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Pandaw Cruises

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.

The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company was established by Scot’s merchants in 1865. By the 1920s the company ran over 650 vessels on the rivers of Burma. It had become the largest privately owned fleet of ships in the world. Mainly paddle steamers, the largest class of vessels were 350ft long and licensed for 4,000 passengers. In 1942 the fleet in its entirety was scuppered as an Act of Denial when the Japanese invaded. The Irrawaddy Flotilla was in 1995 revived by the Burma historian Paul Strachan.

First restoring an original Clyde-built steamer called the Pandaw, and then going on to build four brand new replicas, a unique concept and style of river cruising was created.

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.

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.

Pandaw - Mekong Cruises

There can be no tapestry of river life as fascinating and varied as the River Mekong. Indeed there can be no more striking a cultural contrast as that between the bustling Vietnam delta and the tranquility of Cambodia. We pass from the vibrant French colonial port of Saigon, now called Ho Chi Minh City, through the vast Delta so rich in human life and endeavor, to travel along the main channel into the rich countryside of Cambodia.

On board a Pandaw Ship

Staterooms
All categories of Pandaw stateroom are teak or other precious hardwood paneled with brass marine fittings. 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.

Amenities
On board laundry, bakery, fully equipped galley and refrigeration units; air conditioning for all inside areas, saloon bar, movie theatre / lecture room

Equipment
Cell phones, Sat phones 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.
Water
Treatment plants for desalination, de-sedimentation and purification using UV and osmosis.
Sewage: Microbiotic treatment plants.

Insurance
Protection & Indemnity policies with over USD 45 million coverage per vessel.

Management
European and Asian experts employed directly by Pandaw Cruises.

Please note that on board accounts on any Pandaw cruise can only be settled by cash, visa or mastercard. Travellers cheques and AMEX cannot be used. Onboard currency is USD.

Click on the ship name for details about each specific ship.
RV Tonle Pandaw
RV Mekong Pandaw
RV Indochina Pandaw
RV Saigon Pandaw

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