Uber-stylish cabins, sexy gold kimonos and pampering perks.
Welcome aboard the Mekong Serenity, a new 88-passenger deluxe river ship by family-run Australian travel group APT that can dock in fabulously remote destinations thanks to its bijoux size.
APT has been offering cruises along the 2,700-mile-long Mekong River for many years, but the Mekong Serenity is the very first river ship that it owns and custom-built from scratch.
This five-deck vessel has only recently started sailing and I was excited to hop on board near Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and capture the cruise on camera.
The video starts by exploring Mekong Serenity’s top decks where, unusually for a river ship, the stunning outdoor pool is big enough for a swim – 100 lengths takes half an hour.
Jo Kessel steps aboard the new 88-passenger, five-deck Mekong Serenity on a sailing from Vietnam to Cambodia – and captures the cruise on camera. The picture above shows the vessel after a recent paint job that transformed it from grey to white
Jo is pictured here holding two of the ship’s cocktails – the signature ‘Rusty Nail’ (right) and an espresso martini (left)
There’s also an expansive sun terrace that has a wraparound jogging track as well as seats to relax on after a visit to the ship’s gym.
Talking of relaxing… drinks are included and one of the signature cocktails is a ‘Rusty Nail’. Not an overly appetizing name, but how would it taste? Delicious, that’s how! Turns out that brandy mixed with lemon and orange juice is a winner.
At 92 metres the ship has an elongated look that’s hard to capture in one shot. But in contrast to its boxy exterior, the interior is swish and stylish, with sweeping staircases, teak panelling and beautifully appointed cabins.
![Jo says: 'Unusually for a river ship, the stunning outdoor pool [above] is big enough for a swim ¿ 100 lengths takes half an hour'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/06/10/89348923-13820725-the_swimming_pool_on_the_Mekong_serenity-a-10_1725616613715.jpg)
Jo says: ‘Unusually for a river ship, the stunning outdoor pool [above] is big enough for a swim – 100 lengths takes half an hour’
Jo describes the interior of Mekong Serenity as ‘swish and stylish, with sweeping staircases, teak panelling and beautifully appointed cabins’
Above is Jo’s suite on the Mekong Serenity. There are 44 in total, which come with balconies and river views
There are 44 of them in total, all ‘suites’ with balconies and river views. Better still, the cabins come with sexy gold kimonos instead of bath robes and a perk that makes a real difference: two free items of laundry a day!
Next the footage focuses on excursions, with every activity offering something exciting and unique.
In Vietnam, Tuk Tuks transport guests to markets and villages where locals live in riverside stilt houses – we’re even invited into their homes. And two days later we cross the border into Cambodia, where we discover giant gold Buddhas, cheeky macaques and monks who shower us with petals at an exclusive Buddhist blessing ceremony.
We overnight in capital Phnom Penh, which is close to the country’s Killing Fields. This is where the Khmer Rouge’s dictator, Pol Pot, massacred a quarter of his own country’s population in the late 1970’s (two million people) in a horrific genocide.
This is an emotionally intense visit – bones still protrude from the ground – but it’s the best way to fully understand the horrors this country has endured and how it is now re-emerging.
Jo is pictured above in the ‘sexy gold kimono’ that comes with her cabin
The ship boasts an ‘expansive sun terrace that has a wraparound jogging track as well as seats to relax’
Jo describes every meal on the ship as a ‘fine dining experience with both Asian and Western dishes on the menu’. Above is the specialty restaurant Indochine
‘Every meal is a fine dining experience,’ writes Jo. Lemongrass restaurant’s buffet is pictured above
Yum’s the word: Mekong Serenity meals
Mekong Serenity offers a welcome sanctuary and the film moves onto its many indulgences, from nuts (the wasabi peas are dangerously addictive) to massages (at $45 an hour these are a steal) to cuisine.
Every meal is a fine-dining experience with both Asian and Western dishes on the menu and one dinner dedicated to Cambodian specialities. The fish filet in coconut milk (featured in the video) and Taro ice-cream with fried banana chips (Taro is a local potato) are superb.
There’s even a specialty restaurant called Indochine that serves a once-a-voyage five-course set meal that includes roast pork belly and tea-smoked duck.
Occasionally, we’re treated to local dance recitals, cooking demonstrations and fruit tastings. Green mangoes are in season and the chef prepares slices alongside a salt and chilli dip. The combination of sweet with savoury and spice is an unexpected hit.
It’s sad to say goodbye to Mekong Serenity, but soon it’s time for our final ship excursion in Kampong Cham, home to the longest bamboo bridge in the world. This is an unbelievable structure which, despite being made of natural fibres, straddles the river and can hold the weight of hundreds of people and even cars.
The Mekong Serenity is pictured here docked in Kampong Cham, Cambodia
Jo says every excursion on the ship offers ‘something exciting and unique’. Pictured here are stilt houses along the Mekong River in Vietnam that she visited
Jo is pictured at the Killing Fields on an excursion from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which she describes as an ’emotionally intense visit’ but the ‘best way to fully understand the horrors this country has endured’
Jo says most travellers ‘bookend their cruise with pre and post-land stays’. She’s pictured here at the ruins of Ta Promh in Siem Reap, Cambodia
For most travellers this is not the end of the trip, however, and that’s because they’ve bookended their cruise with pre and post-land stays.
My journey had begun with a couple of nights in Vietnam where a Tai Chi lesson in Ho Chi Minh City was a highlight.
Next, it’s the voyage’s finale in Cambodia’s Siem Reap.
This is the gateway to the Unesco World Heritage site of Angkor Wat, a Hindu Temple built in the 11th century that’s considered the 8th Wonder of the World. Its most evocative ruins are Ta Promh, where tree roots have taken hold of the ancient remains – Angelina Jolie famously filmed scenes from Tomb Raider here.
For an extraordinary journey from start to finish this packs an almighty punch. Even the Asian sun plays its part, rising and setting with a fiery intensity.
It’s been an adventure cruise like no other.