river cruise dec 2022

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December river cruises.

As  winter arrives, our thoughts inevitably turn to Christmas and, naturally, this is the perfect month in which to explore the world's waterways. We have a fantastic selection of river cruises in December , visiting Christmas markets , festivities and all-around wintery fun during a sailing. Take a look at our best December cruises and see why this festive period is perfect for visiting the banks of  the Danube , Rhine and more.

Where Can You Sail?

Why not head to Northern Europe and visit some of the continent’s most stunning Christmas Markets ? Cities such as Cologne , Budapest and Strasbourg feature some of the world's best Christmas Markets and a river cruise is an ideal way to visit them.

Christmas Markets River Cruises

December is also the ideal time of year to escape the cold weather and head east to the exotic waterways of China , Vietnam , or Cambodia , where the riverbanks of these regions are hot, sunny and humid - the perfect place to escape the winter blues back home! Take a look at river cruises in December for the Mekong , for a taste of tropical temperatures.

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Showing 25 out of 511 cruises.

Christmas Markets on the Danube

Sailing Date : 01 Dec 2024

World-class fleet of contemporary floating boutique hotels

Save over 50% on selected 2024 Europe River Cruises

Was £4041pp

Fly Cruise From £3879pp

Christmas Markets on the Danube & Classic Prague

Was £4441pp

Fly Cruise From £4263pp

Danube Discovery

Save up to 60% on 2024 European sailings

Luxuriously appointed cabins aboard a 5* river ship

Private home-to-airport transfers

Was £2695pp

Fly Cruise From £2587pp

The Danube's Imperial Cities and Yuletide Markets River Cruise - MS Thomas Hardy

FREE Superior drinks package worth £400pp per week - Available on all 2024 and 2025 European river cruises!

Award-winning European river cruises include everything you need for an exceptional experience.

Delicious full board dining, plus Captain's Dinner

Was £1849pp

Fly Cruise From £1775pp

European Holiday Markets

THE ULTRA LUXURY EVENT - Save up to £2,500pp on Selected Sailings

Includes flights & overseas transfers

THE MOST ALL-INCLUSIVE AMENITIES finely tailored to your tastes.

Was £3799pp

Fly Cruise From £3647pp

Magna on the Danube (Christmas)

Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences

Up to £1,500 cruise savings per person PLUS Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade PLUS up to €50 Onboard Credit per person

Was £3582pp

Fly Cruise From £3438pp

Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise - MS Oscar Wilde

Was £1409pp

Fly Cruise From £1352pp

Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine (Southbound)

Call now for the best flight inclusive prices!

Gratuities and a choice of daily excursions are included

Avalon Panorama Suites are thirty percent larger than the industry standard

Was £4052pp

Cruise Only From £3889pp

Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine (Northbound)

Was £4677pp

Cruise Only From £4489pp

Classic Christmas Markets

Was £4499pp

Fly Cruise From £4319pp

The Danube's Imperial Cities and Yuletide Markets River Cruise - MS William Wordsworth

Sailing Date : 02 Dec 2024

Was £1699pp

Fly Cruise From £1631pp

Was £4258pp

Fly Cruise From £4087pp

Danube Holiday Markets

Was £7099pp

Fly Cruise From £6815pp

Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise - MS Geoffrey Chaucer

Rhine Christmas Markets

Custom-designed ships offer you space to relax and indulge

Ultra-luxury cruising in a class of its own

Was £2249pp

Fly Cruise From £2159pp

Christmastime in Alsace & Germany (Northbound)

Was £2379pp

Cruise Only From £2283pp

Vietnam and Cambodia Highlights

Asia Summer Sale - Save up to 45% on select 2024 departure dates

Was £7090pp

Fly Cruise From £6806pp

Belgian Holiday Markets

Dutch Waterway

Was £5799pp

Fly Cruise From £5567pp

Secrets of Egypt & the Nile

Was £6049pp

Fly Cruise From £5807pp

Taste of Egypt

Was £5805pp

Cruise Only From £5572pp

The Danube's Imperial Cities and Yuletide Markets River Cruise - MS Emily Brontë

Sailing Date : 03 Dec 2024

Was £1399pp

Fly Cruise From £1343pp

Christmas Markets on the Rhine and Main

Was £2087pp

Fly Cruise From £2003pp

Enticing Douro

Was £2921pp

Fly Cruise From £2804pp

Iconic Christmas Markets

Sailing Date : 04 Dec 2024

Was £3281pp

Fly Cruise From £3149pp

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Our Readers' Favorite River Cruise Lines in 2022

The best river cruises blend refined onboard accommodations with exciting itineraries along some of the world’s most memorable waterways.

