Pandaw Cruises

Why Pandaw?
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 travellers 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. Pandaw has an all-inclusive policy so there are no hidden extras for excursions. Most drinks are included in the price of your ticket. 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 tranquillity interspersed by conviviality and cultural richness, whilst gliding through some of the world’s most amazing scenery, then welcome on board!

The Team
The Pandaw Group of Companies is entirely owned by the Strachan family. Paul and Roser Strachan remain closely involved in ensuring that their high standards are rigorously maintained. They regularly travel on the ships taking a strong interest in their design and style and enjoying interacting with our guests. Pandaw was the first operator since the Second World War to offer pioneering cruises on Burma's spectacular Irrawaddy River, reaching Bhamo, one thousand miles from the sea. We then went on to be the first to offer cruises on the stunningly attractive Chindwin river. As a family business the company has no borrowings, and thus runs on a very solid financial foundation. Paul takes personal charge of the Pandaw Charity, and a significant portion of the company's profits goes into maintaining current educational and medical projects in Burma.

Life Onboard
Sailing on a Pandaw ship is an outdoor, fresh air experience. However comfortable and roomy the staterooms, passengers prefer to spend their time sitting outside, on the promenade decks or on the vast observation deck above. Unlike most other cruise ships, every window on board (except for the portholes on the lower deck) can be opened and closed to suit your comfort. As we sail, we find that our passengers like to sit on deck, absorbed by the awe-inspiring riverside panoramas that unfold before them. From the comfortable vantage point of a teak-floored Pandaw deck, it's hard not to become hypnotised by the unceasing human and wildlife activity that characterises the great rivers of Asia.

Intro - Health & Safety Measures

The PANDAW-Health and Safety measures for the planned re-start of river cruises in SE Asia have been established by Pandaw Senior Management and are based on the current available guidelines of the WHO as well as on the regulations of the individual countries involved. To ensure maximum safety on all our PANDAW vessels, these measures need to be respected by us, as the cruise line, and you, as our partner and passengers. 

We are convinced that in spite of the current situation, we will still be able to offer all passengers a memorable cruise experience and can assure you that our crew on board will, without exception, make every effort to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.

As a responsible cruise company, which is committed to the safety of its passengers and crew, we are continuously and actively working in cooperation with experts on the development and implementation of the Health and Safety Concept. It is also the duty of these experts to continuously train our crews on board. 

In addition, there will be a specifically trained and certified senior crew member assigned to oversee and manage the Healthy and Safety standards onboard. 

General Remark

We see as a distinct advantage that cruise ship operators always had strict hygiene standards in place and clear processes prepared, even before the current Coronavirus pandemic, to quickly react to heightened hygiene requirements onboard and to ensure a safe travel for all passengers. 

- Operational procedures onboard have been arranged to ensure a minimum distance of 2.0 metres (6.5ft) between each person. 

- Passengers are required to wear face masks (covering mouth and nose) in public areas onboard if the required minimum distance is not possible. 

- The crew will forego usual welcome rituals such as shaking hands, etc. until further notice. 

- Updates and changes regarding requirements will be continuously taken into consideration. 

Health Questionnaires

Our partners will receive Health Questionnaires as well as Medical Declarations prior to embarkation, which has to be completed and certified by all Passengers and Tour Leaders without exception and be valid for at least 48 hours before entering the country of travel. 

This ensures that only Passengers who meet the requirements outlined in the questionnaire will start their cruise with us. The Health Questionnaires will be collected by Senior Staff before embarkation during Temperature Testing. 

It is our goal, in cooperation with our Partners and within the measures available to us, to safeguard and protect our Passengers and Crew from a possible infection. 

Additional Comments: 

- The cruise line reserves the right to deny boarding and exclude certain Passengers from taking part in a cruise if their participation would result in a conflict with operational safety. 

- Passengers will be asked about their wellbeing and health regularly. 

Health of the Crew:

- All Crew members receive a medical examination before they come on board. 

- All Crew members are allowed to work on board only if they test negative for Covid-19 and if the test is not older than 4 days. 

- Continuous health checks and body temperature measurements will be administered for the crew while working on board. 

- All Crew will be provided with an adequate amount of protective personal equipment such as face masks/face shields, disposable gloves, etc. and will receive detailed instructions on how to use this equipment effectively. 

Check-In 

- Access to the cruise ship will be controlled by a crew member positioned at the entrance of the vessel. 

- All Passengers have to pass a contactless body temperature check before embarkation. Passengers with a body temperature of 37.5° degrees (99.5°F) or higher will be denied boarding. 

- All luggage handles will be disinfected in front of the ship before being delivered to the cabins by the Crew. 

- All Passengers and Crew are required to disinfect their hands each time prior to boarding the ship. 

- Proper social distancing between passengers at check in at the reception desk will be observed. 

- If scattered arrival on embarkation day (i.e. busses with arrival time separation) is not possible, additional waiting areas will be created in front of the ship and access to the gangway coordinated by a crew member. 

