy a walk around the beautiful evergreen island, stopping for a visit at the home of a local war veteran.

After lunch on board, guests make the short journey from ship to shore by sampan, landing on the charming island of Cu Lao Gieng to visit a local village where hundreds of sampans and rowing boats are made daily. An enchanting sampan cruise circumnavigating the island ends with a visit to the Cu Lao Gieng Cathedral which wasbuilt in 1879, shortly after the Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon in 1863. There may be an opportunity to interact with a local priest at the Cathedral (subject to his availability). The peaceful villages are surrounded by flourishing orchards and verdant green lawns, far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Day 7: Cai Be - Sa Dec - My Tho

On arrival at Sa Dec port the traditional sampan is again used to navigate the tapestry of Mekong canals, giving guests the opportunity to observe traditional village life before arriving at the historic town of Sa Dec. If water levels allow, a stop is planned at Cao Dai Temple. A visit to Sa Dec would not be complete without a visit to the former home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who was the inspiration for Marguerite Duras’ famous novel, L’Amant (The Lover), as well as the Chinese Temple called Kien An Cung, built in honor of the Huynh Thuy Le Family, where you will be warmly welcomed by traditional Chinese Lion Dances. Guests return to the ship on foot through the town's market which is a bustling, extraordinary and colourful experience, providing many wonderful photo opportunities of the fresh and unusual produce of meat, live fish and seafood for sale.

After a short sail to Cai Be, the English-speaking guide will accompany you on the tapestry of waterways by sampan, passing a colourful collection of local boats from the delta provinces, larger boats selling their goods and the characterful stilted houses of Cai Be. Continuing into the narrower canals of Cai Be, a stop is made to visit Ba Duc House, a traditional Vietnamese home and garden. Back onboard the sampans, it’s a short paddle through the canals to reach a traditional rice factory where industrious artisans produce rice paper, rice wine and popped rice. There’s a selection of postcards, souvenirs, and beautiful oil paintings on sale.

Before dinner guests gather on the Sun Deck as the ship sets sail for My Tho to enjoy a farewell reception with all the crew, followed by a Vietnamese Farewell Dinner in Le Marche Dining Room.

Day 8: Disembarkation

Following breakfast the crew bid farewell as guests are invited to disembark for transfer to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Special Rates

Services included

Services not included

Terms & Conditions

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Terms and conditions apply to all vessels under Lotus Cruises’ operation unless otherwise noted. Any and all information contained herein is it in effect at the time of printing and its subject to change at any time.

Information contained in this website does not form part of any offer or contract. The transportation of guests and baggage on Lotus Cruises vessels is provided solely by Lotus Cruises and is governed by this terms and conditions.

The Terms and Conditions will be included with your travel documents and contains complete and important information regarding cancellations, itineraries, Lotus Cruises’ s liability, health and immigration requirements, and other relevant terms and conditions. This Terms and Conditions will apply to persons who have booked a cruise regardless of whether or not they have embarked the vessel. Please read this Terms and Conditions carefully. To the extent that any of the information in the website conflicts with this Terms and Conditions, this Terms and Conditions shall control.

Itinerary arrival and departure times are always subject to change without notice. Lotus Cruises reserves the right to cancel, alter, advance, postpone or substitute any scheduled sailing or itinerary, substitute another vessel for the scheduled ship, or substitute or cancel scheduled ports of call, which, in its sole judgment and discretion, is justified for any reason, and to do so without liability for any loss whatsoever to guests as a result of said change(s). Additionally, Lotus Cruises reserves the right to cancel reservations and bookings in the event of a full-ship charter, whether or not a deposit or full payment has been received, and in such event, Lotus Cruises’ only liability will be to refund to the guest the amount it has received.

Lotus Cruises makes arrangements for transportation, other than cruise passage, only as a booking agent. Lotus Cruises’ responsibility does not extend beyond the vessel. In arranging for the transportation of guests to and from the ship, Lotus Cruises does so with independent contractors. Lotus Cruises is not responsible for incidents such as airline cancellations, re-routings or any disruption of scheduled services or accommodation, or lost luggage.

All schedules, fares, and terms and conditions listed in this website are effected as of July 2020 and supersede any schedules, prices, and terms and conditions previously published.

All fares indicated in this website including land and hotel, are capacity controlled, subject to change at anytime without notice and do not guarantee availability. All are subjected to change and/ or cancellation without notice.

Travel documents will not be dispatched until full and final payment and passenger contact information has been received by Lotus Cruises and cleared. For purposes of this Agreement, Contact Information shall mean a passenger’s full name, passport number, address, telephone number (land and mobile), electronic mail address and emergency contact information and any other information as requested by Lotus Cruises. Lotus Cruises must be able to reach each passenger’s emergency contact at any time of day. Lotus Cruises must, therefore, be provided with all information to allow Lotus Cruises to do so (such information should include the name, address, electronic mail address (if available) and phone number (including a cell phone number if available) of a parent, guardian, spouse, domestic partner, or other person to contact in the event of an emergency. No passenger will be allowed to embark Lotus Cruises’ vessel unless Lotus Cruises has received all information.

