AmaWaterways Mekong River Cruise 2026 & 2027: Complete Guide to Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Land Extensions
- Danny Rodriguez-Stahl
- Jul 5
- 5 min read
By Danny Stahl, Certified AmaWaterways, Viking, Tauck, Backroads & Silversea Advisor | Danny’s Adventures | dannysadventures.com
Current deal you need to know about:
Book a qualifying 7-night AmaWaterways Mekong cruise in 2026 or 2027 and add the 8-night land package for TWO guests at the price of ONE. That is a second traveler’s complete land extension Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Siem Reap, and Ho Chi Minh City, at no additional cost. This offer is on select departures and disappears without notice. Contact me to confirm availability on your target dates right now.
SKIP THE RESEARCH & GET THE SAVINGS.
CONTACT ME TODAY!
I am Danny Stahl, a certified AmaWaterways advisor based in Raleigh, NC, serving clients nationwide. I know current availability, and every active promotion and discount. My service is completely complimentary.
Hours: Monday–Friday 8am–6pm ET | Saturday 8am–11am ET
The Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia is one of the most life-changing travel experiences available on Earth. AmaWaterways’ 7-night cruises aboard AmaDara and the new AmaKaia (launching August 2026) are the finest way to experience the twin-balcony staterooms, all-inclusive dining, complimentary excursions at every port, and land extensions that transform 7 nights into a full 15-night Southeast Asia journey.
The Two Mekong Itineraries: Charms vs. Riches
Both are 7-night sailings between Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Siem Reap, Cambodia. Both sail aboard AmaDara or AmaKaia with the same inclusions. The direction reverses:
Charms of the Mekong | Riches of the Mekong |
Charms of the Mekong | Riches of the Mekong |
Ho Chi Minh City → Siem Reap | Siem Reap → Ho Chi Minh City |
Intra-Asia flight: Siem Reap to Hanoi | Intra-Asia flight: Hanoi to Siem Reap |
Mekong Delta • Cai Be floating market | Same river ports in reverse |
Tan Chau • Sa Dec colonial French villas | Kampong Cham • silk weaving villages |
Phnom Penh • Royal Palace | Phnom Penh overnight |
Kampong Cham • Oudong pagodas | Cai Be • Sa Dec riverside |
Disembark Siem Reap for Angkor Wat | Disembark Ho Chi Minh City |
Which to choose: Pure preference. Both cover identical stops. If your international flights route through Hanoi, start with Riches. If you prefer to end in Cambodia at Angkor Wat, book Charms.
What’s Included in the AmaWaterways Mekong Cruise
• 7 nights aboard AmaDara or AmaKaia — all-outside twin-balcony staterooms
• All meals including regionally inspired Vietnamese and Cambodian cuisine
• Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks with every lunch and dinner
• All included shore excursions at every port — floating markets, silk weaving, Royal Palace, temple visits
• Intra-Asia flight (Siem Reap–Hanoi or Hanoi–Siem Reap) — $380 per person, included
• AmaWaterways Cruise Director on board throughout
• Chef’s Table specialty dining
• Daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour
• Wi-Fi
• Port charges: $250 per person (2026), $280 per person (2027) — included
Not included: International airfare USA to Vietnam/Cambodia. Visas (multiple-entry Vietnam + single-entry Cambodia required — AmaWaterways assists with coordination).
The Land Extensions: Turn 7 Nights Into 15
The AmaWaterways Mekong land program adds up to 8 nights before or after the cruise, covering four of Southeast Asia’s most iconic destinations. On qualifying sailings the 2-for-1 offer makes a second guest’s land package complimentary.
Hanoi (3 nights) — Vietnam’s Ancient Capital
Tree-lined French colonial boulevards, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature, the Old Quarter’s 36 guild streets, and the best pho on Earth. Hanoi moves at a human pace that Ho Chi Minh City does not. Most guests say it is their favorite city in Vietnam.
