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Mekong River Cruise - Avalon Waterways


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Has anyone used Avalon Waterways for their Vietnam & Cambodia Mekong River Cruise?

 

I believe most river cruise companies offer an on board person who handles the Visa process for those on board, crossing from Vietnam to Cambodia (or vice versa), but it looks like Avalon wants you to have this before hand. I am hoping someone out there has experience with Avalon on this cruise and can give me some insight.

 

Thank you!

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Not a direct answer, but this is not exclusive to Avalon, Viking also ask all guests to have their visas in their passports before arrival.

 

 

The Viking guides will assist people who fail to do this but it does take some time and they would not want to have everyone without a visa as it does slow things down a bit.

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Has anyone used Avalon Waterways for their Vietnam & Cambodia Mekong River Cruise?

 

I believe most river cruise companies offer an on board person who handles the Visa process for those on board, crossing from Vietnam to Cambodia (or vice versa), but it looks like Avalon wants you to have this before hand. I am hoping someone out there has experience with Avalon on this cruise and can give me some insight.

 

Thank you!

I will leave it to Terry who travelled with Avalon for more details.

 

I think that you are only talking about the Cambodian Visa. I assume that you are flying into Vietnam, so you will need a multi-entry visa for Vietnam before you leave.

 

On my Ama trip, we flew from Hanoi to Siem Reap and Ama looked after Cambodian visas for those that didn't have them. Avalon may do things differently.

 

By the way, you don't say where you are from; that might have an impact on the process.

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gnome12

, thank you for pointing out that I didn't post where I'm from. I am from the United States, so getting a Visa there in Cambodia shouldn't be an issue. I just didn't want to slow up the process (as Mark_T pointed out). Though it is a small boat (18 cabins, so max 36 people). It is just so pricey to get it before hand through an agency and I'm so close to my trip (less than 90 days as I was late this year deciding where to go) that I don't want to send it to the embassy myself and risk not getting it back in time.

 

 

I will already have my Vietnam Visa (I hope). I just applied for that e-visa today, as I only needed a single entry/exit. This trip begins in Vietnam and ends in Cambodia, no crossing back in.

 

 

Anyone else out there who has done this trip with Avalon Waterways and gotten their Cambodia visa while on Board the ship?

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I'm pretty sure that I read that you can get it online directly. Try searching this forum and the Asia forum for Cambodian visa. I'm sure that there were some recent postings from Americans that got this visa fairly simply.

 

By the way, I don't suggest that you go through a visa service for your Vietnamese visa; again, someone got it recently online from the Embassy. I remember that they were able to pay by PayPal, and I commented that was the only thing I didn't like about my Vietnamese visa; I had to email my credit card number to the embassy in Ottawa.

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We just got our passports (with Cambodian visas affixed) back in the mail today. Had sent them in priority mail on August 22. Go to the website embassyofcambodiadc.org for info and instructions on mailing etc. Be sure to go to this exact website because apparently the Cambodian embassy is the subject of fraudulent websites, and these, as well as expensive visa services, come up when you just do a google search.

 

On the main embassy front page, you will see a link that says “How to Get a Visa”, then “Tourist_Visa (single entry)” Download the Cambodia visa application form to your computer and fill it out there. You will then need to print the completed form (before closing it) because it isn’t in a format that can be saved. Or you can print the blank form and fill it out by hand. I typed it because the spaces are small and my handwriting is terrible! lol. The answers to a couple of the questions on the visa application such as “point of entry”, were provided by Avalon in the Travel Materials Packet section of MyAvalon.

 

I stapled the top and bottom of the passport pic to the application form....so it wouldn’t “pop up”. If you’ve already gotten your loose-leaf Vietnam visas back, do not send those in with your passports! Wait until you get the passports back and then attach the Vietnam visas.

 

The cost is $30.00 per person. (I used one personal check for $60.00 made out to Embassy of Cambodia) Plus cost of a new passport pic per person and priority mail both ways. I took everything bundled up to the post office to send priority mail. The post person knew what to do when I explained the instructions as needing a return self addressed pre-paid priority mail envelope included. whew!

 

Hope this helps! :)

 

Here is the copy/ paste of the instructions from the website. Sorry for the size....their font really is this large!

