Grand Indochina & Luxury Mekong
Grand Indochina & Luxury Mekong
Cruise overview
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About Hanoi
About Hanoi
About Ha Long Bay
A visit to the north is not complete without a trip to Halong Bay, where placid waters give way to more than 3,000 limestone karsts and wind-sculpted limestone formations that jut from foggy lagoons. Dotting the bay are tiny islands bordered by white sandy coves and hidden caves, adding to the majestic landscape of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Adding to this naturalist’s dream is the biodiversity of islets, grottos, and Cat Ba Island National Park. The bay, however, shows tourism’s impact: the clearing of mangrove forests to make way for jetties and piers, marine life threatened by game fishing, and garbage from passenger boats and fishing villages washed up on the shores.Beyond its geological uniqueness are activities like hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, or exploring one of the many floating villages where fishermen bring in their daily catch. The downside to all this allure is the large number of unlicensed boats it draws to the bay each day.Boat trips out onto the bay are the main tourism stock in trade farther north, but a more multifaceted side of the area can be experienced at Cat Ba Island. The largest island in Halong Bay, Cat Ba is very much its own entity. Its national park offers incredible biodiversity, with more than a thousand species of plants having been recorded here. Animal life is slightly thinner on the ground, but alert visitors may spy inhabitants such as the endangered golden-headed langur, wild boar, deer, civets, and several species of squirrel. Trekking through the wilderness is a highlight with a number of fascinating trails to follow.Cat Ba Island has also become a firm favorite with the adventure sports set. Indeed, along with Railay Beach in Thailand, it is recognized as one of the top spots in the region for rock climbing. Other outdoor pursuits include sailing and kayaking around the karsts. Although Halong Bay has arguably been tainted by over-exposure, Bai Tu Long Bay farther east toward China, retains all the majesty of Vietnam’s premier bucket-list natural attraction but sees a fraction of the traffic of its immediate neighbor to the west. Here, visitors will find islands of substantial size with deserted beaches and untamed jungle. Halong Bay's 3,000 islands of dolomite and limestone cover a 1,500-square-km (580-square-mile) area, extending across the Gulf of Tonkin nearly to the Chinese border. According to legend, this breathtaking land- and seascape was formed by a giant dragon that came barreling out of the mountains toward the ocean—hence the name (Halong translates into "descent of the dragon"). Geologists are more likely to attribute the formations to sedimentary limestone that formed here between 300 and 500 million years ago, in the Paleozoic Era. Over millions of years water receded and exposed the limestone to wind, rain, and tidal erosion.Today the limestone formations are exposed to hordes of tourists—but don't let that discourage you. Hundreds of fishing trawlers and tour boats share space on these crystal waters, yet there seems to be room for everyone. Most people use the main population center, Halong City, as a base from which to venture into the bay. Although it's now officially one municipality, Halong City was, until 1996, two separate towns: Bai Chay is now Halong City West, where Halong Road winds its way around the coast and past the lifeless central beach; Hon Gai is the grimier Halong City East, where a coal transportation depot dominates the center of town and covers nearby roads and buildings with a sooty film. Locals still refer to the towns by their old names, but they are now inexorably lassoed together by a bridge. Boat trips through Halong Bay are the main attraction. Little of the majesty of this region can be found in the city, so head out onto the water and start exploring. Countless 10- and 30-foot fishing boats have been converted into Halong Bay's formidable tourist-boat fleet. Hotels or travel agencies in Halong City or Hanoi can arrange boat trips for you (often they are part of organized tours from Hanoi). It is still possible to go down to the wharf and bargain yourself onto a boat for the day, but you are likely to be charged (sometimes significantly) more than you would pay for a prebooked tour, so this is not advised. Self-sufficient travelers have fallen victim to the old bait-and-switch: they've arranged a next-day boat tour with local fishermen, only to be told in no uncertain terms the following morning that they could not board their chosen boat, but they could take a different one for quite a bit more money. You may have no choice in the end. Usually travel agencies, however, have their tried-and-true favorites.