CRUISE TARIFF 2020/2022

Lotus Cruises fares cover certain shipboard services including: suit accommodations, shore excursions, onboard meals and entertainment, complimentary beverages aboard ship (including select Free-flow house wines for dinner, and locally produced spirits, soda, water, coffee and tea throughout the cruise). All fares are quoted in US dollars, are per guest and based on double occupancy. Not included in your cruise tariff are: airfare, hotel accommodations, optional shore excursions, meals ashore, imported mineral water and not included in your cruise tariff are: airfare, hotel accommodations, optional shore excursions, meals ashore, imported mineral water and sodas, fuel charges, any item from the ship boutique or any item or service of a personal nature such as medical care, massages or spa treatments or service of a personal nature such as medical care, massages, spa treatments. Champagne, premium wine and spirit selections are not included in your fare and may not be available at all.

TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS

Travel agents are considered to be the agent of Passenger and not of Carrier. Carrier is not liable for any representation, act or omission of Passenger’s travel agent. Passenger’s cruise fare is not considered paid until Carrier receives full payment, and the amount thereof is subject to change at any time prior to Carrier’s receipt of payment. Passenger shall, at all times, remain liable to Carrier for the price of passage. Carrier reserves the right to refuse embarkation if all charges and surcharges have not been paid in advance of departure.

DEPOSIT / FINAL PAYMENT

To reserve your cruise, a 25% deposit of the total cruise fare is required at the time of booking depending. Full payment is due no later than 120 days prior to departure. Guests will not be permitted to change travel agents once final payment has been received by Lotus Cruises. Final documentation will be issued after receipt of final payment and approximately 30 days prior to sailing. All reservations are subject to cancellation if payments are not received by the due date and are guaranteed only when paid in full 120 days prior to sailing. Reservations made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, specified by Lotus Cruises. Payments may be made by wire transfer (USD funds), or by VISA/ MasterCard.

CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS

Should you find it necessary to cancel your reservation or any component thereof, you and your travel professional are required to contact your Travel Professional or Lotus Cruises directly by telephones as well as submit your cancellation in writing. If your cancellation request is received more than 120 days prior to your initial sailing date, a $500 non-refundable administrative fee will be charged per person. This administrative fee may be not converted to a future cruise credit. Cruise cancellation requests received within 120 days of the initial sailing date will be subject to the following charges, regardless of suite resale: 120 - 91 days prior to the initial sailing date: 50% of the total cruise fare per person; 90 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date or non-appearance at the time of sailing: 100% of the total cruise fare per person.

Cruise tickets must be returned to Lotus Cruises before refunds (if owed) can be processed.

PRE/POST EXTENSION PROGRAM CANCELLATIONS

90 – 61 days prior to the initial sailing date: US$250 per person; 60 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date: 100% of the extension program per person cost.

CHANGES OR CANCELLATION BY LOTUS CRUISES – MINIMUM OCCUPANCY PER CRUISE DEPARTURE

In the event that we are unable to provide cruise service to passengers with confirmed bookings or departures where minimum occupancy has not been reached, Lotus Cruises has the right to cancel the cruise. Lotus Cruises’ notice period of cancellation in such events is 60 days prior to a cruise departure date. Minimum occupancy requirements per ship on any cruise that Lotus Cruises’ ship is sailing:

Mekong Navigator: 12 paying adults.

Mekong Jewel: 12 paying adults.

Mekong Muse: 10 paying adults

An alternative cruise itinerary (itinerary, departure date and vessel) will be offered subject to availability. If the proposed alternative price is cheaper than the original booked price, Lotus Cruises will refund the difference; or if more expensive than the original booked price, the difference will have to be paid to Lotus Cruises. If the proposed alternative cruise is accepted, the original provided itinerary will be amended accordingly (if applicable) and an updated version will be issued. If the proposed alternative cruise is not accepted within 7 days, Lotus Cruises will cancel the booking and refund all monies paid to Lotus Cruises. Lotus Cruises does not have any further liability or compensation and we are not liable for any incurring third party costs (for example, airfares or other arrangements).

HEALTH AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

All guests are required to report in writing to Lotus Cruises at the time their reservation is made:

+ Any physical or mental condition that may require medical or professional treatment or attention during the voyage.
+ Any condition that may render the guest unfit for travel, or that may require special care or assistance.

+ Any condition that may pose a risk or danger to the guest or anyone else onboard the ship.

+ Any condition that may require oxygen for medical reasons.