- In all cases, additional rules and regulations of the local port authorities will be observed. 

In comparison to other establishments on land, the river cruise industry developed proven hygiene standards already many years ago and these continue to remain valid. 

In addition to the measurements already in place, cleaning intervals for surfaces that are known as transmission platforms such as door handles, railings, gangways, keyboards, etc. will be increased. 

Hand sanitising points will be installed in all areas on the ship with heightened passenger traffic (entrance, lobby, restaurant, saloon bar, sun deck and entrance and exit of crew areas). All cleaning and disinfecting products used on board have been specially rated by the individual manufacturers as being effective for the successful disinfection of coronaviruses. 

Additional Measures:

- An adequate supply of personal protective equipment such as face masks are available on board. However, tour operators should, encourage passengers to bring their own face masks. 

- For cleaning and disinfection on board the current valid guidelines of the “Asia – Europe Foundation & the ILO” will apply. 

- The air conditioning system is designed to discharge air to the outside of the vessel which prevents a re-circulation of air within the vessel. Additional technical measures and filter systems, which are used within the health industry, will be tested and implemented for critical areas such as public spaces. In addition, crew members are instructed to increase fresh air ventilation. 

- Cabin crew members are required to disinfect their hands every time before entering a passenger cabin and wear face masks while working in passenger cabins. 

- Items that can be shared amongst passengers (e.g. magazines, bar snacks, etc.) will not be offered until further notice. 

- Passenger contact with certain, shared objects (e.g. menus, trays, condiments etc.) will be on demand only. 

- Information and instructions regarding social distancing, sneezing and coughing etiquette as well as correct usage of disinfection stations and personal protection equipment will be posted in public areas. 

- Cabin keys will be disinfected each time they are returned to the reception desk 

General Rules:

A minimum distance of 2.0 meters (6.5ft) measured from table corner to table corner in the restaurant, as well as Saloon & Sundeck Bars will be adhered to. 

Seating will be assigned by the Dining Supervisor or Ships Purser to ensure the following seating arrangements: 

- Maximum of 4 Passengers per table (families are excepted from this requirement) 

- Passengers accommodated in the same cabins will share a table Face masks are not required while sitting at the table. Depending on the amount of passengers onboard, we reserve the right to schedule two seating’s for meals or the use of alternative Dining areas such as Saloon Bars. 

Buffets:

Both Breakfast and Lunch Buffets will be manned by Pandaw Dining Crew and will NOT BE SELF SERVE. Egg Stations, Noodle Stations etc will be manned by Kitchen crew and cooked to order and delivered to the table by Dining Crew. Dinner will be by Family Style Only with individual serving implements provided. 

Saloon and Sundeck Bars:

Pandaw saloons provide a generously spacious layout enabling lectures and presentations to be held, with social distancing guidelines observed. Events such as the Briefings, folklore lectures and entertainment programmes, where a significant number of participants is expected, may be offered in two sessions. 

Additional measures:

- Beverage service will be provided exclusively by the waiter. This includes the cocktail hour, which may be offered in two seatings. 

- Bar snacks will be served to passengers individually instead of being shared with others. 

Cofffee and Tea Station:

The “24-Hour-Coffee station” (if available) will still be accessible in compliance with the hygiene standards. Board games, playing cards, books, etc. will not be available until further notice. 

Sun Deck & Promenades:

The generous dimensions of our outdoor areas do not require specific restrictions as long as the required minimum distancing guidelines between passengers are observed (individual responsibility of passengers). 

Spa:

These services can be offered, while hygiene standards as well as health and safety guidelines have to be observed. Advance reservation at the reception is required. Spa attendants will wear PPE at all times during the treatments. 

Shore Excursions will be organized in accordance with the local rules and regulations. These may vary depending on the country and can also differ for group sizes and maximum participation for guided tours and visits. In order to guarantee minimum distance requirements between participants while on an excursion, the usage of wireless audio guides is mandatory. All passengers MUST wear Face Masks when attending excursions no exceptions. Passengers who refuse to wear Face Masks will be refused the right to attend the excursion. 

If a passenger displays symptoms possibly related to COVID-19, an emergency plan specifically developed for this situation will be activated: 

- The affected passenger will immediately be isolated in a designated cabin and must consent to staying isolated and avoid contact with others until the arrival of a physician and/or health authorities. 

- Crew members on board who supervise this cabin will be equipped with the necessary personal protection equipment. 

- Under the supervision of the PANDAW-Health Care Officer, a preliminary diagnosis utilizing a COVID-19 rapid test will be performed. 

- After initial evaluation of the test result and if required, local health authorities will be notified. 

As the cruise line, we have already assembled comprehensive health infrastructure information for each port along our itineraries in order to immediately arrange medical services for Passengers and Crew, if necessary. A return to the ship after possible illness detection is only allowed with a doctors note and certification of no illness (COVID-19). Please be aware that Pandaw accepts no responsibility for payment of Doctors or Hospitalization costs in the event of illness of any kind.