We have just returned from our latest Pandaw adventure aboard the RV Laos Pandaw. While we have taken two previous trips with Pandaw, this trip was so very special in so many ways.

The comfort of the ship was outstanding. The cabin was large and featured more than adequate storage. The bath was first-class all the way. We found the entire ship’s crew to be delightful. All of the crew did a tremendous job making us feel welcome and always being there to assist us in any way they could, and always with a smile on their face. The chef did a tremendous job with each and every meal, every day delighting us with the selections. I will always remember our wait staff, and especially Khan, who loved preparing his specialty cocktail of the day, our Guide, Mr. Bee, who managed to deliver the Daily Briefing each day in such a way that we all looked forward to it, our Purser, Saroueng Em, who was always available to answer a question or offer an explanation, and especially Captain Houm Phan, whose love of the RV Laos Pandaw and sailing the Mekong was evident every day.

This trip only leaves one with a question - “Which Pandaw trip shall we take next?” Thank you for providing us the opportunity to enjoy two tremendous weeks aboard the RV Laos Pandaw and the wonderful memories we have. It has been an honour to sail with Pandaw!

Arlene Wilbers

My wife and I have recently enjoyed yet another set of adventures with Pandaw Cruises, in March 2016: a pre-cruise tour of Yunnan Province (LTC2), a Mekong China downstream cruise (CH-002), and a post-cruise tour of the Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand (LTTH1).

Firstly we want to congratulate your staff on surmounting a number of difficulties brought about by the low river level which prevented the RV Laos Pandaw vessel from travelling up to Jinghong. The arrangements made by Joost and staff to accommodate us in the Empark Grand Hotel, to organise excursions in and around Jinghong, and to secure vessels to transport us downstream to the Laos Pandaw, were remarkable and compensated for our disappointment in not joining the Laos Pandaw in Jinghong.

The pre-cruise tour of Yunnan Province beginning in Kunming and concluding with a flight from Lijiang was wonderful. Guides, drivers, busses, hotels, and itinerary were all excellent.

When we arrived in Jinghong we were surprised to find that we would be staying there for some time. We guessed that it was the low river level of the upper Mekong that was the problem. How we were to get to the RV Laos Pandaw was a mystery. Those in our party of 18 who were seasoned travellers with Pandaw accepted the situation and enjoyed our time in Jinghong, especially the spectacular cultural show at the theatre one night. We also enjoyed shopping at the night markets. You can imagine our delight when, on day 3 in Jinghong, Joost explained that he had arranged two boats to take us down-river from Jinghong to meet the RV Laos Pandaw the next day. That trip was fascinating, and a marvel of organisation. We suppose the hiring of these boats would have cost Pandaw considerable sums of money, but we would recommend these modes of transport be incorporated in future Upper Mekong cruises if similar river level problems beset the RV Laos Pandaw. The second vessel, equipped with furniture from the RV Laos Pandaw, plus a Pandaw cook, whilst not a luxury craft, provided us with an adventure we won't easily forget. And we saw all the river we were supposed to see in the original itinerary.

Once aboard the Laos Pandaw we all enjoyed the usual attention to our needs which your Company provides, and had a lovely 4 days on the river, with interesting excursions.

Barbara and I much appreciated the efforts of the cruise director on RV Laos Pandaw to rescue our photographs by means of his computer and his purchase of a memory stick for us.

The post-cruise tour of the HillTribes of northern Thailand with "Nun" as our guide was great. Some adventures such as the bamboo rafting on the Kok River, and the following elephant safari, would have been daunting for people less able than we were.

Yours sincerely,
Rollo and Barbara Kiek. Victoria, Australia.

We wish to tell you that our experience on your Golden Lands cruise was absolutely SUPERB. Food was of international standard of any hotel. The staff were always there for me, with my poor walking. Particularly we would like to praise the purser Aung Gaun Goo. THe Guide Ko Yan Naing Moe was extremely informed and informative and personable. He prepared an excellent program.

We will travel with you again and recommend Pandaw to our friends.