Note: If you’re looking for our most recent recommendations, check out the 2023 list of our favorite river cruise lines.

After pandemic-related challenges at the beginning of last year, river ships got back to what they do best: exploring inland waterways in Europe, the United States, and select other destinations around the world. Travel + Leisure readers enthusiastically returned, setting out on voyages both classic and new.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated individual cruise ships on their cabins and facilities, food, service, itineraries and destinations, excursions and activities, and value. Those assessments were combined to generate results for the cruise lines in six categories, including river cruising.

The top three in the river cruise lines were very close in their scores. Viking, the world's largest river cruise company, moved up two spots into the lead position. Tauck, the well-known tour and river-ship operator, retained its No. 2 spot. "The itinerary was thoughtful as well as instructive," wrote one reader who traveled on the Joy . In the No. 3 spot is Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, with praise that included this rave from one voter who sailed on the Maria Theresa : "This was an exceptional cruise. The staff was excellent. I can't say enough about this cruise line and this ship."

Aqua Expeditions, with journeys on the Peruvian Amazon, ranked No. 4, thanks in part to the sophisticated onboard dining. "Its cuisine is rich in local products and designed by one of the most renowned chefs in Peru," noted one reader. Closer to home, No. 5 American Queen Voyages (formerly American Queen Steamboat Company) earned praise — especially from older adults — for its leisurely cruises on the Columbia, the Mississippi, the Ohio, and other U.S. waterways.

Top-ranked Viking does all the major riverways of Europe, with ships also on the Nile and the Mekong, and, new in 2022, on the Mississippi. Readers praised the line's value proposition and shore experiences that go beyond the norm. The "Thinking Man's vacation" is the way one reader who sailed on a Viking ship on the Rhine river put it.

Find the full list of the best river cruise lines — and more on what sets Viking apart — below.

With its fleet of more than 50 contemporary "longships" on rivers such as the Rhine, the Danube, and the Seine, plus additional ships in Europe, Egypt, and Vietnam, T+L's top-ranked river cruise line for 2022 is often praised for its steadiness. "Having traveled on seven Viking longships that are virtually indistinguishable from one another, I believe it's the consistency that makes Viking one of our favorite ways to travel," said one reader. The longships are light-filled floating boutique hotels with a Scandinavian-design aesthetic, indoor and outdoor dining, and herb gardens up on top. Viking's carefully crafted itineraries and "good value" also received praise from readers. "Met wonderful new friends. Absolutely outstanding service and terrific food," said one fan.

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 96.77

More information: viking.com

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 96.60

More information: tauck.com

3. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 96.31

More information: uniworld.com

4. Aqua Expeditions

Score: 93.27

More information: aquaexpeditions.com

5. American Queen Voyages (formerly American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines)

Score: 92.82

More information: aqvoyages.com

6. Grand Circle Cruise Line

Score: 90.64

More information: gct.com

7. AmaWaterways

Score: 90.12

More information: amawaterways.com

8. Avalon Waterways

Score: 89.88

More information: avalonwaterways.com

9. Vantage Deluxe World Travel

Score: 84.71

More information: vantagetravel.com

10. American Cruise Lines

Score: 81.17

More information: americancruiselines.com

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Mekong Cruise in December 2022

The Best Mekong River Cruise in December 2022: Best Value & Best Price Guarantee

• RV Mekong Princess Cruise
• Heritage Line The Jahan Cruise
• Heritage Line Jayavarman Cruise
• RV Mekong Pandaw Cruise
• Mekong Prestige Cruise
• RV Bassac Pandaw Cruise
• RV La Marguerite Cruise
• RV Tonle Pandaw Cruise
• Aqua Mekong Cruise
• RV Champa Pandaw Cruise
• RV Laos Pandaw Cruise
• RV Mekong Adventurer Cruise
• RV Indochina Pandaw Cruise
• Heritage Line Anouvong Cruise
• Victoria Mekong Cruise
• RV Mekong Navigator Cruise
• Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise
• Mekong Eyes Classic Cruise
• Dragon Eyes Cruise
• Bassac Cruise
• Toum Tiou Cruise
• Mango Sampan Cruise
• Gecko Eyes Cruise
• Hoa An Village
• Binh Thanh Island
• Con Phuoc Island
• Cu Lao Gieng
• Con Dao Island
• Kampong Cham
• Kampong Chhnang
• OBT Chiro Village
• Kampong Tralach
• Tonle River
• Koh Oknha Tey
• Wat Nokor Bachey
• Wat Hanchey
• Luang Prabang
• Kuang Si Falls
• Pak Ou Caves
• Ban Mouang Khai Village
• Ban Houayxay
• Khamo Village
• Ban Park Bor Village
• Xayaburi Dam

Mekong River Cruises in December 2022

We would like to provide you the Mekong Cruise Departures & Mekong Cruise Schedule in December 2022, All Mekong river cruise departures are updated daily.