 

  • One(1) completed Visa application form​.
  • Attach one(1) 2x2 passport picture.
    • Recent atleast six(6) months passport 2x2 picture​.
    • Make sure it won't pop-up to the form, either paste-it or stapled both corner.

    [*]Actual passport

    • Should be atleast six(6) months valid prior entering Cambodia.
    • One(1) Visa page available for Visa sticker and extra pages for stamping of entry and departure dates.
    • Please don't leave any loose pages, tickets, certificate which is not needed to your visa process.

    [*]Visa Fee ($ 30 USD)

    • Mode of payments (Bank cheque, Cashier cheque, Money Order).
    • Payable to Embassy of Cambodia.
    • You may pay one(1) cheque for multiple Visa application.

    [*]7-10 working days to process. (Due to high volume of Visa request)

    [*]Send it to

     

    Royal Embassy of Cambodia (Visa Application)

    4530 16th Street N.W. Washington D.C. 20011

    Seven(7) working days to process

     

    For United States residence please use

    USPS Priority Mail envelope

    with tracking number.

    (Shipped back) Applicant need to provide a self address prepaid USPS Priority Mail envelope

    with tracking number.

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This trip begins in Vietnam and ends in Cambodia, no crossing back in.

 

Are you cruising up the river towards Siem Reap and hence crossing into Cambodia on the river?

 

If you were flying into Siem Reap from Vietnam then it is trivial to collect a visa on arrival, it still delays things a little as in our experience with Viking, those with visa were simply escorted straight through to baggage collection through a side-door with no formalities at all, and the airport queue for visas can get a little long.

 

With the water crossing it is a bit different and the rules about e-Visas and water crossings seem to change all the time.

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As has been already stated if you fly in as a US Passport Holder you can get a visa at the airport. If you come over land most land entry points will also do a visa for you, after paying $25.00 US to them. I have done several over the last 10 years both by land and also flying into the country.

 

But they have no set up for the cruise ships, you only have two choices, get a visa in your passport before the trip, or on ships boats that offer Visa Services have them do it. No boarder entry ports along the river for you to use, expect for the land crossing stops. If the line does not offer get one before your trip.

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I’m confused about your itinerary. Where are you flying to Siem Reap from? If it is from the US, you would need a Cambodian visa before you ever see an Avalon rep so the visa is your issue. (Get it in advance or line up at the airport; personally I wouldn’t chance it and would get visa in advance.) As to the Vietnam visa you are crossing on the river; I think it is better to have that visa in hand too.

 

 

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We did this with Avalon in Jan 2016, it was a fantastic trip from departure flight and back home. Avalon is great, the ship is nice and we loved the small size, I think we had a total of 28 passengers. As to the visa process, we just bit the bullet and did them as outlined by Avalon, that way it’s taken care of and no worries or holding up the process. Enjoy.

 

 

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Thank you everyone for your input and advice. To clarify things a bit more on what I'm asking...

 

So we are flying into Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I already received my e-visa, it took less then a day, I am still awaiting my husbands. So the Visa for Vietnam is not an issue.

 

What I am asking about is the Cambodia Visa at a crossing on the Mekong River. We cross into Cambodia on the Mekong (a river cruise with Avalon Waterways). We cross the border at Ving Xuong in Vietnam/Kaam Samnor in Cambodia. Thiscrossing point is commonly referred to as the Chau Doc crossing. The Cambodia e-Visa (easily obtained online) is not accepted at the river bordercrossing (I have confirmed this on multiple sources).

 

So my question is has anyone waited until this river crossing into Cambodia on a river cruise (especially if they traveled on a Avalon cruise)? If so what was their experience? I am still leaning toward waiting until the crossing and getting the Visa there. USD$30 is a lot less then USD $150ish to have a an agency do it. I appreciate the information from alrischa but an still concerned with sending my information directly to the embassy and the timing. I will look into this more.

In the meantime anyone else with information on River Crossing from Vietnam into Cambodia on a River Cruise (especially) on Avalon Waterways please reach out. Thank you all again!

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It really is just a question of logistics, if Avalon request that all passengers have the visa before arriving then they are expecting to simply and quickly present all guests passports at the border while all guests remain onboard, probably not even mooring at the bank. This was our experience of the entry to Vietnam from Cambodia by river.

