Pandaw Cruises

17/09/2026

Why does Vietnam have so many limestone islands? The answer goes back more than 500 million years. What is now Halong Bay was once covered by a shallow tropical sea. Over millions of years, layers of limestone were gradually shaped by rain, wind, and shifting seas into the dramatic karst landscape we see today, creating more than 1,600 islands and islets rising from emerald waters.

Experience this extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of our Red River & Halong Bay journeys and discover the cruise at https://www.pandaw.com/expeditions/halong-bay-red-river

15/09/2026

Before Kolkata was a city, it was a business decision. In 1690, the British East India Company chose a small settlement on the Hooghly Ganges River because whoever controlled the river controlled trade. With direct access to the Bay of Bengal and India's rich interior, the Hooghly Ganges became the gateway for silk, cotton, tea and o***m, transforming Kolkata into the capital of British India and one of the empire's most important ports.

Discover the region for yourself on one of our Hooghly Ganges river cruises. See the full itinerary at https://www.pandaw.com/expeditions/the-hooghly-river

14/09/2026

River cruising in Southeast Asia looked very different 100 years ago. During the colonial era, steamships weren't built for holidays. They were working vessels, carrying passengers and cargo along rivers that served as essential transport routes across the region. In Burma, the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company became a particularly important part of that story, operating an enormous fleet along the country's waterways.

That history would eventually inspire the revival of traditional-style river vessels for a completely different purpose: exploring these waterways at a slower pace. It's a story closely connected to Pandaw and the ships we still sail today.

Read the full article from Saigoneer and explore how Southeast Asia's working steamships helped shape the river cruising we know today:

The relaxed, historic-looking river cruise ships emblazoned with the Pandaw name that you may witness meandering up rivers in Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and even India have a much stranger backstory than you’d suspect. ...

03/09/2026

Slow travel isn't about seeing less; it's about seeing a destination differently. In the recent edition of World Traveler, Judi Cohen explores how Kerala's network of canals, lagoons, and lakes offers a slower, more immersive way to experience India, from the colonial streets of Fort Kochi to peaceful village life and centuries-old waterways that have shaped the region for generations.

Read the full feature here:

The Ultimate Slow Travel Experience – A Pandaw Cruise in the Backwaters of Kerala, India Cruises, Latest Articles Cruise The Ultimate Slow Travel ExperienceA Pandaw Cruise in the Backwaters of Kerala, India Article and photography by Judi Cohen (TravelingJudi) There was a moment somewhere in south...

01/09/2026

Our Laos Mekong expedition isn't just about cruising one of Asia's most beautiful rivers; it's about experiencing the country in a way few travellers do. From the colonial charm of Vientiane and the beauty of Luang Prabang to mountain villages, sacred caves, elephant conservation, traditional cooking classes, and evenings spent dining beside the Mekong, this journey combines scenery with cultural experiences that stay with you long after you've returned home.

Discover all the Laos Mekong highlights at https://www.pandaw.com/expeditions/laos-mekong

29/08/2026

For decades, Vietnam has been at the heart of the Pandaw story. From cruising the Mekong Delta to being home to one of our biggest offices, we've had the privilege of introducing travellers to this remarkable country for many years.

Today, we join in celebrating Vietnam's National Day and everything that makes this destination so special.

Happy National Day, Vietnam! 🇻🇳

26/08/2026

Whether you're exploring the colonial heritage of the Hooghly, cruising the sacred waters of the Hooghly Ganges, or winding through Kerala's backwaters, our collection of three and four night expeditions makes it easier than ever to experience India's rich culture, history, and landscapes from the river.

Perfect as a standalone escape or as part of a wider journey, each itinerary has been carefully designed to immerse you in the destination through guided excursions, local experiences, and the relaxed pace that defines every Pandaw expedition.

Discover our collection of India short cruises at https://www.pandaw.com/india-river-cruises

24/08/2026

What does it take to build a ship that can go where others can't? Work is moving quickly on our newest vessel in Kerala. Below deck, compartments are being coated with marine-grade enamel before the machinery goes in, internal cabin walls are taking shape, roof stanchions are standing, and hundreds of welds are creating the structural strength the ship will depend on for years to come.

But it's what will eventually sit behind those walls that makes a Pandaw vessel different. Dual generators, dual main engines, and an independent desalination and water-treatment plant are all designed to help the ship operate independently for extended periods, allowing us to venture beyond the usual houseboat routes and explore the Kochi river mouth and surrounding archipelago.

Follow along as our newest Pandaw vessel takes shape.

20/08/2026

One of the rarest wildlife encounters in Asia isn't found on safari; it's on the Mekong. During Deeper & Further on the Mekong, guests have the opportunity to search for the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin near Kratie, one of the last places on Earth where these freshwater dolphins can still be seen in the wild.

But that's only the beginning. Sailing from Saigon to inland Siem Reap, this expedition ventures beyond the classic Mekong routes to explore floating villages, pottery communities, mangrove forests, the vast Tonle Sap Lake, and remote stretches of river rarely visited by larger vessels.

Made possible by the ultra-shallow draft RV Mekong Pandaw, this is a journey for travelers who want to discover a side of the Mekong that few others ever see. Explore more at https://www.pandaw.com/expeditions/deeper-and-further-on-the-mekong-river

18/08/2026

Congratulations to Marvella Associates in Sualkuchi, who have received the National Handloom Award in the Start-up Venture category, presented by the President of India on National Handloom Day!

Known as Assam's silk-weaving town, Sualkuchi is one of the stops that gives guests on our Brahmaputra expeditions a closer look at the region's long tradition of handloom weaving. Marvella Associates' award recognises its work connecting silk production and traditional weaving with rural livelihoods, while helping create new opportunities for local communities and the next generation of weavers.

We're proud to work with partners who are keeping these skills and traditions moving forward, and even prouder that our guests have the opportunity to meet them and learn about their work firsthand. Learn more about our Brahmaputra expedition at https://www.pandaw.com/brahmaputra-river-cruises