Pandaw River Cruises

"Pandaw River Cruises" is a trademarked brand owned by Pandaw Expeditions Co (founded in 1995 and owned by the Strachan family). The company is the successor of the 1865-founded "Irrawaddy Flotilla Company," which specialized in passenger and cargo river shipping in Burma.

Company History

Pandaw (pandaw.com) is a river cruise tour company offering itineraries in Southeast Asia, including Burma (Myanmar), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, China, India, and Malaysia (Borneo). The company's river cruises navigate the Mekong, Irrawaddy, Chindwin (Irrawaddy's largest tributary), Ganges, Brahmaputra, Red River (and Halong Bay), Tonle River, and Tonle Sap Lake (central Cambodia). The company's first out-of-Burma itinerary program was launched in 2002 with cruises on the Mekong River. Laos and China (Upper Mekong) cruises were introduced in 2015 as round trips from Bangkok (Thailand) to China's Yunnan province.

In 2015, Pandaw entered the ocean cruising market by purchasing the 1963-built, 22-passenger luxury yacht Andaman Explorer. The vessel began operations in June 2016. After the purchase, the vessel was repositioned from Dubai to Rangoon/Yangon, where it was redecorated and refitted in drydock. The full refit was completed in 2017. In 2019, the superyacht was sold to a Dubai-based family and no longer operates cruises.

In 2018, the company reported over 45% repeat passenger bookings. International travelers choose Pandaw boats for their traditional Burmese design (all vessels are crafted from wood), unique ambiance (featuring colonial-style furniture, teak wood, and brass throughout), highly personalized service, and authentic experiences both on board (gourmet dining and traditional entertainment) and ashore (unique land tours). Additionally, the stunning scenery along the regular itinerary routes contributes to the appeal.

Onboard dining is complimentary and available indoors (at the Dining Room Restaurant) and outdoors/al fresco (on the Sun Deck). Most dietary requirements are catered for. The company's food quality and service level are renowned. The ships are marketed as family-friendly and suitable for all ages. Younger travelers can enjoy activities such as mountain biking (with quality bicycles provided free of charge), hiking, and trekking ashore, while teenagers can engage in real-life experiences by interacting with local children during port stays in villages along the route. Older tourists will appreciate Pandaw expeditions for their tranquility, cultural richness, and some of Asia's most unique scenery.

Due to their small passenger capacity (20-30-60 passengers), Pandaw riverboats are regularly chartered (often as rebranded vessels) by some of the world's largest river cruise companies, including Uniworld, Viking, CroisiEurope, Fred Olsen, and Saga UK. Private full-boat ("time charter" and "voyage charter") arrangements are also available.

The fleet's largest boats are named Tonle (2002), Orient (2008), Indochina (2009), and Bassac (2012). The smallest ship is Kalay (2013-built, 10 passengers). The newest boat is Song Hong Pandaw (2023).

Due to the ongoing COVID crisis, in October 2021, the company officially announced the permanent cessation of its cruise shipping operations in Asia (on rivers in India, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam). The main reason for the closure, as cited by Pandaw, was the critical political situation in Burma. In February 2021, the military overthrew the government and established a stratocracy (government headed by military chiefs). Following the coup, the country's acting President declared a year-long state of emergency. Due to a lack of financial liquidity and failure to secure investors/funding, Pandaw was unable to sustain its business during the 2+ years of suspension (2020-2022). Major expenses included the cold layups (of the 17 riverboats) and the necessary refurbishments before resuming voyages (the timing of which remained uncertain).

Before the COVID crisis, Pandaw enjoyed a high percentage of loyal customers, leading to high cabin occupancy, growing revenues, and positive financial results. Paul Strachan (the company's founder) commented:

"It marks the end of an era for all of us after twenty-five years of real adventure. We are truly sorry to disappoint our regular passengers, who were so looking forward to making a trip after the lifting of travel restrictions. We are also heartbroken for our 300+ crew members and shoreside personnel who have stood by Pandaw and were hoping to get going again next year."

In December 2021, Pandaw announced that it had secured funding through September 2022, at which time the company planned to restart operations.

Pandaw Ships

Pandaw riverboats also feature the highest passenger-to-space ratio in the Asian market. The boats offer plenty of quiet areas for relaxation and spacious, partially-covered sundecks. All ships have at least one 360-degree (wraparound) Promenade Deck, which also serves as a "common balcony" for all staterooms.

The following video showcases some of Pandaw's vessel construction stages.

Breakfast is served buffet-style but is preceded by light bites, tea, and coffee for early risers. Lunch is either buffet-style or served à la carte, while dinners are four-course and waiter-served. Pandaw sources its food ingredients locally and ensures they are always fresh. Except for premium spirits, all beverages on the ship are complimentary, including domestic beers and spirits, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and unlimited bottled water. The open-bridge policy allows passengers to visit the Wheelhouse (Navigation Bridge) and interact with the officers on duty.

