R/V MEKONG PRESTIGE II

Transcription

1 Saigon My Tho Cai Be Sa Dec Tan Chau Phnom Penh Koh Chong Oudong Kampong Tralach Kampong Chhnang Tonle lake Siem Reap 8 Days / 7 Nights From October 2014 to April 2015 R/V MEKONG PRESTIGE II 1/12

2 CRUISING SCHEDULE SAIGON - SIEM REAP October 9 to 16, 2014 October 23 to 30, 2014 November 6 to 13, 2014 November 20 to 27, 2014 December 4 to 11, 2014 December 18 to 25, 2014 (LS) January 1 to 8, 2015 (LS) January 15 to 22, 2015 January 29 to Feb. 5, 2015 February 12 to 19, 2015 February 26 to March 5, 2015 March 12 to 19, 2015 March 26 to April 2, 2015 (LS) April 9 to 16, 2015 (LS) SIEM REAP - SAIGON October 16 to 23, 2014 October 30 to Nov. 6, 2014 November 13 to 20, 2014 November 27 to Dec. 4, 2014 December 11 to 18, 2014 (LS) December 25 to Jan. 1, 2015 (LS) January 8 to 15, 2015 January 22 to 29, 2015 February 5 to 12, 2015 February 19 to 26, 2015 March 5 to 12, 2015 March 19 to 26, 2015 April 2 to 9, 2015 (LS) April 16 to 23, 2015 (LS) LS : Low Season 2/12

3 THE R/V MEKONG PRESTIGE II Built in the shipyards of SSIC (Saigon Ship Industry Company), the R/V Mekong Prestige is the second in a series of top of the range river cruise ships, specially designed to sail on the Mekong River between Vietnam and Cambodia. CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS A state-of-the art brand new ship Large, comfortable cabins with a minimum size of 20 m² (215 Sq. Ft) and private balconies An intimate ship with a maximum capacity of 64 passengers All local drinks included during the cruise at all times All excursions with an English speaking guide A wide choice of dates, with 28 departures 3/12

4 THE CABINS The cabins are roomy and comfortable. They are all outside cabins spread over two Decks, the Main & Upper Decks. The 28 Staterooms (14 on each Deck) have a surface area of 20 m² (215 Sq. Ft). They are all equipped with French private balconies, with large windows and sliding glass doors. Cabin amenities: twin beds that can be put together, a wardrobe and storable space; a lounge with 2 armchairs, a coffee table and a writing desk. En suite bathroom with shower, toilet and sink. A hair dryer and safe are also available. Air conditioning and climate control can be individually adjustable. The 2 Junior Suites are located on the Main Deck. They have the same facilities as the staterooms but with a larger private balcony. The bathroom has a shower and a separate bathtub. The 2 Terrace Suites are on the Upper Deck. They also have a larger private balcony, shower and separate bathtub. Public Guest Areas: the Sun Deck covers the entire surface of the top Deck and commands a splendid view of the River. The Sun Deck is equipped with deckchairs and a whirl pool. 4/12

5 The indoor area has 2 Massage Salons, an indoor lounge bar and a Fitness Room. PANORAMIC RESTAURANT on UPPER DECK can accommodate 70 guests. 5/12

6 SHIP INFORMATION Length: 68 m Width: 13 m Draft: 1.6 m 3 Decks: Main, Upper & Sun Cabin: 32 doubles Crew: 30 Flag: Vietnam Passenger s capacity: 64 6/12

