Pandaw River Cruises

BURMA - CAMBODIA - VIETNAM - MALAYSIA - INDIA

Pandaw Ship photo courtesy of Pandaw River CruisesWith six luxury ships exploring five countries, Pandaw is the largest luxury river cruise company in Asia. After reviving the old Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in 1995, Pandaw was the first since World War II to pioneer the great Irrawaddy and Chindwin rivers in Burma. In 2002, they took their river cruise concept to the Mekong River in Indochina, where they have two Pandaw ships traveling between Saigon, Vietnam and Angkor Wat, Cambodia.

The small ships of the Pandaw fleet can penetrate remote and otherwise inaccessible areas. In 2009 they open new routes on the Ganges in India and the Rajang in Borneo. The six ships were built new and designed and finished as replicas of colonial river steamers. These small ships have the highest passenger to space ratio of any ships afloat and boast staterooms of 170 square feet and finished in teak and brass. The secret of Pandaw’s success is on board, whilst luxury and comfort are discreetly present, it is the colonial character and friendly atmosphere that predominate. The Pandaw ships have ultra shallow drafts and can travel to remote areas, which would be unreachable by other vessels, let alone overland.

THE PANDAW FLEET

RV Indochina Pandaw
The Indochina Pandaw had its maden voyage in January of 2009. The 180 foot ship has 4 decks and can accomodate up to 60 passengers on the main and upper decks. The Indochina Pandaw was built in 2008 in Saigon. Communications include cell phones, satellite phones, VHF and SSB radio, internal phone system, PA system, and tannoy system for navigation purposes. On board amenities include: laundry, bakery, fully equipped galley and refrigeration units, and air conditioning for all inside areas. It is crewed by 28 of mixed Asian nationalities.

Sarawak River at Kutching photo courtesy of Pandaw River CruisesPandaw II
The Pandaw II was built in 2001, is 180 feet in length, and has 3 decks. The ship can accomodate up to 48 passengers. Communications include cell phones, satellite phones, VHF and SSB radio, internal phone system, PA system, and tannoy system for navigation purposes. On board amenities include laundry, bakery, fully equipped galley and refrigeration units, and air conditioning for all inside areas. The Pandaw II is crewed by 28 of mixed Asian nationalities. Traveling to Burma-Myanmar

RV Bengal Pandaw
Formerly the Pandaw IV and built in Myanmar in 2004, this delightful ship has 28 outside staterooms (each 170 square feet) over two decks. All rooms are air-conditioned with individual controls and have fitted windows with insect screens. There is also a mini-safe in each room. The bathrooms, for a ship of this size, are roomy with granite basin tops and finished like the staterooms in brass and teak. Traveling to India

RV Mekong Pandaw
The Mekong Pandaw was built in 2003, has 4 decks, and can accomodate 64 passengers. This 200 foot long ship has on board amenities that include laundry, bakery, fully equipped galley and refrigeration units, and air conditioning for all inside areas. Communications include cell phones, satellite phones, VHF and SSB radio, internal phone system, PA system, and tannoy system for navigation purposes. The Mekong Pandaw is crewed by 28 of mixed Asian nationalities.

RV Tonle Pandaw
The Tonle Pandaw can accomodate 66 passengers in its 3 decks and was built in 2002. This 180 foot ship has on board amenities that include laundry, bakery, fully equipped galley and refrigeration units, and air conditioning for all inside areas. Communications include cell phones, satellite phones, VHF and SSB radio, internal phone system, PA system, and tannoy system for navigation purposes. The Tonle Pandaw is crewed by 28 of mixed Asian nationalities. Traveling to MekongShwezigon Pagoda Pagan photo courtesy of Pandaw River Cruises

RV Orient Pandaw
This brand new, five star ship was launched in September 2008 in Saigon in the traditional colonial-style unique to all Pandaw ships. There are 30 luxury staterooms finished in hardwood panelling with brass marine fittings. All open onto a promenade deck, each with private outside seating. Staterooms are large at 168 square feet, air conditioned, and with en-suite shower rooms, mini-safe, mini bar, DVD on demand, room service, and wi-fi. A spacious single sitting dining room offers fusion cuisine in an informal atmosphere, but smart casual at night. There is a coctail bar on the observation deck and lounge area with lecture theater on the lower deck. Ship amenities include a spa and fitness area. Traveling to Borneo