 Have a good time to discover outstanding of Vietnam and Cambodia such as:the house of Marguerite’s Chinese Lover, Caodaist Temple, the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, the Vipassana Dhura Pagoda...

 Reasonable price with high quality on luxurious service.

 Have chance to experience the local life of people on Mekong river

 Enjoy the peaceful beauty of Mekong Delta when relaxing on outdoor swimming pool

 All cabins own a private balcony

 All local drinks included during the cruise at all times

 A wide choice of dates, with 28 departures

 You will have friendly feeling as your home when travelling on Mekong Prestige II Cruise

Siem Reap - Saigon

Saigon - siem reap.

 Luxurious cruise with professional services 

 Hearted care by paramedics during the trip 

 One staff serves one guest

 Private meeting room with modern facilities

 Have interconnecting suites suitable for family

 Have private boards for interesting excursion and experience the real life of local people along Mekong river.

 Have chance to go with founder, Mr. Francesco Galli Zugaro and taste special food prepared by famous chef, Mr. David Thompson

 Discover new and attractive destinations in Phnom Penh such as KOH CHEN, KOH OKNHA TEY, PREAH PROSOP

 Experience silent space in private screening room with theater - style seating

 Enjoy romantic space with your beloved at outdoor cinema under the stars. 

Phnom Penh - Sai Gon

Phnom penh - phnom penh, saigon - phnom penh.

 Have chance to admire the natural beauty of Laos and Thai Land on luxurious cruise. 

 Enjoy 5 -star services during cruise journey with affordable price

 Ideal cruise for visitors who would like to discover the life on Mekong river along Thailand and Laos. 

 Visit tribal villages and explore into jungle and countryside

 Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang

 Be the first river expedition since pre war days to cross all Laos

 Enjoy traditional Laos dancing on the upper deck late afternoon

 Exploring the unique Pak Ou Caves, a Buddhist sanctuary with spectacular limestone cliff faces

Vientiane to Chiang Saen

Chiang saen to vientiane.

 Have chance to admire the natural beauty of Laos and Thai Land on luxurious cruise. 

 Enjoy 5 -star services during 11-day cruise with affordable price

 Ideal cruise for visitors who would like to discover the life on Mekong river along Thailand and Laos. 

 Visit to the opium museum in the Golden Triangle

 Have chance to take part in the largest elephant festival in South East Asia, usually in February

 Visit the jungle pools and dramatic Khaung Si waterfall, a butterfly garden and elephant camp

 Explore of the delightful French city in Laos.

 Be the first river expedition since pre war days to cross all Laos.

 The atmosphere on board is very friendly and informal, more like a party on a private yacht than a cruise ship.

 Nearly everything is included in the price and there are no hidden extras for excursions.

 Even your drinks and the crew tips are included in the price of your tickets.

 There is an incredibly high level of personal service and care aboard, with a crew passenger ratio of 1:2.

 From the moment you board, guests are made to feel at home.

 There is no dressing up for dinner and no 'caption's table'

Upstream Cruising Saigon - Phnom Penh

Downstream cruising phnom penh - saigon, upstream cruising saigon - siem reap, downstream cruising siem reap - saigon, all mekong river cruise categories.

Best Mekong Cruises

Cruising on Mekong River is getting more and more popular with extravagant ship. Each of Mekong cruises has its outstanding such as: onboard accommodations, heated pool, entertainment, privacy, ship interesting itineraries and so on...

Newest Mekong Cruises

Mekong river cruise with newest boats: You like something new and different in your Mekong cruise trip, let's choose a new cruise ship to cater your holiday. The reason for this is that a new cruise will be furnished with the most modern & comfortable amenities as well as facilities...

Luxury Mekong Cruises

Luxury Mekong river cruises are most wanted for an unforgettable holiday. Thank to its state-of-the-art facilities, conveniences, diverse architectures and a professional style in services, luxury Mekong river cruises are the best choice for the ones who want to experience a splendid atmosphere...

Deluxe Mekong Cruises

We would like to introduce to you one of our most proud products in series of Mekong river cruises travelling through the great Mekong route. Deluxe Mekong river cruises are such a potential cruise that can ensure to give you both brilliant experience of a international standard cruises and a joyful itinerary...

