Mekong Serenity

The Mekong Serenity is equipped with internet facilities, and wireless internet (Wi-Fi) is also available. As all ships use a satellite system and, due to the remoteness of the cruise, the service may not always be available. Routing may cause reception to be restricted at times in certain areas.

Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the ship. Smoking is only permitted on the Orchid Deck. Smoking in your cabin, including your balcony, is not permitted.

Vietnam and Cambodia are conservative countries, so you should dress accordingly. As a general guideline, shoulders and knees should be covered when entering buildings of a religious nature and family homes. We recommend packing light to medium-weight clothing, along with rainwear for cooler or wet weather. Layers are ideal for varying temperatures and changing conditions.

The dress code is ‘casual light’. Daywear should be comfortable and casual, while smart casual attire is recommended for evenings on the ship. You may want to bring something slightly dressier for the welcome and farewell dinners. Formal or black-tie attire is not required, and both smart and casual clothing are acceptable in restaurants.

Comfortable footwear is essential; many excursions involve walking on uneven ground, steps, or ramps, as well as boarding or disembarking from the ship, coaches, or smaller boats. Shoes may need to be removed when visiting temples and pagodas.

APT requires you to advise us of any allergies or dietary requirements both when booking and upon arrival with your Tour Director. Most suppliers need advance notice to cater to your allergy and dietary requirements. While APT will pass on your requirements to the relevant suppliers, they cannot guarantee that all requests will be met but will do their best to accommodate them. Please note that you may be required to fill out an allergy form for our third-party suppliers.

Bedding Configuration: All suites on the ship can be configured as either Double or Twin share. Your preference will be noted at the time of booking.

Butler Service: Aboard the Mekong Serenity, the following services are available to guests in select suites.

Silver Butler Service: Guests in Bayon Suites will enjoy Silver Butler Service. Benefits include the laundering or pressing of two garments per person, per day; shoe shining; a daily fruit platter; the booking of appointments; and one spa treatment per person, per cruise.

Gold Butler Service: Guests in Angkor Suites will enjoy Gold Butler Service. Benefits include a packing and unpacking service, the laundering or pressing of two garments per person, per day, shoe shining; one bottle of French champagne; a daily fruit platter and pre-dinner canapés; tea and coffee service; the booking of appointments; and one spa treatment per person, per cruise.

In-Room Entertainment: In each suite on board the ship, there is a flat-panel TV with a range of channels. TV reception may vary depending on the remoteness of the ship’s location.

Telephone: Each suite is equipped with a telephone for making calls within the ship.

Air Conditioning and Heating: All suites on board the Mekong Serenity have individual climate control.

Adaptors and Electricity: Electricity is 220V on board your river ship and throughout Vietnam and Cambodia. A plug adaptor is necessary if you plan to bring appliances from home. Please note, the ship has European sockets.

Hair Dryer: Each suite is equipped with a hair dryer.

Safety Deposit Box: All suites are equipped with a safe for securing your valuables. Larger items can be stored in the ship’s safe at reception.

Mini Bar: Each suite has a minibar that is stocked with soft drinks and local beer, replenished daily.

Housekeeping: APT housekeeping staff will attend to your suite twice daily. Should you require any additional housekeeping requests, please contact reception.

The Mekong Serenity sails promptly from each port in accordance with its cruising schedule. The ship is unable to delay departures for guests who may not be on board. Unless you are on a shore excursion accompanied by an appointed guide, it is your responsibility to make your own way to rejoin the ship at a subsequent stop. APT is not responsible for any costs incurred if you miss the ship’s departure for any reason.

Daily Program
The ship’s daily program, available at the reception desk, includes details about activities, shore excursions, tour departure times, and more.

Docking Position
During port stops, river cruise ships may be docked side by side, obstructing views and requiring you to pass through other ships to embark and disembark. River ships may moor overnight midstream rather than at a port. Ports are not official docking facilities, and your river cruise ship will moor alongside embankments.

