Cruise is one curious word in the English language that summons completely contrasting meanings, all of them pleasurable. To cruise is to take it slow, take stock and contemplate, but at the same time it also means to indulge, feast and have fun.
On the Treasures of the Mekong* river cruise, Scenic takes all these meanings seriously in the perfect combination of the indulgent truly all-inclusive cocktails and food with wellness experiences. From day one, the mood is set for a fresh atmosphere of modern cruising that finds that sweet spot between winding down the mind and re-awakening the senses.
First stop when boarding the luxurious Scenic Spirit is choosing to have a massage at the spa^. This softly lit retreat is your sanctuary after the long trip; it will also be where to re-energize after a day of exploration. Stocked with all-natural Bodia beauty products made in Cambodia, the spa^ tends to beauty, hair, skincare, and deep relaxation with treatments featuring rose, lemongrass, coffee and coconut. It is a perfect prelude to a glass of champagne and the grand Welcome Dinner in The Crystal Dining Room.
A remarkable culinary journey
Over the next seven nights, the main dining venue of the ship sparkles with world-class service, immaculate glass and silverware, crisp table linens and an atmosphere of quiet theatricality as the menus explore global food trends, regional delicacies and an unfolding array of home-made ice cream and sorbets honed from the finest local produce. The classic Sirloin steak and fries are also always on offer, cooked to perfection. As your days on board unfold, the menu progressively grows more adventurous, and so do the fussiest eaters. The welcome dinner includes a Laksa and the second day recreates a Vietnamese street fair with a tour of the galley to ensure that authentic flavours are generated in pristine conditions. On-shore, Scenic guests are invited to explore the local markets and have some fun while learning about hard-to-pronounce items. On board, magic happens as the sheer grit of the market is transformed into a luxurious experience.
LEFT: On board dining, Scenic Spirit
To celebrate the border crossing from Vietnam into Cambodia, a gala dinner is held and the national dish Seafood Amok (a delicate curry infused with coconut) is undoubtedly the star. Next day, the gauntlet is laid down in an extravagant and light-hearted Cambodian street food buffet where freshly deep-fried silkworms, frogs, crickets and tarantula take centre stage. Accompanied by a citrusy green mango salad and washed down with a freezing cold Angkor Beer, the crunch of insects loses their shock value - a couple of daring nibbles and that box is ticked. Oka Wibawa, Executive Chef on Scenic’s Mekong river cruises, understands that dining truly becomes an occasion for guests. It’s the chance to reconnect and share highlights of the day, and also a way to dive into a new culture. The French impact upon both Vietnamese and Cambodian cuisine is found in the perfect golden breakfast croissant and petit fours for afternoon tea, reaching a culmination in The French Influence dinner towards the end of the journey. Smoked Duck Breast and Marbled beef in a red wine jus are deliberately rich. Anticipating this intensity, the dessert is a light and summery mango and honey Bavarian.
RIGHT: Executive Chef, Oka Wibawa, Scenic Spirit
A holistic wellness experience
Throughout your whole journey, balance seems to be the keyword. It begins with the menu and radiates outwards through the structure of each day. At dawn, some dedicated souls may take a Tai Chi class on the Sun Deck as the sun rises, ripples of breeze moving over the silken skin of the river.
At breakfast, freshly squeezed juices sit in individual bottles on ice. Choosing between lychee, fresh mango, carrot or watermelon becomes impossible so the best idea is taking three or four and juice into the day. Variety in the drink department is key, and the kitchen seems to understand that a big night demands a bright morning. Their special wellness concoctions infused with turmeric and ginger dissolve even the faintest hint of a hangover as does a perfect omelette laced with fresh green herbs and gourmet cheddar.
RIGHT: Tai Chi, Sun Deck, Scenic Spirit
The dining room opens early for breakfast with a sprawling baked goods offering that reaches peak performance on the final day. Cast aside all low-carb doubts and glory in a baguette creation baked in the form of a steam train with dozens of small cakes and doughnuts laid out. Later in the day, little treats are delivered by the butlers to each room and often they are cakes and cookies with a local flavour of tropical fruits or coconut.
To punctuate the feasting, spa^ offerings such as the Khmer Body Treatment will unblock meridians and the lemon grass body scrubs will help clear headaches or lingering muscle tension. For the skin, there is the scrumptious Bodia Coconut face mask and the polishing perfection of a rose oil and jasmine massage.
RIGHT: Massage, Scenic Spirit
Mindful harmony
It’s simply fascinating how this heady cocktail of champagne evenings, eclectic lunches, and gala chef events are kept on the light side. Portions are elegant and multi-course dinners are punctuated with bracing sorbets and thoughtful small appetizers Amuse-Bouche.
As you finish your journey in Siem Reap, you will have tasted fruits you’ve never heard of and experienced the local cuisine as if it were a destination of its own. There is a lightness to the way this thoughtful South East Asian immersion feels. The tang of lime and the bite of chilli. The fragrant perfume of coriander and the delicate texture of mango and sticky rice, ever complimented by fine chilled whites and moody French and Australian varietal reds.
All of these flavours hold together a powerful memory of a people and a place. The mood of the Mekong is generous, and its ancient culture is delightfully mindful of harmony. In this spirit, your journey seeps into all of the senses and deepens your pleasure, moment by moment, bite by bite.
LEFT: Crystal dining, Scenic dining
^Spa treatments at additional cost. *The writer travelled on the Treasures of the Mekong 7-night cruise in October 2022. There may be variations in the menu for future cruises.