pandaw cruise vietnam

Pandaw River Expeditions

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Pandaw River Expeditions - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Pandaw cruise experience along the Mekong from Cambodia to Vietnam

Pandaw cruise is one of the top luxury cruises in Mekong delta with fame of great services.

PANDAW CRUISE – TO REACH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITIES

If you are looking for a luxury but memorable cruise in Asia, Pandaw is the one you cannot ignore. With a 7-night cruise through Cambodia and Vietnam, you will discover the true beauty of Mekong River as well as totally refresh yourself. Below are some instruction and Pandaw cruise experience for your inspiration.

First of all, you should plan your accommodation at rustic Angkor Village Hotel in Siem Reap (Cambodia) and luxury hotel in the heart of bustling Sai Gon. The first day at Cambodia is the time for you to explore Angkor Wat with amazing Hindu and Buddhist temples. It’s the excellent chance to take spectacular pictures and learn a lot of things about ancient civilization. On the second day, you will be to embark Orient Pandaw. Along the journey, the vast paddy fields will friendly embrace you. Moreover, the residents also tempt you with heaping trays of fried tarantulas, crickets and frogs – the country’s specialties.

What you are most looking forward is sailing on the majestic Mekong River, and it’s the time! You will have a chance to make your dream come true. You will close enough to shore so that you can wave to the children; the massage is available on the deck, occasional activities as a spring roll-making demo is also offered. Everybody can enjoy good time together while contemplating the landscape. On the other hand, you will immerge yourself in the art and music atmosphere of the evening, when local folk dancers and singers perform.

When making excursion each day, we often travel by sampan – a typical means of transportation in Cambodia. We travel past floating wet markets and walked through rural villages. On the third day, you will go to Phnom Penh – the capital city of Cambodia. This is the opportunity to observe Buddhist Silver Pagoda temple and charming French colonial architecture. You should not miss a chance to visit Killing Fields – a historical relic where thousands of innocent people were murdered and buried. In the evening, let’s hang out to explore the night of this capital.

PANDAW CRUISE – TO CONNECT THE LOCAL CULTURES

On the sail to Vietnam, from Chau Doc and Cai Be, you will continue travel by sampan. The journey is through the biggest delta in Vietnam where the green of rice paddy cover, the big rivers supply sources of alluvial soils. The sail will end in My Tho, near HCMC. To discover more about the history of Vietnam, you can continue your journey at the famous Cu Chi tunnels an hour outside of the city, which is built by the communist Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. For further exploration of South of Vietnam, you can take one day trip to Can Gio Mangrove forest which is a world biosphere. Enjoy the fresh air, the monkey habitants and the amazing mangrove forest there. The one day visiting highlight of Saigon is also interesting to find the pure Oriental characteristics of this bustling city. Finally, spending your weekend at the rooftop bar in HCMC is a wonderful idea to end your extremely glorious Pandaw cruise.

To have more information, you can access their website pandaw . The fares can come up or down dependent on the level of services and seasonality of the service. In order to understand more about this cruise as compared to other Mekong cruises in the area, you always can drop us an email.  Hope you and your family have memorable and superb time in Pandaw cruise.

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12 Reasons to do a Vietnam 🇻🇳 Red River Cruise with Pandaw

Jul 6, 2018 | 2

Vietnam Red River Cruise with Pandaw

By Heidi Sarna.

I recently returned from a wonderfully quirky 10-night Vietnam Red River cruise aboard Pandaw Cruises ‘ 32-passenger Angkor Pandaw , sailing some 650 kilometers from Halong Bay westerly towards Hanoi and beyond.

My bestie Rachael and I sailed along the Red River (or Song Hong) and its various tributaries, including the Black River (Song Da) and the Clear River (Song Lo).

The offbeat adventure was appealing and memorable in so many ways, including these 12 reasons to do a Vietnam Red River cruise.

Heidi & Rachael’s Vietnam adventure!

