AmaWaterways Mekong River Cruise Review: 30 Unexpected Surprises

Embarking on a Mekong River cruise through Cambodia and Vietnam offers an extraordinary window into Southeast Asia's heart and soul, where ancient traditions seamlessly blend with rapidly developing modernization. As you glide along this mighty waterway aboard vessels like the one we cruised on, AmaWaterways' AmaDara, you'll witness everything from bustling industrial ports and emerging city skylines to small villages where local life unfolds much as it has for generations.

We genuinely believe that traveling makes people more understanding, relatable, and kind. A Mekong River cruise is a special travel experience that everyone should have the pleasure and honor of taking at least once in their lifetime. 

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase at no cost to you. We thank AmaWaterways for hosting our trip. We recommend cruises, experiences, products, and services we personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

A Mekong River Cruise Filled with Surprises and Spectacular Contrasts

Our river cruise journey along the Mekong revealed surprising contrasts: while Cambodia charmed visitors with its extraordinarily welcoming Buddhist culture and historic temples, Vietnam showcased its dynamic evolution with modern bridges and growing urban centers.

The muddy waters of the Mekong may not have matched our postcard-perfect vision pre-trip, but what we saw was real and authentic, just like the experiences along our journey. Combined with incredible affordability and rich cultural immersion, our Mekong River cruise was an unforgettable adventure that transformed our perspectives and deepened our understanding of this fascinating region.

This spectacular voyage proved especially rewarding during the less crowded “low” season in August, when brief daily rains offered relief from the tropical heat and created ideal conditions for exploring the region's treasures. 

Unexpected Surprises during our Mekong River Cruise

These surprises weren't necessarily good or bad. Rather, they were special discoveries that made the journey in two countries we had never been to exciting and refreshing.

1. The Countries are Very Affordable

Travelers from the West, like the North American countries of the United States or Canada, or from Oceania, like Australia or New Zealand, will quickly discover that Cambodia and Vietnam are very affordable. Everything from souvenirs to spa treatments on board the ship or shoreside meals costs less money than you’ll find in other regions, like Europe, on other river cruise itineraries. 

2. Cruise Fares are Less than River Cruises on Other Continents

Cruise fares typically change dynamically based on dates. However, they also vary based on the area you're cruising. In this case, the cruise fares for a Mekong River cruise are notably more affordable than a European river cruise.

If you want adventure on a river cruise for your vacation and you're interested in world cultures, look into the Mekong if a lower cost is essential to you. And if lower cost isn't a top factor for your trip planning, yet it ends up being a perk of the itinerary, enjoy it!

3. Spa Appointments Fill Up Fast

On the note of affordability, the spa was incredibly affordable. This meant that the treatment appointment slots filled up quickly! We, along with all the other guests, once the word got out, wanted to schedule multiple treatments, from facials and massages to manicures and pedicures.

Would you believe that it only cost us around $30 USD (with the currency conversion) for an hour massage on AmaWaterways on the Mekong River?

If you like spa treatments, plan on getting a bunch of them during a Mekong River cruise! Our advice is to schedule your treatments as soon as possible once onboard so you secure your desired timeslots.

4. August is Off-Peak Tourist Season

If you’re doing initial research into a Mekong River cruise, we recommend looking at August. It’s a great time to go because it’s off-peak tourist season, or the “low” season.

Cambodia and Vietnam's peak tourism season is October to March and AmaWaterways offers river cruises in the area from August to April. Which means, you have the opportunity to river cruise the Mekong in the off-season, which is either August, September, or April. If you have flexibility for your travel dates, why not choose a time during the off-season? This will work to your benefit.

If you do a pre- or post-cruise stay during off-peak tourist season, you'll find more availability in tours and hotels. Sites are less crowded, and the temperatures are not as hot as they are in March or April. It’s always hot in these two countries along the Mekong River, but it’s less hot in August. And knowing how brutally hot it felt some days in August, we cannot imagine visiting during the warmer months, which is also peak tourist season.

While on the cruise, we learned that guests tend to shy away from visiting in August because it’s the rainy or “monsoon” season. But it only rains for a little bit every day, then stops. If you get lucky, it doesn’t rain at all. The benefit, however, is that after the rain, temperatures usually cool a couple of degrees. 

We loved being there in August and highly recommend it. If you're cruising with teenagers or college-age kids who have summers off from school, take advantage of August's off-peak time and book your family vacation on a Mekong River cruise. You won't regret it!  

