Classic Mekong - Downstream

Travel by coach from Siem Reap to Kampong Cham for embarkation. Enjoy an sunset cruise on the Mekong and meet your crew for the next 7 nights.

In the morning we visit Angkor Ban and a local Cambodian school where the local library was built with the support of Pandaw and our guests. Guests are encouraged to bring books to donate to the library for children to read. After luch, we study the entire silk making process from worms to weavers as we visit 'Silk Island'. After learning about the silk process there will be a demonstration of the ancient Khmer martial art of Bokator.

In the morning, travel by coach to the ancient capital of Cambodia, Oudong. On the way we stop to visit the Vipassana Dhura Meditation Centre before taking a drive around the city. Rejoin your ship in Kampong Tralach for lunch abaord. In the afternoon we travel by ox-cart around the river-side villages, markets and temples. In the evening cocktails are round a village fire pit where we will be joined by village folk keen to show us their traditional dancing and more of the delightful Khmer culture.

Morning orientation of Phnom Penh by cyclo visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda followed by the National Museum with its marvelous collection of Angkorian statuary. In the afternoon we visit the Killing Fields and Genocide museum to learn more about the brutal Khmer Rouge regime. Overnight in Phnom Penh city port with its lively bars, restaurants and night life.

We up anchor early in the morning and cruise downstream along the Mekong River to the Vietnam border for immigration formalities. The ship sails to Chau Doc then. Evening lion dance takes place onboard.

In the morning, taking minivans for a short drive to Sam Mountain, location of Phuoc Dien Tu or the Hang Pagoda. We climb the 400 steps to the top to visit the pagoda. Then we go alongside at the picturesque border town of Chau Doc where we visit the floating fish farms by sampan. We make a stop at a Chham Village and observe the lives of Vietnamese Muslims. After onboard lunch we continue sailing into the heart of the Mekong delta.

In the morning, we journey by sampans through mangroves and bamboo forests to the fruit orchards of Ben Tre. This is an area rich in birdlife which we will explore via local transport before transferring to a local rowboat. We will journey slowly through the bamboo covered canals before arriving at a village specialising in making local products. During lunch onboard, we sail through the Cho Gao Canal toward Saigon. The Cho Gao Canal is a vital waterway link for the transportation of goods to and from the city which was constructed in 1876 by the French and offers a fascinating insight to life along the water. In the evening we sail into central Saigon and enjoy the stunning skyline over dinner.

Disembark in central Saigon after breakfast for your onward travels.

Itineraries are subject to change.

Vessel Type: River Boat

Length: 167ft / 50.9m

Passenger Capacity: 60

Built: 2012

The third of these rather grand Vietnamese sisters, along with the Orient and Indochina. She is a good looker, and turns many a head as she ploughs in state across the Delta or into the bustling hub of the Phnom Penh port.

ACCOMMODATION

• 20 upper deck staterooms and 10 main deck staterooms

• 170 square feet, finished in teak and brass

• Panoramic French window, leading to personal deck space

• Kimonos and slippers

• Spa-branded amenities

• Unlimited mineral water

• Electric mini safe

• Imported quality linens with duvet and two kind of pillows

• Premium mattresses

• Convertible bed configuration

• Welcome flower arrangement and welcome gift

• Make-up mirror

• Multi-configuration plugs

• Generous closet space and under-bed storage

• Hair dryer

• Nightly turndown service

• 24h laundry service

• Complimentary evening canapés

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 local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes

• 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

• Spacious, air-conditioned saloon bar with nightly entertainment

• Sundeck bar with complimentary ice cream from sunrise to sunset

• 24hrs hospitality bar

• Onboard bakery with daily freshly baked breads and rolls

ON EXCURSIONS

• Admissions

• Shoe cleaning after excursions

• Bottled drinking water

• We give away aluminium water bottles

• Cold towel service after excursions

• Refreshing drink following excursions

• Full-size motor coach on all excursions

• Deluxe sampans with cold towel service, fresh fruit, and tea/coffee

• Comfortable "Pandaw Explorer" excursion boat

• 1st aid trained assistant guide to follow all tours and excursions

SAFETY & SECURITY

• All onboard crew is trained and certified as per international marine standards (VIRES)

