Cruise Mekong Laos Review
Reviewer
Adriano Muratori from Italy.
Cruise Line
Ship
28-passenger Mekong Sun.
Destination
Laos.
# of Nights
10.
Departure Port
Bangkok/Vientiane, Laos.
Date of Cruise
February 2023.
Ratings
(5=excellent, 4=very good, 3=good, 2=poor, 1=terrible)
-Overall Experience Rating: 5
-Food Rating: 5
-Service/Crew Rating: 5
-Cabin Rating: 5
-Itinerary Rating: 5
HERE is the itinerary this reader booked.
The 28-pax Mekong Sun. * Photo: Adriano Muratori
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Cruise Mekong Laos Review
Unlike Lower Mekong River cruises in the Cambodian flat lands, my upper Mekong cruise was more varied. This one in central-northern Laos revealed itself to be almost an adventurous experience and I was surprised at every bend by rather quirky rock formations and the lush vegetation of the mountains surrounding us, seemingly wholly covered by pristine forests.
We first visited ancient temples in warm and pretty Vientiane, then cruised up north in this beautifully restored old merchant vessel towards the jewel and best-kept secret Luang Prabang, on to rockier sandbanks and more greenery, until we finally reached the border with Thailand and Myanmar, the famous/infamous Golden Triangle, not too far from our arrival port in Chang Sean.
The waters of the Golden Triangle. * Photo: Adriano Muratori
Laos is still a rural landscape, villagers you may talk to claim self-sufficiency and feeling no need to go to town. On board the atmosphere was very relaxed, the succulent food and the abundant drinks may possibly have helped. After a few days of such a treat, I felt I could cruise that way forever. Reading a bit, shooting pictures, eating, drinking and chatting.
Adriano Muratori on deck of the Mekong Sun. * Photo: Friend
We had a wonderful evening barbecue on a long, sandy riverbank and we made a night of it by swimming in icy Mekong, avidly sipping laolao, trying some songs (never again will I attempt to sing Hotel California in public, I swear) while water buffalos looked at us in dismay. At a distance.
Releasing lanterns into the night sky at the beach BBQ. * Photo: Adriano Muratori
Pictures attached might give you a sense of how glorious mornings can be while you breakfast in a refreshing breeze and how evenings can be wildly romantic in this unique pristine scenery.
The more I think of it, the more I long for the exotic oriental beauty of marvellous Luang Prabang, which probably deserves a longer stay.
Overall, I’m very glad I chose this perhaps underestimated Cruise Mekong Laos cruise, and it didn’t hurt to top it up with a few days in neighbouring Thailand.
Bye! 
How many small-ship cruises under 300 pax have you been on?
3
RELATED: Heidi Sarna reviews her unforgettable Cruise Mekong Laos cruise.
Sunset on the Upper Mekong. * Photo: Adriano Muratori
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HEIDI SARNA