1.  Two Days in Halong Bay.

The highlight of any visit to northern Vietnam is cruising around Halong Bay’s sea of limestone karsts that pop out of the bay like mushrooms. The ancient forest of crumbling mountain peaks feels otherworldly and prehistoric, especially when you kayak through the grottos and passages. It’s no wonder the area is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Pandaw knows where to go to avoid the mobs of other tourists that flock to Halong Bay. Sailing there at sunset is especially magical.

2.  The Local Food on a Vietnam Red River Cruise.

Angkor Pandaw’s Vietnamese chef and his staff prepared delicious fresh meals with lots of local ingredients, from banana leaf, pomelo (like grapefruit), lotus and cashew nuts to glass noodles and heaps of basil, mint and other greens. We were treated to the nation’s famous pho noodle soup and Vietnamese-style spring and summer rolls (there were western options too), and refreshing glasses of local Bia Hanoi and 333 beer whenever the mood struck.

A delicious bowl of Vietnam’s popular pho noodle soup. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

3.  Glimpse into Village Life on a Vietnam Red River Cruise.

Our 10-night cruise comprised two days moving around Halong Bay and a day in frenetic Hanoi; the rest of the trip focused on visits to villages within walking distance or a short bus ride of where we were docked. These small towns would otherwise be hard to reach or unknown to most visitors.

With our guides we walked around neighborhoods specializing in trades still pursued the traditional way, from pottery to carved wooden furniture, noodles, baskets, knives and rice wine. Half the fun was interacting with locals along the way.

Noodles drying in the sun like laundry. * Photo: Rachael Nicoll

4.  Our Excellent Vietnamese Guides.

Duok, or Duke as he called himself for the benefit of the tourists, and Vu were a pair of 30-something Vietnamese guides with college degrees in tourism. They shared not only their deep knowledge of Vietnam’s history and culture, but also fascinating personal anecdotes that shed light on the country’s customs, from marriage to education and religion.

Douk, one of our two local guides who sailed with us for the week. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

5.  The Vietnamese People are a Big Reason to do a Vietnam Red River Cruise.

Maybe because tourism still isn’t widespread outside of the major cities, the Vietnamese are warm and friendly to outsiders. In the villages, the locals smiled and waved to our group of 25, making us feel welcome. There was a mutually benign curiosity between us and them, which made it fun to take photos and selfies, with our guides often helping us to ask questions and communicate.

This sweet old woman charmed us all. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

6.  A Rustic Boat in a Rustic Place.

It’s nice to travel to a place in a vessel that looks like it belongs there. The 32-passenger Angkor Pandaw , like the rest of the fleet, is made of teak wood, brass, and steel, and designed to recall an earlier era of Scottish-built steamers for Burma’s Irrawaddy Flotilla Company that in mid-1920s operated upwards of 600 boats. They’re not white or shiny or covered in strings of lights, they’re comfortable, unassuming, utilitarian, atmospheric and solidly made.

Boarding the 32-passenger Angkor Pandaw in Ha Long Bay. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

7.  The Other Passengers on a Vietnam Red River Cruise.

Pandaw attracts an international lot from all over the world, especially the UK, Australia and North America. They’re an adventurous, well-traveled group of free thinkers who seek out the off-beat.

Many Pandaw passengers could afford a more luxurious and mainstream experience, but they choose Pandaw’s quirky river cruises precisely because they are not predictable or cookie-cutter. Many return to Pandaw again and again.

Passengers on a walk through the rice fields of Cat Ba island in Ha Long Bay. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

8.  The Slow Pace of River Travel.

Seeing the landscape gradually unfold from the decks of a river boat, especially at sunrise and sunset, is a special way to travel.

The true nature of a country reveals itself in the life along the riverbanks. In northern Vietnam, it’s largely a story of agriculture and industry — green fields of rice, bananas, sweet potatoes, cassava and corn, are dotted with red brick kilns with tall chimneys. Ship builders along the river banks are ubiquitous and so are their rusty red cargo barges that motor up and down the rivers carrying sand, stones, coal and fuel, often passing within a few feet of the Angkor Pandaw.

