River cruising fans who have already ticked off the Danube and the Rhine have a fresh reason to look east: AmaWaterways' new ship AmaMaya will begin sailing the Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia in January 2027.
The 120-guest vessel carries the same 60-stateroom layout as AmaDara, the line's existing Mekong ship, but the design tells a different story. AmaMaya's interiors take a contemporary spin on Indochine heritage, with a design concept built around the idea of movement — a nod to the river itself. AmaWaterways CEO Catherine Powell describes the ship as refined and modern while still echoing the culture of the waterway it sails.
Food is a clear focus. There are two restaurants: the main Mekong Restaurant, mixing international dishes with local flavours, and The Chef's Table, a smaller specialty venue serving a multi-course tasting menu built around Southeast Asian ingredients. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free requirements are catered for, which matters on longer sailings where special requests can otherwise be hit-and-miss.
Wellness gets its own crew member too. The ship has a fitness room, a sun deck pool and three massage rooms, and a dedicated Wellness Host will run fitness and mindfulness sessions throughout each cruise — a step beyond the standard river-ship gym-in-a-corner setup.
The itineraries are the familiar Mekong circuit: two 7-night routes, Charms of the Mekong and Riches of the Mekong, running between Vietnam and Cambodia. The included shore programme leans heavily into local life rather than coach-tour box-ticking. Guests can expect village walks, visits to schools, silk-making and rattan workshops, a tuk-tuk tour of Phnom Penh, a trishaw ride through the silk village of Tan Chau, and a traditional Buddhist blessing ceremony at Oudong, Cambodia's former royal capital. There's also a sampan excursion through the Tra Su Forest and Sanctuary in the Mekong Delta, one of the region's most atmospheric wetland spots.
For travellers, the timing is worth noting. Mekong cruising has grown fast among repeat river cruisers — particularly Australians — who have exhausted the European waterways and want something warmer, cheaper on the ground and culturally further from home. A brand-new ship on a proven route means you get updated cabins and facilities without the gamble of an untested itinerary. If you're considering it, booking early for a new ship's inaugural season is usually the smart play: launch-year sailings often carry promotional pricing, and the best cabins go first.
Who's it for? Comfort-first travellers who want the Mekong experience — floating between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap territory, watching daily life on the banks — without sacrificing fine dining, spa treatments or a structured, well-guided shore programme. It also suits couples and multigenerational groups who like the ease of unpacking once over a week while covering two countries.