5. The Sun and Heat are Strong in Cambodia and Vietnam (and It’s Constant from Sun Up to Sun Down) 

The sun was hot in August. We felt hot, hot, hot any time we left the ship's comfortable air-conditioned rooms and public spaces. Even the breeze across the top outside deck was nice, with fans blowing to help keep cool. But once we stepped off the ship, it was like, “Whoooosh!” The heat hits you. But the weather is unavoidable. This is why the best way to cope with it is to pack and prepare accordingly. 

6. Packing Properly is Essential 

We always prepare for a trip the best we can when we pack. But, as we cruised, we realized a key difference between a river cruise in Cambodia and Vietnam versus a river cruise almost anywhere in Europe: you can usually go to a supermarket or convenience store in ports in Europe if you need something. This is not the case on a Mekong River cruise. It’s challenging to find such a store in the villages of Southeast Asia. So, packing properly becomes more essential. 

Here are some items to pack that will provide increased comfort and protection during your trip: 

• Handheld fan (a MUST) 
• Cooling towel
• Small travel umbrella 
• Extra sunscreen (because you sweat it off in no time when you’re walking around on land) 
• Sunglasses
• Thin quick-drying shirts
• Detergent to do laundry in the sink as needed
• Long skirt or shorts and shirts that cover your shoulders for temple visits 

7. A Mekong River Cruise Will Open Your Eyes to World History Like Nothing Else Will in Southeast Asia

Nothing is like having your feet on the ground in a country where you learn about its history and culture to gain firsthand perspectives.

We learned so much about Cambodia’s history. A history linked to India and Hinduism, to its French ties, a communist regime, and a recent and shocking genocide. This was only possible because we were there; we never would have learned about all these things from home, even if we looked it up online or read about it in books.

The education just hits differently while you're immersed in a country's sites, sounds, smells, and getting to know its people from daily interactions. This was all made possible thanks to AmaWaterways' carefully curated tours. 

From our excursions in Vietnam during our river cruise, we gained a better perspective on the Vietnam War and its effects on the country, and how it functions as a present-day communist nation. 

8. It’s the Perfect Cruise for Older Kids and Young Adults

We believe a Mekong River cruise is a bit more adventurous than something in Europe or the United States. It’s not a great itinerary for people with mobility issues because you visit many villages and cities where paved roads and sidewalks are non-existent or need repairs. There is no elevator on AmaDara on the Mekong River like on AmaKristina on the Rhone River when you sail in Europe.

However, it's our opinion that the itinerary is befitting for teens aged 15 and older. If your teenager values traveling to new and unique destinations, we urge you to consider this cruise. It will truly open their eyes to other cultures and world history (especially in Southeast Asia) in a way a trip to Europe or a classroom lesson could never accomplish.  

9. People in Cambodia are Incredibly Welcoming and Friendly

We were struck by how friendly the Cambodian people are. It’s a country where we didn’t really know what to expect, yet we were wowed by the warm energy around us. And the warmth wasn’t just from the weather! It was the kindness of strangers we experienced, no matter who we met. 

The people in Vietnam were friendly—including tour guides and hotel staff during our post-cruise stay—but we found that the Cambodian people we met were extra friendly, comparatively speaking. Though the two countries neighbor one another, the contrasts could be felt.

10. You Need Visas To Visit Vietnam and Cambodia

Look into visas as soon as you book your river cruise. We recommend marking your calendar for x number of days before the cruise when you can apply for the visas, as we did. Our suggestion is to mark 30 days before your cruise, 14 days before, and 7 days before automatically to remind yourself about the visa process. More notifications are better than less!

You'll need a tourist visa for each country: one for Cambodia and another for Vietnam. Each typically costs $30 USD per person or less, but that can change, so check the current laws and regulations when you book your vacation.

It's important to bring cash to Cambodia for your visa. If you take the same route we did, you'll need to pay this fee upon entering through customs at the airport. (If you don't take the same direction we traveled, you do the reverse route, from Vietnam to Cambodia.) If you forget cash, there is an ATM at the airport where you can get local currency. However, we recommend using USD when you're in Cambodia overall since it's widely accepted.

11. You Sail a Small (but Significant) Portion of the Mekong River

The Mekong River is 2,700 miles long and passes through six countries: Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Myanmar, and Thailand. But you only sail a small portion of the lower part of this river through Vietnam and Cambodia during this river cruise.

12. The River Cruise Food is Delicious

Food in Cambodia and Vietnam was delicious. We were especially delighted to discover how exceptional the food on AmaDara with AmaWaterways was. Every day, we raved about another delicious meal!

While Western food options were on the ship, Dan and I gravitated toward the Asian options. This included scrumptious broth soups during breakfast (very traditional Asian) and seafood options with lunch and dinner.

