“You will be surprised how some areas are quite similar to the Amazon,” says Francesco Galli Zugaro soon after we boarded his new ship, the Aqua Mekong, in Siem Reap, Cambodia, following tours of the magnificent ruins at Angkor. Galli Zugaro, who operates two small luxury ships in the Peruvian Amazon, exported his exclusive and unprecedented cruise concept to Southeast Asia with three-, four-, and seven-night itineraries that sail the Mekong River and Cambodia’s Tonle Sap River and Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the region. For example, the four-night downriver Explorer Cruise (starting at $4,000 per person double occupancy) sails from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh with visits to the Prek Toal Core Bird Reserve and numerous floating villages and craft centers known for pottery, silversmithing, and weaving before reaching the Cambodian capital.
With only 20 chic and spacious (320 square feet) cabins, the ambience is intimate and sophisticated. Architect David Hodkinson of Vietnam’s Noor Design conceived interiors that channel a refined Indochine spirit while utilizing an abundance of local wood and stone and natural materials in muted colors that complement rather than compete with the ever-changing natural surroundings showcased through floor-to-ceiling windows. Four cabins connect for family groups, and eight suites have outdoor balconies where you can lounge on a day bed and watch the landscape pass by.
The ship's 20 spacious cabins feature floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors to maximize views.
Though it measures only 205 feet in length, the squat, black-hulled Aqua Mekong is equipped with unexpected amenities including a spa, fitness room, screening room, game room, and a swimming pool on the top deck, which also houses an airy bar/lounge that serves as a gathering spot. The rear top deck is dotted with chaises for sunbathing and relaxing between off-ship “soft adventures.”
The bar/lounge on the top deck is a popular gathering spot for cocktails or relaxing between... [+]
The rear sun deck offers space for al fresco lounging.
While Cambodia may lack the abundant wildlife of the Amazon, the twice-daily excursions are more culturally based with visits to sprawling floating villages, schools, and artisan workshops. Each morning and afternoon, guests hop on the skiffs that glide through flooded forests and bird sanctuaries or meander through the canals of colorful villages, where everything from gas stations to monasteries appear to float on the water. There is even a fleet of bicycles that you can opt to ride through the countryside and villages where excited children shouting "Hallo!" run to the road to greet visitors.
Four guides from Cambodia and Vietnam also stop for impromptu visits with local residents and monks to give you a more authentic viewpoint on their way of life. Upon returning to the ship, the crew welcomes you back with a refreshing towel and a cool drink. Afternoon and pre-dinner presentations in the lounge recap the day’s highlights, preview the next, and cover local history and traditions.
A fleet of bicycles allows you to explore villages and the countryside on two wheels.
Aqua Mekong’s Michelin-starred Executive Chef David Thompson, whose Bangkok restaurant Nahm recently claimed the top spot for Asia on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, conceived a diverse culinary program that echoes the laid-back elegance of the ship’s atmosphere. Menus alternate from Mediterranean favorites, such as fresh pastas or grilled pizzas, to toothsome Asian specialties including delicate noodles and lavishly spiced curries that flaunt Thompson’s talent for authentic Thai cuisine. Milder options are available for more timid palates. With time, the menus will increasingly reflect the indigenous cuisines using more locally sourced ingredients. Thompson’s vision is more akin to a personal chef preparing meals on a private yacht rather than a formal gourmet restaurant. “It’s about coming onto someone’s boat, where it’s easy going and casual,” he says.
Executive Chef David Thompson's award-winning Thai cuisine alternates with Mediterranean... [+]
Galli Zugaro echoes the sentiment, emphasizing that he wants guests to feel relaxed and at home from the moment they board Aqua Mekong for an experience that is in sharp contrast to typical cruise fare. “You feel like you are staying in a world-class boutique hotel,” he explains, “but in a setting you could never see that way.” Aqua Mekong rates include meals and drinks (including beer and house wines), excursions, transfers, and limited Wi-Fi Internet access.
Getting to Cambodia: Fly Korean Air’s double-decker A380 to Seoul with connections to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. First and Prestige Class passengers can pass the time sipping Absolut vodka cocktails in one of three Celestial Bars, and First Class passengers can sample a new table d’hôte in-flight meal featuring Korean specialties that have been slightly tweaked for international palates.
Where to stay in Siem Reap: Amansara This serene 24-suite enclave is located a short drive from the Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site, where guests can explore the area’s fascinating ruins with special guided tours that seek to avoid the crowds and offer in-depth perspectives on Khmer culture.
Where to stay in Phnom Penh: Raffles Hotel Le Royal Established in 1929, this landmark hotel with 170 rooms and suites has hosted world leaders, cognoscenti, and celebrities in the heart of the bustling capital where you can visit markets, the Royal Palace, and the National Museum of Cambodia.
Watch time-lapse video of the construction of Aqua Mekong here.
