Built in
2018
Capacity
36
Staterooms
18
Crew
24
Crew to guests
1 : 1.5
Length
60 m
Cruising speed
9 knots
By
Avalon Waterways
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 our 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. Our 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.
Dining
With Avalon, every dining experience brings your destination to life. They start with fresh, quality ingredients and delectable recipes that are crafted by their culinary experts. Try authentic dishes from Vietnam and Cambodia — or more familiar Western alternatives.
Complimentary
The menu at the Dining Room features a selection of Southeast Asia cuisine and local specialties, based on season and made with fresh local ingredients as well as popular Western dishes. Breakfast and lunch here are buffet-style, the 4-course dinner is served with complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks.
Sailings on this ship
We'll email you the current itineraries we sell on Avalon Saigon, plus the reasons travelers book with Small Ship Travel. Reply anytime to ask about specific cabins, dates, or itineraries.
Suites
245 sq. feet
245 sq. feet
On board
Good to know
Avalon Waterways makes reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of disabled and mobility impaired travellers but is not responsible in the event it is unable to do so. Because we cannot provide individual assistance to travellers in many situations, and most of our transportation services are not equipped with wheelchair ramps, we recommend that you view our terms and conditions for details and contact us to learn more.
We know that some travelers may have specific dietary requests. Unfortunately, dietary requirements cannot be guaranteed on our vacations. We make our best effort to accommodate your requests, but our vessels, as well as hotels and restaurants, may not be able to manage specific diet requirements. Dietary requirements should be advised at time of booking and we ask that you also discuss these with your Hotel Manager upon embarkation.
Avalon Waterways have found over the years that cruising holidays are not ideal for young children. For this reason, they do not take bookings for children under 8 years of age and there are no special arrangements or activities for children on board.
Your comfort is our first concern. Onboard and onshore dress codes are casual. Please bring comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing. Dinner attire is casual—open-neck shirts and slacks for men; slacks, skirts, or dresses for ladies. Coats and ties may be worn if preferred. The Welcome and Farewell Dinners in Europe are dressy, but not formal. On the Mekong, Amazon, and Galápagos, dress attire, including coats and ties, is not recommended due to the warm, humid climate.
Avalon is committed to minimizing its impact on the environment and to reducing its dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
Avalon maintains a policy of "Leave Only Footprints and Take Only Photos." Our staff and major service providers strive to ensure that no removal of any natural or cultural artifacts or materials occurs to ensure each environment looks and functions the same before and after our visit. Our cruise directors educate passengers on our "do no harm" code of conduct to ensure passenger compliance.
All rooms on the ships are air conditioned and heated. All ships have individual controls in the staterooms.
Laundry service is available on board for a modest fee. Check the price list in your stateroom. Clothes cannot be dry cleaned on board. For safety reasons, we ask that passengers do not iron their clothes in the staterooms as this is a safety hazard. Onboard laundry service will press your clothes for a fee. Laundry service is not available in the Galápagos.
All Avalon ships in Europe have complimentary Wi-Fi available. On the Mekong, complimentary Wi-Fi access is available in the Panorama Lounge. The signal is not always reliable, as you will be cruising through remote areas. To access the ship's Wi-Fi Internet network, you will be given a PIN number at reception to use on your laptop, tablet, or mobile device. Wi-Fi is not available in the Amazon or Galápagos.
Avalon Waterways takes a fresh approach to river cruising, built around panoramic views, immersive days ashore, and real comfort. Voyages run along the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Rhone, Mekong, Nile, and beyond, pairing elegant accommodations, excellent cuisine, and curated excursions for a journey that is both easy and enriching. The line's Suite Ships feature Avalon Panorama Suites with open-air balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows, so you take in the view from your own stateroom. Every detail is designed for a personal, immersive trip that balances relaxation with cultural discovery.
Avalon Waterways stands out for inventive ship design, flexible itineraries, and a focus on guest choice. Rather than a standard balcony that eats into the room, Avalon's Panorama Suites use wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that open into an air balcony, giving you a wide, open connection to the passing landscape. Staterooms run 30% larger than the river-cruise standard, so comfort never gets squeezed.
Dining aboard Avalon is its own pleasure, with fresh, locally inspired cuisine served across several venues, from a casual bistro to elegant multi-course meals. Avalon's FlexDining approach lets you eat when and where you like, for a relaxed and personal experience.
Onshore, Avalon's Active & Discovery excursions let you pick between cultural, active, or leisurely outings at every stop. Whether you cycle along the Danube, explore historic castles, join a regional cooking class, or taste wine in a centuries-old vineyard, Avalon lets you travel your way.
At Small Ship Travel we hand-pick the finest small-ship cruise experiences and hold each to high standards of comfort, authenticity, and personal service. After careful research and vetting, we chose Avalon Waterways as a partner in our collection of small-ship offerings.
With its commitment to refined cruising, inventive design, and enriching days ashore, Avalon fits our aim of delivering exceptional voyages. We are a small specialist agency, and we work closely with Avalon Waterways to build tailor-made itineraries so every part of your journey, from your first inquiry to the last day aboard, is handled with care.
As specialists in small-ship cruising, Small Ship Travel offers priority access, personal recommendations, and concierge-level service to improve your Avalon Waterways experience. From choosing the right itinerary to arranging pre- and post-cruise stays, private transfers, and shore excursions, we take care of every detail.
Experience Avalon Waterways with Small Ship Travel, where every voyage is designed to inspire and immerse. Contact us today to start planning your next river cruise.
consultation
Reach out to our travel concierges today to create your perfect journey.