A typical barge on the Red River system being steered with the captain’s feet. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

9.  The Convenience of  a Vietnam Red River Cruise.

The appeal of cruises big and small is the inherent convenience of unpacking once while you travel to many different places. On small ships like Pandaw, the ease is multiplied. You’ll appreciate never having to queue for anything.

Getting on and off the boat takes just a few moments and the vessels are able to tie up to a tree or anchor just about anywhere. Further, just about everything is included in the fares — the cozy cabin, excursions, spirits, beer and transfers.

The standard Pandaw cabin, a cozy wood paneled abode with lots of storage and a big bathroom. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

10.  The Calm & Quiet of a Vietnam Red River Cruise.

By design, there is no loud music, no TVs in the cabins, and few announcements.

Each day takes on a relaxing rhythm, punctuated by causal open-seating mealtime, one or two half-day excursions, and time for lounging on a deck chair chatting with new friends or soaking up the scenery and taking photos. Movies with a connection to the itinerary are frequently shown after dinner, but otherwise it’s a night cap or two before heading off to sleep.

Photo taking as the main past time on a cruise like this. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

11.  Non-Commercial Vibe of a Vietnam Red River Cruise.

It was so nice that this trip was not about shopping and buying stuff, whether on board or in the stops.

There were a few places to browse and buy (Hanoi and the pottery village), but otherwise, the off-beat places we visited don’t see many tourists and so souvenir shops and touts are pretty non-existent.

We visited quiet villages and rarely encountered other tourists. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

12.  The Quirkiness of a Vietnam Red River Cruise.

Pandaw is different — the look of the boats, the historical backstory, the itineraries and the travelers it attracts.

This is a line that marches to the beat of its own drummer, and I love their tune.

Rachael is jumping for joy on a ferry that transported us to shore. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Caveats of a Vietnam Red River Cruise:    The Heat: Cruising in late April or May in northern Vietnam means it will be very hot in the afternoons — I’m talking up to 100 Fahrenheit (38 Celsius). The Barges & Factories: Vietnam is a country bustling and brimming with industry and it’s obvious with the many barges motoring up and down the rivers, and the factories and shipyards that line the riverbanks in some areas.

Interested in a This Cruise?

Check out more details about Pandaw’s awesome Red River Cruise here.

RELATED: Read a review of a Pandaw cruise on the Mekong.

RELATED: Read our review of a Pandaw cruise on the Irrawaddy River.

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© This article is protected by copyright, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the author. All Rights Reserved. QuirkyCruise.com.

About The Author

Heidi Sarna

I've cruised on 100+ ships of all shapes and sizes all over the world, and it's the small quirky ones that I have always loved the most. My first small-ship cruises in Alaska, the Caribbean and southeast Asia got me hooked and so QuirkyCruise.com was born!

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Loved reading this as I prepare for my own Mekong RIVER ADVENTURE in AUGUST. AND Great to see Heidi and Rachel together “On the Road Again!”

Thank you! And can’t wait to read about your Mekong adventure Anne!

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Pandaw River Cruises

History, review, itineraries, ships, deck plans, news.

•   Fleet
•   Review
•   Itinerary
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Pandaw River Cruises fleet

Andaman explorer, rv song hong pandaw, rv kanee pandaw, rv sabaidee pandaw, rv yunnan pandaw, rv kha byoo pandaw, rv champa pandaw, rv laos pandaw, rv kalaw pandaw, rv kindat pandaw, rv kalay pandaw, rv angkor pandaw, rv bassac pandaw, rv katha pandaw, rv indochina pandaw, review of pandaw river cruises.