 

 

By not following their request you will add complexity which I am sure they will deal with smoothly by either having your guide arrange to get you a visa while still on the land portion of the trip in Vietnam (but depending on which days you are in which cities, this may or may not be possible), or they will need to help you get it at the river crossing, still probably not a big deal, just something they were trying to avoid.

 

 

Do make sure to have USD cash with you (undamaged and unmarked clean bills).

 

 

 

If you do decide to do this I would be inclined to let your guide know that you do not have your visa as soon as you arrive in Vietnam. Odds are they will ask anyway and check passports when you arrive as they do not want to get any surprises at the last minute.

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Anyone else out there who has done this trip with Avalon Waterways and gotten their Cambodia visa while on Board the ship?

 

Welcome to these Cruise Critic boards!! Keep up the great questions and don't be shy in asking any other info needs.

 

As detailed below on my live/blog from doing earlier this year a sailing with Avalon, we traveled from Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia on the Mekong River. YES, we and about a dozen other people on our cruise had the staff get our Cambodian visas during the process of this river sailing. As I recall, it cost us $50 USD each and I brought along passport-sized pictures for my wife and me. Our Avalon Guide filled out the forms and all was smooth and easy. This happened early February 2018. Agree with Mark T for having clean, fairly new currency for this payment and to let your Avalon guide know of this need when you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

What other questions do you have? Check out my live/blog with a wide range of visuals and details on these various stops, etc.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

SE Asia/Mekong River, Etc.! Just completed a Jan. 21-Feb. 20, 2018, first adventure through Southeast Asia with stops in Hong Kong and Bangkok, before traveling all over Vietnam and Cambodia. This includes seven days sailing on the Mekong River. Now at 34,558 views. Lots of fun, interesting pictures!! See more at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2591474

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Welcome to these Cruise Critic boards!! Keep up the great questions and don't be shy in asking any other info needs.

 

As detailed below on my live/blog from doing earlier this year a sailing with Avalon, we traveled from Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia on the Mekong River. YES, we and about a dozen other people on our cruise had the staff get our Cambodian visas during the process of this river sailing. As I recall, it cost us $50 USD each and I brought along passport-sized pictures for my wife and me. Our Avalon Guide filled out the forms and all was smooth and easy. This happened early February 2018. Agree with Mark T for having clean, fairly new currency for this payment and to let your Avalon guide know of this need when you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

What other questions do you have? Check out my live/blog with a wide range of visuals and details on these various stops, etc.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

SE Asia/Mekong River, Etc.! Just completed a Jan. 21-Feb. 20, 2018, first adventure through Southeast Asia with stops in Hong Kong and Bangkok, before traveling all over Vietnam and Cambodia. This includes seven days sailing on the Mekong River. Now at 34,558 views. Lots of fun, interesting pictures!! See more at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2591474

 

Terry, Thank you so much that information. I feel much better now! I will check out your blog and contact you with any other questions I may have. Really appreciate it!!!!

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We just got our passports (with Cambodian visas affixed) back in the mail today. Had sent them in priority mail on August 22. Go to the website embassyofcambodiadc.org for info and instructions on mailing etc. Be sure to go to this exact website because apparently the Cambodian embassy is the subject of fraudulent websites, and these, as well as expensive visa services, come up when you just do a google search.

 

 

 

On the main embassy front page, you will see a link that says “How to Get a Visa”, then “Tourist_Visa (single entry)” Download the Cambodia visa application form to your computer and fill it out there. You will then need to print the completed form (before closing it) because it isn’t in a format that can be saved. Or you can print the blank form and fill it out by hand. I typed it because the spaces are small and my handwriting is terrible! lol. The answers to a couple of the questions on the visa application such as “point of entry”, were provided by Avalon in the Travel Materials Packet section of MyAvalon.

 

 

 

I stapled the top and bottom of the passport pic to the application form....so it wouldn’t “pop up”. If you’ve already gotten your loose-leaf Vietnam visas back, do not send those in with your passports! Wait until you get the passports back and then attach the Vietnam visas.

 

 

 

The cost is $30.00 per person. (I used one personal check for $60.00 made out to Embassy of Cambodia) Plus cost of a new passport pic per person and priority mail both ways. I took everything bundled up to the post office to send priority mail. The post person knew what to do when I explained the instructions as needing a return self addressed pre-paid priority mail envelope included. whew!

