Emerald Cruises Partners with Top Chef Canada Winner Chanthy Yen for an Exclusive Once-in-a-Lifetime Culinary
Journey Along the Mekong River
Guests will embark on an unforgettable Southeast Asia River Cruise, seamlessly combining culinary excellence with rich cultural experiences.
Vancouver, BC – May 15, 2025 –Emerald Cruises, a leader in luxury river cruising, is excited to announce Top Chef Canada 2024 (Season 11) winner, Chanthy Yen, will be hosting a memorable Mekong River cruise, sailing from October 3 to 10, 2026. This will be the brand’s first ever celebrity chef cruise on the Mekong presenting a perfect balance of immersive cultural exploration and exclusive onboard culinary events, all within the comfort of inclusive luxury. The 13-day Wonder of Cambodia, Vietnam & the Mekong itinerary offers extended land touring options alongside the cruise, where guests can take advantage of special pricing that includes reduced cruise fares and airfare. Further cruise information and flyer is available at www.emeraldcruises.ca/chanthyyen.
"I'm incredibly excited to collaborate with Emerald Cruises and showcase my heritage through food. Cooking has always been a way for me to connect with my roots, and I found myself drawn to Cambodian cuisine and the cherished memories of cooking with my grandmother,” said Chef Chanthy Yen. “Bringing these flavours to life on such a grand scale is deeply meaningful, and I can't wait to share this culinary journey with guests on board.”
Exclusive Onboard Epicurean Experiences
Guests aboard the elegant Emerald Harmony Star-Ship will experience immersive cultural and culinary events, including:
A multi-course, exclusive gourmet dinner inspired by the bold flavours and rich traditions of Cambodian cuisine, crafted exclusively by Chef Chanthy.
A live cooking demonstration showcasing traditional Southeast Asian flavours
An interactive Q&A session where Chef Chanthy will share stories from his culinary journey, personal insights, and Cambodian food inspiration.
An opportunity to mingle with Chef Chanthy during an exclusive cocktail reception.
Explore More with Extended Itineraries
Chef Chanthy Yen will be on board for the 8-day cruise portion from October 3 to 10, 2026, with the opportunity for guests to extend their adventure through a variety of cruise and land itinerary combinations, unlocking even deeper cultural experiences across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. For the ultimate experience, Emerald Cruises recommends the 13-day "Wonders of Cambodia, Vietnam & the Mekong" itinerary, departing October 1, 2026, where guests can cruise from $7,845 CAD per person and fly for just $995 CAD per person. For a limited time, guests can also save an additional $250 per person by using the offer code
BONUS when they book by July 31, 2025. Extended itinerary details can be found in the links below.
13-Day Wonders of Cambodia, Vietnam & the Mekong (October 1, 2026)
16-Day Wonders of Indochina and Mekong (October 1, 2026)
21-Day Grand Tour of Vietnam and Cambodia (September 23, 2026)
24-Day Grand Tour of Indochina (September 23, 2026)
Vibrant Vietnam & Cambodia
Embark on an extraordinary journey along the mighty Mekong River, where every moment is steeped in culture, history, and breathtaking scenery. Glide through the heart of Vietnam and Cambodia, uncovering a vibrant mosaic of customs, ancient wonders, and local life. “We are absolutely delighted to have Chef Chanthy Yen host this special cruise, bringing his deep-rooted connection to Cambodian culinary traditions to life on board,” said Patricia Wu, Brand Director River, Emerald Cruises Canada. “His expertise and passion for authentic flavours will offer guests a truly immersive dining experience, where every dish tells a story of heritage and craftsmanship and presents a rare opportunity to experience Southeast Asia’s rich gastronomic legacy firsthand.”
Inclusive Luxury on the Majestic Mekong River
Enjoy the intimacy of small numbers of no more than 84 guests on board the luxurious Emerald Harmony Star-Ship, offering guests a carefree journey and complete peace of mind. All port fees are included, and guests can indulge in a full dining experience onboard, complete with wine and beer with lunch and dinner. The journey is enhanced with personalized service, an English-speaking crew and immersive tours led by expert local guides, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi and fully covered gratuities, both onboard and during onshore excursions.
About Chef Chanthy Yen
Born in Windsor, Ontario with Cambodian roots, Top Chef Canada winner Chanthy Yen brings his passion for authentic flavours to this exclusive sailing. His culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen and led him to work with some of the world’s top chefs, such as Ferran Adrià and Andoni Aduriz. Blending traditional roots with global techniques, Yen opened acclaimed restaurants, earning accolades such as the Michelin Bib Gourmand and the Rising Star Award from the Cambodian Canadian community. Currently crowned Canada’s Top Chef (Season 11), Chef Yen serves as the Culinary Director for Kitchen Table and leads the Michelin-recommended Bácaro Restaurant in Vancouver.
About Emerald Cruises
Emerald Cruises is part of Scenic Group, a trusted luxury travel company for almost 40 years. Founded in Australia, Scenic Group has established a strong presence in Canada, with
its head office located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company employs over 60 people across the country, including an all-Canadian Contact Centre dedicated to supporting both travel advisors and guests. By leveraging global expertise alongside a local presence, Scenic Group is able to deliver high-quality service and support tailored to the needs of Canadian travellers.
Emerald Cruises offers a diverse lineup of river and yacht cruises across four continents. On the world’s rivers, Emerald Cruises sails eight branded Star-Ships in Europe and one on the Mekong in Southeast Asia. Their first 100-guest, luxury ocean yacht, Emerald Azzurra, debuted in March 2022, and twin sister-yacht Emerald Sakara launched in August 2023. Both yachts sail the warm waters of the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Red and Caribbean Seas and the Indian Ocean. The brand offers innovatively designed ships, outstanding service and a focus on active shore excursions and wellness through their signature EmeraldACTIVE program. Emerald Cruises was recognized in the 2023 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards as a favourite river cruise line and voted the #1 small ship cruise line for their fleet of luxury ocean yachts.
Emerald Cruises is part of Scenic Group, which includes Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Mayflower Cruises & Tours, and Emerald Tours (formerly Evergreen Tours in Australia). Emerald Cruises can be found on Twitter at @emerald_cruises, on Facebook as EmeraldCruisesGlobal and on Instagram as @EmeraldCruises.global. Additional information can be found by contacting your local travel advisor, on Emerald Cruises’ website www.emeraldcruises.ca/chanthyyen, or by calling the Canadian consumer/travel agent reservations line 855-444-0161. Brochures are available for order or downloading on the website.
For media inquiries, please contact: Andrea Mancini, PR & Media Relations
Email: ScenicGroupCA@casacom.ca
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