A new dawn in river cruising: APT’s Mekong Serenity leads the way in Vietnam and Cambodia
APT has added to its award-winning river cruise fleet with its most spacious five-star river ship yet, the Mekong Serenity, which is currently sailing itineraries through Vietnam and Cambodia’s major waterways.
Aboard the custom-styled Mekong Serenity, APT’s Asia river cruising experience amps up the sophistication.
This stylish new river ship embodies modern river cruising with an air-conditioned design, feature-filled accommodation options, fine dining and contemporary styling to reflect the lush surroundings.
Room to Indulge
Designed for no more than 88 guests, the Mekong Serenity’s intimate size ensures more room to relax. It offers more space to indulge in thoughtfully configured public areas, such as the Horizon Pool Bar & Grill, Serenity Spa & Wellness Centre and the cool refinement of the air-conditioned Harmony Lounge & Bar. Floor-to-ceiling windows open to river views and invite the outside in for you to bask in light-filled onboard spaces. Up on the ship’s Sun Deck, the warm embrace of Asia’s climate can be enjoyed at leisure, along with the views, as daily life gently passes by.
A Suite View
With just 44 suites on board the Mekong Serenity, the ship’s space-to-guest ratio is almost unrivalled along the Mekong. Featuring entry-level suites at a generous 28 square metres, the Mekong Serenity blends contemporary chic with every consideration and comfort. All suites are decked out with a discrete private balcony, so guests can sit back and soak up the views whenever they choose.
Onboard Butler Service
Here’s where the five-star service for which APT is known truly comes into its own. The Mekong Serenity offers a highly personalised experience enhanced by wonderfully welcoming and attentive staff. Impeccable service and turndowns are a given, but the onboard Gold or Silver butler service offers additional personalised attention and room service par excellence, from garment pressing to packing and a complimentary spa treatment.
Inspired Dining
Glorious fusion food, Asian specialties and European cuisine are all celebrated in a variety of onboard dining experiences. Guests can start the day with a champagne breakfast then immerse in the fresh delta flavours of Asia’s most famous ‘rice bowl’ – the Mekong. Enjoy a familiar taste from home on a whim. Throughout the day and into the evening, head to the Lemongrass restaurant where, thanks to our expert chefs, dining plays a delicious part on board the Mekong Serenity. Early riser and night owls are well catered for too.
All-Inclusive
When it comes to that sundowner or a la carte wine pairing, a range of beverages is served at your discretion. These include international house wine, local beer, local spirits and soft drinks – all part of APT’s fully-inclusive ethos. Relax in luxury and toast another tropical sunset or enjoy a light snack at the Poolside Bar without a care in the world.
Meaningful Encounters
Cruising the Mekong means more than an effortless getaway. Along this arterial waterway opportunities to explore Southeast Asia’s culture, cuisine and spirituality seem to cluster at every river bend. Market tours, cooking classes or a moving Buddhist blessing are a mere taste of the activities and encounters guests can choose to explore in depth. The journey is made all the more meaningful and flexible with our Signature Experiences and Freedom of Choice options.
Health and Wellbeing
Back aboard, the ship’s wellness spa, salon and fitness centre are at hand to soothe away the day, revitalise body and mind or work up an appetite for the next culinary adventure.
Guests can also take a dip in the resort-style pool or take the afternoon to curl up on a Sun Deck lounger with a good book or chatting to fellow guests (cocktail optional). On the contrary, if your client is keen to burn off some of the calories they’ll undoubtedly be consuming while onboard, Mekong Serenity has a modern fitness centre with a view to die for!
Travel Weekly’s highlight itinerary:
APT’s most popular key itinerary on the new Mekong Serenity is the 13-day Vietnam & Cambodia Highlights which includes an in-depth exploration of Siem Reap and the incredible ancient city of Angkor, where a sunrise viewing and tour of Angkor Wat stirs the senses and provides a glimpse into the region’s fascinating past.
Guests then join the brand-new ship for the eight-day cruise featuring lesser-known riverside gems including Koh Pen, Angkor Ban and Oknha Tey provide an insight into regional Cambodia and contrast beautifully with the bustling atmosphere of Phnom Penh, while a special Buddhist Blessing Ceremony in Oudong is among the highlights.