"Pandaw River Cruises" is a trademarked brand owned by Pandaw Expeditions Co (1995-founded, 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 cruisetour company operating itineraries in Southeast Asia - Burma (Myanmar), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, China, India and Malaysia (Borneo). The list of rivers on which Pandaw ships navigate includes 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 out-of-Burma itinerary program was inaugurated in 2002 - with cruises on Mekong River. Laos and China (Upper Mekong) cruises were introduced in 2015 as roundtrips 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 started operations in June 2016. After the purchase, the vessel was repositioned from Dubai to Rangoon/Yangon , where was redecorated and drydock-refurbished . 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 prefer Pandaw boats for their traditional Burmese design (all vessels are made of wood and handcrafted), special ambiance (marked by colonial-style furniture, teak wood and brass throughout, highly personalized service), authentic experiences on the ship (gourmet dining and traditional entertainment) and ashore (unique land tours), as well as the amazing scenery along the regularly scheduled itinerary routes.

Onboard dining is complimentary and offered indoors (at the Dining Room Restaurant) and outdoor/al-fresco (on Sun Deck). Most dietary requirements are catered for. The company's quality of food and level of service are legendary. The ships are advertised as family-friendly and suitable for all ages. Younger travelers can enjoy mountain biking (quality bicycles are provided complimentary), hiking and trekking ashore, while teenagers can gain valuable real-life experiences from interacting with local kids during port stays in villages along the route. Older tourists will highly appreciate Pandaw expeditions' tranquillity, cultural richness and some of Asia's most unique sceneries.

Due to their small passenger capacity (20-30-60 pax), 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 , Saga UK . Private full-boat ("time charter" and "voyage charter") arrangements are also offered.

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

Due to the ongoing COVID crisis, in October 2021 the company officially announced that permanently ceases its cruise shipping operations in Asia (on rivers in India, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam). The main reason for the closure, 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 proclaimed a year-long emergency state. Due to lack of financial liquidity and failure to find investors/funding, Pandaw was unable to sustain its business during the 2+ years of suspension (2020-2022). The main expenses were the cold layups (of the 17 riverboats) and the needed refurbishments before restarting voyages (which timing was also uncertain).

Prior to the COVID crisis, Pandaw enjoyed a high percentage of loyal customers, resulting in 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 they had secured funding through September 2022, when the company plans to restart operations.

Pandaw ships

Pandaw riverboats also feature the highest passenger-to-space ratio on 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 that also serves as a "common balcony" for all staterooms.

Next video shows some of Pandaw's vessel construction stages.

Breakfast is buffet-style but preceded by light bites, tea and coffee for early risers. Lunch is either buffet-style or sit-down (waiter-served, with a la carte menu choices), while dinners are 4-course and waiter-served. Pandaw's food ingredients are locally sourced and always fresh. Excepting premium spirits, all beverages on the ship are complimentary, including domestic beers and spirits, soft drinks, coffee and tea, 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 offer as standard amenities twin beds (some converting to double, all with premium mattresses, quality linens, duvet, two kinds of pillows), French windows (opening onto Promenade Deck), air-conditioning, spacious wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), writing desk (mirrored vanity table with chair and make-up mirror), under-bed storage, en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, washbasin, hairdryer, towels, slippers, bathrobes/kimonos, Spa-branded premium bath amenities), unlimited bottled water, Yoga mats (for in-cabin use), nightly turndown service.

On all shore excursions are complimentary provided shoe cleaning and cold towel services (upon re-boarding the ship), unlimited bottled water (including Pandaw-branded aluminum bottles as giveaways), English-speaking tour guides, first aid-trained assistant guide. Onboard 24-hour laundry is available at extra charge.

