Pandaw Cruise, Mekong River
2005 marks the 10th anniversary since we started running river expeditions. Reviving the old Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in 1995, we were the first since the Second World War to offer pioneering cruises on Myanmar's spectacular Irrawaddy River, attempting to reach Bhamo, one thousand miles from the sea. In 1998 we pioneered the stunningly attractive Chindwin River. In 2001 were the first since colonial days to offer a complete cruise from Rangoon to Mandalay.
In 2002 we took our Pandaw concept to the Mekong River in Indochina where we now have two Pandaws plying between Saigon in Vietnam and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Here the Pandaws broke the seemingly impenetrable river border between two very different countries. In high water our vessels accomplished the first cross navigation of the Tonle Sap, an inland sea previously un-navigated by anything other than local speed boats.
We now have four beautifully crafted Pandaw ships in operation that we built ourselves. Each ship, hand finished in brass and teak by traditional craftsmen are in themselves objects of great beauty. The secret of our success is that on our ships, whilst luxury and comfort are discreetly present, it is the colonial character and friendly atmosphere that predominate. All our Pandaws have ultra shallow drafts and can travel to remote areas, which would be unreachable by other vessels, let alone overland.
Both the Irrawaddy and Mekong rivers traverse mountains, jungles and plains and each empty into the ocean through vast deltas. A variety of cultures, ways of life and religions are dissected by these great water systems. Along their banks may be found a number of the most significant centers of art and architecture in the world including Pagan in Myanmar and Angkor in Cambodia. Myanmar was once the jewel in the British Imperial crown; the countries of L'Indochine were once French protectorates. Today the respective colonial legacies of both the British and the French may be found in the towns along these rivers.
Pandaw Cruises are honored by the fact that so many past passengers return on a regular basis. It is always a pleasure for our crew to see familiar faces once again. We are constantly striving to make our cruises more and more interesting, enhancing and embellishing itineraries wherever possible. In fact, the itineraries that follow are skeletal - in reality we see and do far more than indicated. Many old passengers tell us that no two cruises are ever the same.
We very much look forward to seeing our old friends again, on old or new rivers. Our success is not just in the beauty of our ships, the comfort and service offered, or even the fascinating lands we journey through. Much of our success over the past 10 years is the consequence of carrying such intrepid and generously spirited passengers.
Specification
Length: 200ft / 60m
Beam: 36ft / 11m
Draught: 4ft / 1.5m
Berths: 64 pax
Decks: 4: Lower, Main, Upper, Sun
Engines: 2 x 550bhp Isuzu
Propulsion: Inboard system
Built: 2003
Comms
Cell phones, Sat phones (where permitted by local authorities) VHF and SSB radio, internal phone system, PA system and tannoy system for navigation purposes.
Safety
Smoke detectors in all cabins and public places, emergency lighting and generator, fire pump, hydrants and hoses, fire extinguishers, life jackets for all on board and life rafts.
Navigation
Navigation lights, ships horn, searchlight, GPS, Radar (where permitted by local authorities).
Amenities
On board laundry, bakery, fully equipped galley and refrigeration units; air conditioning for all inside areas.
Water
Treatment plants for desalination, desedimentation and purification using UV and osmosis.
Sewage
Microbiotic treatment plants.
Class
Myanmar DMA Inland Water (based on Lloyds Inland Water Class).
Flag
Country flags in areas of operation.
Insurance
Ship Owners UK: P&I policies with over USD45million per vessel.
Crew
28 per vessel of mixed Asean nationalities.
Management
European expatriate experts employed directly by Pandaw Cruises supervising experienced Asian Pursers.
.
Pandaw Stateroom
Cruise Ship Cabin
The Pandaw stateroom is the most celebrated feature of our ships. Finished in brass and teak, the main and upper deck rooms are very spacious at 168 square feet. Much loved by all our passengers we have ensured that with each ship we build the stateroom remains the same. Our cabins do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. There is a 24 honesty bar on the sundeck. Pandaw passengers usually want to escape from the tiresome features found in international business hotels.
Many passengers describe life on board a Pandaw more like being a guest on a private motor yacht than a cruise ship. Where we go and what we see is intrepid in extreme. What you come back to is a floating base of discreet comfort, caring service and all the good things one looks for in life.
Bar and Dining
Cruise Ship Dining
The Pandaw dining rooms are designed to open up along the sides and only at night do we close them up and use air conditioning. We know our passengers want fresh air not chilled air.
We offer a great choice of local cuisine and exotic foods. We source supplies as locally as possible, given environmental health regulations. Breakfast and lunch are buffets and dinner is served at the tables. Passengers who do not like hot or spicy foods are offered European alternatives and vegetarians are well catered for. Our chefs know that the majority of passengers want to eat the best of each country they pass through.
Promenade Decks
Cruise Ship Promenade
Sailing on a Pandaw is essentially an outdoor experience. Whilst the staterooms are very comfortable and roomy, passengers prefer to spend their time sitting outside, on the promenade decks or on the vast observation deck above. Unlike other cruise ships every window (except port holes on lower deck) can open.
When sailing our passengers sit on deck and become absorbed by great panoramas as they unfold about them. Spellbound, one cannot help but to meditate upon the unceasing human and wildlife activity of these teaming water worlds.
| 