RV Mekong Jewel

RV Mekong Jewel cruises on the Mekong River with a regularly scheduled itinerary program visiting ports in Vietnam and Cambodia. Departures are offered between the homeports of Saigon (Vietnam) and Siem Reap (Cambodia). The vessel is ranked as a 5-star hotel ship.

Mekong Jewel is scheduled to replace Uniworld's Asian riverboat Mekong Navigator. In 2020, Uniworld also introduced two additional newbuild riverboats—fleetmates SS Sao Gabriel (Douro River, Portugal) and SS Sphinx (Nile River, Egypt).

This new riverboat (built in 2020) is owned by Lotus Cruises Co Ltd (a Halong Bay, Vietnam-based family business) and operated under charter by Uniworld (officially "Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection"), a major river cruise company and subsidiary of The Travel Corporation (TTC). The vessel is also chartered by the brand Rainforest Cruises. This luxury travel company specializes in cruise tours on the Amazon River (Peru, Brazil, and Ecuador), the Mekong and Irrawaddy rivers (Southeast Asia), as well as the Galapagos Islands (South America).

Among the newest riverboats on the Mekong River, Mekong Jewel was specifically designed as an eco-friendly vessel, featuring special hull coating (to reduce drag), energy-efficient air-conditioning, LED lighting throughout, and a latest-generation propulsion system with advanced propellers that minimize noise and vibration.

UNIWORLD Mekong River cruise itineraries

The inaugural cruise was scheduled for January 3, 2020. The ship operates a 13-day cruise-tour itinerary between Saigon and Siem Reap (northbound and southbound), with ports of call (northbound sequence) in Vietnam's Mekong Delta (My Tho, Cai Be, Vinh Long, Sa Dec, Cu Lao Gieng Island, Tan Chau), Phnom Penh (Cambodia’s capital), Angkor Ban, Kampong Cham, and Wat Hanchey Temple.

The following is the riverboat’s day-by-day schedule as officially announced by Uniworld:

• DAY 1: Saigon – arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, optional group or private transfer, Uniworld representative meet-and-greet, bus transfer to a luxury hotel, private check-in with welcome drinks
• DAY 2: Saigon excursions (Ho Chi Minh City, dinner cruise on Saigon Princess)
• DAY 3: Saigon – bus transfer to My Tho (embarkation), cruising to Cai Be, excursion (Cu Chi Tunnels)
• DAY 4: Cai Be, Vinh Long
• DAY 5: Sa Dec, Gieng Island, Hong Ngu, Mekong River cruising
• DAY 6: Hong Ngu, Mekong River cruising, Phnom Penh
• DAY 7: Phnom Penh
• DAY 8: Phnom Penh, Mekong River cruising
• DAY 9: Angkor Ban, Wat Hanchey
• DAY 10: Kampong Cham (morning debarkation), bus transfer to Siem Reap
• DAY 11: Siem Reap – excursions (Angkor Wat Temples, Khmer Noodle House / Preah Dak Village)
• DAY 12: Siem Reap – excursions (Angkor Thom ruins, Bayon, Ta Prohm), Apsara dance show and gala dinner
• DAY 13: Siem Reap – hotel check-out and transfer to Siem Reap–Angkor Airport for the return flight.

Cabins

The cruise ship has a total of 34 cabins (all outside and double-occupancy), featuring modern design and offering 5-star hotel-style amenities and services. All Mekong Jewel staterooms include the following standard (complimentary / cruise fare-inclusive) amenities: floor-to-ceiling windows (opening to either a French balcony or a step-out balcony), one queen-size bed (convertible to two twin beds), luxury bedding sets, pillow menu, bedside tables with reading lamps, premium laminate flooring, fully stocked mini-bar (refrigerator), wardrobe, electronic safe (in the closet), HDTV, en-suite bathroom (single-sink vanity with under-sink storage, WC-toilet, glass-enclosed shower with rainfall showerhead, large gold-framed mirror, hairdryer, premium bath amenities, towels), individually controlled air-conditioning (thermostat-controlled), lounge area (glass-top coffee table, armchairs, mirrored vanity table/writing desk with chair), recessed ceiling with LED lighting, and ceiling fan.

The French Balcony Vista Suites (Main Deck) and the Balcony Signature Suites (Upper Deck) are similarly sized (30–31 m2) and offer the same amenities. The largest and most luxurious accommodations are located forward on Deck 4 (Sundeck) and are categorized as Prestige Suite (51 m2) and Grande Suite (85 m2). Both top-tier suite categories feature full step-out balconies, one king-size bed (non-convertible to twins), larger bathrooms (with whirlpool tub, separate shower, and double-sink vanity), and expanded lounge areas (with round three-seat sofa and armchair). Additional perks (Prestige and Grande Suite benefits) include complimentary daily laundry service, dedicated butler service, one 1-hour spa treatment, and one 1-hour sauna session.

The Grande Suite’s veranda features a private outdoor hot tub and premium seating (two sun loungers, low table with two chairs), daybed, mini-bar, complimentary daily laundry, personal butler service, and exclusive private in-suite dining options available only to Grande Suite guests.

Shipboard facilities

The Lotus Cruises riverboat Mekong Jewel features the elegant Emerald Dining Hall (main indoor restaurant), Diamond Alfresco Restaurant (Upper Deck), and two spacious bar lounges—indoor (Sapphire Lounge) and outdoor (Jade Spirit Sky Lounge). The spacious Sundeck offers comfortable seating and is served by the Sky Bar. Modern navigation technologies, high service standards, and a professionally trained and experienced crew ensure a premium cruising experience.

Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, while dinner is waiter-served. The ship’s menus feature traditional Western and Asian specialties, with vegan and vegetarian options available. Meals are freshly prepared, using mainly locally sourced and freshly purchased products such as organic vegetables, exotic fruits, fish, and prawns. Breakfast can also be served on the cabin balcony upon request by completing a menu form the day before.

Complimentary Internet access is available in all public areas (free of charge, though connections may be slow depending on the vessel’s location). The Topaz Library offers books, popular board games, and Internet-connected computer stations. The Cochinchine Spa (with massage rooms and lounge) provides a range of treatments by professional staff. Suite guests enjoy one complimentary 1-hour spa service (choice of massage) during the voyage.

RV Mekong Jewel also features a Fitness Center—a large-windowed gym equipped with modern training machines and free weights. Additional onboard facilities include an outdoor swimming pool (aft on the Sun Deck, served by the Sky Bar), Beauty Parlor (Nail Bar and Hair Salon with hairdresser and barber services), Gift Shop, spacious Foyer (lobby with Reception Desk and 24-hour self-service coffee station), lift (passenger elevator serving all decks), infrared Sauna Room, Steam Room, and self-service Laundry Room.

Note: You can see CruiseMapper’s list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the “itinerary” section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.