Ha Long Bay Overnight (1 night) — UNESCO World Heritage
2,000 limestone karst islands rising from emerald water. Overnight on a traditional junk boat with kayaking, cave exploration, and sunrise on the bay. One of the most photographed landscapes in Asia and genuinely as extraordinary in person as in every image.
Siem Reap & Angkor Wat (3 nights) — The Largest Religious Monument on Earth
Angkor Wat at sunrise. Angkor Thom. Ta Prohm with fig tree roots splitting ancient stone. Bayon temple with 216 carved faces. These are the monuments that define Cambodian civilization across 800 years of Khmer Empire history. Three nights is the correct amount of time. One night is never enough.
Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights) — Where History Meets Energy
The War Remnants Museum. The Reunification Palace. Cu Chi Tunnels. Ben Thanh Market at dawn. Saigon is where modern Vietnam’s energy is most concentrated and where the weight of history is most felt. A fitting beginning or end to any Mekong journey.
AmaDara vs. AmaKaia: The Two Mekong Ships
AmaDara: 62 guests. All-outside twin-balcony staterooms. AmaWaterways’ proven Mekong flagship since 2015, intimate, expertly staffed, consistently top-rated.
AmaKaia (new August 2026): AmaWaterways’ newest Mekong ship, launching August 2026 with modern updates, expanded spa facilities, and the same twin-balcony all-outside design. For travelers with flexible 2026 dates, AmaKaia offers the newest ship experience on the river.
Why Book Through Danny’s Adventures
• I confirm the 2-for-1 land package availability on your specific sailing before it disappears
• I coordinate your Vietnam and Cambodia visa requirements multiple-entry Vietnam plus single-entry Cambodia so nothing is missed
• I stack every active AmaWaterways Mekong promotion onto your booking. I have access to promotions not available to the general public.
BOOK SMARTER, NOT HARDER.
CONTACT ME TODAY!
I am Danny Stahl, a certified Backroads, AmaWaterways, Viking, Tauck, & Silversea advisor based in Raleigh, NC, serving clients across the country. I stay updated on current availability and all active promotions and discounts. Additionally, I have access to rates and offers not available to the general public. My services are completely free of charge.
Hours: Monday–Friday 8am–6pm ET | Saturday 8am–11am ET
Frequently Asked Questions: AmaWaterways Mekong
What is included in AmaWaterways Mekong cruise?
The AmaWaterways Mekong cruise includes 7 nights aboard AmaDara or AmaKaia, all meals with Vietnamese and Cambodian cuisine, complimentary wine and beer with meals, all included shore excursions, the intra-Asia flight between Vietnam and Cambodia ($380 per person), Chef’s Table specialty dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and port charges. International airfare is not included.
What is the AmaWaterways Mekong 2-for-1 land package?
On qualifying 7-night Mekong sailings, AmaWaterways offers an 8-night land package for two guests at the price of one. The land package covers Hanoi, an overnight on Ha Long Bay, Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, and Ho Chi Minh City — delivered in luxury hotels with guided tours and AmaWaterways Cruise Manager support throughout. Availability is limited to select 2026 and 2027 departures. A certified advisor confirms which departures currently qualify.
Charms of the Mekong vs. Riches of the Mekong, what’s the difference?
Both are identical 7-night AmaWaterways Mekong cruises visiting the same ports in Vietnam and Cambodia. Charms sails Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap; Riches sails Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City. The choice is based on which direction fits your international flight routing and whether you prefer to begin or end your journey at Angkor Wat.
Do I need a visa for AmaWaterways Mekong cruise?
Yes. Travelers on a Mekong cruise with land extensions require a multiple-entry Vietnam visa (two separate Vietnam entry points) and a single-entry Cambodia visa. AmaWaterways provides visa coordination guidance and their Cruise Director assists throughout.
What is AmaKaia and when does it launch on the Mekong?
AmaKaia is AmaWaterways’ newest Mekong River ship, launching August 3, 2026. It joins AmaDara on the Charms of the Mekong and Riches of the Mekong itineraries with updated facilities and the same twin-balcony all-outside stateroom design. AmaKaia will operate 22 sailings in 2026 and 38 in 2027.
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