By Anne Kalosh.
CroisiEurope’s brand-new INDOCHINE II for the Mekong River mingles colonial-era styling with contemporary details and the latest technologies.
Catering to the French market, as well as a growing international clientele including North Americans, INDOCHINE II will sail 11-day cruises between Siem Reap, Cambodia, and Hô-Chi-Minh, Vietnam, via Phnom Penh. The vessel’s shallow draft (1.6 meters/five feet) allows it to venture further into Tonlé Lake than many other boats.
Carrying 62 passengers served by 29 crew, INDOCHINE II has 31 cabins that are a roomy 22 square meters/237 square feet each, including a four-square-meter/43-square-foot balcony.
An Indochine II cabin. * Photo: CroisiEurope
The panoramic viewing salon/bar with glazed-glass windows faces forward while the spacious restaurant is located in the stern. The top deck houses a swimming pool, bar and al fresco lounge. There’s a massage room on the main deck.
The lounge aboard Indochine II. * Photo: CroisiEurope
Custom-Built
The custom-built INDOCHINE II is inspired by the style of the commercial craft sailing the Mekong. It has colonial-era decoration that echoes the past and modern details that create an elegant, current look.
The Vietnamese shipyard worked with Stirling Design International of Nantes, France. The noted yacht architecture firm’s projects have included CroisiEurope’s LOIRE PRINCESSE and ocean-going ships for Ponant.
INDOCHINE II employs modern technologies and the latest generation low-emission engines plus a bow thruster to help it navigate the narrow channels linking Hô-Chi-Minh with the Mekong. The air conditioning and ventilation systems employ the latest technologies, too.
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HEIDI SARNA
Just embarking on a Mekong cruise on the l’Indochine II. The cabins are fine except for the complete lack of any drawers to store clothing. There are also no robe hooks in the bathroom. There is ample space under the bed that could have served as suitcase storage but is not. So our two carryon-a-plane suitcases have to be stored in the closets to avoid rolling around. The All Cambodian staff are capable and friendly. The dinner food is like tasty home-cooking but it could be upgraded. There is only complimentary tea and coffee with some awful cookies on the upper deck. They should serve a late afternoon high tea if it is to be considered a luxury cruise or have an ala carte menu of snacks to go with a late afternoon teatime. The Windstar cruise ships would be a good benchmark for them to make improvements.
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