Private Mekong Cruises

This is really a good Mekong cruise especially for family and couples who want to spend a whole holiday with their beloved ones. This cruise offers you absolutely romantic atmosphere, with a high support of up-dated facilities, professional services. Surely you will experience a series of destinations in a brand new way...

Please kindly send us your ideas about the cruise, departure... We'll send you the most suitable cruise & best offers quickly!

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• Moscow — St. Petersburg
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Moscow to Saint Petersburg

13 days – 12 nights

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Gold, Platinum  Airport transfer / Check-in at centrally located Marriott Aurora***** or Ararat Park Hyatt*****

Imperial : Private airport transfer / Check-in at the luxurious Four Seasons Moscow***** only a minute from the Kremlin and Red Square

Volga dream experience:

Gold: City Tour / Novodevichy Cemetery Imperial, Platinum:  City tour / Lunch in a Moscow City Skyscraper / Novodevichy Cemetery / Sparrow Hills

Meals: Breakfast

Platinum / Imperial

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Gold:  Moscow Kremlin / Armory Museum / Red Square / GUM Department Store

Platinum:  Moscow Kremlin / Armory Museum / Red Square / St. Basil’s Cathedral / GUM Department Store / Park Zaryadye

Gold:  Tretyakov Gallery / Moscow Metro Tour.

Platinum:  Leo Tolstoy House-Museum in Hamovniki / Tretyakov Gallery / Moscow Metro Tour.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Gold, Platinum:  Town of Uglich / Church of St. Dmitri-on-the-Blood

Volga dream experience: Costumed Russian Tea Ceremony & Russian Cooking Class

Gold, Platinum:  Yaroslavl City Tour / Governor’s house 

Volga dream experience: Sun Deck Barbeque

Gold:  Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery  

Platinum:  Ferapontov Monastery

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Russian Dinner with Vodka Tasting

Gold, Platinum: Kizhi Island / Lake Onega

Volga dream experience: Piano Concert – Compositions by Tchaikovsky and Rakhmaninov

Gold, Platinum:  Svirstroy village / Local resident’s home / Local primary school

Volga dream experience: Farewell Dinner, Captain’s cocktail

Gold:  City Tour / Peter and Paul Fortress

Platinum:  City Tour / St. Isaac’s Cathedral / Canal boat / Yusupov Palace

Gold:  The State Hermitage Museum / Peterhof: Park and a historic Cottage

Platinum:  The State Hermitage Museum (Early Entrance!) / Gold Room / Peterhof: Park and a historic Cottage

Gold:  Catherine’s Palace / Amber Room

Platinum:  Faberge Museum / Catherine’s Palace / Amber Room

Meals: Breakfast / Imperial

Gold, Platinum, Imperial: Check-out / Airport transfer

Volga dream experience: -

The rates are set for a cruising season. The price is not dependent on the month within a selected year

Choose a date

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Choose Staterooms

All prices are per person based on double occupancy.

All rates are per person, based on double occupancy. Actual size of cabins can slightly differ within one category.

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Journey: Volga Dream

Price per person: not specified

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• December 2022

December 2022,

Explore the mighty river in December 2022 flowing through the heart of destinations onboard from , where you can immerse yourself in local experiences.

River Cruise December 2022

Embark on a European river cruise with 's in December 2022 and discover the history, architecture, art and culture ot the Europe.  Unpack your bags once and enjoy the changing scenery from your stateroom balcony as you sail with through multiple countries and charming European towns. Easily find and compare all river cruises in December 2022.

Find your next river cruise with in December 2022

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Join us for an enhanced musical experience with music-themed excursions and live performances on board and on shore - all included!.

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Touch history in Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, as you sail along the exotic lower Danube.

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Follow wine's journey from countryside to cask as you tour centuries-old vineyards and taste Bordeaux's finest vintages throughout your river cruise experience.

From our heritage to our innovations, included amenities and unparalleled service, discover why the best way to travel through Europe, Asia, Africa and South America is with AmaWaterways, the Heart of the River™.

Special savings and promotions are available on select sailings! See how you can save and contact your travel advisor to receive the greatest value on your river cruise vacation.

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Reserve a Combination River Cruise and save an additional 10% on subsequent sailings.

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• Moscow St. Petersburg Cruise

Moscow Cruise Route

Frequently asked questions from our travelers, what is the best time of the year to go on a moscow - st. petersburg river cruise.

The cruises are operated from the month of May until the beginning of fall. The best weather conditions during this period are usually from June through late July, but if you are looking for a trip at a more relaxed pace with less tourists in the cities on the route, we highly recommend to take a look at the months of May and September.  For more info, please see our useful tips .