All cruise cabins come with standard amenities, including twin beds (some of which convert to doubles, all with premium mattresses, quality linens, duvets, and two types of pillows), French windows (opening onto the Promenade Deck), air conditioning, spacious wardrobes, electronic safe boxes (in the closet), writing desks (mirrored vanity tables with chairs and makeup mirrors), under-bed storage, en-suite bathrooms (WC, shower, washbasin, hairdryer, towels, slippers, bathrobes/kimonos, Spa-branded premium bath amenities), unlimited bottled water, yoga mats (for in-cabin use), and nightly turndown service.

On all shore excursions, complimentary shoe cleaning and cold towel services are provided upon reboarding the ship. Unlimited bottled water (including Pandaw-branded aluminum bottles as giveaways), English-speaking tour guides, and first-aid-trained assistant guides are also included. A 24-hour laundry service is available onboard for an additional charge.

Pandaw Cruise Deals

Cruise fares are inclusive of all shore excursions (with local guides, including sampan boat tours), onboard meals and drinks (including local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks), international wines, and beverages costing approximately USD 5 per drink. Also included are Wi-Fi, domestic flights, and bus transfers. Excluded from the fare are international flights, visas, laundry, and travel insurance.

In January 2021, the company announced its new "Pandaw Suite" offer, featuring double-sized cruise suites available for booking on the larger riverboats (P-Class) in Burma, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

The new Pandaw Suite (335 ft² / 31 m²) features a step-out private balcony, a separate bedroom-lounge room, and bonus perks such as dedicated butler service, a complimentary bottle of champagne (upon boarding), an espresso machine, a fully stocked minibar (with complimentary beverages/brand waters and soft drinks), a free body massage (1 hour), and a free foot massage (15 minutes). Pandaw Suites are also available as upgrades for existing bookings.

In February 2021, new and improved activities were announced, providing more choices of shore excursions and entertainment during the voyage. Pandaw's new activities program covers "Food and Drink," "Health and Wellness," "Sport and Adventure," and "Wildlife and Conservation." Also new are the "Pandaw Golf Packages." Pandaw Activities can be booked before the cruise or on board and are optional (as additions to the complimentary daily land tours), with a surcharge applied.

(Coronavirus Crisis) Passenger Shipping Pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, Pandaw suspended its entire fleet's passenger shipping operations (all Asia-deployed riverboats) by canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures from March 2020 to July 2021. The company officially ceased operations in October 2021.

All affected bookings received a 125% refund as FCC (future cruise credit with rebooking within a year) or a 100% monetary refund. The FCC offer applied to all itineraries scheduled for 2021-2022.

When Pandaw owned the superyacht Andaman Explorer (2016-2019), the ship cruised in Southeast Asia and the Mergui Archipelago, with Indonesian itineraries departing from the homeport of Benoa (Bali). The cruises visited Lombok, Sumbawa Island, Komodo Island, and Flores Island.

Another itinerary offered voyages between Ranong (Thailand) and Rangoon (Burma), stopping in the Mergui Archipelago and Moulmein (Mawlamyine). Signature destinations included Lampi Marine National Park (mangrove forests, birds), Naung Wee Island (Moken/Gypsy village visit), Nga Man Islands (beaches, trekking, snorkeling), and Kyun Pila Island (South Bay for kayaking, swimming, and beaches).

Pandaw also operated (in 2018-2019) two "partner boats" (Amazon Dream and Mahabaahu), deployed on the Amazon River (Brazil) and the Brahmaputra River (India), respectively. In 2018, Pandaw introduced a new B2B (back-to-back cruise) itinerary program. These "combo itineraries" offer river cruising in Southeast Asia and India, as well as coastal cruising in the Mergui Archipelago. The combo expeditions range in length from 15 to 21 nights and can be booked with discounted flights and hotels.

In December 2023, Pandaw Cruises officially announced adjustments to its Ganges River itineraries, effective September 2024, to accommodate navigational changes along the famous Indian river. As a leading river cruise operator in India and Southeast Asia, Pandaw is revising its 14-night 'All Ganges' expedition from Kolkata to Varanasi and the 7-night 'Lower Ganges' journey from Kolkata to Farakka. Additionally, a new 7-night 'Upper Ganges' itinerary will be introduced, exploring the picturesque state of Bihar between Varanasi and Farakka.

Pandaw emphasized that these changes are part of ongoing efforts to address navigational challenges and align its operations with the evolving conditions on the Ganges. The alterations will apply to sailings from September 2024 onward, while all sailings through April 2024, including the Brahmaputra itinerary, remain unaffected.

The following YouTube videos are official releases from Pandaw Expeditions, showcasing the company's river cruise itineraries by destination.

Mekong River (Cambodia-Vietnam-Laos)

Ganges River (India)

Irrawaddy Delta

Chindwin River

Halong Bay and Red River (Vietnam)