Comms
Cell
phones, Sat phones (where permitted by local authorities) VHF and SSB radio,
internal phone system, PA system and tannoy system for navigation purposes.
Safety
Smoke detectors in all cabins and public places, emergency
lighting and generator, fire pump, hydrants and hoses,
fire extinguishers, life jackets for all on board and
life rafts.
Navigation
Navigation lights, ships horn, searchlight, GPS, Radar
(where permitted by local authorities).
Amenities
On board laundry, bakery, fully equipped galley and
refrigeration units; air conditioning for all inside
areas.
Water
Treatment plants for desalination, desedimentation and
purification using UV and osmosis.
Sewage
Microbiotic treatment plants.
Class
Myanmar DMA Inland Water (based on Lloyds Inland Water
Class).
Flag
Country flags in areas of operation.
Insurance
Ship
Owners UK: P&I policies with over USD45 million
per vessel.
Crew
28 per vessel of mixed Asian nationalities.
Management
European expatriate experts employed directly by Pandaw
Cruises supervising experienced Asian Pursers.
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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. In the RV
Indochina the Bar is located in the Sundeck and has an outdoor lounge furnished
with comfortable rattan
chairs.
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 comfortable as possible during your voyage with us. Our
stewarding team will 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.
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 two round pin type as found in Continental Europe - we carry adapters
for other types of plug
you might bring (i.e. UK )
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.
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 Phnom Penh 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.
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 any
prophylactic 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 nearly all parts of the Mekong where we travel with the
exception of in Cambodia for a short section downstream of Kampong Chhnang
and in the midst of the Tonle lake. Other places have
excellent coverage.
Money Matters
The currency on board the ship is the US$. All passengers will have their own
ship account, which allows
you to sign a bill for all purchases and services throughout your cruise. All
bills on board the ships will be
in US$ in cash or credit card (Master or Visa card). Please note that only
bills with an amount over 25.-$
can be settled by credit card. We cannot accept traveler cheques on board our
ships. The local currencies
are the Vietnam Dong and the Cambodian Riel. Approximate exchange rates (2008):
1$ = 15’000 VN Dong /
1$ = 4000 Riel. We suggest that you do not need any local currency during the
cruise. However, there is a limited money exchange service available on board.
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
These vary depending on the season. In the dry season (November-March) the
water level of the river will be quite low and in places will have dropped
more than 50 foot from its monsoon level (June-Sept). Though the river can
be miles 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.
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. |