One undeniably delicious dish that all the carnivores agreed was finger-licking good was the burgers! We've tried the hamburgers on every cruise, including other cruise lines and the burgers on AmaWaterways in Europe. They don't hold a candle to the burgers on AmaDara. The head chef, who was Vietnamese, certainly knows how to make a memorable cheeseburger!

13. Drinks are Included All Day with AmaWaterways

A fun surprise during our Mekong River cruise was that local drinks were included throughout the day. This is unlike European river cruises, including those with AmaWaterways, which only include wine and beer with lunch and dinner. 

Instead, AmaWaterways includes all local drinks all day long. This was such a nice perk! We cannot tell you how refreshing it was to return from an excursion midday, drenched with sweat and still with some downtime before lunch, to be treated to an ice-cold draft beer. It really hits the spot! It was nice that we could ask the bartender for a beer or ice-cold cocktail upon return from being ashore without the need to sign a receipt and worry about the room charge.

14. The River Isn’t What You Imagine

The Mekong River may surprise you in its looks for several reasons, including how it looks, what kinds of ships sail on it, and also because of what you won’t see on the river. 

We were surprised by:

Silt Makes the River Look Muddy 

During a tour, we heard our guide say, “The people have a saying: no mud, no life.” Perhaps the silt in the river is part of what makes it a great place for fish. There are over 1,000 species of fish in the Mekong River. 

The river’s appearance reminded us of the Garonne River in France, which you sail on during a Bordeaux River Cruise. 

There is a Lot of Industry on the River

Expect to pass many more industrial boats—including sand-dredging vessels, fishing ships, and vessels carrying rice from one location to another— than leisure-cruise vessels, like other river cruise lines or people out for a leisurely boat ride. 

Yes, you'll pass other river cruise ships too; we saw a Viking river cruise ship and Scenic too. But they were far fewer and farther between compared to the industrial boats we passed.

There are Countless Water Plants on the Mekong in Cambodia, at the Mekong Delta

The river delta has a lot of plant life in it. We were surprised to see water hyacinth everywhere and learned the plants are not native. Today, the plants can be seen all along the river delta when you cruise through Vietnam. Many locals dry the plants and use them for fuel for fires for their stoves. 

There Are Not Floating Markets Everywhere

We envisioned floating markets on the water like those seen in excursion photos of Southeast Asia. Think long wooden boats and locals in circular bamboo hats that point towards the sky. 

But the Mekong River isn’t really like that.

You see longboats and people with said iconic conical hats, but they’re more than likely operating a motorized boat on open water. 80% of the time, they’re not navigating through a picturesque bamboo-lined canal as postcards may have you believe. 

Floating markets are a dying breed of ways to shop for locals, who opt for markets on terra firma. Part of the reason they’re disappearing is that bridges have been built that connect islands to the mainland. This means that motorcycles are a better way for people to get their meat and produce at land-based markets instead of on boats, which is a more cumbersome way to shop for groceries. 

15. The River’s Landscape Changes Between Cambodia and Vietnam

It was surprising to notice the change in the waterfront landscape as we cruised between the two nations. Vietnam had much more infrastructure under construction along the river, including modern bridges, roads, and retaining walls dividing the shoreline from the water. It was less so in Cambodia, where modernizing the riverfront, in many ways, seems like a thing of the future. The exception was in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, located along the river.

16. You Need Cash for Shops and Some Restaurants

If you want to buy anything in the villages you visit during your AmaWaterways Mekong River cruise in Cambodia and Vietnam, it's a good idea to have cash on hand. While major cities usually (but not always) accept credit cards in Vietnam, fewer stores accept credit in Cambodia. Even the 7-Eleven shop I went to in Cambodia, which was across the street from several popular hotels, was cash-only, though there was an ATM outside. 

If you plan on eating at restaurants before, during, or after your river cruise in ports along the Mekong when you have the chance during the itinerary, it’s best to have cash in your wallet just in case. 

17. U.S. Currency is Accepted (And Common) in Cambodia

Dan and I were very surprised to learn that U.S. Dollars (USD) are widely accepted in Cambodia. In fact, there wasn’t a single place we visited that didn’t accept USD, whether in a small village or a market in a big city. 

18. Tipping is Expected

We were shocked by how many single dollars and small bills we needed to tip drivers and tour guides. Because tipping is expected, it's handy to have small denominations of bills, like $1 and $5 bills, with you.

The amount you need to bring or have with you will vary depending on your cruise, depending on where you're going (especially if you plan on doing a pre- or post-cruise tour), and what you're doing. But if it helps you with your trip planning, we found that we should have brought at least $30 in singles with us for our AmaWaterways trip.

