- With new ships and more flight routes to Southeast Asia, river cruising in the region is set to boom.
- Lines like AmaWaterways, Viking and Pandaw are launching new vessels for the Mekong River.
- The weak Australian dollar is also contributing to increased interest in Southeast Asian river cruising.
River cruising in Asia is seeing a huge boom with several operators launching new ships in the next 12 months.
Lines like Viking, Pandaw, Riviera Travel and AmaWaterways will be rolling out new vessels to pique the interest of travellers from around the world.
Travel to Southeast Asia is likely to increase in 2026 driven by factors like expanded flight routes and cost-effectiveness.
While Europe remains our favourite destination to cruise from, the weak Australian dollar has forced cruisers to look outside the region. River cruise operators are already reporting that bookings for 2026 are outpacing those of 2025, and Mekong River itineraries are selling out quickly.
Next year, AmaWaterways will be launching its second ship, the AmaMaya which will be a sister ship to the AmaDara which was built in 2015.
“We have seen +85% growth in our Mekong cruises year-on-year. And we are currently seeing demand outweigh supply, especially in the more popular summer/dryer months of December through to April,” said Managing Director of AmaWaterways in the APAC region, Steve Richards.
“Australians have loved Asia for a long time as it’s a non-stop flight, is great value for money, and offers unique cultural and culinary experiences. They also love to cruise in this region as they can unpack once and get to more off-the-beaten track and remote places that are generally inaccessible or very difficult to get to by land travel.”
Earlier this year, boutique river line Pandaw announced the 32-passenger Hanoi Pandaw is due for completion in 2026. It will be the second Pandaw ship to sail the waters of Halong Bay and the Red River in Vietnam.
Viking last month floated out its newest ship, the Viking Tonle which will sail exclusively on Southeast Asia’s Mekong River.
“Our guests are thinking people who value learning through travel, and the rich history and traditions of Vietnam and Cambodia make this region especially compelling,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking said in a press release.
“We are pleased that the addition of the Viking Tonle to our fleet allows us to welcome even more curious travellers to the Mekong River and the cultural treasures of Southeast Asia.”
AmaMaya
Built specifically for the Mekong River, the AmaMaya will be AmaWaterways’ second vessel in Southeast Asia. The ship will launch in 2026 and like her sister, the AmaDara, will sail between Vietnam and Cambodia.
The ship will be able to cater for 124 guests and will feature twin balcony cabins that have a French balcony and outside balcony. The 23 square metre cabins will be spread across three passenger decks and includes a sitting area, writing desk as well as mini-bar, safe, water replenished daily as well as free WiFi.
On the top deck, the rest of the staterooms are suites and they measure up to 31 square metres. The 12 suites will have a larger sitting area as well as a bathroom with a shower and tub.
There are also two 46 square metre suites that have a king-sized bed, extra-spacious private balcony as well as a bathroom with a shower and tub.
There is a main restaurant and a specialty Chef’s Table dining option which is open to all passengers. The cuisine will be a mix between Western and Asian dishes and other publi spaces include a lounge, bar, massage room, fitness room as well as the sun deck with a pool.
The ship will sail the same two seven-night itineraries as the AmaDara and starts in Ho Chi Minh. The sailing ends in Siep Reap and the same cruise is available in reverse. Some of the itinerary highlights includes visits to the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh as well as visits to local schools, markets and villages.
The new ships coming to Southeast Asia
Viking Tonle
Built specifically for the Mekong River and the 15-day Magnificent Mekong itinerary, the Viking Tonle joins her sister ship, the Viking Saigon.
Guests will send three days in Hanoi where guests can learn about the city’s Old Quarter and savour the local food. The Viking Tonle then sails to Siem Real giving passengers a chance to see Angkor Wat and meet local children. The ship then visits Kampong Cham and Phnom Penh in Cambodia, and then to Tan Chau, Sa Dec and Cai be in Vietnam.
The itinerary includes multiple days in popular towns and cities for guests to spend more time in the region.
Both ships host 80 guests in 40 outside staterooms and feature Viking’s elegant Scandinavian design, with light-filled public areas and staterooms that have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with a veranda or French balcony.
The three-deck ships also feature a pool, spa and fitness center, as well as an open-air Sky Bar on the Upper Deck.
There is availability for Viking Tonle from January 12 to October 26, 2026. Prices start from $14,595. Viking has a flight deal of up to $5000 air credit per couple.
The line is also offering pre and post cruise extensions including a two-night exploration of Hanoi and Halong Bay as well as three-nights post cruise in Bangkok.
Pandaw
The Hanoi Pandaw will be the second Pandaw ship to sail Halong Bay and the Red River in Vietnam.
The ship will be done in teak and glass and in addition to a library and a dining area, the ship will also have a fair-trade shop as well as cooking classes and WiFi.
Each of the ships will be home to a local resident guide and accommodation includes private bathrooms with spa-branded toiletries, Nespresso machines, mini-fridges stocked with free drinks, kimonos and slippers, nightly turndown service and more.