After disembarking the Mekong Serenity in My Tho, guests continue to Ho Chi Minh City to discover the city’s rich history and culture during a two night stay at the Park Hyatt Saigon.
Book now and clients receive a free cabin upgrade. Hurry, offer ends 30 November 2023.
Agent Resources
APT Travel Group have a dedicated agent portal where you can make online bookings, access sales tools and download marketing resources, HERE.
Your Marketing Made Easy
A free marketing tool kit is available for agents to easily promote APT Vietnam & Cambodia cruises and tours to their customers. Find everything to make marketing easy – Flyers, social tiles, eDM headers, images, maps, and more! Download your free marketing kit HERE.
For more information travel agents can contact their APT Travel Group BDM, call APT Reservations on 1300 278 278.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
13-day Vietnam & Cambodia Highlights APT Mekong SerenityLatest News
Tour Guides Australia backs Queensland Government Department of Tourism’s $2 million business capability subsidy
Tour Guides Australia has offered its full support for the Queensland Government Department of Tourism and Sport’s $2 million Tourism Business Capability Subsidy. The subsidy program is designed to boost the growth of Queensland’s tourism industry, offering up to $2,000 per eligible business to undertake targeted training and accreditation programs. “It is a significant opportunity […]
Club Med Musandam is newest addition to the resort group and a first for the Middle East
Club Med has announced the newest addition to its Exclusive Collection portfolio with the opening of Club Med Musandam, the first Club Med resort in the Middle East. Set to be unveiled in 2028, the development of Club Med Musandam marks a significant investment milestone, surpassing the $100 million mark. A ground-breaking development as a […]
Louis Vuitton champions travel in campaign featuring Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
Louis Vuitton has relaunched its iconic Core Values Campaign with a new chapter that sees tennis champions Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Shot by industry legend Annie Leibovitz, the campaign features the tennis icons summiting a mountain together in the Dolomites of Italy with the tagline ‘There are Journeys that turn into Legends’. Together, they […]
Garuda and Singapore Airlines to offer reciprocal benefits to frequent flyers, plus explore revenue sharing arrangements
Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines will deepen their commercial partnership and offer reciprocal benefits to their frequent flyer program members, plus explore revenue sharing arrangements for flights between Indonesia and Singapore, subject to regulatory approvals. The frequent flyer program agreement was signed by Garuda Indonesia CEO Irfan Setiaputra and SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong in […]
WIN: Up your island game with Stuba’s latest wardrobe voucher competition for Aussie agents!
Can you imagine lying in this hammock in your brand new tropical outfit courtesy of Stuba, because we certainly can.
My Fiji announce an exclusive deal with new Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
My Fiji have announced an exclusive deal with the new Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa, Fiji’s newest premium resort experience, offering exclusive packages for a limited time. Situated along the shores of Wailoaloa Beach, the resort offers 324 modern rooms, immersive amenities and world-renowned Fijian hospitality, Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort […]
Hamilton Island’s $30m family-friendly boutique hotel: ‘In the pool with the kids 30 minutes after landing’
While we all crave Qualia, we can't always leave the kids with the in-laws... shame.
Club Med’s Michelle Davies gives us the rundown on all-inclusive travel : Travel Weekly TV
Hint: at Club Med it's all 'thrown in', but Michelle does a far better job of explaining it, so we'll leave it to her.
Qantas and IndiGo pen new codeshare agreement for extra AU-India routes
Local curry house a bit too bland for you? Your journey to Masala heaven awaits.
Sydney Swans greats announced for Crown Princess cruise
Princess Cruises has partnered with the Sydney Swans to offer fans the first-ever AFL Member cruise aboard Crown Princess. This four-night voyage to Tasmania departs January 25, 2025 and guests will be able to immerse themselves in a once-in-a-lifetime Sydney Swans experience featuring special events and activities dedicated to fans. The cruise will feature Sydney […]
Most Aussies approve of sustainable travel, but the rest are over hearing about it, Booking.com report finds
Shout out to the 34% of you who are over hearing about sustainability... This article is for you!
Australia’s aviation sector COVID recovery complete, says ACCC’s Domestic Airline Competition report
Sick of the C-word? We promise not to utter it again - maybe. Even the ACCC says our recovery is complete.
Murray River Paddlesteamers offer 10 per cent commission for agents booking Australian Star sailings
The Mississippi it's not but the Murray River is promising a flash five-star cruise paddlesteamer.
