Two thumbs up. Five stars. Off-the-chart in customer service from the time we landed in Ho Chin Min City to the time we were dropped off at the Seam Reap Airport by the Scenic staff. This was my first time in Asia so I was in culture shock. The Mekong River cruise was a combination of cultural immersion during excursions to being treated like royalty aboard the five star vessel. The staff could not be any more accommodating. I was a single traveler in room 208. I was upgraded to this level because the ship was not completely full. The rooms are huge compared to other ocean and river cruise lines. There is a walk-in closet with drawers, a shoe storage area, a safe, ample space for your hanging clothes, and a minibar that is restocked daily with whatever you want. That's right. Drinks are all inclusive and my drink of choice is Pinot Grigio. There was never a time after my person found that out that my mini bar was without a bottle. There is a sitting area with a sofa, chair, and small round table. There is a balcony that only becomes your balcony when you open the electric balcony window. On the balcony breakfast type table was a live iris that was so beautiful it didn't appear to be real. Next to the bedroom area. There is plenty of space to walk around each side of the king-sized bed. There is a built-in night stand on each side also. The bed can be adjusted to your needs. I could raise the head or elevate my feet as needed. The bed was amazing! Usually, nothing feels as nice as your own bed but this was not the case on the Scenic Spirit. To the right of the bed was the bathroom. It was perfectly laid out. There was a make-up light mounted near the main mirror. The water was always hot with good water pressure. The glass shower had plenty of room. Each room comes with what is referred to as your butler. Honestly, they anticipate your needs and fall over themselves to accommodate you. I have never been treated like such queen in all my life. One of the greatest things about Scenic Spirit is that there are 24 hour washing machines and dryers available, WITH DETERGENT! I only washed three small loads throughout the cruise but how nice not to have to drag dirty laundry home. There is a spa with very reasonably priced services. I had a deep tissue massage on board and it costs about half of what I would pay at home. There is a daily early-morning (light) exercise class that was held in the top deck. They provide fruit infused water after each session. The excursions are so culturally immersive. The excursions were moving, humbling, and educational. Scenic does an awesome job with five star transfer service to and from the airport. Also, the hotels before and after the cruise are high end. Scenic Spirit, with Toby's supervision, ran like a well-oiled machine! Our guides, Duc and Dara, were class acts. Scenic is very blessed to have them. I will forever cherish the memories of my Mekong River Cruise with Scenic. I will never forget Duc or Dara. I will never forget Seyla. I will never forget the children in the villages and so much more. Thank you, Scenic for showing me the Mekong Delta in such a way that had me in tears as I boarded the bus for Seap Reap. The only negative I can offer was with the Scenic USA booking process, namely the flights. There was only one person in this office dealing with flights and she did not respond to emails well, or at all. She also booked an impossible schedule for our return flight which made us miss one of our flights (of 3) on the way home. Just make sure you review your flight situation well before accepting the itinerary. The cruise experience was so great that I won't hold a grudge against Scenic for the flights being poorly planned but the customer service from that area is something they could work on. Read Less

After spending 3 days exploring Siem Reap, the second larges city in Cambodia, we joint the Scenic Spirit for what I can only describe as a wonderful experience. Our first time on a river cruise did not disappoint. The choice of excursions was wide and there was one to suit everyone. As we sailed down the Mekong river from Cambodia to Vietnam we experience 5-star service on the ship. The food was excellent, you had your own private butler who looked after you every need. We met wonderful new friends and the ship was truly luxurious. The trip finished with 2 days in Saigon, Vietnam, again with many excursion options. The highlight for was was the Vespa foodie ride through the mad streets of Saigon as well as a Gala Dinner at a beautiful temple ruins in Cambodia. We recommend anyone who is looking for adventure combined with luxury to take this trip. Read Less

