RV Mekong Jewel

RV Mekong Jewel ship cruises on Mekong River, with regularly scheduled itinerary program visiting ports in Vietnam and Cambodia. Departures are offered from homeports between Saigon (Vietnam) and Siem Reap (Cambodia). The vessel is ranked as 5-star hotel ship.

Mekong Jewel is due to replace Uniworld's Asian riverboat Mekong Navigator. Also in 2020, Uniworld introduced two more newbuild riverboats - the fleetmates SS Sao Gabriel (on Douro River in Portugal) and SS Sphinx (on Nile River in Egypt).

This new riverboat (2020-built) is owned by Lotus Cruises Co Ltd (Halong Bay Vietnam-based family business) and operated under charter by Uniworld (officially "Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection") is a major river cruise company and subsidiary of The Travel Corporation (TTC). The new riverboat is also operated under charter by the brand Rainforest Cruises. This top-luxury travel company specializes in cruise tours on the Amazon River (Peru, Brazil and Ecuador), Mekong and Irrawaddy rivers (Southeast Asia), as well as Galapagos Islands (South America).

Among the newest riverboats on Mekong River, Mekong Jewel ship was specifically designed as an eco-friendly vessel featuring a special hull painting (that creates less drag), energy-efficient air-conditioning, LED lighting (throughout), latest-technology propulsion system based on new-generation propellers (that generate minimum noise and vibrations).

UNIWORLD Mekong River cruise itineraries

The inaugural cruise is scheduled for January 3, 2020. The ship operates a 13-day cruise tour itinerary between Saigon and Siem Reap (northbound and southbound), with ports (sequence on the northbound route) in Vietnam's Mekong Delta (My Tho, Cai Be, Vinh Long, Sa Dec, Cu Lao Gieng Island, Tan Chau), Phnom Penh (Cambodia's capital), Angkor Ban, Kampong Cham, Wat Hanchey Temple.

Next is listed riverboat's day-2-day schedule as officially announced by UNIWORLD:

• DAY 1: Saigon - arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, optional group transfer or private transfer, Uniworld representative greet-and-meet, bus transfer to a luxury hotel, private check-in with welcome drinks
• DAY 2: Saigon excursions (Ho Chi Minh City, Dinner Cruise on Saigon Princess)
• DAY 3: Saigon, bus transfer to My Tho (cruise ship embarkation), cruising to Cai Be, excursion (Cu Chi Tunnels)
• DAY 4: Cai Be, Vinh Long
• DAY 5: Sa Dec, Gieng Island, Hong Ngu, Mekong cruising
• DAY 6: Hong Ngu, Mekong cruising, Phnom Penh
• DAY 7: Phnom Penh
• DAY 8: Phnom Penh, Mekong cruising
• DAY 9: Angkor Ban, Wat Hanchey
• DAY 10: Kampong Cham (cruise ship debarkation in the morning), bus transfer to Siem Reap
• DAY 11: Siem Reap - excursions (Angkor Wat Temples, Khmer Noodle House / Preah Dak Village)
• DAY 12: Siem Reap - excursions (Angkor Thom ruins, Bayon, Ta Prohm), shipboard Apsara dance show and gala dinner
• DAY 13: Siem Reap - hotel check-out, transfer to Siem Reap-Angkor Airport for home flight.

Cabins

The cruise ship has a total of 34 cabins (all outside and with double-occupancy) featuring modern designs and providing 5-star hotel amenities and services. All Mekong Jewel staterooms offer as standard (complimentary / cruise price-inclusive) amenities floor-ceiling windows (opening to either French Balcony or step-out Balcony), one Queen-size bed (convertible to two twin beds), luxury bedding sets, pillow menu, bedside tables with reading lamps, top-class laminate flooring, mini-bar (fully-stocked refrigerator), wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), HDTV, en-suite bathroom (single-sink vanity, under-sink storage, WC-toilet, glass shower, large gold framed mirror, rainfall shower head, hairdryer, premium bath amenities, towels), individually (thermostat) controlled) air-conditioning, lounge area (glass-top coffee table, armchairs, mirrored vanity table / writing desk with chair), recessed ceiling with LED lights and ceiling fan.

The French Balcony Vista Suites (Main Deck) and the Balcony Signature Suites (Upper Deck) are similarly sized (30-31 m2) and with the same amenities. The largest and most-luxurious cabins are on Deck 4 (Sundeck's forward section) and in categories Prestige Suite (51 m2) and Grande Suite (85 m2). Both top-cabin categories are with full step-out balconies, one King-size bed (non-convertible to twins), larger bathrooms (with whirlpool tub, separate shower, double-sink vanity), larger lounge area (with round-shaped 3-seat sofa and armchair). Bonus amenities (Prestige--Grande Suite perks) include free laundry (daily), dedicated butler service, 1-hour Spa treatment, 1-hour Sauna.

Grande Suite's veranda has an outdoor hot tub and premium seating  (2 sun loungers, low table with 2 chairs), daybed. mini-bar, free daily laundry and personal butler service and private in-room dining options only available to Grande Suite guests.

Shipboard facilities

The Lotus Cruises riverboat Mekong Jewel features a premium Emerald Dining Hall (indoor restaurant), Diamond Alfresco Restaurant (Upper Deck), two spacious bar lounges - indoor (Sapphire Lounge) and outdoor (Jade Spirit Sky Lounge), spacious Sundeck with comfortable seating and served by Sky Bar. Modern navigation technologies, highest service standards and professionally-trained and experienced crew ensure customers' pre premium cruising travel vacation experience.

Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style, while for dinner is waiter-served. The ship's menus are based on traditional Western and Asian cuisine specialties, with vegan and vegetarian dishes also on offer. Meals are always fresh-cooked and of mainly locally produced and fresh-purchased products - like organic vegetables, exotic fruits, fish, prawns. Breakfasts may be also alternatively served on the cabin balcony if the passengers fill-up a menu form the day before.

Complimentary Internet is available in all ship's public areas (free-of-charge, but connections could be slow - depending on ship's current location). Topaz Library is fitted with books, popular board games and Internet-connected computer stations. The wellness complex Cochinchine Spa (massage rooms and lounge) provide a range of treatments from professional staff. Suite passengers enjoy complimentary 1-hour spa service (your-choice massage) during the voyage.

RV Mekong Jewel also has Fitness Center - large-windowed gym room equipped with latest training machines and free weights. Other onboard facilities include an outdoor swimming pool (aft on Sun Deck, pool deck served by Sky Bar), Beauty Parlor (Nail Bar and Hair Salon / hairdresser-barber services), Gift Shop, spacious Foyer (Lobby area with Reception Desk, 24-hour coffee station / self-service), Lift (passenger elevator connecting all decks), Sauna Room (infra-red), Steam Room, Laundry Room (self-service).

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.