When I told people my first trip to Asia would be to Vietnam and Cambodia, many reacted with surprise.“ Aren’ t you nervous?” they asked. But I wasn’ t. I knew I’ d be in good hands— I was traveling with AmaWaterways. Having cruised with them before, I trusted that nearly every detail would be taken care of. From the moment we were picked up at the airport to the day we flew home, the experience was seamless and luxurious. This time, I was sailing the 7-night Charms of the Mekong itinerary aboard AmaDara, and it was everything I hoped for and more.
Personalized Service
AmaWaterways is an industry leader in attentive service. Many of the onboard staff are from the region, and they’ re genuinely eager to share their culture with you. By day two, they knew my name, my preferences and treated me like family. As a pescatarian, I deeply appreciated their thoughtful attention in the dining room. Each meal, someone would approach our table and say,“ Miss Pamela, this one is for you,” and present a beautifully tailored dish. The ability to build a rapport like this with the staff is incredibly helpful throughout the cruise experience.
Expert Guides
Something that made this itinerary stand out was that our shore excursion guides sailed with us. That meant more than just daily tours— we got to know them and gain insight into the region’ s culture and history in a deeper, more intimate way. Each evening, the guides would preview the next day’ s journey for us using maps and storytelling, helping us visualize the experience ahead. Then they came ashore with us— not just to lead, but to translate, to help us connect, to truly immerse us in the villages we visited. I had the opportunity to meet a man who worked in the rice paddies to help support his daughter who was studying to become a doctor— a memorable encounter. Upon returning to the ship, we were greeted by crew members with ice-cold lemongrass-scented towels— such a simple gesture, but one that felt indulgent and refreshing.
Cambodia Elephant Sanctuary near Siem Reap
Cultural Exploration
One morning, we rose early to witness Buddhist monks walking barefoot through the village with leather satchels to collect alms— small food offerings for their monastery. AmaWaterways provided us with donations so we could respectfully participate. In exchange for our offerings, the monks gave us a blessing, complete with flowers and chanting.
Exotic Flavors
Vietnamese coffee was a revelation— bold and sweetened with condensed milk. One of my fellow passengers introduced me to it, and I’ ve been hooked ever since.
The food on board was consistently fantastic. One afternoon, the crew set up a tasting of exotic local fruits with name cards— dragon fruit, star fruit, water chestnuts, even aloe( which, yes, you can eat!). There were also cooking demonstrations as well as recipe cards left on our pillows each night, which I loved. The Chef’ s Table experience— a multicourse tasting menu of gourmet selections prepared right in front of you by the chef— is a must and is included in the fare at AmaWaterways. The food was delicious and presented with artistry and care. One dessert was prepared to look like a lemon, but was actually lemon curd and ice cream— clever and unforgettable!
Daily Life
Most days followed a relaxed rhythm: a morning excursion, return to the ship for lunch and another outing in the afternoon. Afterward, we’ d gather in the lounge for drinks, or take a dip in the onboard pool. Before dinner, there were cultural performances— like traditional Khmer dancing— and dinner itself was always an event. The menus offered both local and European options, and the atmosphere was elegant but never stuffy.
In Phnom Penh, some of us explored the city’ s nightlife on foot, while others enjoyed live piano music onboard. A few nights, we stayed chatting in the dining room until late in the evening, just enjoying the company and conversation. On the final night, the crew hosted a farewell cocktail party— this was our chance to thank them and toast the memories we’ d made together.
Asia, the Ama Way
For anyone considering Vietnam and Cambodia, my advice is to go, and go with AmaWaterways. Right now, the AmaDara is the only AmaWaterways ship sailing the Mekong River, but the line’ s new ship, AmaMaya, will be joining its sister ship in summer of 2026, providing twice as many opportunities for intrepid travelers to experience the enchantment of this timeless river. ■
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