This was our second Scenic cruise and we wanted to try something different from the European experience. We were blown away by the diverse, friendly, adaptable culture and scenery we had encountered. As usual, Scenic checked all the boxes and then some. Every excursion was planned to the minute detail and excellently executed. From the tuk tuk rides to the oxen cart excursion, Scenic had all the i's dotted and t's crossed. We were even able to hear and talk to a Cambodian school teacher, a Buddhist monk and nun, a Vietnamese war vet/rural farmer and a prisoner of the Khmer Rouge. The various guides we had were extremely knowledgable and friendly. during our final evening in Cambodia we were treated to the most spectacular private gala dinner and entertainment at one of the Siem Reap ancient temples. The ship experience was outstanding with a Cambodian crew that could never do enough to make us happy and make us laugh. The Scenic Spirit was a smaller ship with 63 passengers on our cruise, but much more roomy, with tall ceilings and very spacious rooms, most with a separate seating areas. A nice plunge pool, complete with bar was nice to gather at after a day of excursions. The food and drinks were to die for, with local cuisine always highlighted, but other options available. Mr. G, our cruise director was especially attentive and informative, as were his staff. Mr. Duc (pronounce "Duke") was our main tour guide and could not have been more informative, friendly, and funny! We were a little disappointed with our cabin stewart, as he was rarely seen and misfired on a few requests. I believe he may have been new to the job. Overall, we highly recommend this cruise and we classify it as an experience of a lifetime! Read Less

I would like to express in this short note how impressed we were with the Content ,structure and execution of the whole event . As you would expect from 5 star operation , the ship and support vehicles were top notch , all clean tidy and operated by competent drivers and crew . Your staff made the event look and feel flawless from start to finish ,and I appreciate how much hard work goes into achieving that alone . As all good companies and employers understand , they are only as good as the staff they employ ,and in this respect you have achieved a gold star standard . From our well groomed Captain who navigated the busy Mekong river ,to the cleaning and laundry staff who worked tirelessly to ensure all was well at all times. ( do they ever sleep ) a great crew ,expertly managed These men and women were and are a real credit to your Empire . Finally but not least of all ,our Scenic guides , of which our principle guide in Group 2 was Duc Duc a handsome and rugged individual (some would say ) lead our small group in and out of various location in an efficient and purposeful manner , feeding us with relevant information and passing on the History of the local area as we progressed through the various locations . He managed to keep us safe , focussed feed and watered ,a real professional . Read Less

We chose Scenic for the Megong River cruise to Cambodia because the last night included a 1st class outdoor dinner in front of a temple, including a team of Cambodian singers and dancers. This final night dinner was outstanding and I would suggest that it would also be a perfect event for a Corporate Award evening. The ship was 5 star, very clean, well appointed with staff that were attentive, friendly, gracious and extremely polite. Food, drinks and wine were always plentiful and of the highest of quality. Only 60 people capacity......very nice size. It was a true lifetime experience that any North American would be in awe of partaking. The agenda was intense with a Varity of daily excursions. There is too much to review here, however, the Cambodian small town excursion, that started on ox carts, and the Angkor Wat temple visits were my highlights. I am hard to please but after 11 days I had nothing but positives for the cruise and Scenic the company. Rob, Ottawa Read Less

Recommended by friends this cruise did not disappoint. Great activities, who could not be impressed by Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Bayon Temple.Scenic pay particular attention to the finer detail, arranging trips not experienced by other cruises in particular the themed gala dinner at an Angkor temple where we were entertained by Apsara dancers, and Wat Hanchey where we had the opportunity to talk to a novice monk. Their enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides ensure you are informed in terms of the history but also relate personal and family experiences that really give everything a context. The ships facilities are superb, cabins offering plenty of space, light and storage, food that challenges the senses, with wine/beer constantly on tap. The onboard staff are the icing on the cake they are attentive, and display genuine enjoyment at ensuring you are having a good time. All of this is packaged with a social consciousness that you do not often experience. It was great to feel that some of the money from this cruise was going directly to local communities. This was not gifted but earned which ensured that there was respect between all parties. Not cheap but bearing in mind everything is included, I would highly recommended it Read Less

