About RV Mekong Pandaw
RV Mekong Pandaw belongs to Pandaw's Pandaw Heritage series and entered service in 2003. Built to navigate the lock systems and bridge clearances of European waterways, she measures roughly 57 metres in length and accommodates up to 48 guests in 24 staterooms across 2 passenger decks.
Pandaw was founded by Paul Strachan in 1995 to revive the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company tradition. Its small, two-deck, all-teak vessels run the Irrawaddy, Chindwin, Mekong, Red, Halong Bay and the upper reaches of rivers other operators cannot reach. RV Mekong Pandaw reflects that brand DNA — from the design of her public spaces to the inclusions in her base fare.
The ship's typical home waters are the Mekong, where she runs 2 distinct itineraries during the operating season. Repositioning sailings, themed wine cruises and Christmas-market voyages may be added in autumn and early winter.
Cabin categories
The following stateroom and suite categories are offered onboard. Square-foot figures are quoted from the operator's published deck plans and exclude balcony floor space.
| Category | Square feet | Deck | Window / view | Max guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Deck Stateroom | 168 sq ft | Main Deck | Sliding teak doors | 2 |
| Upper Deck Stateroom | 168 sq ft | Upper Deck | Sliding teak doors | 2 |
Deck plan
RV Mekong Pandaw is laid out across 2 passenger decks plus the open-air sun deck. Public spaces, cabins and crew areas are arranged in the configuration described below.
Onboard amenities
- Sun deck with shaded lounge area
- Panoramic lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows
- Main restaurant serving open-seating regional cuisine
- Casual bistro for breakfast, lunch and late-night snacks
- Reception with 24-hour staff and concierge service
- Lift between most passenger decks
- Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi throughout the ship
- Hair salon and small fitness room
- Teak open-air observation deck and sundowner lounge
Featured itineraries
The voyages below are representative of those RV Mekong Pandaw sails during her primary season. Exact ports, departure dates and durations vary by year — consult the operator for current schedules.
| Itinerary | Length | Sample ports | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam, Cambodia & the Riches of the Mekong | 11 nights | Ho Chi Minh City · My Tho · Sa Dec · Tan Chau · Phnom Penh · Kampong Cham | Mekong |
| Charms of the Mekong | 8 nights | Siem Reap · Phnom Penh · Tan Chau · Sa Dec · Ho Chi Minh City | Mekong |
Sister ships in the Pandaw fleet
RV Pandaw
40 guests · launched 2002
RV Bagan Pandaw
40 guests · launched 2002
RV Indochina Pandaw
46 guests · launched 2009
RV Tonlé Pandaw
30 guests · launched 2008
RV Orient Pandaw
40 guests · launched 2010
RV Burma Pandaw
40 guests · launched 2013