Which cities and towns will I visit on a Moscow - St. Petersburg cruise?

The cruise itinerary covers all the main and the most important locations on the route. During the cruise you will have a chance to get acquainted not only with Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also with smaller towns and villages like Goritsy, Kizhi, Yaroslavl, Mandrogui. The number of cities and towns to be visited and the exact itinerary vary depending on the duration of the cruise.

Is it better to start the cruise in Moscow or in St. Petersburg?

The starting point of the cruise is totally up to you. You won’t miss any important sights whether you start the cruise in Moscow or in St. Petersburg. We always recommend checking the flight schedules from your city first in order to decide whether it is more convenient for you to fly into Moscow or St Petersburg.

A Russian Land Tour or a River cruise - which is better?

This decision completely depends on your preferred way of travelling. During the Russian river cruise you will not only visit the two largest cities of Russia, but also small towns and villages along the route and you will have a chance to participate in master classes, learn a little Russian language and dive into local Russian culture and hospitality. For those who prefer custom-made programs and more free time in the cities of their choice we recommend a land tour, both are excellent options. To find out more about the differences click here .

Do I need a visa for a Russian River Cruise?

If your citizenship is not on the list of countries with visa-free access to Russia, you will need a valid Russian visa. Please make sure to start the process in a timely manner, so as to avoid any last-minute pressure. More details on Russian Visas can be found here .

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• River Cruising

Scenic Mekong Review, December 31, 2022-January 10, 2023

By terry&mike , December 22, 2022 in River Cruising

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terry&mike

I will attempt to post updates as we go along on this journey at regular intervals.   

A bit of background. My husband and I are traveling on this trip. He is 62, I am 58, we live in the US and are retired. We are frequent travelers, having been fortunate to travel to more than 100 countries, and to all 7 continents. We have been on about 9 river cruises, and have sailed with Scenic in the past. We have also visited Vietnam before.  We are doing the Scenic program ‘Temple Discovery & Luxury Mekong Cruise 7 night’, which starts with 3 nights hotel stay in Siem Reap and then sails 7 nights from Siem Reap south towards Ho Chi Minh City. We have added on pre and post touring and stays on our own. 

This is part of a longer trip of 35 days in Asia. We left home 2 weeks ago. Flying started with Tampa to Toronto on Air Canada. Then Toronto to Munich, also on Air Canada. Next leg was Munich to Bangkok on Thai Air. We were in Business, and made good use of the lie flat seats on the long legs. We loved the layout of the Air Canada Business, lots of space, privacy and storage. The Thai Air Business did not have as much storage, but the service and food were excellent.  We are light packers. For my suitcase, I have 1 carry on size piece of luggage (but I do check it as I don’t like to be bothered with it), and I carry a large purse with me while traveling. Inside my large purse is a smaller cross body bag for when I reach my destination for my everyday touring about. Hubby has a 30” duffel style luggage for his suitcase. He has brought this larger bag, which is about 40 percent empty, as we intend to have some custom clothes made in HoiAn. He carries with him a regular size backpack on the plane. Inside his backpack is a lightweight backpack rolled up that he will use for touring about when we reach our destination. Yes, we will need to do laundry at about the half way point, which is HoiAn.   

We started this trip by flying in to Bangkok, and then took a car and driver 3 hours ($51) out to the beach town of Hua Hin. We spent 3 nights at the colonial style Centara Grand, to relax and recover from jet lag. Lovely hotel, nice area. Had a few massages, visited some markets, chilled.   

Came back in to Bangkok, where a friend from US had flown in to join us, and we met at the Century Park Hotel. This started as the first night of a Gate 1 tour ‘10 Day Central Thailand with River Kwai and Pattaya’. If you are not familiar with Gate 1, they are a low cost tour company that packs a lot of value and busy itinerary in to a tour. We use them in places that don’t have much in the way of efficient public transportation. We had no scheduled event the first night, so we had booked a Street Food Tour of Bangkok by Tuk Tuk, which was lots of fun.   

The next morning, we started the busy tour program which covered Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, River Kwai, Ayutthaya, and Pattaya. Floating markets, temples, palaces, jungle hotel, lots of stuff.   

We are now in Pattaya, back on our own. The Gate 1 tour ended here a couple days ago. We went to the wonderful Elephant Jungle Sanctuary yesterday, and had a great experience at this ethical elephant home. Our friend flew back to the US this morning. We will take a taxi about 2 hours ($36) from here to Bangkok, and then we will fly on to Hanoi, Vietnam this afternoon, about a 2 hour flight.   

More to come. 

