Known for the most authentic, culturally-enriching cruises on the Mekong River, with land tours in Vietnam and Cambodia, Emerald Cruises is now expanding its offerings to include Japan and Laos.
Travellers rave on social media about exploring Southeast Asia with Emerald Cruises. For Trevor Howard, a member of the Emerald Cruisers group on Facebook, the Grand Tour of Vietnam and Cambodia was a dream come true.
Posting photos of riding on a rickshaw, tasting craft beers and sampling street food, he describes the trip as the “holiday of a lifetime (so far).” He also wholeheartedly recommends it to other travel fans: “The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and the experience has surpassed all our expectations; you’ll love it.”
Others enthuse about their time aboard the luxurious Emerald Harmony, a state-of-the-art cruise ship, with a maximum 84 passengers, that’s uniquely designed to dock in Ho Chi Minh city.
“We had a fantastic time with the cruise and planned activities,” writes a traveller on Cruise Critic, praising the on-board amenities, personal service, food and more: “There was a fabulous variety of cultural experiences on land and onboard.”
Now, the experience is about to get even better. In 2025-2026, you can add Laos and Japan land journeys, in addition to those in Vietnam and Cambodia, to your Emerald Cruises Mekong River cruise and stay over in Singapore and Bangkok. Departing October 2025 through December 2026, the new itineraries include:
16-day Wonders of Indochina & the Mekong (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos)
23-day Indochina Mekong Journey (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos)
24-day Grand Tour of Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos)
22-day Wonders of Japan, Vietnam and Cambodia (Osaka to Siem Reap)
All itineraries include either an eight- or 10-day Mekong River cruise. When you book an itinerary that’s 13 days or longer, you get to visit incredible Siem Reap. The Cambodian resort town is famous as the gateway to Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s home to ancient temples, including iconic Angkor Wat, constructed during the Khmer Empire of 802 to 1431 CE.
The new Laos and Japan land tours offer more Bucket List wonders.
Exciting Possibilities
Laos is one of Southeast Asia’s hidden gems, with unspoiled nature, Asian spirituality, historic treasures and authentic cultural experiences. Trip highlights include a high-speed bullet train ride to Luang Prapaang, visits to the Pak Ou Caves, the Blue Lagoons, the Kuang Si Waterfalls and a traditional Baci ceremony with an individual blessing from a Buddhist monk.
Japan offers an incredible array of experiences, from old fishing villages and feudal castles to ultra-modern innovations and neon-lit skylines. Highlights include an exclusive visit to a Sumo Museum in Kehayaza, a sumo wrestler demonstration and a private dinner hosted by a Geisha or Maiko.
Whatever itinerary you choose, you’ll want to try the curated EmeraldPLUS excursions. Ranging from fascinating guided tours to unique activities and events, they immerse you in local culture—at no extra cost. In fact, Emerald Cruises offers an array of generous inclusions, such as onboard meals featuring authentic Asian cuisine, accompanied by complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks. You’ll have peace of mind knowing everything you need is covered so you can relax and enjoy the experience.
There’s also flexibility to choose fee-based DiscoverMORE excursions. All of Emerald Cruises’ 13-day and longer itineraries include free or reduced airfare. Book by March 31st and you’ll save a bonus $350 per person as part of the Great Escapes Sale. To learn more about Emerald Cruises’ Southeast Asia’s collection, order a complimentary brochure or view it online at www.emeraldcruises.ca/brochures. Contact your travel advisor or reach the
Canadian call centre at 1.833.222.4117.
I don’t think they were on the 24-day Grand Tour of IndoChina. Can you double check which tour they were on?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/129474230935793/search/?q=trevor%20norman
