La Marguerite
Peaceful and scenic, river cruising offers a smooth, gentle ride along the world’s most remarkable waterways. Supreme comfort and convenience make it the premier way to experience magnificent cities, historic villages and little-seen enclaves. From your stateroom balcony, endless natural beauty combines with evolving views of the colorful local scenery. Castles and fortresses tower on both sides, as if you could reach out and touch them. When your ship docks in the heart of town, stroll ashore for included excursions or set off to explore on a complimentary bicycle. Unpack just once then settle in as each destination comes to you. With no need to navigate from place to place, you’ll find a sense of adventure and a sense of home all in one vacation. This river vessel operates 7 night one cruises from Saigon to Siem Reap, Cambodia or vice versa, as well as longer journeys throughout SE Asia.
The 124-passenger RV La Maguerite and her sistership, RV AmaLotus, feature ultra-spacious 624-sq. ft. Suites; ten Jr. Suites at 290 sq. ft. and standard staterooms at 226 sq. ft., with 90 percent of her staterooms boasting outside balconies. With a décor that combines Colonial elegance with regional Khmer accents, staterooms include comfortable sitting areas, individually controlled air-conditioning, a mini-bar, safety deposit box, robes and slippers, and a luxurious bathtub (Jr. Suites/Suites). Public areas include a main restaurant serving Asian and Western specialties; Saigon Lounge; Gift Shop; Fitness Center, Spa, plus a swimming pool and bar on the Sun Deck. The ship also features a fully English-speaking staff.
Luxury Suite
• Jr. Suites are 290 sq. ft. with an outside balcony, sitting area, bathroom with shower and
separate tub
• Indochina Suites are 624 sq. ft. with an extras-spacious outside balcony, king-size bed, sitting
area, bathroom with shower and separate whirlpool bathtub
• All outside staterooms with sitting areas, most featuring balconies
• Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
• In the rooms is a safe, hair dryer, mini-bar, bathrobe and slippers available
• Hotel-style white on white, plush bedding
• Individually controlled air-conditioning
• Writing desk and mini-bar
Luxury Suite, Sadec Deck, Twin Balconies with a separate Living Room and Bedroom, 624 sq. ft.
Suite
• Jr. Suites are 290 sq. ft. with an outside balcony, sitting area, bathroom with shower and
separate tub
• Indochina Suites are 624 sq. ft. with an extras-spacious outside balcony, king-size bed, sitting
area, bathroom with shower and separate whirlpool bathtub
• All outside staterooms with sitting areas, most featuring balconies
• Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
• In the rooms is a safe, hair dryer, mini-bar, bathrobe and slippers available
• Hotel-style white on white, plush bedding
• Individually controlled air-conditioning
• Writing desk and mini-bar
Suite, Sadec Deck, Twin Balconies, 290 sq. ft.
Stateroom - Cat. A.
• Staterooms are 226 sq. ft. and feature Twin Balconies
• Indochina Suites are 624 sq. ft. with an extras-spacious outside balcony, king-size bed, sitting
area, bathroom with shower and separate whirlpool bathtub
• All outside staterooms with sitting areas, most featuring balconies
• Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
• In the rooms is a safe, hair dryer, mini-bar, bathrobe and slippers available
• Hotel-style white on white, plush bedding
• Individually controlled air-conditioning
• Writing desk and mini-bar
CAT. A, Saigon Deck, Twin Balconies, 226 sq. ft.
Stateroom - Cat. B.
• Staterooms are 226 sq. ft. and feature Twin Balconies
• Indochina Suites are 624 sq. ft. with an extras-spacious outside balcony, king-size bed, sitting
area, bathroom with shower and separate whirlpool bathtub
• All outside staterooms with sitting areas, most featuring balconies
• Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
• In the rooms is a safe, hair dryer, mini-bar, bathrobe and slippers available
• Hotel-style white on white, plush bedding
• Individually controlled air-conditioning
• Writing desk and mini-bar
CAT. B, Tonle Deck, Twin Balconies, 226 sq. ft.
Stateroom - Cat. C.
• Staterooms are 226 sq. ft. and feature Twin Balconies
• Indochina Suites are 624 sq. ft. with an extras-spacious outside balcony, king-size bed, sitting
area, bathroom with shower and separate whirlpool bathtub
• All outside staterooms with sitting areas, most featuring balconies
• Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
• In the rooms is a safe, hair dryer, mini-bar, bathrobe and slippers available
• Hotel-style white on white, plush bedding
• Individually controlled air-conditioning
• Writing desk and mini-bar
CAT. C, Mekong Deck, Porthole, 226 sq. ft.
HIGHLIGHTS OF ITINERARY
Enjoy relaxing moments with excellent service and luxurious facilities onboard during your stay. Explore the daily life and rustic sights of Vietnamese cities along the Mekong River, Learn more about the culture and the difference between two countries with interesting lectures. Discover the breathtaking capital of Cambodia with a visit to the most highlighted sites. Get an insight into the local culture of Cambodia through a visit to untouched lands.
DAY 01 SAIGON - MY THO - CAI BE (L/D)
From Sheraton Hotel Saigon, enjoy a coach transfer to My Tho port where you will embark on the luxurious ship for a cruise along the Mekong Delta. Upon boarding the boat, enjoy welcome drinks in Saigon Lounge followed by a short briefing and then a lunch in Mekong restaurant.