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Will be following along...  We are doing Vietnam/Cambodia with Emerald in February.  It will be interesting to see how the sister companies compare.  

Are you spending any time in Ha Long Bay?

I will follow along too, it sounds great.

My parents did an Asian river cruise years ago and loved it.

We have been to Thailand quite a few times, but never to Hua Hin.  I didn't realise how cheap getting a driver there would be, we might need to revisit.  Luckily it is an easy trip from Australia.

4 hours ago, franski said: Will be following along...  We are doing Vietnam/Cambodia with Emerald in February.  It will be interesting to see how the sister companies compare.     Are you spending any time in Ha Long Bay?   Fran

Yes, we are at Bangkok airport now headed to Hanoi for 2 nights. We will then board an Orchid Cruise for 2 nights to sail on Lan Ha Bay (this is the bay next to HaLong, just as pretty but less crowded). 

3 hours ago, djh1959 said: I will follow along too, it sounds great.   My parents did an Asian river cruise years ago and loved it.   We have been to Thailand quite a few times, but never to Hua Hin.  I didn't realise how cheap getting a driver there would be, we might need to revisit.  Luckily it is an easy trip from Australia.

We used Hua Hin Cab, both directions, booked in advance. Excellent service, on time, clean cars. 

We checked in to VietJet Airlines for flight BKK Bangkok to HAN Hanoi, direct, 2 hours. They did ask for our Vietnam visas and spent a good bit of time looking them over at check in.  Like us, several people have questions on the visa situation for Vietnam, as many need to enter Vietnam multiple times. Currently, getting a multi -entry visa is difficult and costly. After much research, we went with 2 Vietnam e-visas each, both single entry. Simple to apply online ourselves. Should work, we’ll see. 

Thank you for taking us along on your adventure. 

For some reason, my previous post is wanting to post again.   

Arrived into Hanoi airport, and were quickly through Immigration. No smiles or conversation, but the eVisa was quickly looked at, and then we were through. That means the first entry (of 2 entries) into Vietnam with the current visa issue was successful. Both bags were out shortly after, and we walked outside to meet our driver. Transfer booked through our hotel and prepaid ($20).   

We are staying at the elegant La Sinfonia del Rey Hotel for the next 2 nights. We booked a Terrace Suite with breakfast. The room is slightly on the small side, but it is lovely and has a large balcony overlooking the park. I’m a deal hunter, so was able to get 2 nights with breakfast, plus 1 included dinner (tomorrow night) for a grand total of $233. 

Terry&Mike.  We are from Naples, so almost neighbors.  We leave on Jan 5 for Singapore, then Hanoi, then Siem Reap to join Scenic for the same river cruise you are taking.  Will be very interested to follow along with you.  We have been to Asia several times, but never to Vietnam or Cambodia.  We were supposed to do Vietnam three times, but COVID cancelled all of those trips.  So we are excited to finally get there.  Enjoy your adventure.

2 hours ago, geoffieg said: Terry&Mike.  We are from Naples, so almost neighbors.  We leave on Jan 5 for Singapore, then Hanoi, then Siem Reap to join Scenic for the same river cruise you are taking.  Will be very interested to follow along with you.  We have been to Asia several times, but never to Vietnam or Cambodia.  We were supposed to do Vietnam three times, but COVID cancelled all of those trips.  So we are excited to finally get there.  Enjoy your adventure.

Nice! You are practically up the street from us!

I’m happy that you finally get your adventure, and hope it is awesome. 

Forgot to mention that we purchased Vietnamese Dong at the Hanoi Airport when we landed. We usually order some foreign currency before we depart, so that we hit the ground running with some local cash in our pockets, but were unable to buy VND from our bank, although we were able to buy Thai Baht.   

There are several desks selling currency once you clear Immigration and Customs. They have their rates on small signs, and all are basically the same.   

We bought just under 10 Million VND for $400 usd.   

Cambodia uses the US dollar, so we are good there. 

Today we explored Hanoi, our first time in this vibrant city. We walked through the streets of the chaotic Old Quarter. It is bustling, colorful, and full of vendors selling all sorts of wares, and motor scooters zipping around.   

Vietnam probably does coffee better than most anywhere in the world, and we shopped for some, plus a couple other treasures.   

We walked around the lake, and through a large holiday market.   

We attended a water puppet show, and loved it. We bought tickets this morning for an afternoon show, front row seats, about $16 for 2.   

It’s a heavily cash society, with many vendors (including the ticket office of the water puppets) only accepting VND cash.   

Beautiful day, clear with a high around 76 degrees F.   

worcestergal

Thanks so much for posting about your trip. I’m following it and enjoying vicariously, since our Scenic trip isn’t for over a year. Your posts just give me more to look forward to!