Expedia’s chief technology officer and senior engineer sacked for company policy violation
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Apparently not as tech guru and top engineer get the chop post-conference.
Qantas and Virgin change tune on aviation ombudsman ahead of white paper release
Here on the news desk we're awaiting the arrival of the white paper like a new Taylor Swift album. You are too, right?
Gold Coast’s RACV Royal Pines Resort unveils 24m LED mega screen, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere
Too much screen time, or too much screen! At 24m long, this LED at RACV will be a challenge to read from left to right.
Wackadoo! Bluey’s World is set to open in Brisbane
Wackadoo! If this gets out, then the anklebiters will be booking flights themselves.
Listening to whales, followed by Ales and Prawn Tails on the Sunshine Coast
Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is preparing to welcome more than 40,000 humpback whales that are making their way up the Australian east coast on their annual migration. The Sunshine Coast is one of Australia’s premier whale tourism destinations, built on its long-established whale watching cruises and Sunreef’s pioneering Swim with Whales experience, which celebrates its 10th […]
Webjet relaunches partnership with AirAsia with a huge Asia flights sale
Online travel agency Webjet has have relaunched their partnership with AirAsia with a huge Asia flights sale, available until 2 June. To give customers a greater breadth of choice and price point, hundreds of new flight options to Aussie favourite destinations have been added, including Bali, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok via AirAsia, AirAsiaX, Thai AirAsia […]
The Star addresses US takeover rumours in ASX update
Personally, we think the world would be far more interesting if ALL rumours had to be addressed in the ASX.
ATE 2024 kicks off in Melbourne welcoming over 2,600 delegates to MCEC
Very impressive turnout here! Although we imagine it's bad news if you're waiting in line for the dunny.
Vivid unveils one-of-a-kind light and sound journey on disused Sydney train lines
Curated by an artist who thanked Sydney drug dealers for helping him win an ARIA, this commute will be a bit different.
Compass Expeditions’ Burke & Wills Karumba-bound 16-day 4WD adventure
A man's not a camel! 4WD enthusiasts get to follow explorers' ill-fated path... with in-car coolers on full charge.
Luxury Lodges of Australia adds Bullo River Station outback experience to its collection
This experience is so luxury that even the wild kangaroos have been known to wear Louis Vuitton.
Virgin under fire for cruise ‘giveaway’ made near impossible
Considering it was Sir Richard Branson who awarded the prizes on Facetime, we think these guests deserve a call back!
Search continues for missing after cruise boat tragedy on the Danube claims two lives
River boat tragedy on the Danube Bend claims two lives after cruise ship collides with smaller vessel.
Africa’s Travel Indaba gives $40m boost to local economy
If you've only ever visited South Africa for the safari then now might be the right time to revisit!
Aussie joins first female-founded private jet and luxury solutions business
These women are flying high - making history as first female-founded private jet and lux business - in the Middle East!
James Hewlett announced as new marketing director at Albatross Tours
Hewlett's spreading his marketing wings with this new role at Albatross.
Why luxury clients are opting for immersive experiences over material items
The Luxury Travel Collection’s (LTC) inaugural business owners Soiree took place on Hayman Island last week. The event saw luxury leaders gathering to find out more about the key trends shaping the industry. The Immersion Day, held on Thursday 16 May 2024, followed the growing luxury client trend of valuing immersive experiences over material items. […]
Empowering underserved communities: Expedia Group’s drive for more inclusive travel
Expedia Group has used the EXPLORE conference at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas to highlight initiatives that empower underserved communities worldwide. In a groundbreaking move towards fostering diversity and inclusion within the travel industry, Expedia’s Global Social Impact and Sustainability Team is dedicated to shaping a travel landscape that is safe, welcoming, and accessible […]
P&O rescues Rotary volunteers after collapse of Air Vanuatu
P&O Cruises Australia has answered a plea for help from a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers, stranded in Vanuatu following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The students, many of them teenagers from Albury, NSW, were volunteering for a youth project run by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly cancelled all flights, […]
Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan
Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]
Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role
Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]
Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia
Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]
Government urges Aussies to ‘reconsider’ plans to visit Noumea as New Caledonia death toll hits five
The government has updated its advice for Aussies who may be considering New Caledonia during this time.