Friends recommended. This was our first Scenic Cruise. The cruise was excellent overall and the service, food, drinks were particularly noteworthy. Everything was very nicely and efficiently organized and there were no hick ups. It was always nice to see the face of Joyce who was the person in charge of hospitality, every time we came back from a land-tour or went to the dining room. Similarly many of the staff will always welcome us back with a cold towels and a drinks as we returned to the ship. They were always smiling and were ready to serve as as best as possible to increase our comfort. We also enjoyed most if not all Tour Directors and Tour Guides. Only thing we were disappointed with was the optional and sometime the Enrich land tours. Some of them really didn't have any cultural, educational or historical significance - just a simple and almost irrelevant walk-about. Bicycling tour in Champasak (Pakse) was awful,dangerous and boring. The roads were in poor shape and bicycles were also in bad shape. There was a lack of cultural and entertaining tours which would have given us insight of the country's/town's music, dance, traditions or history. Also we found during the dinner time that most people stayed with their country's people like the Australians will sit with Australians and the British will sit with their fiends from UK. So, there were not must opportunities to mix and socialize during the dinner. Scenic should try to encourage cross-socialization. However we met lots of nice people during land tours. The Gala dinner at the Angkor Temple was excellent, very special and well organized. Read Less

For the first time ever, we actually got separation anxiety about disembarking the beautiful ship and it’s amazing crew. The cabin, 304, was spacious and extremely comfortable. Most excellent beds and facilities. Service with finesse and an ever present smile. Dietary requirements were no problem. Each detail of the cruise was managed with finesse. Our Tour Manager was brilliant in his knowledge, humor and understanding. Thank you Huy. Thanks to Tobias, Cruise Director for being ever present and always available to handle requests of all kinds. The food and beverage product was of a high standard and extremely varied. Did not encounter any disgruntled guests during our stay. Would have happily stayed on board to be looked after by our most excellent Butler, Vibol. Ports showed us real life on the Mekong and excursions provided enabled choices that helped to inform and entertain. Embarkation and disembarkation was handled seamlessly. The whole experience was one to be treasured. Note that the journey from disembarkation to Siem Reap is a long one. Do not recall seeing that mentioned anywhere in the brochure. However as with all other Scenic managed activities, it was managed very well. Praise to Scenic’s product on the Mekong. Read Less

We have been on several cruises both river and sea since 1980. This was the very best so far for many many reasons. The itinerary was spectacular. Sailing the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia. If you are thinking of doing this. DO IT NOW. 5 years from now you will not be able to experience the personal level of meeting local people doing what they do from working on the river, selling in markets or making silver or silk. The Scenic crew was one of the best. You could not want for anyone anytime. The ship was excellent and the staterooms were two times as big as any I have ever seen. We bought the regular fare not the premium but I cannot imagine what else you would need. The food was very different but if you wanted standard fare, it was always available. I could write 10,000 words describing each day but I won’t. JUST DO IT! Read Less

We have just returned from a fabulous trip down the Mekong River on Scenic’s Spirit cruise ship. The ship, the stateroom suite, the staff, the food and the excursions were all phenomenal. The Hotel Manager, Toby, was on top of everything. His staff were amazing, friendly and attentive; they were all very genuine and caring people, paying attention to details while enjoying their jobs. The food was tremendous and plentiful offering both Eastern and Western choices. There was at least one shore excursion every day, with most days offering two excursions and sometimes three. The excursions were diverse, interesting and well planned, with a variety of options to choose from to suit different tastes and energy levels. The tour guides were amazing; they were knowledgeable and considerate, engaging both the travellers and the local people. We experienced parts of Cambodia and Vietnam that we would never have seen on our own. We highly recommend this trip. Read Less

From the moment we were greeted, we knew this was going to be amazing. The staff were professional, personable and friendly. The boat is incredible, the largest rooms, most comfortable beds. The food was delicious. The excursions really touched on the life and history in Vietnam and Cambodia. Loved the all inclusive nature. They took care of everything. It was nice having on board washing machines and dryers where we could do our own laundry, if we choose, as we had been traveling on our own for 9 days prior and were continuing on for another week after cruise ended. This was free including laundry soap. We loved the pool deck, great for cooling down after excursions. It was very hot during our trip, but we did have rain for 1 1/2 days so we actually had them fire up the sauna and steam room after one extremely wet excursion. That felt so good. Food was delicious, varied and abundant. Great choice of wines and cocktails. This was our first Scenic Cruise and won’t be the last! Read Less