Today starts our Ha Long Bay program. We were picked up at the hotel in Hanoi this morning at 8:20am, and driven to Hai Phong, about 2.5 hours away. There was a bathroom stop along the way, for an extra 35 minutes, at a pearl shop.   

Our transfer to was a very nice shared mini bus, and there were 7 passengers, $20 pp. We booked this in advance,  from HaLongbaytours.com which is owned by Blue Dragon Travel, along with the entire package for the junk boat trip. 

We arrived in the busy Hai Phong port and were dropped at the pier side waiting lounge for Orchid Cruises. There are hundreds and hundreds of boats, of all sizes and types. We booked onto Orchid Classic, in a Premium Suite Balcony. Our total cost was $850 + $100 holiday surcharge, plus $40 for the shared transfer to the ship from Hanoi, plus $45 for a private transfer from the ship to HPH HaiPhong airport. It is a 2 night itinerary.   

We had a 45 minute ferry transfer to the ship, boarded, had safety briefing, and then were allowed to access our cabins for 15 minutes before lunch started. Lunch was a sit down, multi course delight of great flavors. Beverages are extra and are a bit on the high side.   

After lunch we went to our cabin to quickly change for an outing to the Bright Caves. While in our room we were able to buy a bottle of red wine and a large bottle of water from our balcony from a lady in a small boat for a slightly elevated price.   

The caves excursion was interesting but not awesome.   

They are setting up the top deck for a BBQ and Christmas party tonight.   

Our room is very large, and beautiful. The ship is also very nice. The downside is that everything seems rushed, which we were thinking it would be more of relaxed sailing in natural beauty.   

The guests are from lots of different countries, and interesting and positive. There are 28 guests onboard.   

We picked this sailing because the itinerary goes to less crowded Lan Ha Bay. After seeing the crowds of people and number of boats, this may be a good idea. 

We did the Scenic Mekong cruise the first year they offered it. Our only complaint was the acoustics in the dining room were horrible. There was a Scenic office staff on board and he was told by almost everyone on board how bad it was. Please let me know if they fixed it.

We absolutely loved the Mekong cruise and also did Halong Bay after. You are in for a real treat.

Last night was Christmas Eve and the crew threw a huge Christmas party. The spread of food was amazing including turkey, lamb chops, shrimp, chicken, pork, squid, Vietnamese dishes, pasta, salads, charcuterie, desserts, on and on. It was amazing.   

There was also music, a dancing group, and a Santa with a big bag of gifts for the guests. It was a fun night.   

Today we have an early start, with breakfast at 7a and off the ship by 8a for a full day of activities.   

Today was a full day in the Ha Long Bay area. We spent it in the less crowded areas of Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island.   

Breakfast was at 7am, with a buffet and eggs cooked to order and pho. All good.   

At 8a, we were transferred to a smaller day boat that could get into smaller bays. We spent the day with activities and returned to our main boat at 4:20p.   

We had a scenic sailing for about 2 hours, then took a bike ride to a small village, about 30 minutes each way. This was fun. Those not up to it could ride on the back of a scooter with a driver.   

Afterwards we had a multi course lunch served in the day boat of local cuisine, all excellent.   

Next, we went to a lovely bay for kayaking and swimming.   

We then had a scenic sailing of about an hour back to our main boat.   

Stunning scenery, fun activities, very nice day. 

On our Ha Long Bay cruise we enjoyed a spectacular Iridescent Bug Show. Maybe you will get to see one also

6 hours ago, trtog7 said: On our Ha Long Bay cruise we enjoyed a spectacular Iridescent Bug Show. Maybe you will get to see one also

No, we didn’t have that. Last night was a lovely dinner, and afterwards was Squid Fishing.   

I picked this ship because of the activities of biking and kayaking. When I picked it, I looked at a few different ships and they all had similar itineraries with some differences in activities.   

It’s good you bring up this point, as some people might not realize they have a choice or options.   

This morning is kayaking, tea service, and brunch, then we disembark at 11:30a.   

Hubby and I will head to the nearby HPH HaiPhong Cat Bi airport, about 20 minutes away, by private transfer, $45. We will then fly direct 1 hour 15 minutes on Vietnam Airlines to DaNang, Vietnam. We will transfer to HoiAn, about 50 minutes away, by private car, $18, booked through the owner of the next place we are staying.   

Gorgeous photo!  Sounds like it’s been a terrific trip so far. 

Apologies, I noticed a typo in my last post. It is about 50 minutes from Hai Phong pier to HPH Hai Phong Cat Bi airport, not 20 minutes as my post says.   