 

 

 

Hope this helps! :)

 

 

 

Here is the copy/ paste of the instructions from the website. Sorry for the size....their font really is this large!

 

 

 


  •  
  • One(1) completed Visa application form​.
     
  • Attach one(1) 2x2 passport picture.
     

    •  
    • Recent atleast six(6) months passport 2x2 picture​.
       
    • Make sure it won't pop-up to the form, either paste-it or stapled both corner.
       

     

    [*]Actual passport

     


    •  
    • Should be atleast six(6) months valid prior entering Cambodia.
       
    • One(1) Visa page available for Visa sticker and extra pages for stamping of entry and departure dates.
       
    • Please don't leave any loose pages, tickets, certificate which is not needed to your visa process.
       

     

    [*]Visa Fee ($ 30 USD)

     


    •  
    • Mode of payments (Bank cheque, Cashier cheque, Money Order).
       
    • Payable to Embassy of Cambodia.
       
    • You may pay one(1) cheque for multiple Visa application.
       

     

    [*]7-10 working days to process. (Due to high volume of Visa request)

     

    [*]Send it to

     

     

     

    Royal Embassy of Cambodia (Visa Application)

     

    4530 16th Street N.W. Washington D.C. 20011

     

     

    Seven(7) working days to process

     

     

     

    For United States residence please use

     

    USPS Priority Mail envelope

     

    with tracking number.

     

    (Shipped back) Applicant need to provide a self address prepaid USPS Priority Mail envelope

     

    with tracking number.

     

 

 

 

We sent our passport to Cambodian Embassy and got visas back with no problems. When are you traveling. We re flying to HCMC Vietnam 11/7/18.

 

 

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Terry in Ohio,

 

Did you go to the Saigon Opera House? Would you recommend it? How did you fit it in?

Thank you in advance.

 

 

 

Welcome to these Cruise Critic boards!! Keep up the great questions and don't be shy in asking any other info needs.

 

As detailed below on my live/blog from doing earlier this year a sailing with Avalon, we traveled from Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia on the Mekong River. YES, we and about a dozen other people on our cruise had the staff get our Cambodian visas during the process of this river sailing. As I recall, it cost us $50 USD each and I brought along passport-sized pictures for my wife and me. Our Avalon Guide filled out the forms and all was smooth and easy. This happened early February 2018. Agree with Mark T for having clean, fairly new currency for this payment and to let your Avalon guide know of this need when you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

What other questions do you have? Check out my live/blog with a wide range of visuals and details on these various stops, etc.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

SE Asia/Mekong River, Etc.! Just completed a Jan. 21-Feb. 20, 2018, first adventure through Southeast Asia with stops in Hong Kong and Bangkok, before traveling all over Vietnam and Cambodia. This includes seven days sailing on the Mekong River. Now at 34,558 views. Lots of fun, interesting pictures!! See more at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2591474

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We are also sailing with Avalon on their Saigon to Siem Reap cruise beginning 11/12/18, with our traveling companions (Shadow 112).

 

As previously outlined on this thread, obtaining a Cambodian Visa from their Washington embassy is a simple and efficient process. Less than two weeks return. Just make sure to send your passports “priority” with return prepaid envelope and tracking. Cambodian “E Visas” are not valid for river entry. As Terry has stated, visas can also be obtained at the Vietnam/Cambodia border. I just prefer to have my “ducks in order” prior to travel to eliminate any unanticipated border issues.

 

The Saigon Opera House offers a 60-70 minute presentation several times a week that focuses on Vietnamese culture, history, etc. During our November timeframe, the production is entitled “The Mist”. Tickets are available online. Incidentally, the Opera House is located between two very historic hotels, “The Continental” and “The Caravelle”. You can learn more about them on the web.

 

Happy Planning! Dick

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Thank you everyone for your input and advice. To clarify things a bit more on what I'm asking...

 

So we are flying into Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I already received my e-visa, it took less then a day, I am still awaiting my husbands. So the Visa for Vietnam is not an issue.

 

What I am asking about is the Cambodia Visa at a crossing on the Mekong River. We cross into Cambodia on the Mekong (a river cruise with Avalon Waterways). We cross the border at Ving Xuong in Vietnam/Kaam Samnor in Cambodia. Thiscrossing point is commonly referred to as the Chau Doc crossing. The Cambodia e-Visa (easily obtained online) is not accepted at the river bordercrossing (I have confirmed this on multiple sources).