Pandaw cruise deals

Cruise fares are inclusive of all shore excursions (with local guides, also sampan boat tours), onboard meals and drinks (including local alcoholic and non-alcoholic, international wines and beverages cost ~USD 5 per drink), Wi-Fi, domestic flights and bus transfers. Not included in the fares are international flights, visas, laundry, 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 (sized 335 ft2 / 31 m2) features a step-out private balcony, separate bedroom-lounge room, bonus perks like dedicated butler service, complimentary bottle of champagne (upon boarding), espresso machine, fully-stocked minibar (complimentary beverages/brand waters, soft drinks), free body massage (1-hour), free foot massage (15-min). Pandaw Suites were also available as upgrades on existing bookings.

In February 2021 were announced new and improved activities providing more choices of shore excursions and entertainment during the voyage. Pandaw's new activities program covers the topics "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 shipboard and are optional (additions to the complimentary daily land tours) so surcharge is 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 in the period March 2020 thru July 2021. The 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 was for all itineraries scheduled for 2021-2022.

Itinerary of Pandaw River Cruises

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

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

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

In December 2023, Pandaw Cruises officially announced adjustments to its Ganges River itineraries, effective September 2024, to accommodate navigational modifications along the renowned Indian river. As a prominent river cruise specialist 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 is to be introduced, exploring the picturesque state of Bihar between Varanasi and Farakka.

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

Next YouTube videos are official (Pandaw Expeditions) releases that review the company's river cruise itineraries by destination.

Mekong River (Cambodia-Vietnam-Laos)

Ganges River (India)

Brahmaputra River (India)

Irrawaddy Delta

Chindwin River

Halong Bay and Red River (Vietnam)

Pandaw River Cruises related cruise news

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LAOS RIVER CRUISES

Spectacular Laos River Cruises

Our spectacular Laos river cruises allow you to discover the undiscovered as you travel on the Upper Mekong River.

The mighty Mekong River makes its way through six countries and a Pandaw river cruise allows you to explore remote parts of these countries that the average traveller ordinarily wouldn't get to see.

Our exciting cruise travels to or from Vientiane in Laos to Chiang Khong in Thailand. Passengers need to bring with them a real sense of adventure and flexibility as the itinerary of such a monumental cruise can change at any time.

Travelling between these South-East Asian countries can be logistically difficult, embarking on a Laos River Cruise takes away these stresses and takes you into the heart of these beautiful and fascinating countries. The native people are warm and welcoming and waiting to meet and educate you to their way of life. As well as immersing yourself in the culture you will be awe-inspired by the varying, stunning landscapes from lush jungle scenery to mountains, forests, gorges and rapids.

Visit working villages, local markets and experience the difference between the French colonial Laos capital of Vientiane, the temple city of Luang Prabang and the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar border.

Step aboard a specifically designed Pandaw ship for our Laos cruise, purpose-built for sailing on the Upper Mekong with low draft and extra powerful engines. Your staterooms are spacious and come with fresh fruits and flowers on arrival. Our staff go above and beyond to make your stay as comfortable as it can be.

Longer Expeditions

The Laos Mekong

Rivers : Mekong River

Ships : RV Champa Pandaw, RV Laos Pandaw, RV Sabaidee Pandaw

from US$4,316.40 per person

No Single Supplements on selected dates

Combination Cruises

Halong Bay, Red River & Laos Mekong

Rivers : Halong Bay & The Red River, Mekong River

Ships : RV Angkor Pandaw, RV Champa Pandaw

from US$7,970.40 per person

Save up to 10% and No Single Supplement on selected dates

The Full Mekong, Four Country 21 Night Combo Cruise

For the first time, join Pandaw on an in-depth exploration of the Mekong River from South to North. Combining our two 10 night Mekong expeditions through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam in this special four country expedition. Sailing all of the navigable stretches of this mighty river, you will learn about how one river can support a vast and diverse group of peoples and cultures, all from the comfort of our locally crafted Pandaw vessels.

New for 2024, this cruise expedition will be sailing from central Saigon, embarking or disembarking in Vietnam’s bustling metropolis.

This combo cruise includes flight and one night accommodation between cruises within the price of your ticket. Flights and hotels are subject to routing and availability at time of booking.

