Passenger Feedback

I have now been back in the UK for almost a week, and I admit I cried at Mandalay airport as I was so sad to leave - poor Patrick, our Guide, must have thought I was mad!

I cannot express my gratitude for all the help Pandaw gave during my stay - firstly, to Marco for the prize of the cruise, to ALL the wonderful crew onboard Kalay Pandaw, especially Maung Naiong (our Purser), Thura Tun (who I miss every day as he looked after us so well with food, drinks and generally anything we needed), Lin Lin Aung (our Housekeeper) and the rest of the staff who ensured we were escorted on tours during the day (Medics) and generally looked after us, and for the knowledge gained from our wonderful guide Patrick Saw Zaw Min Oo.

Having never visited Asia before, both my sister and I were thoroughly spoilt and overwhelmed by everyone's kindness and the Pandaw experience, so much so that I am looking to return next year. I see from the website there are selected dates for no single occupancy - I will be travelling without my sister - and wonder if there are special Agent rates, or would I be better off booking as a single traveller/past customer.

Please could you let me know so that I can then try and plan a month's stay in Myanmar which will include a week's cruise or longer. I am thinking of the Upper Irrawaddy, possibly in conjunction with another cruise and along to Inle Lake, so would appreciate your thoughts on this.

Many thanks once again.

Kind regards,
Cathy

Having just returned to England from our South East Asia holiday which include a week on the RV Kalay Pandaw. I wanted to write to say how much we appreciated the care and professionalism displayed by the Purser, along with the entire crew and our outstanding guide Patrick. Both Patrick and the Purser gave us a lovely insight into Burmese life, sharing their passion for their country. There where many highlights during the week which we will remember for a long time.

Please pass on our thanks and appreciation to all the crew of RV Kalay. We will definitely return to Myanmar and another Pandaw adventure.

Best wishes
Elaine Watters

This was our first and hopefully not last visit to South East Asia. In a four week visit of too many highlights to mention, the seven day Mekong Pandaw cruise from Saigon to Siem Reap was right up there. You would have to be very picky to find a fault as they have mastered the concept of managing their customers' experience, rather than just taking them on a cruise. There is evidence of lots of attention to detail. The cabin are appropriate size for a river cruise with lots of shore excursions available, the crew were attentive without being in your face and always immaculately presented. And the food was 100% on the money.

One teeny tiny suggestion - maybe the dining room staff taking lunch orders at breakfast and dinner orders at lunch time could ask your cabin number. With such a broad and wonderful menu available it sometimes became difficult to remember what we had ordered several hours before, and particularly after a shore excursion when it came to dinner time. This is not a criticism, just one one of those 'one percenters' that may make a difference.

Thanks Pandaw. We will be back.

We spent an amazing week on the Mekong Pandaw. The crew were all amazing, well trained, polite, helpful, efficient. We couldn't fault them at all. The daily itinerary was announced at the end of Happy Hour and followed up by a written schedule left on our bed when the sheets were turned down. The daily trips were well planned, interesting and gave us an insight into the local life, especially with regard to the schools. The food was, to us, on a par wth 'fine dining'. We could not fault it at all.

Being a vegetarian can sometimes be a bit difficult. However the chef provided a variety of dishes during the week. In addition the staff remembered and I did not have to remind whoever was serving of the fact. Sadly I did not venture to the top deck for an early morning cup of tea. I was not comfortable going there in the 'dressing gown' provided so had to wait for breakfast for that first cuppa! It would have been nice to have had a tea/coffee station on each deck for that early morning drink. Something that could easily have been moved away when breakfast was served. I am sure this facility would be well received by otheres too.

Providing water refillable water bottles was to me a real plus and definitely better than using lots of disposable bottles. We were provide with an insulate bag to carry the bottles but, sadly, these were on loan only when it would have been nice to keep it. Also by providing ear pieces and radio receivers was also a plus on trips, especially when the guide was leading the group which, for logisitic reasons, could only follow in single file. We were all able to hear what he had to say and he did not have to shout !!

