Many passengers describe life on board a Pandaw more like being a guest on a private motor yacht than a cruise ship. Where we go and what we see is intrepid in extreme. What you come back to is a floating base of discreet comfort, caring service and all the good things one looks for in life.

PANDAW “ABC”

Air-conditioning
Your cabin has its own air-conditioning unit, which can be adjusted for your comfort. We recommend you do not over-cool your cabin as the sudden change from the outside temperature to a chilled cabin can bring on colds, respiratory illnesses and even stomach upsets.

Bar
The saloon bar is located on the upper deck and is open every day from 9:00 am until late.
Blankets Blankets are to be found in the drawer or closet under your bed. These may be needed in the cool season when night time temperatures can drop to below 15°C.

Board account
You will be asked to sign a bill for all items ordered and you will be presented with the account on the last day aboard.

Bridge policy / No go areas
These are indicated as “crew only”; please do not enter these areas or the bridge without the permission of the ship manager. We operate an open bridge policy, but ask that you be sensitive to the ship’s officer tasks at hand when visiting.

Cabin / Stateroom
We want you to be as comfor table as pos s ible dur ing your voyage wi th us . Our s tewarding team wi l l do their best to ensure the highest possible standards of cleanliness and try to make you as much at home as possible. Please note that cabins do not have mini bars, TVs or phones. All have own air conditioning, mini-safe, luggage storage, wardrobe, writing desk and amenities include hair drier, kimono, slippers. All upper and main deck cabins have own deck space with own rattan chairs and table outside the room. Premium cabins are a special price category during peak periods and are no different from other upper deck cabins.

Coffee and Tea
Complimentary coffee and tea area available from 6am in either the dining room or on the sun deck
throughout the day.

Daily Schedule
A printed daily program for the following day will be put in your cabin during dinner time every evening. Please keep an eye on the notice board for any subsequent notice of any changes to the daily schedule.

Dress Code
The atmosphere on board is informal and relaxed. During the day, comfortable & casual attire is
appropriate. The evenings are smart-casual.

Drinks
All soft drinks, local beers, mineral water, coffee and tea as well as local spirits are free of charge. Only imported spirits and liquors, wine, espresso and imported mineral water will be charged. A
complimentary daily cocktail will be served made by local spirit.

Electricity
230 volts three round pin type as found in UK- we carry adapters for other types of plug

Emergency Procedures
The ship is fitted with modern smoke detectors, and fire alarms, extinguishers and hoses. Alarms are situated at regular intervals along the Promenade Decks. Fire extinguishers are located at regular intervals around the promenade decks and outside all public rooms. On the back of your cabin door is a plan of the ship showing the position of your cabin in relation to the
Emergency Muster Station. Muster station 1 is located on main deck mid ships. In the event of muster
station 1 is not safe, please proceed to Muster station 2, which is located on the sun deck and await
instructions given by the crew.

Food Safety and Hygiene
Bottled water is used for cooking and food preparation onboard. Off the vessel never accept ice in drinks and avoid ice creams, crushed sugar cane, salads and the skins of fruits.

Footwear
Slippers are provided for your comfort on board the vessel. When ashore guests should wear comfortable but safe walking shoes. At certain times the river banks and paths used can be muddy and therefore sl ippery or very dusty and we ask you to remove your footwear when returning on board so that we can clean your shoes for you and return them to you later. 

Gangways
Because of the varying nature of the river bank the method of getting ashore may differ from time to time and on occasions access may be difficult. We will ensure the gangways are safe and that crew and team are on hand to assist you.

Hairdryers
These are available in all cabins.

Insect Precautions
External doors and the gauze windows should be kept closed at all times - day and night. At night, if on deck or going ashore make sure to rub ankles and other exposed parts with repellent. However, outside urban areas mosquito is less of a problem than other forms of insect life. Make sure to switch off lights when leaving your cabin so as not to lure them in. Between January and March insects, but not mosquito, can be a real problem and invade the ship. Fortunately these are relatively harmless. Mosquito on the river, which is fast flowing, are rarely to be seen.

Internet
A free wireless internet connection is available in the ship’s bar on upper or sun deck only while mooring in Sibu port and later in other locations along the route.