7 UPSTREAM ITINERARY Saigon Siem Reap Day 1 SAIGON - MY THO (Lunch & Dinner on board) Meet at the Sofitel Plaza hotel in Saigon at 9 am for the transfer arrangement to My Tho, located 70 kilometers away. The transfer includes a stop at the Cholon Market and visit to a lacquer factory. Arrival in My Tho and welcome on board the RV MEKONG PRESTIGE. Lunch on board. Departure in the afternoon. Welcome Dinner on board & traditional Music Show. Day 2 CAI BE - SA DEC (All meals on board) Arrival at Cai Be in the morning. After breakfast we take a morning junk trip around Cai Be to visit a floating market and go ashore to see the French Gothic Cathedral. Take a stroll along the river bank and visit a local manufacturer producing rice payer and coconut sweets. Return to the ship for lunch. Cruise past Vinh Long Province to arrive at Sa Dec for an afternoon walk. The French writer Marguerite Duras spent parts of her childhood in Sa Dec, a sprawling busy town on the Mekong Delta. Both the school where Duras mother taught and the small house behind it where the family lived still stand. We see the house of Marguerite s Chinese Lover. The house is a small museum of «The Lover» in Sadec. Visit to a Caodaist Temple and stroll through the colourful local market. Night navigation through the Delta. Day 3 TAN CHAU, BORDER CROSSING (All meals on board) Arrival at Tan Chau in the morning, a remote town on the main Mekong River. After breakfast, transfer on small boats to visit a fishing farm. We go ashore to visit a local workshop producing woven mats, and take a short walk in the village to visit a silk weaving workshop. A rickshaw ride round this fascinating town takes you back to the pier for lunch. Depart for the Cambodian border. Evening cruise up the broad Mekong River to Phnom Penh. Day 4 PHNOM PENH (All meals on board) Arrival in Phnom Penh in the morning. The capital city of Cambodia still retains its old French colonial architecture in riverside streets. Visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. Lunch on board. Afternoon excursion to the former High School «S21», converted to a detention centre under the Red Khmer s rule between 1975 and 1979, followed by a visit to Wat Phnom after which the city was named. Dinner on board. Traditional Khmer Apsara Dancing Show on board. 7/12

8 Day 5 KOH CHONG PHNOM PENH (All meals on board) Early morning sailing from Phnom Penh to Koh Chong. Visit this silk weaving village for a morning walk at leisure and a visit to the local workshop. The excursion also includes a visit to a Pagoda and a meeting in a primary school to chat with pupils. Lunch on board. We cruise past the Mekong s timeless villages and river life with extensive fishing activities. Return to Phnom Penh and afternoon at leisure for a discovery of the city on your own and shopping at the Russian Market. Dinner on board. Day 6 OUDONG KAMPONG TRALACH (All meals on board) Morning journey upriver heading towards Oudong. Lunch on board. Arrival at Oudong in the early afternoon, 40 kilometers from Phnom Penh. Between 1618 and 1866, Oudong was the capital city of Cambodia. Erected on a hilltop this place houses numerous Stupas dating of the last Khmer Kings. We see the Vipassana Dhura Pagoda, a place of meditation for Buddhist Monks. After the visit buses depart for Kampong Tralach to visit the very charming Vihara of the Wat Kampong Leu Pagoda dating back to the last century to see the beautiful wall paintings. Return to the ship by ox-drawn carriage. Dinner on board. Day 7 KAMPONG CHHNANG (All meals on board) Morning sailing on the Tonle Sap River, which connects the Mekong River to the Tonle Lake. Arrive at Kampong Chhnang, located approximately 90 km from Phnom Penh. This is a busy rural port town with bustling markets. Then board local boats to visit the authentic floating village. The life of the entire population is connected to the river with local people using the canal system which criss-cross this little town. We go ashore to stroll through the scenic market. Lunch & Dinner on board. Day 8 TONLE LAKE - SIEM REAP (Breakfast on board) We cross the lake early in the morning* (Please note that when there is low water, the transfer to Siem Reap will be made by coach or speed boat). The great lake dominates Cambodia and is over 150 km in length, with interesting and varied bird life resulting from the varied the water levels in the lake and river depending on the time of year and rainfall. Disembarkation after breakfast and transfer to hotel in Siem Reap. *Important notice: it may not be possible to cross Lake Tonle if the water is low. Alternative arrangements will be made to cross the lake either by speed boat or bus to meet the pier. Passengers will be informed of details before departure. The cruise schedule and program timing are indicative and subject to modification. DOWNSTREAM ITINERARY Siem Reap - Saigon Day 1: SIEM REAP LAC TONLE (Lunch & Dinner on board Transfer from Apsara hotel in Siem Reap to the pier at Phnom Krom in the morning *(Please note that in case of low waters, the transfer to the ship will be made by coach or speed boat). Welcome on board the RV MEKONG PRESTIGE and settle into your cabin. Lunch on board. Afternoon departure crossing the Tonle Lake*. Welcome Dinner on board Day 2: KAMPONG CHHNANG KAMPONG TRALACH OUDONG (All meals on board) Arrival at Kampong Chhnang, located approximately 90 km from Phnom Penh. This is a busy rural port town with bustling markets. Board local boats to visit the authentic floating village. The life of the entire population is connected to the river with local people using the canal system which criss-cross this little town. We go ashore to stroll through the scenic market Return on board for lunch while sailing towards Kampong Tralach. Departure by bus to discover the very charming Vihara of the Wat Kampong Leu Pagoda dating back from the last century which has retained beautiful wall paintings. Return by oxdrawn carriage and bus transfer to Oudong, 40 kilometers from Phnom Penh. Between 1618 and 1866, Oudong was the capital city of Cambodia. Erected at a hilltop, this place houses numerous Stupas 8/12