Under normal circumstances, itineraries will proceed as planned. However, if conditions make any routes unsafe for navigation, APT reserves the right to provide alternative services, such as, but not limited to, accommodation on the docked ship or substitute land arrangements. We recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance to cover any direct or indirect costs resulting from events beyond APT’s control. Additionally, refunds will not be provided for changes to your itinerary caused by floods or other events outside APT’s control. For more details, please refer to your APT brochure.

Your accounts are settled at the end of your cruise. Credit card is the preferred method of payment; however, your account can also be settled by cash (US dollars only). Prepaid Cash Cards, Diners Club Cards, or EFTPOS are not accepted. Please note that if you are using a Travel Card pre-loaded with local currency or USD, it can be used like a credit card. However, some credit card facilities in Vietnam and Cambodia may not be able to process these cards. APT recommends bringing additional credit cards with you, in case the Travel Card is not accepted. 

There are no medical personnel on board the ships in Vietnam, but shore-based services are accessible nearby. Guests are responsible for all medical costs, including practitioner visits to the ship. APT is not responsible for the quality of care provided. For this reason, travel insurance is recommended

Guests may have two garments laundered per person daily, with additional laundry services available at suite-listed prices. Dry cleaning and self-service laundry are not available, and irons cannot be used in suites for safety reasons. Due to the cruise’s remote location, laundry prices may be higher than usual.

During excursions, APT lightweight headsets allow you to hear every word of your guides commentary.

Tap water in Vietnam and Cambodia is generally not recommended to drink. Be mindful of different meals you will consume day to day while on holiday. It’s a good idea to pack some medicine to alleviate the symptoms of an upset stomach from eating foods that are not a part of your regular diet. It is best to drink bottled or filtered water when travelling. Always ensure the seal is intact prior to consuming. Bottled or filtered water should always be used for cleaning your teeth, unless you are specifically advised the tap water is safe for this purpose. If you are unsure, please ask your Tour Director.

Water Bottles

APT is committed to reducing waste, the use of plastic water bottles and the environmental impact of APT tours. As such, water refill stations are available in the hotels, in larger vehicles and on board the Mekong River cruise. We encourage you to bring your own refillable water bottle or purchase one in country.

Street Food

When visiting countries where you are unsure about general hygiene, please take care if buying food from street vendors or in small restaurants away from your hotel, cruise ship or recommended venues. At these places, avoid raw fruit and vegetables, dairy products (including ice-cream) as well as meat and fish not properly cooked. In general, it is safe to eat cooked meats and vegetables prepared in tourist hotels and tourist area restaurants. Fruit that you peel yourself is considered safe. You can feel safe eating anything served to you at the tour hotels and while on board your cruise. Never buy alcohol from street vendors.

Sun Exposure and Dehydration

Weather conditions may vary during the tour. To prevent dehydration, it’s important to drink plenty of water. A hat and high-quality sunscreen are essential to protect against sunburn, even on overcast days. Please bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated.

APT cruises and tours in Vietnam and Cambodia can be physically demanding, especially due to the heat, humidity and developing infrastructure. Many of the sites you will visit require a high level of fitness, as well as good health and mobility, to fully participate.

Some trips may not be appropriate if you have any certain medical conditions or mobility restrictions. In some destinations, excursions involve extensive walking, including standing on your feet for extended periods, navigating uneven or loose ground, stairs, and steep inclines.

It is your responsibility to advise APT of any preexisting medical conditions that may affect the normal conduct of a holiday package, your enjoyment and that of other guests. You may be required to fill out a Health, Fitness and Mobility questionnaire to assist APT in assessing your abilities.

Getting on/off the ship: During the Mekong River or Ha Long Bay cruises, you may need to board smaller boats to reach shore. At some ports, where infrastructure may be limited, and you’ll be required to walk up and down embankments.