THE PANDAW STATEROOM

We want you to be as comfortable as possible during your voyage with us. Our stewarding team will do their best to ensure the highest possible standards of cleanliness and try to make you as much at home as possible. Please do not hesitate to ask if you require anything at all and please let us know if you are not satisfied with any aspect of our care of you. Note that cabins do not have mini bars, TVs or phones. All have own air conditioning, mini-safe, luggage storage, wardrobe, writing desk and amenities include hair drier, kimono, slippers. All upper and main deck cabins have own deck space with own rattan chairs and table outside the room. Each cabin has its own air conditioning unit that can be adjusted for personal comfort. For insect precautions, external doors and the gauze windows should be kept closed at all times. Slippers are provided for your comfort while on board. Upon return to the ship after daily excursions, you will be asked to remove your footwear so they can be cleaned and returned later.

LIFE ON BOARD

Pandaw Cabin photo courtesy of Pandaw River CruisesOnce on board you will be looked after by the Purser who will do his or her best to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible. Both the hotel staff and the ship’s crew are here to ensure that you are as well looked after as is possible within the confines of an expedition vessel making pioneering journeys.
Daily Schedule - The itineraries given prior to the trip are not finalized. Much depends on river conditions and other local factors, so we will post a detailed Daily Schedule each day - ideally the night before. This will contain a fact sheet with as much information as we can garner on the sites we intend to visit on the following day.
River Conditions - Depends greatly on the season. These vary depending on the season. In the Dry Season (November-March) the water level of the river will be quite low and in places will have dropped more than 50 foot from its monsoon level (June-Sept). Though the river can be miles wide, channels may be narrow and hard to follow. There is thus some risk of running aground on submerged sand banks and the captain has to take extreme care.
Emergency Procedures - The ship is fitted with modern smoke detectors, and fire alarms, extinguishers and hoses. Alarms are situated at regular intervals along the Promenade Decks. Fire extinguishers are located at regular intervals around the promenade decks and outside all public rooms. Life jackets can be found in the wardrobes of all cabins.
Meals on Board - Breakfast and lunch are buffets and dinner is served at the tables with a table d’hôte selection of dishes. A mixture of Asian and Western cuisine is offered; a vegetarian option is always provided. Special diets may be catered for with advance notification and agreement. The Pandaw policy is to use as much locally purchased produce as possible to help the economies of the villages and towns we stop at. They try and avoid imported products and give our
passengers a real taste of the lands through which they pass. Exotic fruit, fresh organic vegetables, locally caught fish and prawns are the preference of most of our passengers. Water is provided at all meals and complimentary tea and coffee is available from 6 am throughout the day on the Sun Deck. Bottled water is used for food preparation. Off board, never accept ice in drinks and avoid ice creams, crushed sugar cane, salads, and the skins of fruits.

GOING ASHORE

Lounging on the Pandaw photo courtesy of Pandaw River CruisesExcursions - Organzied by the Purser and you will be accompanied by a member of the ship’s company. Details are posted on the daily schedule.
Guides - All guide services are in English. Guides in another language may be supplied by special arrangement at additional cost.
Etiquette - South-East Asians are generally tolerant and easy going. Please try to avoid political discussion and remember that the Vietnamese national hero “Uncle” Ho Chi Minh enjoys near divine stature and any disrespect shown to his name or memory can cause extreme offence. Likewise in Myanmar please do not raise political issues with people - let them raise them with you. You could compromise people and even get them into trouble by talking politics. Particularly in Myanmar and Cambodia, one thing that does cause upset is any form of disrespect for the national religion, Theravada Buddhism. Unlike many faiths, Buddhists make their temples open to us foreigners, permitting the snapping of cameras and invasion of their sacred space. They ask only one thing: that we take our shoes off. Even socks are forbidden. In addition please observe the following:
- Try not to point with your feet.
- In the company of monks or elders never cross your legs.
- Do not touch people on the head or upper body.
- When beckoning someone to come over do not flap your hand in the standard Western ‘come here’ motion; instead turn the hand round so that your palm flaps down towards yourself.
- Do not shake hands with monks or nuns as people in general rarely shake hands; rather smile and nod away.
- Females should never sit down next to a monk.
- Shorts and skirts should be knee-length or below; for both sexes it is okay to expose arms.

PANDAW CRUISES