Since first taking her maiden voyage on the Mekong River, the Avalon Saigon has been praised for delivering an intimate cruise experience as part of Avalon's award-winning fleet of Suite Ships. Named "Best New River Cruise Ship" by TravelAge West, the Saigon sails with a maximum of just 36 guests, delivering all the modern features you expect from Avalon Waterways, while incorporating the unique character and charm of Southeast Asia. The Avalon Saigon is designed to venture easily into areas where other cruise ships cannot, while measuring as wide and long as ships carrying twice the number of the just 36 guests. Cruising uninterrupted from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh (or vice versa), the Saigon eliminates hours of motorcoach travel time associated with other river cruise ship itineraries. The Avalon Saigon Suite Ship incorporates the classic colonial charm befitting the Vietnam and Cambodia experience with the modern features you expect from Avalon. Each Panorama Suite features 245 square feet of living space with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows to create river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony.
With luxurious beds that face the window, you'll never miss a fascinating view on the Mekong. You'll also find ample room to roam on board, while never feeling crowded. From the air-conditioned Panorama Lounge to the open-air observation lounge, you'll find plenty of seating and inviting spots to relax. With lounges located at the front of the ship, you'll always have a great forward-focused view no matter where you sit. The crew embodies Avalon's "you first" spirit from start to finish. From the reception staff and bartender to wait staff and room attendant, you'll experience exquisite service with a relaxed luxury that's come to encompass the Avalon difference.
Avalon Saigon Activities
Wherever you go, there you are! So why leave yourself behind when you travel? Avalon puts the "you" in "unique" with special interest themed river cruises that are suited to your passions and pursuits. Do you love gardens and nature? Walk through the biggest garden in Europe during tulip season in Holland. Appreciate a fine wine or hearty ale? Taste regional vintages from Paris to Provence, or raise a stein of frothy brew from Basel to Nuremberg. The WWII or Habsburg & Royalty cruises provide the epic page-turner you've been looking for! Focus on your shutterbug skills on a photography cruise, or take a culinary or Christmastime river cruise to indulge in local culture, cuisine, and everything in between!
- Active & Discovery Cruises: Everyone travels to see new things, but many travel to do new things as well. With the Active & Discovery Europe river cruises, Avalon offers activities for travelers with varying interests and for all energy and fitness levels. From action-packed experiences and interactive discoveries, to traditional sightseeing, you can tailor a vacation to suit your interests and pace.
- Storyteller Cruises: Looking for an epic adventure? Look no further than the Storyteller Series of Suite Ship sailings. Hosted by celebrity authors, actors, artists and musicians, these cruises are the perfect intertwining of facts, fiction and fun. Scenic ports, riveting plots, rich history and intriguing mystery converge on the world's most celebrated rivers as you get the inside stories on your favorite books, songs, movies and more.
- Wine Lovers Cruises: Cruise with a distinguished certified sommelier on a wine-lover's cruise. Onboard tastings and regional excursions to the legendary cellars of Europe, as well as instruction in food-and-wine pairing, will give you a new appreciation for the fruit of the vine. Discover the vineyards and vintages you'll remember for ages to come.
- Beer Enthusiasts Cruises: Lifting a stein tends to lift the spirits, or so say those who raise a toast in the biergartens of Europe. Cruise with a certified beer expert and discover regional beers, visit historic breweries, attend special beer tastings, and learn about European brewing techniques with fascinating lectures and workshops. Prost!
- Festive Season Cruises: Sail into the season, aglow with the warmth of a simpler time. From hot-mulled wine to glistening lights and grand cathedral heights, celebrate the festive season on a European river cruise in timeless tradition. Hear German musical instruments come alive, taste Austrian Christmas cookies, see Melk's Benedictine Abbey, and feel the spirit of the season.
- European History Cruises: Follow the steps of heroes on an Avalon Remembrance and History cruise to follow the legends and legacies of WWII-from the beaches of Normandy to Vimy Ridge and beyond. Sail with an expert history guide to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day and experience the personal stories of courage and valor.
- Music & Jazz Cruises: America may have given birth to jazz, but Paris was the first to hail it as a true art form. Avalon adds all that jazz to the Jazz Lover' cruise through France. And the music keeps playing on an Avalon Music Lovers' cruise on the Danube as melodies of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss waltz into your heart with stirring performances in stunning concert halls.
- Garden & Nature Lover Cruises: From Holland's Keukenhof Gardens and Amsterdams flower auction, to the tulip fields that seem to go on forever, spring blooms in the heart of an Avalon Garden and Nature river cruise with a kaleidoscope of horticultural traditions and history across Holland and Belgium's most beautiful landscapes.
Avalon Saigon Onboard Dining
Avalon shares the flavors of the world with the freshest local ingredients prepared by the talented chefs and served in your choice of venues on board. The Avalon FlexDining approach to onboard dining experiences has tossed out the idea of restrictive seating times in limited settings. Avalon has brought back the question,"Where should we eat?" to the cruise experience. Choose from options like a breezy al fresco lunch at the Sky Grill, an elegant four-course dinner in the glass-walled Panorama Dining Room, or a more casual culinary setting in the Panorama Bistro. Whichever table setting you choose, you'll savor local flavors as well as the familiar favorites you love. On an Avalon river cruise, great food is all part of the journey.