From the minute we stepped foot on the boat, the send off on trips, the return to the boat from a trip when we wer greeted with a cold flannel, cold drink and someone to clean our shoes, to the final farewell we were so well looked after, the trip will be remembered for a long time to come.

Thank you Pandaw your trips are awesome.
Julie Evans

A great trip that gives you an insight into the everyday lives of villagers. The crew were terrific, very helpful and friendly. Jimmy's "GOOD MORNING LADIES & GENTLEMAN" always heralded another interesting excursion. Meals were great not to mention the open bar that flowed freely all the trip. The top deck was a special place to relax with a drink and watch the fasinating life on the banks of this mighty river. The cruise had just the right amount of excursions with enough time to meet fellow travellers and relax. It exceeded our expectations.

I would like to start by saying the 10 day Cruise on the RV Kalay far exceeded my expectations; from the stateroom, the excursions, the service, the food, the itinerary, and the safety concerns of the crew members for all passengers.

Unfortunately, on day eight of the cruise I fell and injured my leg, requiring stitches to close the wound. No one was at fault. It was just a “freak” accident. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for the compassion, care, and concerns that I received from all members of the Kalay crew. They quickly got me medical care and did everything possible to make sure that I was comfortable and taken care of.

I will highly recommend Pandaw to my friends, and plan on taking another river cruise with Pandaw.

Again I would like to express my thanks to the Kalay crew.

Gratefully,
Linda Dombrowski
Compton, Illinois, USA

Dear Paul (if I may?),

Hats off to you for your extraordinary Pandaw! We’re just back in UK from a week on RV Zawgyi Pandaw, Homalin to Monywa. Ever since our first Pandaw trip in 2001 we’ve wanted to return.

This latest cruise down the Chindwin (our photographs here) was perfect in every way. You have built an extraordinary crew, an extraordinary ship, a fascinating itinerary, and a wonderful experience for Burma-lovers like us. There’s a spirit of generosity about Pandaw, and the entire cruise was magnificently managed.

I expect you and the Pandaw receive peons of praise every day, so I’ll try not to repeat the same multitude of good things that others probably tell you. But two things in particular stuck out from our trip… It happened to be my birthday on October 3, but deliberately we kept quiet about it. Despite this, the Purser noticed the date on my passport (wow!). At the end of dinner the lights dimmed, a beautiful cake appeared, and with it the crew in dress uniforms to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ and other Burmese songs. Then each one came forward with congratulations and birthday greetings. I cannot tell you how touched I was.

The second thing also concerns the crew. Throughout the cruise they were disciplined, courteous, attentive, hard-working, thoughtful, and professional in every way. One fellow passenger - a lady - was in difficulties some of the time, but they all looked after her with great kindness and understanding. The standard of service was outstanding. Having run businesses myself, I have no idea how you have managed to build such team spirit in such a remote setting!

I suspect you are obsessive about detail, so one minuscule suggestion: in the cabin the switch for the bedside light is directly above the back of the bed. This means that if you are in the habit of sitting up in bed - e.g. to meditate - you’re in danger of hitting it with your back and switching on the light. It would be great if that switch could be placed between the beds instead.

Very many thanks for all you have created and the great joy Pandaw has given us (and thousands others). I read your excellent Pandaw book while on the Chindwin and have a tiny understanding of what it has taken. Emma and I salute you! We hope to book another trip soon, hopefully the Upper Chindwin next year.

All best wishes
Vesey

Good morning. We have recently returned to Australia after travelling on the Champa Pandaw on the upper Mekong through Laos (our second Pandaw trip). It was fabulous. There is nothing to say other than positives about the staff, the food, the ship and the experience generally.

Our guide Vieng was great - knowledgeable and very approachable. Our barman Htike Htike and our dining room "waiter" Suy were two of the nicest people you could meet, always on the ball, never without a smile on their face and hard working. Although we thanked them I would love if you could also pass on our great appreciation.

I have loved both of the trips and hope I am able to go on another, although having just retired it may be now a luxury! Having said that, it is great that everything is included. The members' package is a fabulous idea and we certainly made use of it and appreciated the discounts etc.

So once again, many thanks.
Regards Janette Grierson and John Storen