The newly built MV Mekong Dawn has just completed her maiden voyage, cruising up the Tonle Sap River in Cambodia towards the jungle temples of Angkor Wat, and marks the first of many journeys for adventure-ready travellers.
The experience is rather like being on a private yacht than on a cruise ship. Against the trend of building bigger vessels, the Mekong Dawn boasts only 8 luxurious cabins, which provides a certain level of exclusivity and adds to its tailored allure. Accommodations on this smaller vessel are all but modest with spacious staterooms at 13 square meters finished in Cambodian Kaki wood and a large window, with air-conditioned dining and bar areas, a sundeck with panoramic views, and private deck space. Due to its smaller size, the operator is able to customize itineraries for small groups or charters. The hospitality crew, all with a five-star hotel background, is able to fulfill every desire. The Chef does not do with less than eight courses for dinner; cooking classes, sunset cocktails, and riverbank barbeques are just a few of the magic touches by the friendly Mekong Dawn crew.
The Mekong Dawn’s beautiful on-board design is equally matched in its functionality for forging the travel expedition of a lifetime. With a draft of less than one meter, its marvellous structure enables exploration of hidden parts of Cambodia where others only dream they could go. The itinerary includes traveling up the Mekong as far as possible toward Laos to visit the rare Mekong dolphins in their natural habitat. Possible extensions and highlights are a four-wheel trip up the mountains for an surreal overnight stay at an elephant camp or a cross into Laos, past the largest waterfalls in Southeast Asia, to join then Mekong Dawn’s partner boat to explore the 4000 islands around Pakse in southern Laos and the ancient Khmer temple Wat Phou.
For those seeking an alternative yet equally stunning excursion, even at low water levels, the MV Mekong Dawn is able to circumnavigate the amazing Tonle Sap Lake nearly year-round. A cruise ship like no other, she can visit the wetlands around the mouth of the great Tonle Sap Lake, rarely-visited floating villages away from the tourist trek, and the outstanding natural bird sanctuary of a staggering number of migratory birds.
The MV Mekong Dawn is owned and operated by MDC Co. Ltd., an American-Cambodian joint venture.
