Avalon Siem Reap Review

5.0 / 5.0
17 reviews

Wonderful overall with a few issues

Review for Asia Cruise on Avalon Siem Reap
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artlovingfoodie
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

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Additional details

Sail Date: Oct 2018
Cabin: Balcony Stateroom

Overall it was a wonderful start to our extended trip in SE Asia. I selected this boat based on the positive reviews but also the fact that it is the only boat small enough to generally sail the entire route HCM city to Siem Reap without the extended bus ride other river boats take. This is a huge benefit thought be aware that really this is only the case from August-October, maybe November if you are lucky-- depends on water levels but this year we sailed the end of October and were the last boat of the year to do the entire route-- and seeing the Tonal Sap is really pretty. If water levels are too high they will fly you to Phenom Penn which still beats the six hour bus ride other lines take-- that is just too much for a seven night cruise. On this review I will focus on the questions/concerns I had before I booked.

Pros

--36 passenger boat no issue, it was actually really fun you got to sit with and really know everyone on board. Most people 55-75, leaning toward the older part of the range, but literally everyone active and well traveled. We all got along so well, it really did feel like a group of friends traveling together by the end.

Cabin Review

Balcony Stateroom

Cabin B

A is top floor and costs more, B is bottom; all rooms identical in size and decor. There is far more privacy on B because people are not going by all the time to the lounge/dining room, and B is right at water level.

Port Reviews

Phnom Penh

Palaces were interesting, night market was the lowest price and most culturally interesting (picnics, keroeke), but best was exploring the neighborhoods on tuk tuk where the average person lives.

Siem Reap

Amazing. Boat tour took up for two days to major temples, on third day we were on our own and took a vespa tour to back roads, exploring lesser known temples-- it was an amazing combination, from the very crowded but impressive major temples to the mystical and deserted temples hidden in the jungle.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Cooking class was too big and a bit hokey with every name called out for a certificate (we all could have skipped that) but the saving grace was the delicious lunch, each course was fantastic.

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