Cruise news

A LUXURY new all-suite ship will debut on the mighty Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam in 2020.

Lotus Cruises’ RV Mekong Jewel, right, will join sister ship RV Mekong Navigator, which currently sails seven-night itineraries between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap and four nights between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh.

The latest vessel will be inspired by 1930s French colonial design with chic furnishings and fine dining for the 68 passengers with wine and beer at lunch and dinner.

Each of the 34 suites – some with butler service – will open into a lavish public space and feature elegant décor and a sumptuous bathroom.

Facilities will include wi-fi throughout, jet pool, sauna, fitness centre, spa, hair salon, nail bar, lounge and library plus a sun deck for taking in some tropical rays, complimentary sundowner cocktail in hand.

Bespoke excursions will include tours with local experts to atmospheric markets or through hidden city streets. lotuscruises.com

Royal milliner Stephen Jones will headline Cunard’s fourth annual

lTransatlantic Fashion Week from July 28 to August 4. Sailing from New York City to Southampton, Luxury ocean liner Queen Mary 2 will host runway shows, talks, Q&As, exhibitions, in-store events, book signings and film screenings with other influential guests including shoe guru Stuart Weitzman and former Burberry chief Rosemarie Bravo (cunard.co.uk).