+ Any intention or need to use a wheelchair cart, other mobility device.

By booking passage and by boarding the ship, the guest represents and warrants that he/she is physically and otherwise fit to travel, and that the guest will comply at all times with applicable rules and regulations of the ship and orders and instructions of the ship’s officers.

Lotus Cruises reserves the right without liability to require a guest to disembark and/or to refuse to board and transport a guest who, in the judgment of Lotus Cruises or the ship’s Captain, is unfit to travel or may require care beyond that which Lotus Cruises is reasonably able to provide.

Lotus Cruises strongly recommends that guests are able to navigate the stairs on board without assistance. Should guests require assistance, they must travel with someone who is able to assist them both ashore and at on board.

Lotus Cruises is unable to offer special assistance. Please note that wheel-on and/or wheel-off access is not available at ports of-call.

BAGGAGE

You may bring aboard the ship as reasonable amount of clothing and personal effects without charge. Baggage for Lotus Cruises guests or guests on our land extension programs must be handled in accordance with regulations of our ground operators. Baggage (exceeding these limitations is subject to the charges as set forth by the individual operators. Airlines are strict with baggage limitations. Guests are encouraged to contact individual airlines for weight limitations.

All baggage must be securely packed and properly and clearly labeled. Liquid, fragile, perishable and other articles not suitably packed are transported at your own risk. Lotus Cruises is not responsible for loss or damage to baggage or any other personal items during air travel or land extension programs. Baggage and personal belongings will be taken off the ship upon guest disembarkation. Under no circumstance will baggage be store onboard without the owner of such baggage being on the vessel. Lotus Cruises is not responsible for baggage stored in shore side facilities.

Under no circumstance may dangerous items (including but not limited to: explosives, firearms, combustible or illegal substances) be taken aboard the ship. We recommend that you hand-carry travel documents (passport, visa, cruise ticket), medications and valuables. These items are the full responsibility of the guest at all times. Lotus Cruises shall not be responsible for the loss of, or damage to, such personal item.

LOST PROPERTY

Lotus Cruises may levy a charge for the return of personal items left on board or lost and subsequently found.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

All travel documents (air and cruise tickets, passport and medical insurance information) are the guest’s responsibility. It is also the guest’s responsibility to obtain any necessary visas and public health documents for all applicable ports and to comply with all customs requirement.

Without the required documents, a guest may be denied boarding and accommodation by Lotus Cruises or the guest may be disembarked during the voyage and Lotus Cruises will not make a refund or be otherwise liable to any guests for such denial of boarding or disembarkation.

In the event that Lotus Cruises as a courtesy, provides information or advice as to necessary travel documents, visas and medical inoculations, guests are still obligated to verify such information with the appropriate government authorities and Lotus Cruises does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of such information.

Vietnam & Cambodia requires passports to be valid six months beyond intended stay. Please check with the appropriate consulate for specific requirements. Security measures imposed by governments may change from time to time and each guest will be required to comply with them. As a courtesy, we will endeavor to provide each guest with notice of measures that may affect them, but not complying with any such requirements are the sole responsibility of each guest. Please consult your travel professional for advice on such requirements to avoid the loss of boarding privileges.

TAXES, GOVERNMENT FEES/QUASI-GOVERNMENT FEES AND FUEL SUPPLEMENTS

Lotus Cruises reserves the right to pass through to its guests (including fully paid and deposited guest) any taxes and government fees/quasi-government fees that relate specifically to a guest’s itinerary. Taxes and Government fees/quasi-government fees include any all fees, charges, surcharges, tolls and taxes imposed by governmental or quasi-governmental authorities including, but not limited to, customs fees, per person berth taxes or fees, embarkation and/or disembarkation fees at ports, airline transportation fees, dockage fees, and wharf age fees. Lotus Cruises reserves the right to charge a per person fuel supplement in the event that the price of increases up to and including the day of embarkation. Lotus Cruises may collect any taxes, government fees/quasi-government fees and fuel supplement (the ‘Surcharge) at the time of booking, prior to sailing or on board the vessel, even if the wise fare has been paid in full. Surcharge will be invoiced accordingly. All fares, and itineraries are subject to change without notice. Additional restrictions may apply. Lotus Cruises reserves the right to correct any errors or omissions.

This website may contain inadvertent technical or factual inaccuracies and typographical errors. Lotus Cruises reserves the right to correct any errors or omissions at any times without prior notice and to cancel any offered product, service, amenity, ect. in the event of any error or omission in this description, including pricing and availability.

OTHERS

Lotus Cruises is an Associate Member of the United States Tour Operators Association. However, Lotus Cruises is NOT a participant in the USTOA $1 Million Travelers’ Assistance Program and is not held by USTOA to certain other standards required of Active Members.

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