About Hoi An
About Hoi An
About Hue
About Ho Chi Minh City
Romantically referred to by the French as the Pearl of the Orient, Ho Chi Minh City today is a super-charged city of sensory overload. Motorbikes zoom day and night along the wide boulevards, through the narrow back alleys and past vendors pushing handcarts hawking goods of all descriptions. Still called Saigon by most residents, this is Vietnam's largest city and the engine driving the country's current economic resurgence, but despite its frenetic pace, it's a friendlier place than Hanoi and locals will tell you the food—simple, tasty, and incorporating many fresh herbs—is infinitely better than in the capital.This is a city full of surprises. The madness of the city's traffic—witness the oddball things that are transported on the back of motorcycles—is countered by tranquil pagodas, peaceful parks, quirky coffee shops, and whole neighborhoods hidden down tiny alleyways, although some of these quiet spots can be difficult to track down. Life in Ho Chi Minh City is lived in public: on the back of motorcycles, on the sidewalks, and in the parks. Even when its residents are at home, they're still on display. With many living rooms opening onto the street, grandmothers napping, babies being rocked, and food being prepared, are all in full view of passersby.Icons of the past endure in the midst of the city’s headlong rush into capitalism. The Hotel Continental, immortalized in Graham Greene's The Quiet American, continues to stand on the corner of old Indochina's most famous thoroughfare, the rue Catinat, known to American G.I.s during the Vietnam War as Tu Do (Freedom) Street and renamed Dong Khoi (Uprising) Street by the Communists. The city still has its ornate opera house and its old French city hall, the Hôtel de Ville. The broad colonial boulevards leading to the Saigon River and the gracious stucco villas are other remnants of the French colonial presence. Grisly reminders of the more recent past can be seen at the city's war-related museums. Residents, however, prefer to look forward rather than back and are often perplexed by tourists' fascination with a war that ended 40 years ago.The Chinese influence on the country is still very much in evidence in the Cholon district, the city's Chinatown, but the modern office towers and international hotels that mark the skyline symbolize Vietnam's fixation on the future.
About Ho Chi Minh City
Romantically referred to by the French as the Pearl of the Orient, Ho Chi Minh City today is a super-charged city of sensory overload. Motorbikes zoom day and night along the wide boulevards, through the narrow back alleys and past vendors pushing handcarts hawking goods of all descriptions. Still called Saigon by most residents, this is Vietnam's largest city and the engine driving the country's current economic resurgence, but despite its frenetic pace, it's a friendlier place than Hanoi and locals will tell you the food—simple, tasty, and incorporating many fresh herbs—is infinitely better than in the capital.This is a city full of surprises. The madness of the city's traffic—witness the oddball things that are transported on the back of motorcycles—is countered by tranquil pagodas, peaceful parks, quirky coffee shops, and whole neighborhoods hidden down tiny alleyways, although some of these quiet spots can be difficult to track down. Life in Ho Chi Minh City is lived in public: on the back of motorcycles, on the sidewalks, and in the parks. Even when its residents are at home, they're still on display. With many living rooms opening onto the street, grandmothers napping, babies being rocked, and food being prepared, are all in full view of passersby.Icons of the past endure in the midst of the city’s headlong rush into capitalism. The Hotel Continental, immortalized in Graham Greene's The Quiet American, continues to stand on the corner of old Indochina's most famous thoroughfare, the rue Catinat, known to American G.I.s during the Vietnam War as Tu Do (Freedom) Street and renamed Dong Khoi (Uprising) Street by the Communists. The city still has its ornate opera house and its old French city hall, the Hôtel de Ville. The broad colonial boulevards leading to the Saigon River and the gracious stucco villas are other remnants of the French colonial presence. Grisly reminders of the more recent past can be seen at the city's war-related museums. Residents, however, prefer to look forward rather than back and are often perplexed by tourists' fascination with a war that ended 40 years ago.The Chinese influence on the country is still very much in evidence in the Cholon district, the city's Chinatown, but the modern office towers and international hotels that mark the skyline symbolize Vietnam's fixation on the future.
