A rare chance to escort a private charter of Lotus Cruises’ Mekong Jewel was a ‘no brainer’ for Alice Ager, Managing Director, Australia/New Zealand for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, when the opportunity arose recently.
Launched in 2020 exclusively for Uniworld, the riverboat has a capacity of 68 passengers, operating on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. The ship was designed with all the hallmarks of Uniworld’s European ships, featuring lavish and unique décor with elements like custom fabrics, antiques, and original artwork, and an impeccable attention to detail throughout – courtesy, primarily, of the brand’s designers, Toni Tollman and her mother, Beatrice Tollman.
Ager describes Mekong Jewel as the “epitomy of elegance”.
When a charter of the Mekong Jewel was cancelled at the last-minute, Lotus Cruises’ operators called Ager first, offering the chance to showcase the product (and destination) to travel advisors in Australia and New Zealand. After winning approval from Uniworld’s headquarters, Ager and her team quickly filled the ship, which is currently sailing on an abridged version of the core Uniworld itinerary in the region – the Timeless Wonders of Vietnam and Cambodia.
Last weekend, LATTE joined more than 50 travel advisors (and a few select media partners) from all corners of Australia and New Zealand, heading to Siam Reap, Cambodia – the starting point of a week-long famil through the region.
Following a highly luxurious overnight stay at the Park Hyatt Siam Reap, participants rode in tuk-tuk’s to the nearby historic Angkor Wat for an early morning guided tour of the nearly 900 year old landmark, constructed over 30 years during the reign of Khmer King Suryavarman II. The tuk tuk tour also included encounters with Nokor Thum and Angkor Thom.
While Uniworld’s brochured itinerary includes three nights in Siem Reap and more temple visits (and utilises Sofitel Siem Reap), our fast-tracked version of the tour includes an authentic lunch in town before travelling overland to join Mekong Jewel at Kampong Cham, four-hours away.
Our itinerary includes five nights aboard the luxury river ship, and our first morning visits a local farmer and a primary school in remote riverside Opopel village which Uniworld supports. Here the students take guests (or in this case, travel advisors and their plus ones), under their wings, one-on-one, and ask us questions in English and show us how they are learning to read and write English themselves.
There’s an opportunity for Uniworld’s guests, or in this case, Ager and the travel advisors, to pass on their expert knowledge of the English language to the students. Donations of school supplies are also made to the local school, part of The TreadRight Foundation‘s initiatives that give back to communities that brands of The Travel Corporation visit.
Back onboard Mekong Jewel and after lunch in the Topaz Dining Room while sailing downstream on the Mekong, we arrive early afternoon in the thriving capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, where the group has the option to visit the Killing Fields or explore the Royal Palace. And some optional retail therapy at the street markets.
Yesterday, we continued to fast-track the itinerary, we sail all day on the Mekong, crossing the border between Cambodia and Vietnam, bound for Gieng Island this morning.
A highlight for the travel advisors was a Masterclass on the Power of Influence, lead by Mylinda Joyce, Global Head of Talent and Capability from The Travel Corporation.
Stay tuned to LATTE for further updates and a ship showcase on our social channels.