This likely means you must pre-plan to go to the bank for $1 bills before you leave home for your trip, so make sure it’s on your Mekong River cruise packing list. 

Here’s who we tipped in cash along the way, including onboard the ship (because tipping via credit card wasn’t an option): 

• Spa massage therapists on AmaDara
• During the cruise: tour guides and tuk-tuk drivers (there were few tuk-tuks but we still tipped them, like when we utilized the service to travel around the Angkor Wat network of temples)
• Pre- and post-cruise: drivers, waitstaff, and tour guides 

The front desk team on AmaDara gave us some smaller bills in exchange for our $10 or $20 USD here or there, but don't depend on it because they don't always have the small change. It's better to arrive in Southeast Asia with the cash you need in your desired denominations.

Another important note on tipping that we want to mention, which was different than other river cruises we've been on, was that tips for the crew and Cruise Manager were separate. While we could tip the crew on our onboard account, we had to tip the Cruise Manager with a separate charge. The front desk team can help guide you in this easy process once you're onboard.

19. American Express is Rarely Accepted

Perhaps this will change over the next decade in Vietnam, but we found that American Express was barely accepted anywhere outside of major chain hotels like the Le Meridien in Vietnam, where we stayed after disembarking our Mekong River cruise.

We can envision a world where it’s more accepted in places like Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon in the upcoming years, but it’s a long way from being a possibility everywhere else we visited.  

Visa and Mastercard were accepted in most places we went, if credit cards were accepted at all. We love our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card for this reason, which doesn’t charge international fees.

20. Flights to Cambodia and Vietnam Might Be Challenging to Figure Out…But It’s Worth It

If there was any headache for us during this cruise (perhaps the only one, thankfully), it was figuring out the flights. Rest assured that if you find the flight booking process to be frustrating as well, you will get through it! The journey that awaits you during your Mekong River cruise is 100% worth it!

Our flight booking process was a challenge for several reasons. The first was that we had to have connections/layovers on the way there and back; we wanted to minimize our travel time, but also wanted the flights to be affordable for our budget. Additionally, the flights are multi-city, not round-trip. In other words, we were flying into Cambodia but out of Vietnam, which added another variable into the mix when searching for flights.

While you can book air through your cruise line, you'll be limited in your airline partner options. This was another factor that proved to be a hurdle. Instead, we opted to book flights on our own to fly with our preferred airlines.

It was quite the game of chess to get it all figured out. But we did it! And you can too. (And if you don't want to do it yourselves, it's just another reason to book your cruise using our preferred travel advisors.)

It also helps if you do a pre- and post-cruise extension so you have some flexibility in the travel dates, which helps with flights. We planned on exploring Cambodia and Vietnam on our own, bookending the cruise; our date flexibility significantly helped with our flight options. Also, keep in mind that a hotel night in Cambodia or Vietnam could be minimal (less than $200/night) when compared to flight costs or savings.

It's surely a lot of moving puzzle pieces, but all the logistics are worth it when you have wonderful memories after the trip!

21. River Cruise Ships Don’t Dock in Siem Reap or Ho Chi Minh City—They Dock Outside the City

All river cruise ships sail an itinerary from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, or the reverse. We expected the ship to dock directly in Saigon because a river runs through the city. However, this is the Saigon River (Song Sai Gon), not the Mekong.

Instead, we were on a bus for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes between Saigon and Mytho, where the cruise ship docks in Vietnam. The bus ride from Siem Reap, Cambodia to the ship in Phnom Penh was 5 hours. To AmaWaterways' credit, the team made the bus ride very enjoyable, stopping for bathroom breaks and a morning snack along the way, which was all included.

22. We Tendered from the River Cruise Ship to the Shore in Vietnam’s Countryside

We never knew that river cruise ships tender passengers to shore. We thought that's something only ocean cruise ships in ports from the Caribbean to Europe, or even Iceland. But we had no idea this was a thing for river cruise ships until this cruise experience. One day, while we were in Vietnam, tender boats came to our ship to bring us ashore for an excursion in a small city and a nearby village. That's how local this trip is!

It was more like a small water taxi than a huge tender boat, and it was very enjoyable, whereas I very much dislike the tender process on large ocean ships. AmaWaterways always ensures its accommodations, including tender boats, are up to high standards. 

23. There Were Ample Restroom Stops during Bus Rides

During the times we had long bus rides (and there were quite a bit, especially to reach AmaDara for embarkation and after disembarkation to get to Ho Chi Minh City), AmaWaterways was really great about timing bathroom breaks. And if you're anything like me, you want to know when and where the bathroom breaks will be, for peace of mind if for nothing else.

