River Cruise on the Mekong
(44 Reviews)
100% Recommended
Kim Johnston
Tacoma, WA
European and Africa Travel Specialist
Having been in the travel business for over 30 years, I still love my job selling travel. Of course, along with selling travel is the opportunity to travel, which is why most of us got into this business. I've traveled extensively across the wo...
Having been in the travel business for over 30 years, I still love my job selling travel. Of course, along with selling travel is the opportunity to travel, which is why most of us got into this business. I've traveled extensively across the world, with Europe and Africa being my favorites.
I enjoy making people's travel dreams come true. There is nothing you can buy in life that is more fulfilling than travel. The memories of places visited and enjoyed stay with you for a lifetime.
I love travelling and sharing my insights. Having traveled to Europe and Africa dozens of times over the past 30 years makes me especially well-suited to help you plan your next adventure abroad. I would love to assist in making your European river cruise or African Safari a flawless escape. I will help you craft a dream itinerary.
I work only with trusted tour companies such as Micato Safaris, Tauck Tours, Silversea Cruises and others that I have established relationships with. I know that when my clients travel with trusted tour companies they will be assured of a smooth trip, and should something unforeseen come up, they will be taken care of.
When you choose to go to a knowledgeable travel agent, you'll get someone that, many times, has experienced the destination personally and has intimate knowledge and tips to make your trip more enjoyable. We pride ourselves in our professional contacts around the world to make your journey better.
I'm proud to say that I won the National Travel Leaders "Agent of the Year" for 2013, the only vacation agent to do so.
I work with groups as well as individuals, with many honeymoon couples, retired couples, singles, family reunions, adventure seekers, relaxation seekers and luxury travelers.
I'd love to work with you, and make your next vacation a trip of a lifetime.
I had a great trip in Vietnam with Viking. Viking ships on the Mekong are different from their Longships in Europe. The ship is draws on French Colonial riverboat themes, it feels little more like a yacht than a barge, thanks to all the mahogany and teak and polished brass.The ship seems older than it is, which is probably on purpose. The river is crowded with stilt houses and sampans. The ship does not look out of place. Although the ship is bar bones, the service is excellent. The crew are mostly Cambodian and are really friendly. I was always greeted with a genuine smile. The crew are taught to learn your name and almost immediately they were able to greet me by name. Our room steward overheard me tell my partner I liked the house wine and he made sure there was always a bottle in our cabin.
There are only 60 passengers, so we got to know fellow passengers quickly. Staterooms are not fancy, which invited us to public spaces like the Sun Deck every day allowing us to meet and mingle other passengers. The deck chairs that line the Sun Deck offer some great views of life on the river. The cabins have small balconies, but we both preferred the Sun Deck. The ship has a dining room, a forward lounge, a small spa and a movie room used for lectures. It is good to get to the lecture room early to find seats with unobstructed views of the speaker. There is only one day "at sea" floating along the river, which makes for an active schedule. During the day, most people get off the ship for at least one guided shore excursion, sometimes coming back to the ship for lunch before going out again.
A word of caution. This may not be the right cruise for those with mobility issues. A lot of the ports don't have a proper pier. They use a temporary gangways or tenders access to the river bank. And there is not an elevator on the ship. The size of the ship prevents you from having to do much much walking while aboard. This is good since passengers are typically in their 60's. There are a few younger and older passengers too and most people are retired. Passengers are typically folks who have traveled a bunch and don't mind the extra effort it takes to see the sights. The searing heat and humidity are not a trifling matter. I loved it but If you do not like heat, this may not be the cruise for you.
Dress onboard and on land is casual. Dinner attire is "casual," meaning don't be a slob but you can leave your tux at home. Be sure and dress suitably for visits to religious sites. It is respectful to dress appropriately or you could get left outside a temple. At Angkor Wat, women are required to wear tops with sleeves and no short skirts.When it's hot, bring light clothing and a hat with a brim. Wicking fabrics are perfect. I wore loose-fitting pants and flowy dresses. A light rain rain coat is also handy in a tropical climate. Tivas are a good choice for exploring temples and the uneven grounds with steep staircases. all in all this was an incredible journey.