We attended a local presentation. The catalogue gave all the pertinent information. Overall, the tour and cruise were unbelievable. All the activities and sights, eg Angkor Wat at sunrise, pagodas, circus, etc; were exceptional. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and considerate. When on shore, the meals in different restaurants were delicious and gave us a taste of their local dishes. The Hotels in Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh were definitely 5 star and luxurious. The highlight was the attentive staff and excellent food on board the Scenic Spirit. The Gala dinners on board were always well presented and delicious, as were the everyday meals. We thoroughly enjoyed the comforts of our cabin. Our butler was also very helpful and attentive. We learned a lot about the Cambodian people and their culture from the staff we met on board. Activities such as yoga, Tai Chi and swimming helped keep us fit. The massages were very reasonably priced and enjoyable. Also the free laundry facilities came in handy. Read Less

Having visited Cambodia in the past I wanted to explore the Mekong for my first ever Cruise. This cruise was recommended by a family member and some friends who had also been on the Scenic Spirit. On arrival at the ship we were warmly welcomed and shown to our cabin. The cabin was a delight. It was spacious, very clean and well set out. Heaps of storage space and a great bathroom. The bed was really comfortable and could be raised and lowered depending on my needs . The restaurant an all the staff working to keep it running very smoothly were wonderful. The executive chef Oka did an outstanding job by keeping the meals interesting and varied and prepared to a very high standard. Thank you Oka. The wait staff also did a great job and kept the food and beverages coming with a friendly smile. There was nothing i would find fault with on the Ship. When the time came to leave I really wanted to stay and do the return journey immediately. It was really sad leaving the ship and great crew. This was not my last cruise with Scenic. I will be back Read Less

I chose this cruise because of the reputation of Scenic and this cruise surpassed my expectations. On this particular cruise there were under forty of us , but normally there are around 60. It was the monsoon period which can put people off, but we had very little rain. All the staff and crew were attentive and caring at all times. The spacious rooms are extremely well appointed and have all the amenities you would expect in a five star hotel. There are plenty of spots around the ship to sit and there is a small swimming pool as well as a walking track on the top deck. The onshore excursions were historical as well as fun and entertaining and it is up to you whether to leave the ship or spend the day by the pool. There is also a spa where you can have all the usual beauty treatments as well as massages. This was definitely one of those trips of a lifetime. Read Less

Excellent holiday from start to finish. Smooth embarkation and disembarkation. Made to feel special throughout the whole time we were on board. Excursions were geared to cultural learning and emphasis on recent historical detail. Perfect throughout. Celebrated my sixtieth birthday on board. Made to feel very special with a personally iced birthday cake that we shared at dinner with all other passengers. The hotel manager on board the Scenic Spirit, Toby, was very knowledgeable, extremely efficient but had a fabulous sense of humour. He treats his staff very well and is appreciative of their hard work. All the bar staff, waiters, butlers and reception staff rated very highly. All of them worked to a very high standard at all times and nothing was too much trouble. The food was excellent and the kitchen staff accommodated everyone's needs. There was ample choice of food at all meals and many inventive themes at the lunch time buffets. Read Less

We have traveled previously with Scenic in Europe and after the first cruise down the Rhine and Moselle they won us over. Everything they do is first class. The Mekong cruise is no exception. The accommodation is first class, staff are magnificent, dining, service, excursions and entertainment are excellent. You always meet nice people on Scenic. Do yourself a favour and book with them on your next River Cruise..you wont be disappointed. The actual time on board the Scenic Spirit was 8 days with the remaining 5 days on land both in Ho Chi Min (Saigon) and Siem Reap. The accommodation in both those cities was 5 star and excellent in every way. There were organised excursions and/or you could do your own thing. Dining experiences were excellent with first class restaurants on the itinerary both for lunch and dinner and plenty of options to choose from. While the land content is excellent the cruising/on board experience is the icing on the cake and always a highlight of cruising with Scenic. Would we go again....absolutely. Read Less