• Fire alarm system in all cabins, public areas and back areas

• Fire fighting system in all ship areas

• Expert marine superintendant

• 24 hrs watch on duty

• Certified hygiene standards for all areas (Johnson & Diversey)

ONBOARD STAFF

• Captain

• River Pilot

• First Officer

• Chief Engineer

• 1st Engineer

• Electrician

• Bosun & nautical crew

• Ship manager

• Housekeeping

• Dining

• Bar keeper

• Chefs

• Spa therapist

• Local tour guides

PUBLIC SPACES

• Guest relation desk

• Fair-trade shop

• Lecture and meeting room with oversized flat screen TV, LSD projector and sound system

• Art gallery featuring local art and artists

• Library with contemporary and classic literature

• Wireless internet in all public areas

Vessel Type: Luxury River Cruising

Length: 60m

Passenger Capacity: 48 pax

Built: 2002 / Refurbished: 2013

Built in Rangoon in 2002 she was sailed round to Saigon under her own power and many a drama described in Paul Strachan’s Pandaw Story. This ship was designed specially for the Mekong and unlike our other P class ships does not have a flying bridge. The reason was so she could get under a road bridge. She did actually scrape under on her maiden but it was so scary that Paul Strachan, then standing on the bridge, never dared attempt it again. As a result, we ended up with this incredible 750 square meter teak deck that even has a full size billiard table.

The MP as she is affectionately known is our most spacious ship with wider promenades, a larger dining hall and more public space per passenger than any known ship afloat. Seriously!

In 2012 she was refitted and lower deck cabins removed in favour of a professional spa, gym, library lounge and office. She is quite justifiably the most splendid ship on the Mekong and the envy of anything that floats by.

ACCOMMODATION

18 upper deck, 6 main deck staterooms - 170 square feet, finished in teak and brass - Panoramic French window, leading to personal deck space - New bathrooms with natural stone shower and branded quality fittings - Kimonos and slippers - Spa-branded amenities - Unlimited mineral water - Electric mini safe - Central AC with individual control - Imported quality linens with duvet and two kind of pillows - Premium mattresses - Convertible bed configuration - Welcome flower arrangement and welcome gift - Mirror - Multi-configuration plugs - Generous closet space and under-bed storage - Hair dryer - Daily nightly turndown service - 24h laundry service - Complimentary evening canapés

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- and gala dinners - Spacious, air-conditioned saloon bar with nightly entertainment - Sundeck bar with complimentary ice cream from sunrise to sunset - Pool table on sundeck - 24hrs hospitality bar - Onboard bakery with daily freshly baked breads and rolls

ON EXCURSIONS

Admissions - Shoe cleaning after excursions - Bottled drinking water - Cold towel service after excursions - Refreshing drink following excursions - Maximum 24 guests per guide on all excursions - Full-size motor coach on all excursions (maximum of 24 passengers per coach) - Deluxe sampans with cold towel service, fresh fruit, and tea/coffee - Comfortable “Pandaw Explorer” excursion boat - 1st aid trained assistant guide to follow all tours and excursions

SAFETY & SECURITY

All onboard crew is trained and certified as per international marine standards (VIRES) - Fire alarm system in all cabins, public areas and back areas - Fire fighting system in all ship areas - Expert marine superintendant - 24 hrs watch on duty - Certified hygiene standards for all areas (Johnson & Diversey)

ONBOARD STAFF

Captain - First Officer - Chief Engineer - 1st Engineer - Electrician - Bosun & nautical crew - Ship manager - Housekeeping - Dining - Bar keeper - Chefs - Spa therapist - Local tour guides

PUBLIC SPACES

Guest relation desk - Largest public space to passenger ratio of any cruise ship in the world - Shop, supporting fair trade - Lecture and meeting room with oversized flat screen TV, LSD projector and sound system - Art gallery featuring local art and artists - Library with contemporary and classic literature - Wireless internet in all public areas.