The countdown is on until the new Emerald Waterways’ ship, Emerald Harmony, makes her debut on the Mekong River.

It’s a momentous occasion for Scenic’s sister brand, as it is the first vessel from the cruise line that will operate outside of Europe.

Set for an August 31 launch date, this new vessel will be the eighth Star Ship from the popular cruise brand.

She is sleek and modern in her design and she combines an authentic Asian style of cruising with modern amenities.

Accommodating just 84 guests in 42 cabins, she will also have 40 crew members onboard – that’s a guest to crew ratio of almost 2:1 which means guests can expect the best personalised service.

The ship features a wellness area with a spa, the Horizon Bar & Lounge and Reflections Restaurant. Also exclusive to Emerald Harmony is the Lotus Lounge, an area for guests to relax after a day of exploring.

Emerald Waterways head of marketing UK and global brand curator, David Winterton, said: “Adding Emerald Harmony to our fleet marks an important milestone as we continue to work to make our business a leading global river cruise brand.

“We are already over 90 per cent sold for the Star-Ship’s maiden sailing season. By booking now in the lead-up to the launch, guests can enjoy some amazing savings and know they will be among the very first people to enjoy an incredible Vietnam and Cambodia experience on board the region’s newest ship.”

The ship will be sailing the Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia, and along this route, a journey with the Emerald Harmony includes stops at the Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia as well as the French colonial Ho Chi Minh City.

There are four itineraries to choose from which range from a shorter eight-day sailing to a 21-day cruise and land tour. Some of the extra stops include time in Siem Reap, Hanoi, Halong Bay and Hoi An.