 

So my question is has anyone waited until this river crossing into Cambodia on a river cruise (especially if they traveled on a Avalon cruise)? If so what was their experience? I am still leaning toward waiting until the crossing and getting the Visa there. USD$30 is a lot less then USD $150ish to have a an agency do it. I appreciate the information from alrischa but an still concerned with sending my information directly to the embassy and the timing. I will look into this more.

In the meantime anyone else with information on River Crossing from Vietnam into Cambodia on a River Cruise (especially) on Avalon Waterways please reach out. Thank you all again!

 

Hi there.

 

My wife and I have done exactly what you are asking.

 

Here is a link to my review...

 

https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2015/01/05/amalotus-mekong-river-cruise/

 

If you scroll down o the Itinerary you will see not only the procedure for crossing the river border but even a picture of the border post.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Richard

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Hi there.

 

My wife and I have done exactly what you are asking.

 

Here is a link to my review...

 

https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2015/01/05/amalotus-mekong-river-cruise/

 

If you scroll down o the Itinerary you will see not only the procedure for crossing the river border but even a picture of the border post.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Richard

 

 

Richard,

 

Thank you so much for much for this information. Based on the information both you and Terry provided I feel pretty confident doing this at the Border now, whether Avalon handles it or I have to.

 

Thank you to everyone for responding to this post!!!! Happy Cruising All!!!!

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Terry in Ohio, Did you go to the Saigon Opera House? Would you recommend it? How did you fit it in? Thank you in advance.

 

YES, super enjoyed attending a dance/music program at the historic Saigon Opera House. How did we make it work? Had checked their website a couple months ahead to see what options, timings, etc., they would offer while visiting Ho Chi Minh City. Went on-line to get the tickets a few days ahead while we were in Bangkok. Fortunately, we had three nights in Saigon. If doing just a day-trip from a cruise ship, those logistics would not work well.

 

The building is an impressive sight, both at night and during the day. It was built in 1898 by a French architect in the “flamboyant” style of the French Third Republic. The architecture has stone-carved ornaments and statues at the entrance, crystal chandeliers, and a shiny granite floor in the lobby area. These materials were all imported from France. The oval auditorium has only 468 seats and we were fortunate to be able to buy in advance to have front-row mezzanine views for this stage action.

 

The program was Teh Dar and the tickets cost us 2.9 million VND for the just the two of us. Sound like we are rich and/or that these tickets were super expensive? No! Sorry!! In their Vietnam Dong currency, that only equaled $130.09 for the two of us for these prime tickets.

 

Any other questions? It is best to post at my live/blog site. I am more likely to see it there. Was lucky to catch this good question here.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

SE Asia/Mekong River, Etc.! Just completed a Jan. 21-Feb. 20, 2018, first adventure through Southeast Asia with stops in Hong Kong and Bangkok, before traveling all over Vietnam and Cambodia. This includes seven days sailing on the Mekong River. Lots of fun, interesting pictures!! Now at 35,001 views. See more at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2591474

 

From our Saigon Opera House visit, here are a variety of visuals. First is the outside angle with the famed Carvelle Hotel being right next door. Next are a couple of stage action/set-up views. Finally, is this young, talented and engergetic cast doing a little lobby performance for the audience after they did their program.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger!)

CMZ_9876%201_zpsohiiwsun.jpg

 

CMZ_9862%204_zpsiy3b5dgn.jpg

 

CMZ_9860%206_zpsasjvwzgl.jpg

 

CMZ_9868%203_zpsvzgurrz3.jpg

 

Here is another night views from near the Saigon Opera House. Yes, their name of this historic opera house still uses the title of Saigon.:

CMZ_9879%201_zpseax3yere.jpg

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

I am now thinking of the currency and amounts needed for my upcoming Avalon Mekong cruise including extra time in Hanoi and post cruise excursion to Bangkok.

Can anyone guide me with amounts of currency to take in order to cover extras in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Cabs, museum entrances, Opera House, tips for guides......

Are US dollars used anywhere?

Leaving Nov. 12 and return Dec.4, Avaolon tour starts No.v, 16 in Hanoi.

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