Pandaw River Expedition announces the 1 million dollar refit of two of its colonial steamers
RV Mekong Pandaw & RV Tonle Pandaw
Both cruise ships were built 2003 in Yangon, Myanmar and were the first river cruise ships to pioneer the mighty Mekong from Saigon to Angkor. The colonial style ships hand crafted in teak and brass remain one of the most loved ships in Southeast Asia.
This year both ships will be refitted with new bathrooms, air conditioning and French windows leading to the promenade deck with panoramic views. The numbers of cabins are being reduced to just twenty-six making way for a much enlarged spa, new gym, art gallery and library on the lower deck. This ship has the largest public space to passenger ratio of any cruise ship in the world. Pandaw will preserve the classic yacht atmosphere but enhance service and facilities. On both Pandaw ships you will experience Asian hospitality and enjoy the highest staff – guest ratio afloat ensuring sensational service.
“There can be no tapestry of river life as fascinating and varied as the River Mekong. Indeed there can be no more striking a cultural contrast as that between the bustling Vietnam delta and the tranquility of Cambodia”, Paul Strachan the founder of Pandaw River Expedition says. “We have been pioneering the Mekong River since 2003 and with the full refit of our two colonial style ships we will not only continue to deliver, but improve the Pandaw cruise experience which we are famous for.”
RV Mekong Pandaw and RV Tonle Pandaw are ready to cruise the Mekong between Cambodia and Vietnam starting October 2013.
Meet Pandaw River Cruises
Pandaw began life in 1995 with the revival of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, which had been established in 1865. By the 1920’s, the company operated a fleet of more than 600 vessels along the rivers of Burma, but they were all scuttled in 1942 to prevent invading Japanese forces from usurping the ships in their campaigns along the Irrawaddy.
Burma Historian Paul Strachan re-launched the company and acquired a former steamer built along the Clyde in Scotland in 1998. Called the Pandaw, she would become the namesake of the company.
Today, Pandaw operates a fleet of ten beautifully designed ships, each with their own classic ambiance and colonial styling — but not lacking in modern amenities.