RV Orient Pandaw

RV Orient Pandaw is a 4-deck riverboat, luxurious yet not ostentatious replica of a Burma's colonial-era ship. This is the first Pandaw ship built in Saigon (Vietnam). The vessel was launched in 2008. Since 2019, the ship cruises on Ganges River in India, leaving from Kolkata. Orient Pandaw became the 3rd Pandaw ship (together with Katha and Kalaw) relocated from Myanmar to India in 2019.

In the period 2008-2018, the cruise ship operated in 5 countries - Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Malaysia (Borneo). In each of these countries, Orient Pandaw was re-commissioned according to the local religious rites. Boat's design is based on RV Tonle Pandaw (launched 2002), copied by the Vietnamese in every detail. This design has been repeated 3 times on Pandaw's larger vessels. Orient's sisterships are Bassac Pandaw (2012) and Indochina Pandaw (2009).

The ship has 30 identical cabins (sized 16 m2 / 170 ft2). All staterooms offer as standard amenities twin beds (some converting to double, all with premium mattresses, quality linens, duvet, two kinds of pillows), French windows, air-conditioning, spacious wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), writing desk (vanity with chair and make-up mirror), under-bed storage (for suitcases), en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, washbasin, hairdryer, towels, slippers, bathrobes/kimonos, Spa-branded amenities), unlimited bottled water, Yoga mats (for in-cabin use), nightly turndown service. Onboard 24-hour laundry is also available. On all shore excursions are provided shoe cleaning and cold towel services (after), bottled water (Pandaw-branded aluminium bottles as giveaways), first aid-trained assistant guide.

Like on similar Pandaw ships, Orient Pandaw passengers are able to spend leisure time on the aft part of the covered upper deck. Meals are served bistro-style indoor and outdoor on the upper deck. Breakfast is buffet style but preceded by light bites, tea and coffee for early risers. Lunch is served either buffet style or sit-down, while dinners are 4-course affairs. Pandaw's food ingredients are locally sourced and always fresh.

Domestic beers, spirits, soft drinks, coffee and tea are complimentary and served on the upper deck at the bar/library lounge. An open-bridge policy is in place. Wi-Fi is slow because of the remote regions travelled. However, some riverside ports in the cruise itinerary feature Internet shops.