9 dating of the last Khmer Kings. We see the Vipassana Dhura Pagoda, a place of meditation for Buddhist Monks. Day 3: KOH CHONG PHNOM PENH (All meals on board) Arrival in Koh Chong in the morning. Stop at this silk weaving village for a morning walk at leisure and a visit to the local workshop. Visit to a Pagoda and meeting in a primary school and chat with pupils. Lunch on board. Sailing to Phnom Penh and visit to Wat Phnom after which the city was named. Dinner on board. Traditional Khmer Apsara Dancing Show on board. Day 4: PHNOM PENH (All meals on board) The capital city of Cambodia still retains its old French colonial architecture in riverside streets. Morning bus tour including the Royal Palace & the Silver Pagoda. The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. Lunch on board. An afternoon excursion is arranged to the former High School «S21», which was converted to a detention center under the Red Khmer s rule between 1975 and Leisure time and shopping at the Russian Market. Dinner on board Day 5: PHNOM PENH NAVIGATION - BORDER CROSSING (All meals on board) The ship departs towards the border with Vietnam. We cruise past the Mekong s timeless villages and river life with extensive fishing activities. Crossing of the border and completion of the required formalities (normally lasts 4 hours). Day 6: TAN CHAU (All meals on board) Arrival in the morning at Tan Chau, a remote small town on the main Mekong River. After breakfast, transfer to small boats to visit a fishing farm. We go ashore to visit a local workshop making woven mats, and take a short walk in the village to visit a silk workshop. A rickshaw ride around this fascinating town takes you back to the pier for lunch. Day 7: SA DEC - CAI BE (All meals on board) Arrival at Sa Dec.. The French writer Marguerite Duras spent parts of her childhood in Sa Dec, a sprawling busy town on the Mekong Delta. Both the school where Duras mother taught and the small house behind it where the family lived still stand. We see the house of Marguerite s Chinese Lover. The house is a small museum of «The Lover» in Sadec. Visit to a Caodaist Temple and a stroll through the colourful local market. Lunch on board. We cruise past Vinh Long Province, located in the middle of the Delta region, between the two tributaries of the Mekong. Arrival at Cai Be, tour on local boats to see the French Gothic Cathedral. Walk along the river bank and visit to a manufacturer of rice paper and coconut sweets. Dinner on board & traditional Music Show. Day 8: MY THO SAIGON (Breakfast on board) Arrival at My Tho. Disembarkation after breakfast and bus transfer to Saigon city center. *Important notice: it may not be possible to cross Lake Tonle if the water is low. Alternative arrangements will be made to cross the lake either by speed boat or bus to meet the ship. Passengers will be informed of details before departure. The cruise schedule and program timing are indicative and subject to modification. 9/12

