SINGAPORE – 28 January 2026 – Aqua Expeditions has introduced new itineraries on its award-winning Aqua Mekong ship, targeting lesser-visited stretches of Cambodia’s Mekong River across 2026, 2027 and 2028. The updates include routes to Kratie and Phat Sandai, an exclusive Explorers Club expedition and seasonal booking incentives.
Aqua Mekong, acclaimed as a top river cruise line by Travel + Leisure for three years running and number one in Cruise Critic’s 2025 Cruisers’ Choice Awards, delivers intimate expeditions for up to 40 guests with a 1:11 crew-to-passenger ratio. Sailings traverse Cambodia and Vietnam, featuring kayaking in floating villages, temple visits, rice field cycling and artisan encounters led by local naturalists. Year-round departures from Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap include complimentary low-water season flight extensions to Siem Reap for Angkor Wat access.
New Kratie Itineraries Launch in 2026
Starting July-August 2026, 4-night and 7-night Kratie voyages explore the Upper Mekong, spotlighting the Kampi River – habitat of endangered Irrawaddy dolphins – and Koh Trong Island’s fruit orchards and stilt houses. Itineraries extend to Kampong Cham for the 12th-century Angkorian temple Nokor Bachey, guided cycling, hikes and ascents to Phnom Hanchey hilltop with panoramic Mekong vistas.
Phat Sandai Routes Debut in 2027
From December-February 2027, 3-, 4- and 7-night Phat Sandai sailings delve into the Tonl Sap region. Highlights encompass kayaking in the entirely waterborne Phat Sandai floating village, a community-led fishery conservation project backed by FACT, hikes up Phnom Neang Kangrey (the Sleeping Lady) overlooking Tonl Sap Lake, and cycling through Phnom Touk Meas’ biodiverse landscapes.
Exclusive Explorers Club Expedition
Partnering with The Explorers Club, Aqua Expeditions offers a unique 16-23 April 2027 Vietnam-Cambodia voyage from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh. Guests join geothermal scientist and conservationist Andrés Ruzo, founder of the Boiling River Project. An Explorers Club EC50 Fellow, Rolex Expedition Leader, TED Speaker and Lowell Thomas Awardee, Ruzo provides expert insights at the Mekong Delta’s cultural-geoscience nexus.
Seasonal Booking Offers
- Early Bird Savings: 30% off suites 101-108 on select 2026-2028 departures, bookable until 31 March 2026 (excludes Christmas/New Year; no solo travellers; combinable only with loyalty perks).
- Solo Traveller Special: Waived single supplement (normally 25%) on suites 109-110 for select April, August and September 2026-2027 sailings; new bookings by 31 March 2026 (not combinable with other promotions/loyalty).
Flexible Voyage Options
Aqua Mekong sailings can stand alone as 3- or 4-night trips or combine into seamless 7-night expeditions, with a 5% savings incentive for the full itinerary. This structure maximises immersion along the historic Mekong, shaped by over 2,000 years of civilisation.
Aqua Expeditions, now under PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP, pioneers luxury small-ship adventures to biodiverse hotspots. Its fleet – including Amazon, Galapagos, Indonesia and East Africa vessels – emphasises 5-star service, contemporary design, expert excursions and maximum 16-40 guests per ship. Aqua Lares debuts February 2026 for East Africa (November-April) and Svalbard Arctic (June-September).
Source: Official Aqua Expeditions Press Release, 28 January 2026, Singapore.
Image Credits: Unless otherwise noted, all images & renderings are courtesy of the Cruise Line or sourced directly from their official Press Room & Media Assets for editorial use.
