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RV Laos Pandaw

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Ship

RV Laos Pandaw

Overview

Seeing the quality of this ship it is hard to believe it was built in a hurry. There are no proper ship yards above the Khone Falls and we could not persuade our Vietnamese builders to assemble a ship trucked in in bits on the river bank. We tried our Rangoon builder and he also chickened out. By January 2015 we were taking bookings and selling out for November but still had no ship. Paul Strachan in a panic flew to Vientiane and took a taxi down to the river bank and boarded the first cargo ship we saw, a 40 meter barge used to carry heavy loads of cement and rice up to China. She had two 400hp truck engines and was just the thing for tackling the terrifying fast flow of the Upper Mekong .The captain was the owner and agreed terms with Paul. The owner agreed to stay on as skipper and is still there. He immediately took her up to the Golden Triangle, a week's sail away. The Golden Triangle is where Burma, Laos and Thailand meet and was the perfect place to convert the ship. The build team came over from Mandalay, a two-day bus journey across the Shan mountains. They made a camp on the Burma river bank opposite where she lay on the Laos. We hired a house on the Thai side to act as an office and could source material and supplies from Thailand. Amazingly we had the ten cabin ship finished on time for the maiden voyage on the 1st November 2015. Actually it was the first time we have actually had the ship finished on time! Normally there are still sparks flying as the first passengers come on board. The ship has quality mountain bikes for your independent exploration.

On Excursions

Admissions
Shoe cleaning after excursions
Bottled drinking water
Cold towel service after excursions
Refreshing drink following excursions

Wining & Dining

Local master chef heading an experienced international culinary team.
Semi-buffet breakfast, Semi-buffet lunch, and seated theme dinners.
Daily lean & light menu options.
Complimentary coffee, water, tea, soft drinks, local beer, local spirits, juices.
Extensive wine list with premium wines.
Series of cultural performances, educational talks, cooking classes, and ship tour.
Welcome drink on arrival
Welcome cocktail
Farewell Reception
Theme dinners
Lounge bar
24hrs hospitality bar
Onboard bakery with daily freshly baked breads and rolls

Safety & Security

All onboard crew is trained and certified as per international marine standards
Fire alarm system in all cabins, public areas and back areas
Firefighting system in all ship areas
Expert marine superintendant
24 hrs watch on duty

Ship Facts

Built: 2015 in Laos
Berths: 20 Guests
Length: 44.50 m
Beam: 8.90 m
Draft: 1.20 m

Upper Deck

Destinations

Vietnam and Cambodia

Start Date

End Date

Select Day Range

Done

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Vendor

Pandaw Expeditions

Summary

The Pandaw experience is all about exploring remote and often hard-to-navigate rivers in specially-designed luxury small ships.

Each ship, hand-crafted in brass and teak, is an object of beauty in itself. A Pandaw adventure is very different from that offered on an ocean-going cruise. The ships are small scale, and the atmosphere is informal, and very friendly.

This year, no fewer than 45% of our passengers have sailed with us before, many of them several times.

They tell us that they come back for the special ambiance and old-world beauty of our ships as much as for the amazing scenery we sail through, or the onshore cultural treasures we explore together.

While the craft may be small, we have the highest passenger-to-deck- space ratio of any cruise ships afloat. There are plenty of quiet spots to be discovered where you can read a book, write your travel journal, or simply mediate on the spectacular passing landscape or to chat with like-minded travelers friends old and new. Pandaw designs its ships with 360-degree promenade decks that allow our passengers the freedom to interact as much, or as little, as they like. It all adds to the famous 'Pandaw spirit' that brings so many guests back on board time and time again.

When it comes to dining, passengers are welcome to eat on their own or with family or with friends. They can do so either in our dining room or on deck. Most dietary requirement are catered for. Here as elsewhere, the level of service on a Pandaw craft is a travel industry legend. It is a level of quality of which we are extremely proud, and we are constantly working hard to maintain. Our stewards and other crew are totally dedicated to your comfort.

Our cruises are family-friendly and offer plenty to do for the active and outdoorsy of all ages, as well as for those who wish to take it easy. We offer mountain biking and some challenging and exciting trekking ashore. These expeditions are particularly well-suited for older children who gain valuable life experiences from interacting with local kids when we stop in the villages.

While passengers are free to do their own thing onshore, transportation, sometimes in the form of a cyclo or sampan, is provided for those who prefer a led excursion in the capable hands of our expert guides.

By now it may be clear that if your idea of a cruise demands private balconies, big flat screen TVs in your room, thick carpets and dressing up for "the captain’s table", then Pandaw is not for you.

If, on the other hand, you seek unforgettable moments of tranquility interspersed by conviviality and cultural richness, whilst gliding through some of the world’s most amazing scenery, then welcome on board!