About Ho Chi Minh City
Romantically referred to by the French as the Pearl of the Orient, Ho Chi Minh City today is a super-charged city of sensory overload. Motorbikes zoom day and night along the wide boulevards, through the narrow back alleys and past vendors pushing handcarts hawking goods of all descriptions. Still called Saigon by most residents, this is Vietnam's largest city and the engine driving the country's current economic resurgence, but despite its frenetic pace, it's a friendlier place than Hanoi and locals will tell you the food—simple, tasty, and incorporating many fresh herbs—is infinitely better than in the capital.This is a city full of surprises. The madness of the city's traffic—witness the oddball things that are transported on the back of motorcycles—is countered by tranquil pagodas, peaceful parks, quirky coffee shops, and whole neighborhoods hidden down tiny alleyways, although some of these quiet spots can be difficult to track down. Life in Ho Chi Minh City is lived in public: on the back of motorcycles, on the sidewalks, and in the parks. Even when its residents are at home, they're still on display. With many living rooms opening onto the street, grandmothers napping, babies being rocked, and food being prepared, are all in full view of passersby.Icons of the past endure in the midst of the city’s headlong rush into capitalism. The Hotel Continental, immortalized in Graham Greene's The Quiet American, continues to stand on the corner of old Indochina's most famous thoroughfare, the rue Catinat, known to American G.I.s during the Vietnam War as Tu Do (Freedom) Street and renamed Dong Khoi (Uprising) Street by the Communists. The city still has its ornate opera house and its old French city hall, the Hôtel de Ville. The broad colonial boulevards leading to the Saigon River and the gracious stucco villas are other remnants of the French colonial presence. Grisly reminders of the more recent past can be seen at the city's war-related museums. Residents, however, prefer to look forward rather than back and are often perplexed by tourists' fascination with a war that ended 40 years ago.The Chinese influence on the country is still very much in evidence in the Cholon district, the city's Chinatown, but the modern office towers and international hotels that mark the skyline symbolize Vietnam's fixation on the future.
About Cái Bè
About Sa Déc
About Tân Châu
About Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s busy capital, sits at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers. It was a hub for both the Khmer Empire and French colonialists. On its walkable riverfront, lined with parks, restaurants and bars, are the ornate Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, displaying artifacts from around the country. At the city’s heart is the massive, art deco Central Market.
About Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s busy capital, sits at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers. It was a hub for both the Khmer Empire and French colonialists. On its walkable riverfront, lined with parks, restaurants and bars, are the ornate Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, displaying artifacts from around the country. At the city’s heart is the massive, art deco Central Market.
About Oudong
About Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s busy capital, sits at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers. It was a hub for both the Khmer Empire and French colonialists. On its walkable riverfront, lined with parks, restaurants and bars, are the ornate Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, displaying artifacts from around the country. At the city’s heart is the massive, art deco Central Market.
About Angkor Ban
About Kampong Cham
About Kampong Cham
About Siem Reap
About Siem Reap
About Siem Reap
About Siem Reap
About Luang Prabang
About Luang Prabang
About Luang Prabang
These indulgent, spacious suites redefine industry standards and feature a private terrace, where you can unwind in your outdoor Jacuzzi and take in 180° views. Enjoy a range of exclusive inclusions while staying in your Royal Panorama Suite, from private transfers to in-suite breakfast, and hotel privileges when on your combined land journey.
Suite Highlights
- A Queen-size Scenic Slumber Bed with a pillow menu
- Scenic Sun Lounge, for wide-angle splendour at the press of a button
- Separate lounge area
- Walk-in wardrobe
- Oversized bathroom with bath
Amenities & Features
- Club Floor privileges at the Caravelle Saigon and Landmark rooms at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap
- Private transfers
- A bottle of champagne on boarding
- Invitation to Chef’s table whilst on board
- A US$100 per couple on board Wellness Centre credit
- Unlimited complimentary laundry services
- Butler service with valet, shoeshine and drinks service and morning tea and coffee
- Cocktails arranged in the lounge of your suite
- In-suite breakfast
- Plush bathrobes
- Nightly turndown service
With luxury furnishings and a stylish lounge area to unwind in, your Grand Deluxe Suite will be your home away from home. Enjoy the captivating Mekong views from your Scenic Sun Lounge and the range of exclusive inclusions, from delicious pre-dinner canapes to hotel privileges when on your combined land journey.
Suite Highlights
- A queen-size Scenic Slumber Bed with a pillow menu
- Scenic Sun Lounge, for wide-angle splendour at the press of a button
- Separate lounge area
- Walk-in wardrobe
- Spacious bathroom
Amenities & Features
- Butler service with valet, shoeshine and drinks service and morning tea and coffee
- Club Floor privileges at the Caravelle Saigon and Landmark rooms at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap
- Complimentary laundry service for two garments pressed daily
- Fresh fruit delivered to your suite
- Canapes before dinner and petit fours after dinner
- Cocktails arranged in the lounge of your suite
- Plush bathrobes
- Nightly turndown service
The most spacious lead-in suites available on the Mekong River, these beautiful suites offer you a separate bedroom and lounge area to relax in. Enjoy dining, reading and taking in the passing views from your Scenic Sun Lounge, and a butler service to ensure every detail is taken care of.
