Our first time on this cruise line and first time on this brand new ship. First time river-cruising, but 15th cruise overall. The ship was very nice with an adequate size, immaculate cabin, facilities, A/C and terrace. The Asian food was excellent.......nice attempts at western food but not as great as the Asian. Lunches & breakfasts were best. Asian food when served was beautifully done. Friendly, friendly, friendly staff in all areas, but English is a struggle for many. While the cruise vessel was clean and comfortable, it was solely a means of seeing Cambodia & Vietnam which we LOVED.
The difference between a very good and an excellent rating, for us, was because we felt there was too much down-time. Some days there was only one excursion, not two. We totally prefer being off the ship exploring rather than sitting on the ship. Perfectly ok the way the schedule was to have a morning adventure, return for lunch then out again in the afternoon. But two days as I said, only had one activity. For some passengers one was enough, but for us, who enjoy seeing/doing as much as possible (especially after flying from NYC to southeast Asia apprx 19 hours), we want to see and do as much as is possible. Friends we made onboard also felt there was too much down-time. Additionally, time spent in some places was too short, with no flexibility to allow another 30 minutes or an hour.
Additionally, we seemed to ride up & back to some of the same points on the river. Would have liked to sail by parts we hadn't already seen.