Rivers : Mekong River, Mekong River, Tonle River

Ships : RV Champa Pandaw, RV Mekong Pandaw, RV Sabaidee Pandaw

from US$9,596 per person

Land & River Tours

Best of Laos & Northern Thailand

Explore the beauty and culture of Laos and Northern Thailand with Pandaw on our new and exclusive river and land tour. Experience all that Laos has to offer along the scenic and serene upper Mekong where local life remains unchanged for centuries aboard your expertly crafted and luxuriously comfortable small Pandaw vessel. We also venture high into the mountains of Northern Thailand to discover the rich culture and diversity of the hilltribe peoples that have inhabited this area for centuries. This unforgettable 16 night adventure is sure to be the trip of a lifetime..

from US$5,626.44 per person

Rivers in Laos

Mekong River

RV Champa Pandaw

RV Laos Pandaw

RV Sabaidee Pandaw

River cruise stops.

Cruising The Mekong

Golden Triangle

Kuang Si Waterfalls

Luang Prabang

Discover Pandaw Cruises

Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations were just superb - from the cocktail party on the sandbank to the fireworks at midnight

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

These may be the wildest things you can do while on a cruise

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To the uninitiated, cruises are for pensioners who want to while away their silver years mingling and playing bingo while bobbing around the Caribbean.

The reality couldn’t be further from the truth.

Cruise ships are now hip. And there are routes all over the world so intrepid travellers can visit the four corners of the earth in style, opening voyagers to exciting new experiences.

From becoming a shepherd for a day in Mahon, Spain , to trying your hand at beekeeping in Lithuania, or camping on ice-capped plains in Alaska or mingling with elephants in South Africa – cruising isn’t just about what’s on the ship.

The best of the best excursions travellers can do while cruising have been plucked from the seas for the Sailawaze Excellence Awards (BTW  you can win a cruise for two by voting here , we should add…) with some major shortlisted collaborations from the likes of Fred. Olden Cruise Lines, Oceania Cruises, Havila Voyages, Pandaw Expeditions, Azamara, Holland America, CroisiEurope, Hurtigruten and Uniworld.

So where would you like to go? Italy? Alaska? Cambodia?

Vote for your chance to win a cruise

Do you love cruising? Are you an intrepid traveller? Maybe you just like looking at pictures of luxe ships. No matter which, we want you to vote!

Metro has partnered with the  Sailawaze Excellence Awards , highlighting the very best in cruising when it comes to sustainability, wellness, entertainment and beyond.

And we need YOU to simply select what you’ve been most impressed by.

The best bit? By voting you’ll automatically be in with a chance of winning a cruise for two worth £2,500.

Say bon voyage to the more traditional categories of ‘best large ship’ or ‘best luxury cruise line’ and instead ahoy to innovation, food and drink and showstopping performances.

Vote for your favourite here .

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Among the Fred. Olsen Cruise Line routes are a tour of the Baltic, which will allow you to jump off in Lithuania to explore the fascinating history of the countryside.

A picturesque drive will take you to meet Jurate and Giedre, who will introduce you to the 260 bee families of their apiary and invite you to both taste and have a go at making the honey. Sweet.

And if honey isn’t your jam, other excursions on the Olsen Cruise Lines tour include visiting Icelandic homes and RIB rides around the Giant’s Causeway in Belfast.

Oceania Cruises

With Oceania Cruises you can follow the crowds or be a shepherd – literally – with their routes that aim to help you go native. Their immersive cruise offerings are designed to help you experience a fully authentic travelling experience, wherever you are in the world.

You can become a shepherd for a day in Mahon, Spain or visit Buenos Aires where a local guide will take you to the markets before dinner at an Argentinian home. Or if fish is your dish, why not try a day at sea with the natives in Portofino, Italy?

Havila Voyages

Norwegian cruise provider Havila Voyages will ferry you towards the North Pole where you can witness breathtaking views that many can only dream of. Their routes will take you to the North Cape, the northernmost point of mainland Europe where travellers can see the curve of the earth.