After lunch, check into your cabin and relax while the ship is making its way towards Cai Be – one of the cities on the Mekong River. You will receive the safety demonstration and briefing of the Cruise Director at Saigon Lounge before enjoying Captain’s Cocktails. Afterwards, it’s time for your first gourmet dinner with your fellow passengers. Take your time to relax with the folk performance of the Mekong Delta. Overnight onboard at midstream in Cai Be.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On board
DAY 02 CAI BE – VINH LONG – SA DEC (B/L/D)
After breakfast, take an excursion around Cai Be to discover the fascinating lifestyle of the locals through a floating market. You will then go ashore to explore the hidden charm of the French Gothic Cathedral, colonial buildings, colorful flower gardens and rice paper manufacturers.
After the visit, head back to the ship for lunch as sailing towards Vinh Long – another city by the Mekong River. Pay a visit to the colorful afternoon market before enjoying a stunning boat ride around the region and taking a leisurely walk through the market for a true glimpse of life. After cocktails and briefing, enjoy dinner in Mekong restaurant. The Cruise will then cruise to Sa Dec. Overnight onboard at the midstream near Sadec.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On board
DAY 03 SA DEC - TAN CHAU (B/L/D)
Today is spent exploring the quaint town of Sa Dec the hometown of Marguerite Duras’ lover. Pay a visit to Huynh Thuy Le ancient house and then traveling along the paved river bank to get an insight of local markets, pagoda and the Fujian Temple. Crossing the river banks, you will pass by the home of Marguerite Duras.
The rest of the day is at your leisure as cruising to Tan Chau. Take part in our lecture onboard to learn more about Vietnam. Upon arrival in Tan Chau – a town near the border with Cambodia, the boat will drop anchor at the bank of Tan Chau. Enjoy dinner before joining the Crew Show in Saigon Lounge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On board
DAY 04 TAN CHAU - BORDER CROSSING (B/L/D)
Your excursion today will be spent exploring the untouched town of Tan Chau. Start your morning journey with a cruise on local boats for sightseeing. Meander along the narrow channels to explore an evergreen island. Take your chance to visit a floating fish farm and cruise along the tiny tributaries to appreciate the stunning stilt houses. Afterwards, go ashore for an amazing tour by rickshaw around the town. Make a stop to visit a rattan mats and slippers making factories to have first- hand experience. Re-join the boat for lunch as sailing to the border. In the afternoon, partake in a Cooking Class at Saigon Lounge for more knowledge about Vietnamese cuisine. The ship moors at the main Mekong channel - the major route to Phnom Penh.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On board
DAY 05 PHNOM PENH SIGHTSEEING (B/L/D)
There are many interesting sightseeing and activities await in your excursion today. Your morning trip will start with a sightseeing tour by bus in Phnom Penh. The highlights of the trip include Royal Palace, the outstanding Silver Pagoda and the National Museum where stunning Khmer crafts are on display. In the afternoon, you will get a great chance to learn more about the history of Cambodia with a visit to the Khmer Rouge’s grim ToulSleng (S21 detention center) and the Killing Field. For a free and easy tour, you could take time for some shopping or enjoy a tour around the city.
Enjoy a cocktail onboard followed by a dinner. After dinner, relax with the Khmer folk dances and songs at the Saigon Lounge. You could also have relaxing moments in one of the bars located just opposite the dock before heading back to your cabin.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On board
DAY 06 PHNOM PENH - CHONG KOH – OUDONG – KAMPONG TRALACH (B/L/D)
Enjoy breakfast as the ship sets sail to the village of Chong Koh from the early morning. Upon arrival, disembark and take a morning walk to visit Chong Koh silk weaving village. After the visit, head back to the Amalotus Cruise. Learn more about the country of Cambodia with a lecture on board while cruising towards the PrekK’dam where your afternoon tour will start to Oudong. Oudong was once the capital of Cambodia constructed on the top of Phnom Oudong which is covered with a range of stupas and shrines.
You will join the guide to the Buddhist monastery at the foot hill to learn more about the local religion. Leaving Oudong, continue your journey to Kampong Tralach with a 45-minute bus ride. Visit Wat Kapong Tralach Pleu before taking 20-minute ox – cart ride to the Tonle River. Travelling on a dusty road through the countryside, a small village and paddy fields, you will get a true insight into the local life. Re-join the ship for a cruise to Kampong Chhnang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On board
DAY 07 KAMPONG TRALACH - KAMPONG CHHNANG – PREKK’DAM (B/L/D)
The ship will moor at midstream in Kampong Chhnang – a busy port town with colorful local markets. Board a motorboat for an impressive excursion into the lakeside wetlands where you get a wonderful opportunity to witness a variety birdlife and stunning floating village. Back to the the boat and make the way to PrekK’dam - a small village near Phnom Penh. In the evening, prepare to pack your luggage and enjoy Farewell cocktail. Overnight onboard in PrekK’dam.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On board
DAY 08 DISEMBARKATION - PREKK’DAM - SIEM REAP (B)
High water program: Sep - Mid Dec
Enjoy breakfast onboard. Bid farewell to the crew and guides. Disembark around 8:30 and take motorized boats to local jetty approximately 5 to 6 km away from the middle of the lake. Transfer by motor coach to Le Meridien Angkor Hotel. Arrive at hotel at 10:00.
Low water program: Jun - Aug & Mid Dec - Apr
After breakfast in the Mekong Restaurant, disembark the boat at PrekK’dam. Take a bus driver for 5 hours and a half to Siem Reap. Along the way, make a stop at Kampong Thom. Arrive at Le Meridien Angkor Hotel in Siem Reap at around 13.30.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
For more information on the boat, click HERE