Laundry
A laundry bag is provided for your laundry needs, and a laundry list is to be found in the rattan folder by your bed. Laundry is collected each morning when your room is made up and will be returned by the following day. Please leave items in the bag provided and mark up the list. The charges will go on your bill. If there is an item that you do not wish ironed please advise us.

Library
There is a library on board all our ships located in the saloon bar.

Loud speaker system
The ship is provided with a loud speaker system. Announcements through this system will inform you
about the departure time for excursions or exceptionally regarding schedule changes or in case of an
emergency. Please be informed that announcements can only be heard in all public areas as well as on the outside decks, all announcements do no go through to your cabin.

Life Jackets
These are kept in the wardrobe in your cabin.

Meals
Breakfast and lunch are cold buffets and à la carte menu. Dinner is served at the tables with a table
d'hôte selection of dishes. We offer a mixture of Asian and Western cuisine and there are always
vegetarian dishes offered. Special diets may be catered for with advance notification.

Medical
We carry first aid equipment and some medications. All senior staff have attended first aid courses. On the river we are never far from a local medical station. You should check with your doctor that you are fit for travel and your doctor should check with the relevant organization in your country as to whether anyprophylactic drugs or inoculations are required. We do not have facilities for disabled people or wheel chair access. There are no stair lifts.

Mobile Phones
GSM phones work for all parts of the cruise and has an excellent coverage.

Money Matters
The currency on board the ship is the MYR (Malaysian Ringgit). All passengers will have their own ship account, which allows you to sign a bill for all purchases and services throughout your cruise. All bills on board the ships will be in MYR in cash or credit card (Master or Visa card). Please note that only bills with an amount over 100 MYR can be settled by credit card. We cannot accept traveler cheques on board our ships.

Moving About the Ship
Please be careful when moving about the decks, they can be slippery especially after rainfall. The stairs on board may be stepper than you may be used to. It's best to always use the handrails.

River Conditions
There is not much seasonal change in water level. Though the river can be wide, channels may be narrow and hard to follow. There is thus some risk of running aground on submerged sand banks and our captain has to take extreme care.

Safe
All cabins have been fitted with European made mini-safes.

Schedule Changes
Schedule changes may be possible due to technical complications or unpredictable incidents and variable river conditions. The ship purser will immediately inform you for changes regarding the excursions or make an announcement by loud speakers. Please also keep an eye on the notice board for any subsequent notice of any changes to planned timings.

Security
In the countries in which we operate tourists are rarely targets for theft and when sailing most of
passengers do not bother to lock their doors. When in port a 24 hour watch is kept on the gangplank
controlling access to the ship but please then keep your deck door locked when not in use and at night. All cabins have a combination type safe - please use a number you can remember like the last 4 digits of your phone number or your date of birth. The company cannot be held liable for loss of money, jewelry or other valuable items from the ship or whilst on an excursion ashore during a voyage.

Ship’s office
The main office on the Mekong ships is on the Lower Deck but we found that passengers tended to forget its existence. We have therefore located a 'front office' in the saloon bar where the Purser or his assistant is on duty at set times to offer information or assistance. On our new ships (Orient and Indochina) built in 2008 the office will be located on upper deck mid ship.

Shop
We have a small boutique on board with a collection of locally made handicrafts. Post cards, stamps,
books, hygiene & cosmetic articles are available as well.

Smoking
Smoking is permitted only outside on the sun deck and promenade decks. Please do not smoke in your cabin, in the dining room as well as in the saloon bar. This is a wood finished ship and the danger of fire should never be ignored.

Towels
To save water and reduce detergent use we will only change towels daily if they are placed on the floor.

Visas
No visa is required for nationals of most countries including EU, USA, AU & NZ, Asean, Apec (for an updated list see http://www.imi.gov.my/eng/perkhidmatan/im_HapusVisa.asp). The passport must be valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into Malaysia.

Water
The ship's water supply comes from the river after passing through a sterilization plant. This water is
suitable for washing and brushing teeth but should not be drunk. Bottled mineral water is provided for
drinking, free of charge. We have copious supplies of hot water but you may have to run the water for two minutes before it gets hot.