Also on offer are a midnight concert at Tromso Cathedral, king crab fishing and husky sledding – among other chilly adventures like Fjord trips, sea kayaking or a deep dive into Norwegian Viking history.

Pandaw Expeditions

If the oceans aren’t your thing, Pandaw Expeditions provide luxury small-ship cruises across Asia’s rivers and lakes, so you can visit the dolphin grounds at Kratie in far north Cambodia.

Snaking through China, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Pandaw boats aim to help you explore remote and often hard-to-navigate rivers in specially-designed luxury small ships.

Once you’ve seen the beauty of the Ganges, Mekong and China’s Red River you can sail across Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in SE Asia.

Relaxation is the name of the day at Azamara where guests are given time to explore the Mediterranean, Northern and Western Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, the Panama Canal, and Central & North America at a slow pace.

And if your dream destination is Japan, their 15-night Japan intensive voyage includes six extended destination days in Akita, Niigata, Kanazawa, Busan, Kitakyushu and Hiroshima, plus two overnight stays in Kobe and Tokyo. Hai, onegai shimasu! (Yes, please.)

Holland America Line

If grizzly bears are your thing, the Holland America Line is the only cruise line to take guests to Canada’s newest Unesco World Heritage Site, Tr’ondëk-Klondike, which offers a spectacular 178 wildlife and wilderness tours in Alaska.

Located along the Yukon River in the sub-arctic region of Northwest Canada, Tr’ondëk-Klondike, is a living cultural landscape that bears witness to the long-standing coexistence of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and the newcomers who found themselves linked to each other by the famous gold rush of the 19th century. Sounds like a trip that’s worth its weight in gold.

CroisiEurope

If a safari is on your bucket list, CroisiEurope provides cruises across South Africa to the Chobe National Park, which is home to 50,000 elephants. Or you could take the trip along the shores of Lake Kariba to see the hippos and more than 240 species of native birds.

Or for an even greater buzz, take a chopper over the Victoria Falls to view their majesty from the skies.

Hurtigruten

For the more intrepid traveller, camping under the Northern Lights might float your boat. Northern operator Hurtigruten Cruises will take you all over Norway and into its snow-capped regions and beyond.

And if you get tired of the on-board luxury, you can camp in Antarctica in the style of early Amundsen and Scott to give you a snowy experience unlike any other on the HX Hurtigruten Expeditions ship. You will stay cosy and warm with the most high-tech camping gear before heading out under the stars to see the region’s moonlit beauty.

Maybe wellness is your thing. Uniworld, which cruises across the globe, offers a Ganges River Village Exploration where you can begin your day with sun salutes on the top deck, or take part in fitness classes, massage treatments or a dip in the heated on-board pool, before heading inland to remote villages to enjoy the authentic yoga experience.

The rest of the nominations

Food & beverage.

Virgin Voyages

Aqua Expeditions

TUI River Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Explora Journeys

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

P&O Cruises

Riverside Luxury Cruises

Emerald Cruises

Amawaterways

Swan Hellenic

Princess Cruises

MSC Cruises

Royal Caribbean

SUSTAINABILITY

AE Expeditions

The Majestic Line

Portsmouth International Port

Celebrity Cruises

VIVA Cruises

Disney Cruise Line

Saga Cruises

A- Rosa Cruises

ENTERTAINMENT

Carnival Cruise Line

Marella Cruises

COLLABORATIONS

Ambassador Cruise Line

A-Rosa Cruises

Or for a European experience, they provide an exclusive after-hours visit to St Mark’s Basilica in Venice, where you can witness the gilded interiors during a special lighting ceremony. Golden.

Your Daily Horoscope

Daily horoscope today: May 13, 2024 astrological predictions for your star sign

So if you’d like to sail off into the sunset and experience some unforgettable adventures, don’t forget to vote!

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