Get Walking: In preparation for your trip, we recommend walking three times a week. Gradually increase your walks to an hour, incorporating stairs or inclines. This will ensure you have the stamina and energy to see and appreciate all the sights your tour has to offer. You should ensure your walking shoes fit properly and have been broken in prior to departure.

See your GP: Your GP or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventative measures, including vaccinations. We recommend consulting your GP or local travel clinic for detailed advice to ensure you are fully prepared before travelling. Please take a copy of your travel itinerary with you to assist with recommendations, and ask your doctor to prepare your medical history for a foreign doctor.

Medications: Prepare a list of your medications, including the name, dosage, prescribing doctor, and their phone number. Pack sufficient medication for the duration of your tour.

Vaccinations: Vaccinations may be required for travel to Vietnam and Cambodia. It is recommended to consult a GP or travel clinic at least 8-10 weeks before departure for the latest vaccination requirements and medical advice.

Allergies: APT requires you to advise us of any allergies or dietary requirements both when booking and upon arrival with your Tour Director. Most suppliers need advance notice to cater to your allergy and dietary requirements. While APT will pass on your requirements to the relevant suppliers, they cannot guarantee that all requests will be met but will do their best to accommodate them. Please note that you may be required to fill out an allergy form for our third-party suppliers.

Luggage

Each guest is permitted one piece of luggage, with a maximum sizeof 160 cm (63 inches) and a weight limit of 20 kg (44 pounds). It is advisable to keep your luggage to a minimum weight, as you may be required to look after it yourself at airports and hotels. An additional charge will apply for porterage handling of extra luggage. Your Tour Director will provide details of any additional charges.

Clothing and Footwear

Vietnam and Cambodia are conservative countries, so you should dress accordingly. As a general guideline, shoulders and knees should be covered when entering buildings of a religious nature and family homes. We recommend packing light to medium-weight clothing, along with rainwear for cooler or wet weather. Layers are ideal for varying temperatures and changing conditions.

The dress code is ‘casual light’. Daywear should be comfortable and casual, while smart casual attire is recommended for evenings on the ship. You may want to bring something slightly dressier for the welcome and farewell dinners. Formal or black-tie attire is not required, and both smart and casual clothing are acceptable in restaurants.

Comfortable footwear is essential; many excursions involve walking on uneven ground, steps, or ramps, as well as boarding or disembarking from the ship, coaches, or smaller boats. Shoes may need to be removed when visiting temples and pagodas.

Travel Documents

• Passport and visas (if required).
• Travel insurance policy including policy number and 24-hour emergency contact number.
• Travel vaccination certificates (if required).
• Airline tickets and/or boarding pass, APT itinerary and Essential Information (electronically).
• Wallet or money belt containing (cash, credit cards, bank cards).
• Photocopies of important documents, such as spare passport photos, important addresses and contact numbers.

Personal Items

• Backpack (extra layers, water, rain gear, snacks, sunglasses, small umbrella etc.)
• Reusable water bottle.
• Medications and copies of prescriptions.
• Sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitiser, sunglasses and sunhat.
• Clear zip-lock plastic bag to contain all liquids, gels, and aerosols from inside your carry-on luggage.
• Antibacterial gel or wipes.
• Travel-size toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, body lotion, insect repellent).
• Smart-casual clothing such as long/short- sleeve shirts, jeans, trousers, shorts, skirts, socks, underwear and sleepwear.
• Comfortable footwear such as sneakers.
• Windproof jacket.

Travel Tech Assessories:

• Electronics such as mobile phones, smart tablets, and/or laptops.
• Camera, memory card and charger.
• Plug adapter and voltage converter suitable for your destination.

Valuables and Security

Do not take anything with you that will create emotional or financial hardship if lost or stolen. Carry all documents, money, your passport, and tickets with you. Do not carry these important items in your suitcase. You may find a money belt, worn inside clothing, useful while traveling.