Southeast Asia River Cruises

River cruises are now the fastest growing type of cruise, narrowly beating out ocean, booze and Tom. In 2014 alone, 36 new river cruise ships debuted across the world. Unlike your typical cruise, a river cruise takes travelers deep into the heart of continental interiors, and can provide a more intimate and compelling experience. Well-known river destinations such as the Danube, the Reine and the Mississippi, are typically the first to attract passengers, but lately, people have been yearning for new, more exotic river locals, and Southeast Asia has welcomed them with open arms.

Haimark Luxury Cruises, a newcomer on the cruise ship scene, recently introduced three cruise ships in Southeast Asia. The Irrawaddy Explorer sails through the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar, and the Mekong Navigator and Mekong Princess travel on the Mekong River, which runs through multiple countries, including Vietnam and Cambodia.

Cruise Mekong also travels the Mekong River, but takes a different route, and spends time in Laos. Viking River Cruises offers their 11-day Memories of Mandalay river cruise, which sails through Thailand and Myanmar on the Irrawaddy. Bangladesh Expeditions offers a four-day paddle steam cruise through the Sundarban, a national park of Bengal. This cruise weaves through many waterways, including the Arpangasia and Bol Rivers.

Each of these cruises grants passengers a unique insight into the surrounding lands. You’ll be led past local villages, historical sites and breathtaking vistas. Some cruises even facilitate interaction between passengers and local residents. So if you’re thinking about visiting Southeast Asia, consider booking a river cruise. It’s sure to be like nothing you’ve ever experienced.