We were on the 11 day Luxury Temple tour with 7 nights on the Mekong River, 3 nights pre-cruise in Siem Reap and an added night at the end in Ho Chi Minh City. Scenic is a top notch Australian tour line that more Americans should consider. What a fabulous trip! From the moment we were picked up at the Siem Reap airport we knew we were in expert hands. The Park Hyatt in Siem Reap and the Park Hyatt in Ho Chi Minh City are both beautiful hotels with excellent rooms and amenities. The tour throughout Cambodia and Vietnam is phenomenal. Our Tour Director, Lovy made us absolutely fall in love with our itinerary and the beautiful people and culture of Cambodia. We were wowed at Ankor Wat, the surrounding temples,the Buddhist Monks and Nuns, the Cambodian Circus, and the Killing Fields and Landmine Museum. It is heart breaking to see up close the results of genocide by the Khmer Rouge, but extremely important to learn about, never to be forgotten. We were humbled and grateful to have the experience. The Scenic Spirit is a wonderful ship. The cabins are spacious with heavenly beds and showers. The service overseen by Toby was exceptional. He was dialed in to all of the passengers and their needs, even arranging a late night Tuk Tuk ride around Phnom Penh with a stop at a roof top bar. Scenic is a stand out in our many years of travel. Looking back over the days and nights of this vacation, we are astounded at the enormity of memorable moments, places, and people. If the Mekong is on your bucket list, go with Scenic! Read Less

We chose this cruise because we had previously been on a Scenic River Cruise in Europe, for Amsterdam to Budapest and it was wonderful. We had never been either to Vietnam or Cambodia so thought this would be the way to see them. We travelled from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap. Before the cruise we spent time in Ho Chi Minh City, enjoying the clamour of the big city and eating in the local restaurants and after in Siem Reap doing similar things. Everything was thought of with Scenic. The ship was incredible. It is owned and operated by Scenic themselves unlike some of the other tour companies ships. It is luxurious and spacious. The common areas are large and beautifully decorated. Our cabin was large and airy and well appointed. We even had a bed that we could adjust both ends up or down! We had more than enough wardrobe space and plenty of other storage. The shower was the largest I have ever seen on any ship. The service was second to none. I have never felt so spoilt. Our butler was always at hand with drinks, food and any other assistance we needed. The wait staff were incredible. They all were. The entertainment on board was just what we needed, traditional dancing and singing. Really what we were there to see. The shore excursions were well thought out and educated us in the culture and history of both countries. Our tour guide was exceptional as were all of the other tour guides we had. They all were easy to hear and understand with the help of our head sets. The food on board was a mixture of Western food and local food and we enjoyed it all. It was a fabulous holiday. I could do it all again tomorrow. Read Less

Decided on an Asian cruise this time. Scenic provided a great ship,wonderful staff, top guides and a second to none tour experience. On top of this our Tour Director Hoan was exceptional. Our group provided some challenges to Hoan but he overcame these easily and with charm. He is definitely an asset to the Scenic organisation. We particularly loved the ship, the Park Hyatt hotels in Siem Reap and Saigon, a brilliant Gala Dinner at a temple near Siem Reap, the night time Tuk Tuk tour of Pnom Penh with Mr G ( Geert) , the Phare Circus and ,of course, the majestic Angkor Wat. Everywhere we went the food and hospitality was superb, especially on the Scenic Spirit. We have not thought ourselves the cruising type but having done Amsterdam to Budapest with Scenic and now Siem Reap to Saigon with Scenic we just may just consider another cruise. Perhaps a French cruise will be in order. Read Less

We chose this cruise specifically for the opportunity to visit the temples of Siem Reap but also to learn more about the people of Cambodia, their bloody history, culture and their cuisine. We particularly wanted to experience River Cruising in Asia in a new ship with a fantastic passenger/crew ratio withe space Scenic Spirit seemed to offer. The cruise scored almost a perfect score as we did not make use of the gym or spa. The accomodation was amazingingly spacious with the most comfortable bed we have ever slept in. The ability to to have a real balcony was amazing and the crew superb. Our names and preferences in dining and service wereknown within days of boarding. The Chef is a genius - always coming up with the taste of the local cuisine with only the freshest of foods. Entertainment consisted of local groups of school children coming on board to perform Lion Dances and other entertainments on the large Sun Deck. The highlight of the tour was the Gala Dinner outside the Kravan Hindu temple dating back to the 10th Century with its magnificent Dances, Table decorations and Gourmet food. Our cruise Director Duc To was friendly, efficient, and when my wife became ill in Siem Reap compassionate and caring. Read Less