- Chefs Karl & Leo Wrenkh: The Brothers Wrenkh were raised in the first (and up until recently, only) high-quality vegetarian restaurant in Austria. With a family motto, "Eating is Life!" they take cooking very seriously. While Leo attended a classic culinary school, Karl's cooking background has been more casual. Their styles merge using healthy, quality and locally grown ingredients to create foods with international flair.
Avalon knows why you travel. To experience the true heritage, tradition, and tastes of your destinations. This is especially true of the wines Avalon serves on board the Avalon Suite Ships, which is why Avalon proudly pours local wines produced by the best local vineyards in the regions through which Avalon sails.
Avalon takes a refreshing approach to reducing plastic use and promoting hydration for you with state-of-the-art beWell water stations, conveniently located in both the Club Lounge and at the Dining Room entrance. Fill your favorite water bottle with a selection of still, sparkling, or flavored water infused with natural essences. No water bottle? No problem! Guest Services is happy to provide you with one, or you can purchase a specialty Avalon souvenir water bottle at the onboard gift shop!
Dining Choices
- Welcome & farewell cocktails with sparkling wine & canapes
- Daily choices of regional recipes, familiar favorites, and Avalon Fresh vegetarian and healthy cuisine including fresh, local ingredients at every meal.
- Daily buffet breakfast with full range of classic breakfast items, healthy Avalon Fresh options and daily specials.
- Daily lunch buffet featuring regional specialties, classic dishes, healthy Avalon Fresh options, and rotating chef's features including carving & pasta stations. Alternatively, you may dine al fresco at the Sky Grill on the Sky Deck (weather and itinerary permitting) or enjoy a light lunch in the Panorama Lounge.
- Linger over several selections from the Panorama Bistro's tasting menu for a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere while mingling over several satisfying selections.
- Daily Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, sweet treats & sandwiches
- Daily four-course a la carte dinners in the Panorama Dining Room with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, desserts or cheese, after-dinner premium coffees or tea, and complimentary wine (including from the region), beer, and soft drinks.
- Complimentary room service available for Continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Avalon FlexDining with flexible seating-times to better accommodate your schedule, and more options for menu items and venues, including the Panorama Dining Room, Panorama Bistro for a less formal tasting menu, Sky Grill for al fresco favorites, complimentary continental breakfast via room service, and made-to-order picnic lunch boxes for independent on-shore excursions.
Avalon Saigon Onboard Beverages
Refresh. Energize. Celebrate. However you choose to quench your thirst for adventure or relaxation, the cup runneth over with delicious beverage options to wet your whistle!
- Wine Crews: Avalon proudly pours local wines produced by the best regional vineyards in the countries through which Avalon sail. From the Rieslings of the Moselle to the robust vintages of Germany's Rhine Valley, to the sparkling bubbles on the Seine, happiness flows from vine to table on an Avalon cruise.
- Signature Cocktails: Avalon takes celebrating seriously on an Avalon Suite Ship. So Avalon has partnered with world-renowned mixologist Martin Hudak who has created a collection of signature cocktails served exclusively on the Avalon fleet. Enjoy festive "mocktails" to toast your cruise as well!
- Free Happy Hour: You're invited to join Avalon in the Panorama Lounge for complimentary Happy Hour to lift a glass (and your spirits) on Avalon. Enjoy select beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails during Happy Hour. You'll find the perfect libation to lift your spirits while surrounded by an amazing view and new friends.
- Toast to Every Meal: Celebrate every meal! Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks are served with lunch and dinner, as well as sparkling wine with breakfast. Welcome and farewell cocktails with sparkling wine and canapes are served for a bon voyage with jolly good fellows that nobody can deny!
- Something's Brewing!: The cup runneth over with coffees, teas, juices, and treats to power your day and unwind your evening. From lattes to lemonade, Earl Grey to essence-infused water, and cappuccinos to cookies, you'll find your favorite pick-me-up at your fingertips in the 24/7 Club Lounge.
- To your Health: Tap into the eco-friendly water stations to fill your reusable water bottle with an array of beWell Essences like Green Hope, Herb Happinez, and Pink Positive nutrient-infused H2O.
Avalon Saigon Fitness & Wellness
Saying hello to adventure doesn't mean you have to say goodbye to your healthy habits and restorative rituals. From heart-healthy menu options and heart-pumping activities to mindful yoga moves, Avalon makes it easy to remain a picture of health amidst the most beautiful scenery in the world.
- Maps for hiking and jogging routes
- Fitbits
- Walking Sticks
- Binoculars
- Daypacks
- Yoga Mats
- Fitness bands
Avalon Saigon Staterooms
Saying hello to adventure doesn't mean you have to say goodbye to your healthy habits and restorative rituals. From heart-healthy menu options and heart-pumping activities to mindful yoga moves, Avalon makes it easy to remain a picture of health amidst the most beautiful scenery in the world.
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