10 PRICES 8 Days / 7 Nights, cruise only aboard the R/V Mekong Prestige II PUBLIC RATE PER PASSENGER IN USD-$ BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY Low Season* High Season Stateroom Cabin - Main Deck Stateroom Cabin - Upper Deck Junior Suite - Main Deck Terrace Suite - Upper Deck Single Occupancy on Main Deck (upon request) *LOW SEASON SAILINGS: DECEMBER 11 & 18, JANUARY 1, MARCH 26, APRIL 2, 9 & 16 PRICES INCLUDE: Upstream transfers from the Sofitel Plaza hotel in Saigon to the ship in My Tho on day 1 and from the ship to Siem Reap Angkor Apsara hotel on day 8 Downstream transfers from Siem Reap Angkor Apsara Hotel on day 1 to the ship and from My Tho to Sofitel Plaza Hotel in Saigon on day 8. Full board in the selected category of the R/V Mekong Prestige All meals from Lunch on Day 1 until Breakfast on Day 8 Drinks on board : Mineral Water, non-alcoholic beverages, local beers (all day long) and local wine during meals On board tips/gratuities All excursions and entrance fees with English speaking guide as per included excursions in the itinerary The services of an English-speaking Cruise Director Port taxes PRICES EXCLUDE: Overseas flights Beverages other than those mentioned above Tipping/gratuities for land services Visa arrangements Insurance EXTENSION PROGRAMS IN SAIGON & SIEM REAP AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. 10/12

11 General Terms and Conditions ABSTRACT Full version of our Terms & Conditions is available in French upon request. They are subject to change. ( MEKONG WATERWAYS is a trademark of the French company RIVAGES du MONDE whose registered office is located at 12, boulevard de Bonne Nouvelle, 75010, Paris, France. The company is registered with the French Trade & Companies Registry under number RCS Ship owners Certificate of Insurance & Mekong Prestige certificate of protection is available upon request. 1. RESERVATIONS: Reservations are accepted by phone and . Confirmation is issued only upon our receipt of your deposit. Your contact is Joseph Radovcic: j.radovcic@rivagesdumonde.fr, tel: PRICES: All published prices are based in Euros or in USD. There are no discounts for credit card purchases. As a convenience to our customers we may accept credit card payments (Visa & (Euro) MasterCard only) but cc/bank fees will apply. All credit card payments must be accompanied by a signed authorization slip from the original cardholder. Third-party credit cards are not accepted. 3. FINAL PAYMENT: Full and final payments are due 30 days prior to the date of departure. Failure will result in cancellation of the booking. Program prices stated in all our brochures are always quoted per person and based on double occupancy. Domestic and foreign departure taxes, security fees, port charges, visa fees and other surcharges and government fees are not part of the program prices and will be listed as separate items on your invoice. 4. CANCELLATION CHARGES: If you must cancel your trip, you must do so in writing. Cancellation refunds will be calculated as of the date we receive your written cancellation. All payments for travel services not provided to the passenger shall be refunded in accordance with these Terms and Conditions: A scale of cancellation costs 119 days prior to departure will be applied as follows: Between 119 and 60 days prior to departure: 10 % Between 59 and 30 days prior to departure: 30 % Between 29 and 20 days prior to departure: 50 % Between 19 and 2 days prior to departure: 80 % Less than 2 days prior to departure: 100% 5. APPLICABLE LAW & CLAIMS: Rivages du Monde is a French company governed by French Laws. Any claims against Rivages du Monde must be brought to the courts of Paris. 11/12

12 Originally the Mekong was named by the local Thai tribes as MAE NAM KHONG which was shortened to Mae Khong, meaning Kong River or Mother of all Rivers. In Chinese, it was phoneticized externally as Méigöng Hé (outside China) whereas in Continental China, for most of its length it is known as the Làncäng Jiäng (Lancang River). In Burmese, it is called the Mae Khaung, while in modern Thaï, it is Mae Nam Khong. In Laotian, Mènam Khong, in Cambodian Méköngk or Tonle Thom and for the Vietnamese, Sông Cû u Long. 12/12