Our driver was waiting for us at the DAD DaNang airport and drive us 50 minutes to our hotel in HoiAn.   

We are staying at the Villa Orchid Garden Riverside, a small, casual hotel about a 15 minute walk from Old Town. We have a large room with separate living area and kitchenette, and 2 bathrooms. We booked 5 nights with breakfast for $213 total; we booked this quite a bit back and rates are higher now.   

It rained last night. The weather report for today is a high of 76 F and partly cloudy. We are headed to breakfast, and to give our hotel our laundry for the past 2.5 weeks to have done.   

We had previously visited Hoi An in January 2020 for 1 day, while on a port stop for an ocean cruise, and were looking forward to returning. Our second visit confirms our thoughts that this is one of the prettiest of most charming towns in Asia. We were booked to stay for 5 nights, but a flight change has us being here for 4 nights.   

Yesterday, the temperature was a high of around 76 and partly cloudy. Gorgeous day, and we made the most of it.   

We already had a plan that we hoped to have some custom clothes made while in Hoi An. There are literally hundreds of custom tailors here. We both had given some thought as to what we wanted, and had some some research as to what shops to focus on.   

At Bao Diep, we ordered hubby a classic black tuxedo, plus an extra jacket in a beautiful silk print, and 3 dress shirts. For me a long, flowy silk dress. $500.   

A bit later in the day, a dress caught my eye at another tailor we strolled by, Lua Viet Nam Vi Ana Silk, and I ordered another long dress, as well as a shirt. $70.   

We go back to both tailors today for our first fitting of our purchases, and they should be ready for pick up tomorrow.   

We also stopped for coconut coffee. In the afternoon we stopped in a spa for 60 minute massages, 2 for $35.   

We spent most of the day just strolling around this beautiful city. We ate fresh spring rolls, Cao Lau noodles, and enjoyed a Vietnamese red wine that was fairly decent.   

When we returned to our room, the laundry I had given to our hotel at breakfast was waiting for us.   

When does the Scenic Mekong tour part of your trip start?  

6 hours ago, geoffieg said: When does the Scenic Mekong tour part of your trip start?  

We join Scenic in Siem Reap on December 31, with a 3 night hotel stay at the Raffles Grand D’Angkor.   

Scenic also offers itineraries that include Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City, but we decided to do those on our own. 

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Guide to River Cruises

Consistently recognized among the "World's Best", Tauck River Cruises  show you the sights differently than everyone else. We know that travel is not just about the places you visit – it's how you experience them that really matters.

Along the rivers, we do more than just point out the sights. We bring the locals aboard to share their stories, traditions and talents, then we invite you ashore to have a glass of wine or two with the vintners who made them... dine in private palaces with the nobles who live there... cook alongside chefs happy to share their regional recipes... attend command performances and concerts in opera houses and exclusive venues for Tauck guests only... and so many more opportunities to personally connect with the culture and people you meet in ways you couldn't do on your own.

So read ahead, immerse yourself in the magic of Europe's waterways, learn about the rivers we navigate, read through our first timers guide and discover why a Tauck river cruise is right for you.

European River Facts

Since launching our first-ever European river cruise in 1992… long before river cruising emerged as the hottest way to travel… Tauck has become a leading expert on the continent's storied waterways. We know the destinations dotting the river banks and those off the beaten path that deliver authentic experiences. And, of course, we know the rivers… not just the basic facts, but how they impacted the history and culture of the destinations they flow through.

First Timer's Guide

We've designed this guide with your questions in mind. Here, you'll discover the "who, what, where, when and whys" of river cruising to help you identify what is really important when choosing a river cruise. If you are familiar with Tauck, you know that we take pride in anticipating our guests' needs on tour, catering to your comfort with over 95 years of personalized service and travel expertise. We're delighted to share our insights about river cruising with you.

Why Take A Tauck River Cruise

Venturing off the beaten path away from well-traveled highways is part of the appeal, as are the opportunities to savor a real taste of daily life along Europe's rivers. But no matter how different the motivation, Tauck river cruising has a way of bringing everyone of every age and generation together to share experiences that last lifetimes.

Choosing The Best European River Cruise For You

Savvy travelers know that river cruising isn't just for seniors. On board every Tauck riverboat, you'll find couples young and young at heart… groups of friends and groups who share common interests or alma maters… solo travelers and families… all having the best time of their lives. No matter which waterway you want to journey along in Europe, who you're traveling with and what you hope to take away from the experience, you'll find the best European river cruise for you with Tauck, voted to  Travel + Leisure's  "World's Best Awards" list for 25 consecutive years.

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