On Location: An “Indiana Jones/Lara Croft” vibe – PAX explores the Mekong with Scenic

STORY BY DIANE TIERNEY

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours offers an exceptional Vietnam and Cambodia-Mekong River cruise for your clients who are not just looking for a vacation, but seeking a unique, exotic experience.

With Scenic, this particular voyage was akin to “Indiana Jones and Lara Croft meet Robin Leach” in all the best ways.

Soft adventure shore excursions – many to explore magnificent temples – are offered from the elegant 68-passenger Spirit ship that has upscale amenities. 

There are also 57 friendly and attentive crew and even with this high crew-to-guest ratio, guests also receive butler service to ensure they are treated like the “rich and famous.”

PAX participated in a Scenic media cruise from Sept. 1-13 from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to Siem Reap, Cambodia with a three-night, post-cruise land stay near Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious structure.

Land accommodations were at the legendary Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, which has welcomed guests ranging from Charlie Chaplin to Charles de Gaulle.

Plus, a special sunrise champagne breakfast was held at Angkor Wat and private candle-lit gala and show at the ancient Prasat Kravan temple.

Scenic is an all-inclusive line, so almost everything from airport transfers and alcohol to shore excursions is included.

Pre and post-cruise land stays are extra. Guests are well-heeled, well-travelled and generally 50+ from Australia, New Zealand, UK, U.S. and Canada.

“What makes Scenic so special is our truly inclusive proposition where everything is taken care of,” said Heather Lemire, associate director, brand and consumer marketing of Scenic and Emerald Cruises, speaking to PAX on board. “Guests also have a choice of daily excursions including our ‘Enrich’ special activities and tours that provide a sense of the culture and elevates the experience.”

Curated shore excursions

Your clients will enjoy curated escorted tours of many temples that will make them feel like adventurers exploring mystical sites – hence the Indiana Jones/Lara Croft vibe.

The movie “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” was partly filmed in the Angkor area, albeit with actress Angelina Jolie driving a Land Rover Defender. 

Scenic tours are so authentic that your clients can simply step off the Spirit, which is anchored and tied to a gigantic tree, and take a short walk to a remote village school to help children learn to read English. 

They can also visit spiritual monasteries and meet monks who will personally bless them during a ceremony if they wish – and donations are appreciated.

Or they’ll be amazed when taking a boat ride to see the daily life of a floating village where homes, a church and school gently bob with the tide. 

A tuk-tuk is the most fun way to visit a village that makes silk by hand, and has city markets, pagodas, museums, bird sanctuaries, historic homes and royal palaces.

A ship with Spirit

After a day of exploring mind-boggling sites, the Spirit has a top sundeck with plenty of shade, plants and comfortable furnishings for relaxing, admiring the passing scenery of jungle, farms, villages, cities and fascinating boats. A lovely pool and bar are at the aft one deck below.

Inside, there’s a dining room, lounge, bars, library, spa, fitness room, sauna, salon, laundry room and elevator – adorned by beautiful artwork by famous southeast Asia artists.

Spacious staterooms

There are several types of staterooms and they are spacious and welcoming with hardwood flooring.

The living area in some cabins is unique because they have a motorized drop-down window for fresh air. 

Cleverly designed glass panels and a door can be pulled out to create an enclosed balcony-style space or folded away. Guests can dine at the table and there are chairs, a couch, coffee table and desk.

Another unique amenity is an adjustable bed with a remote control so clients can raise or lower the head or foot area for the ultimate in comfort.

Bathrooms are spacious with a large shower and some cabins have a bathtub. Walk-in closets provide plenty of storage and a bar fridge.

Different regions, different dishes

Scenic creates special cuisine that showcases the destination. “We highlight different regions every day so that guests can try food they may have only heard about and never tasted before. But there are always western options available,” noted Lemire.

One day, there were unusual toppings – fried crickets, grasshoppers, silkworms, huge beetles and hideous tarantulas that are considered a delicacy – and a few brave guests ate them.

Meal portions are small – and incredibly artistic in presentation – and guests are welcome to order doubles.

There’s also a self-serve coffee/tea station and snacks in the lounge 24/7. However, guests can order room service almost anytime and if something is not on the menu, just ask and they’ll make it if possible.   

That’s entertainment

Local performers are invited on board and there are also port talks, sunrise yoga classes, cooking and cocktail demonstrations and behind-the-scenes tours of the kitchen and Captain’s bridge.

“The bridge generally has an open-door policy where guests can visit and speak with the officers and crew almost anytime,” said Lemire. “The hotel manager also encourages guests to let them know if they need anything – whether it’s a special meal, a tuk-tuk to go shopping or anything else. The crew are open to feedback throughout the cruise and happy to meet their needs.”

Support for travel advisors

For travel advisors, there’s a Canadian office in Vancouver for sales, marketing, reservations, booking, support and more.

Scenic hosts complimentary, in-person, information sessions three times per year across Canada.

Travel advisors can attend and invite their clients to learn about the wide range of itineraries to more than 60 countries. At press time, Scenic is offering free Premium Economy airfare plus $2,000 off a 9-day cruise/land tour and $1,500 off a 7-day cruise/land booking (conditions apply).

Online training is available at the Scenic Agent Portal and advisors will find the tools they’ll need, such as Scenic’s online booking tool ExpressBook, current offers, Agent Academy Training, Trip Personalizer, brochures, sales team contacts and more.

Additionally, there are regular webinars, events and product training sessions.

Scenic has also made it easy for advisors to share products and offers with their clients on social media via their Canada Trade Facebook Page. There are also videos for inspiration on Scenic’s YouTube channel: Mekong River Cruising | Scenic Ultra-Luxury (youtube.com), Scenic Spirit - YouTube. 

“Scenic offers a luxurious, all-inclusive experience with authentic and immersive land touring in the Indo-China region. The company goes above and beyond to deliver unforgettable bespoke experiences aboard the finest river cruise ship on the Mekong River. We set the standard for exceptional luxury in Asia river cruising,” said Juna Ueda, general manager, sales, Canada, at Scenic.

Be sure to check out Scenic’s new southeast Asia brochure to inspire your clients to see these fascinating countries in such a safe and comfortable way. 

A designated shore excursion leader will be by their side to ensure they are well looked after and see sites they’ll never forget.

Diane Tierney has been on 92 cruises to 57 countries and has 140,000 followers on Instagram @Cruiseguru.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.