Pandaw offers a value-laden 10-day cruise of Vietnam’s Red River and Halong Bay. Pandaw’s RV Angkor is a pioneer when it comes to passenger travel on Vietnam’s Red River and still the only such vessel.
The cruise includes the sights of Hanoi, Halong Bay, and many places along the Red River that most tourists don’t get to see. Besides the shore trips there are ethnic shows, on-board cooking demonstration, and informative presentations. The staff takes care of everything from arrival to departure and includes personalized service such as cleaning shoes after a shore trip; they will try to accommodating all reasonable requests.
White tablecloth-dining is on the main deck with great views of the
river and country side. Guests can choose from several items on a menu plus there is a salad and dessert buffet table. The menu is varied featuring Asian and Western cuisine. Special dietary need will be accommodated. Local beverages including beer are gratis but not imported wines, beers, and liquors. Passengers can expect gourmet meals expertly served. There is open seating. Weather permitting staff will prepare a BBQ on a sandbar in the river.
All 32 air-conditioned cabins are roomy with bathroom/shower larger than on many other vessels and include hair dryer, all amenities and L’Occitane toiletries. All are outside cabins with great views. Each room has ample storage space, two nightstands, a safe, and desk/chair, plenty of lighting and life jackets.
Pandaw cruises are understated luxury that focuses on the history and culture of the area. Do not expect to find a TV or any of the activities found on large sea-going cruises such as a swimming pool, disco, or sports. Most of the Pandaw’s guests have been on one or more of their cruises – some as many as five. That says it all. For more information log on to www.pandaw.com.
New York State became the Empire State because of its waterways. The state is bounded by the St. Lawrence River, Great Lakes, Atlantic Ocean plus the Hudson River and the canals provide access to the entire state. From the Native Americans to the explorers to the military to the settlers, the waterways were essential to their livelihood. Not only was it a key to the development of New York State but to the interior of the United States. It was and it still is. Blount Small Ship Adventure offers a two-week trip from Montreal to New York City via the St. Lawrence, Lake Ontario, Oswego and Erie Canals, and the Hudson was a dream come true on the Grande Caribe, a purpose-built vessel designed to make it through the narrow and shallow waters of canals.
It is a value-laden the trip that includes two countries, three world-class cities, some of the world’s most important waterways, excursion to historic places, along with gourmet meals, informative talks, and musical presentations. Attire is casual. Accommodations are small but with plenty of storage space. The food is great and the staff helpful. A very unique opportunity to explore the waterways of the Northeast. Besides excellent shore trips there are informational presentations along with movies and live music in the evening.
Log onto www.blountsmallshipadventures.com for more
information or call toll-free 800-556-7450. “Legends, Locks, Legends, and Canals” is just one of their offerings. With a maximum of 88 passengers, they advertise that they “Go Where the Big Ships Cannot” offering their passengers unique experiences. They also sail to The Bahamas, Lake Michigan, and along the Atlantic Coast.
The most comfortable and enjoyable way to get from Cambodia to Saigon is on a Pandaw Cruise. The sights and sidetrips are unforgettable.
The mighty Mekong River is over 2,700 miles long, making it one of longest in Asia. It is a multinational river with connections to China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. One of the best ways to get from Cambodia to Vietnam is on Pandaw’s RV Mekong. Board the luxury cruise boat in Cambodia’s capital of Phnom Penh after visiting the Royal Palace, the Killing Fields, and the Genocide Museum. Before dinner enjoy an onboard Cambodian cultural show.
Along the river it is one Kodak moment followed by another.
Crossing the border from Cambodia to Vietnam is a non-event for passengers as the staff takes care of the formalities. One of the shore trips is to a Cham village and a visit to their mosque.
One evening, after dinner, watch the explicit movie “The Lover” and then the next day visit the town that was the setting for the movie including visit to Lover House.
Another great shore trip is to a small village where the people make
rice paper, rice snacks and a variety of other tasty treat. The last evening, before dinner, enjoy a Vietnamese cultural show. Sadly the four-night cruise comes to an end in My Tho where a bus takes people to Saigon and the InterContinental Hotel. It is just one of the many cruises offered by Pandaw. For more information check www.pandaw.com.
No trip to China is complete without a voyage on the Three Gorges area of the Yangtze River. Century’s Legend, the newest river cruise ship on the river, offers the most luxurious experience. Consider boarding in the evening from Yichang. No meal is served but it gives passengers time to get settled and explore the vessel before departure.
The onboard activities are many with a beautiful swimming pool,
spa, mahjong rooms, evening shows and presentations. Cabins are roomy and luxurious with marble bathrooms. Most of the meals are buffet-style with a variety of international choices plus there is assigned seating. Upgrade to Executive Level for more amenities and personal service with dining in the Pavillion Dining room where most meals are served by an attentive staff. Guests not staying at Executive Level may book a reservation to dine in the Pavillion.
Each day shore trips are organized most of which are included in the price. Visit the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest power station in terms of capacity. The project, except for the ship lift (scheduled to be completed in 2015), was completed in 2012. There are escalators making visiting the project easy.
A visit to the Tribes of the Three Gorges is a do-not-miss featuring a beautiful gorge walk and a mock wedding. Other trips include a visit to the Fengdu Ghost City, the Lesser Three Gorges, and Shibao Pagoda. The main attraction is cruising between the majestic gorges and locking through the five locks. A do not miss trip. For more information check www.centuryrivercruises.com.
The best way to see the sights of Lao and Thailand along the Mekong River from Vientiane to Ubon Ratchathani is on the Mekong Explorer cruise. The custom-built teak and mahogany three-deck ship has well-appointed cabin each with a private bathroom with walk-in shower. Each day of the eight-day cruise includes sailing and a shore trip. Many of the short trips go to places seldom visited by foreigners.
Day trips include Phu Prabaht Historical Park, soon to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Buddhist Sculpture Park, a boat ride on a lotus lake, the one-time home of Ho Chi Minh, the rock monastery of Phu Tok, and several other Buddhist temples. One daytrip includes a
long-tail boat ride up the Khading River to the Lao village of Ban BagBang. Upon return to the Mekong Explorer guests are invited to a Lao cooking demonstration presented by the ship’s chefs. Many evenings there are informational programs so guests can have a better understanding of the area.
The service is excellent and so are the meals. One evening the Mekong Explorer ties up to a sandbar in the middle of the Mekong River and the staff prepares an excellent beach BBQ after which they entertain by singing Lao songs. The cruise is designed for those who love pampering without the glitz and want to explore areas off the usual tourist path. For more information check www.cruisemekong.com.
Pandaw cruises are understated luxury that focuses on the history and culture of the area. Do not expect to find a TV or any of the activities found on large sea-going cruises such as a swimming pool, disco, or sports. Most of the Pandaw’s guests have been on one or more of their cruises – some as many as five. That says it all. For more information log on to www.pandaw.com. 
