Pandaw Cruises: Deeply Tranquil Experiences on Asia river cruises
Pandaw Cruises (formerly Irrawady Flotilla Company and Pandaw Cruises) operates Asia cruises on the Irrawady River and Chindwin River in Myanmar, Mekong River cruises (between Cambodia and Vietnam), the Ganges in India, and Rajang River cruises in Sarawak, Malaysia. All their river boats are similar, and are replicas of colonial-era river steamers.
In fact, Pandaw River Cruises has a storied history, dating back to 1865 and its heyday in the 1920's when the company had over 650 vessels on the rivers of Burma!
Pandaw River Cruise Itineraries
Itineraries include 7, 10, 11 and up to 22 days. In Myanmar, there are lower Irawaddy cruise itineraries of 7 days, and two Upper River itineraries. In SouthEast Asia, there are 10/11 day itineraries between Siem Reap (Angkor) to Saigon, with one version that includes Laos. It’s quite feasible to arrange a fascinating land program in Cambodia and Vietnam, including the Mekong River cruise in between. There is an 8-day Borneo itinerary on the Rajang River, Malaysia's longest river, and a 15-day itinerary in India on the Ganges, between Varanasi and Calcutta.
Pandaw River Cruise Boat Cabins
Pandaw Cruise boats have the same layout, accommodating 60 guests with single seating dining. All cabins are air-conditioned and 170 sq feet, and finished in teak and brass. All are twin-bedded with private bath and tiled showers. (Beds cannot be moved together.)
It's important for guests to know there is no mini-bar, satellite TV, internet or phones onboard. There's an honesty bar on the sundeck. Dress is casual onboard.
Upper deck cabins are priced slightly higher than on lower decks, and on the newest vessels, the front two upper cabins (301 and 302) can be made connecting. A limited number of single cabins are available, without single supplement. There is one crew person for every two passengers.
Life Onboard a Pandaw Asia River Cruise
Rates are inclusive of meals, shore excursions (conducted in English) including museum entrances, drinks and alcoholic beverages (local brands). Premium brands and wine are available for an extra charge. Dress is smart casual, with no jackets required.
Complimentary bottled water is provided guests at each disembarkation. Exploratory shore excursions are conducted by local guides. When guests re-board the boat from being ashore, shoes come off, collected and cleaned by the staff, and then later reclaimed by the guests. This keeps the mahogany decks clean.
Breakfast and lunch are hearty buffets, while dinner are sit-downs, with entree choices. Local cuisine and exotic foods are featured.
For those who don't enjoy spicy or exotic food, European alternatives are available. Most special diets can be requested and attended to.
Onboard amenities include laundry, air conditioning, a bakery, movie/lecture room, cell phone, smoke detectors, etc.
At the spa onboard therapists offer treatments from the country you cruise through, from Ayurvedic traditions in India, to Khmer massage on the Mekong River. A fitness area offers a limited number of exercise machines.
Evening entertainment occurs about two or three times a week, but not daily, and can include dance, performance, music and puppets.
Onboard there is a mostly a mix of international travelers.
Low season, when cruise rates are lowest, is April – Sept, with daily showers to be expected.
Giving Back to the Community
Pandaw passengers have funded a number of charity projects, including funding orphanages and building schools.
TravelStore's experts can arrange your Asian river cruise experience, as well as any pre- or post-cruise hotel and touring arrangements you may desire.
