Uniworld Boutique River Cruises Shares First Look at New Mekong River Ship

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has unveiled the first renderings of the Mekong Mystique, a new river cruise ship scheduled to debut on the Mekong River in September 2028.

The vessel will join the company's existing Mekong Jewel, expanding its presence in Vietnam and Cambodia. Designed to blend traditional Indochine influences with European elegance, the new ship will feature residential-style interiors, ornate furnishings and design elements inspired by the region's cultural heritage.

Madame Diep Ngoc Le of Lotus Cruises designed the vessel, drawing on her early career as a curtain seamstress in Saigon and her appreciation for the city's colonial architecture and craftsmanship.

A rendering of a Grande Suite aboard the Mekong Mystique (Photo Credit: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises)

The newly released renderings showcase botanical motifs, rich wood finishes and antique-inspired furnishings throughout the ship. Suites will feature arched floor-to-ceiling windows, while bathrooms will include toile-style wallpaper, hand-painted botanical vanities, gilded mirrors and brass fixtures.

The ship will also feature a two-story sundeck, a first for Uniworld, with an expansive floral-tiled swimming pool surrounded by greenery, scalloped awnings and decorative ironwork.

The Mekong Mystique will sail Uniworld's "Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong" itinerary, beginning in September 2028. The itinerary will give guests opportunities to visit floating markets, ancient temples and local communities along the Mekong River.

"We’re thrilled to share a first look at the Mekong Mystique and give guests a glimpse of what’s to come in 2028," says Ellen Bettridge, president and chief executive officer of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. "The design is truly special, blending classic Indochine influences with European elegance in a way that feels both timeless and full of character."

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