The opportunity to go on this Scenic Cruise presented it self. It was a destination I had not thought of doing. It was not on my bucket list as they say. Too date ,this has been the most extraordinary cruise I have taken. Scenic is a first class river cruise company. I was so impressed with the ship accommodations. The room was a deluxe ocean view balcony the bed faced the water. The bed was so comfortable, and adjustable. The service from all who worked on board made us feel very welcomed and they where genuinely interested in making sure we had everything we needed. Breakfast ( you could order eggs benedict and other things) and lunches were buffet style everything was fresh and plentiful. Dinner was a set menu with choices of Cambodian foods as well. The most impressive and memorable where the tours Scenic had in store for us. The tour guides really made this trip for us. Mao and Lovy loved sharing about their country Cambodia. They work for Scenic and introduced us to other local guides to give us an in depth look at different locations. Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and the largest silk producer in Cambodia. We had so much fun riding in the tuk tuks and an ox cart! Everything was included in this cruise and when I got off the boat I did not have any bill! Post stay in Siem Reap just topped everything off. The Hotel Park Hyatt was above in service as well! Read Less

Vietnam and Cambodia were a Fantastic experience. Embarkations and disembarkation went very smoothly, no problems whatsoever. Everything was extremely well organized. Our tour guide, Hoan, was top notch. We learned so much from him and Dara. The excursions were fantastic. Hotels were 5 star. We felt safe and looked after at all times. Our fellow travellers were great. Service on board was just ok. Butler service (we were in deluxe junior suite) was non existent. My travelling companion was too ill one day to go out on excursion. So she stayed behind on the boat. She tried 3 times to order tea and nobody answered the phone. Don’t care about tea but if she had required immediate assistance there would have been no one to help her. DO NOT MISS VESPA FOODIE TOUR IN SAIGON. It was fantastic ! Watch out crossing the roads in both Saigon and Hanoi. Crazy Read Less

We choose this cruise because we had to travel to Vietnam for conference And had done the Amsterdam to Budapest cruise with scenic and loved it Knew 5 star scenic travel but was unsure what Cambodia and Vietnam destinations Would bring so did not have great expectations Well what a pleasant surprise both Cambodian and Vietnam people are so freindly happy people and what a great cutrural experience Staff on ship were so freindly , professional and nothing was any trouble Food on ship was excellent and catered for Aussie or European taste so only Small negative would have liked for local food options Would have liked some after dinner music entertainment Pool area was great only small but great just to cool off and chat to other Guests Coffee at pool bar was good small thing but important Enrich and free choice tours very good options and enjoyed them all Read Less

Relaxed way to travel,with not living out of a suitcase. Scenery was spectacular and seeing how the people live on the river was amazing. Staff on the Scenic Spirit were very warm and welcoming, they attended to my dietary needs with utmost importance and nothing was a bother to them. Our tour director Thuy was amazing in her kindness and knowledge about the country, she always greeted us with an everlasting smile and had enormous patience with everyone, she is what made our trip exceptional. Extensive shore excursions included up close to the local markets, historical sites, conversations with locals and interacting with the locals and experiencing their culture and food. Days were well paced and free time to ourselves was very welcomed. Relaxing by the pool with a cocktail after shore excursions was very enjoyable. We have done several cruises with Scenic and by far the staff on Scenic Spirit are the best, they all remembered your name even when we had forgot to wear our name badge, they were exceptional. Read Less

To visit Vietnam and Cambodia. Saw only a limited area of each country. Cruise was great. Guides were fantastic. Got to understand more about each country. Visits to war memorials were very informative. Felt very safe. Cambodians so friendly. Traffic is chaotic. Learning how to cross a road was a big education - not to hesitate when a motorbike is heading straight to you is a big mindset change! As usual Scenic surpassed all levels of service, experiences, and safety. Having everything included before leaving home makes for a stress free holiday. Deciding what to eat and drink are the only decisions to be made. This trip did disappoint in just one way. No pianist or musician. Essential for evenings as most days back to the boat early. Had some out of character early nights. River level of the Mekong for this time of the year meant some 'interesting' disembarkations. Too difficult for some passengers. Read Less