Suite Highlights
- Queen-size Scenic Slumber Bed with a pillow menu
- Scenic Sun Lounge, for wide-angle splendour at the press of a button
- Separate bedroom and lounge area
- Spacious bathroom
Amenities & Features
- Butler service with valet, shoeshine and drinks service and morning tea/coffee
- Cocktails arranged in the lounge of your suite
- Plush bathrobes
- Nightly turndown service
Exclusively for guests staying on the Diamond Deck:
- In-suite breakfast
- Complimentary laundry service for two garments pressed daily
Scenic Spirit
On board Scenic Spirit, you can expect impeccable service, world-class dining, luxurious suites and a truly all-inclusive river cruise that is personalised to meet your needs.
With the largest lead-in suites on the Mekong River, Scenic Spirit has ample room for you to truly relax. Explore this boutique ship designed for only up to 68 guests.
Scenic Spirit has been custom-built and designed to offer you maximum space and comfort to indulge in truly all-inclusive ultra-luxury.
Unpack your bags just once and settle into your spacious suite featuring separate living and sleeping areas as well as your own balcony. Explore the light-filled public spaces and dining areas, where you can relax, indulge and dream, as the magical Vietnamese and Cambodian landscapes float by. Your experience will be one of unmatched luxury with enhanced protocols, for your health and wellbeing.
Ship Facts
| Launch Year | 2016 | ||||||
| Refit Year | |||||||
| Language | en | ||||||
| Gross Tonnage | 3000 | ||||||
| Length | 85 | ||||||
| Width | N/A | ||||||
| Currency | CNY | ||||||
| Speed | N/A | ||||||
| Capacity | 68 | ||||||
| Crew Count | 50 | ||||||
| Deck Count | 4 | ||||||
| Cabin Count | 34 | ||||||
| Large Cabin Count | 0 | ||||||
| Wheelchair Cabin Count | 1 | ||||||
| Electrical Plugs |
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Sun Deck
- Sun Deck
- Open Air Cinema
- Elevator
Diamond Deck
- Swimming Pool and Bar
- Royal Panorama Suite Cat RS
- Grand Deluxe Suite Cat RD
- Deluxe Suite Cat A
- Elevator
Sapphire Deck
- Outdoor Lounge
- Spirit Lounge
- River Café
- Deluxe Suite Cat B, BB & BA
- Elevator
Jewel Deck
- Library
- Gift Shop
- Reception
- Crystal Dining
- Gallery
- Deluxe Suite Cat CA & C
- Elevator
Gem Deck
- Wellness Centre
- Steam Sauna
- Beauty Salon
- Gym
- Guest Laundry
- Elevator
Southeast Asia is renowned for its fresh and flavoursome cuisines, and the Scenic Spirit gastronomic experience is designed to give you a taste of what this exciting region has to offer.
They have a selection of complimentary on-board dining venues, including the Crystal Dining Room which offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Early risers can enjoy an alternative breakfast in the River Café, which also serves Asian-inspired fare and snacks throughout the day. For something different, the Teppanyaki Bar opens on select evenings for al-fresco dining. All of the ingredients used on-board are sourced from local suppliers, so you'll enjoy fresh seasonal produce and the finest regional specialties, created by an expert team of culinary craftsmen.
Crystal Dining
Enjoy à la carte menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Crystal Dining. Available on all Europe and South East Asia river cruises, this main restaurant offers a relaxed dining experience with local delicacies.
River Cafe
Offering a casual dining experience, you can enjoy all-day grazing options, light snacks and tasty treats to suit your schedule. The River Café is available on all Europe and South East Asia river cruises.
In-Suite Dining
With championed contemporary comfort onboard, the spirit of Southeast Asia is engrained in every design decision, even within the ships lounge and bar, making the Scenic Spirit unrivalled on the Mekong river...
Spirit Lounge
Enjoy a glass of your favourite wine, beer or spirit amid elegant and contemporary surroundings in the Spirit Lounge. This is the main bar area on board the Scenic Spirit, a place to relax and catch-up with new-found friends during your downtime on board.
Sun Deck and Open Air Cinema
Swimming Pool & Bar
Spirit Reception
Spirit Outdoor Lounge
Relax and indulge in a little of what you fancy at our outdoor lounge, where you can enjoy a range of all-inclusive drinks and light meals. With fine views of the river, this is alfresco living at its best.
Library