Where the bus stopped along the roads we traveled, which were pre-planned, were surprisingly quite impressive and modern! A convenience store was often adjacent to the restrooms, where guests could buy snacks and drinks.

24. Excursions Weren't Lengthy

We were pleased that most of the excursions were not lengthy. We appreciated that the morning and afternoon tours were approximately two hours, and we usually had time to relax for 30 minutes when we got back to the ship before our next meal.

We experienced so much during the cruise, but it never felt like we were run down or rushed. The pace was very enjoyable.

25. Active Tours Weren't that Active

If you're concerned about strenuous hikes or walking for miles and miles, don't fret! The tour options with AmaWaterways along the Mekong River were very chill. Even tours labeled as more active were simply tours that spent a little more time walking around the area (and it was almost always flat land).

The most active things we did during the entire itinerary were:

1) Walked around Angkor Wat's main temple during the AmaWaterways pre-cruise tour in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It's a large complex, and you walk quite a bit that day. You also have the option to climb some stairs to an overlook during the tour.

2) The optional climb up to a gorgeous viewpoint at Phreah Reach Throap Mountain during the tour of Vipassana Dhurak Buddhist Centre of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

26. The Flora and Fauna are Just Like Florida’s Greenery

As Florida residents who just redid our landscaping shortly before going on our Mekong River cruise, we quickly noticed that most of the plants in Cambodia and Vietnam, where we cruised, were what we had at home. We were not expecting this!

Funny enough, this was a piece of evidence that proved how much more alike we all are than we are different. There we were, on the other side of the world, and we felt at home with the plant life.

If you live anywhere in hardiness zones 9 through 10, you'll feel at home with the tropical plants, too. (We live in zone 9 in Central Florida.) We loved seeing plants like bougainvillea, banana trees, mango trees, Crown of Thorns, Crape Myrtles, mother-in-law's tongue, etc., in both Southeast Asian countries we visited.  

27. Cambodia is Buddhist, and Vietnam Has No Official Religion

We touched on packing appropriate attire for temple visits at the beginning of this post. As such, it’s worth mentioning that Cambodia is a Buddhist nation and Vietnam doesn’t have an official religion. If you are looking forward to learning more about Buddhism and/or buying Buddhist souvenirs, like Buddha statues, plan on doing so in Cambodia. 

Vietnam had some religious souvenirs and such to buy, but a very small fraction compared to the options in Cambodia. 

28. Traffic on the Roads in Major Cities Along the Mekong River Can Be Intimidating

Millions of motorbikes overwhelm Ho Chi Minh City, and tuk-tuks are everywhere in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. These modes of transportation add to the experience and urban landscape of both cities. Yet it can initially intimidate you, especially if you plan on walking around to explore on your own during your free time.

As long as you stay alert and cautious—and do not bury your head in a cell phone—you’ll manage navigating the streets and sidewalks just fine.  

29. You Visit Growing Cities and See Urban Landscapes in Transition

If you visit a city like Rome or Vienna, not much changes from decade to decade regarding the skyline and infrastructure. But this is far from the case of growing cities you visit during a Mekong River cruise, namely Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, and Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City.

You’ll see skyscrapers under construction, billboards going up, and bridges being built. Cities in these developing nations are evolving in terms of infrastructure and population.  

30. Cambodians are Simple People, yet They Shocked Us With This One Thing

Cambodian people who live outside urban cities, in small, quaint villages, are very simple people. We were welcomed into their homes during more than one AmaWaterways excursion to see how modestly they live.

They may have a small television and some keepsakes on display, but their homes are largely uncluttered, clean, and uncomplicated. Running water in these homes and villages is a luxury. It was humorous to see that, however modestly they live, they often have internet and cell phones!

Yet something we learned truly shocked us about them: families save beaucoup bucks to buy Brahman cows. They invest anywhere from $5,000 to $80,000 for a high-quality Brahman cow. We thought we had misheard our guide when we said this, so we asked again for clarification. We heard correctly!

Naturally, knowing almost nothing about livestock, we researched the topic upon returning to our cabin. We discovered that Brahman cattle are prized for their longevity, tolerance to high heat, and gentle temperament. Families buy them for being work horses, like for helping with the manual work on farms.

Your Mekong River Adventure Is Just a Booking Away

We really loved our AmaWaterways experience in Southeast Asia. We felt that we were in excellent hands with the ship, the crew, and all the associated coordination to make the trip happen. If you're on the fence about booking, we urge you to book it! It was a bucket list itinerary for us and we'd do it again in a heartbeat. And if you need travel agents to help you book things, don't hesitate to use who we recommend.