With inclusive flights, transfers and accommodation between cruises where necessary, a combo cruise is the perfect way to immerse yourself in Asia’s diverse cultures and experiences in one trip, all from the comfort of Pandaw’s luxury river ships.

Halong Bay, Red River & Laos Mekong
21-NIGHT COMBO

The original Pandaw combo cruise sails through the dramatic valleys of the northern Mekong between Laos and Thailand and along the rarely explored Red River into the spectacular Halong Bay. The last remaining cabins for this popular combo are available through 2024/25. Due to scheduling restrictions, this itinerary will take a break for 25/26.

The Full Mekong Four Country
21-NIGHT COMBO

Pandaw’s newest and most adventurous combo expedition yet sees intrepid travellers sail along all navigable stretches of the Mekong River through Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. Taking advantage of high water in the early season, the cruise explores further upstream than any passenger vessel, including a crossing of the Tonle Sap Lake for a true adventure across Indochina. This exciting itinerary is sold out for 2024, and bookings for 2025 dates are filling up quickly.

Ganges & Brahmaputra
14 or 21 NIGHTS COMBOS

The 14 and 21-night Ganges & Brahmaputra expeditions offer guests the chance to experience the wide variety of life in India. Sailing along the sacred Ganges before heading into the remote Northeast for an unforgettable journey along the Brahmaputra river, guests can experience India’s wide variety of life. New dates for 2025/26 have just been released for stateroom bookings, offering a chance to explore this iconic river aboard Pandaw.

To book your combo cruise with Pandaw, visit pandaw.com or email us at information@pandaw.com

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With a host of enticing offers available for a limited time, Pandaw makes it even easier to book that dream vacation and enjoy the warm climates, tasty local foods and exceptional company as you sail peacefully along the waterways of Asia.

10% Discovery Discount is also available on select dates. You can take advantage of some last-minute discounts for expeditions through April and save while sailing.

SPECIAL CRUISE OFFERS

Solo travellers

Enjoy no single supplement on a wide range of expeditions and sailing dates through April 2025. There is no need to pay more when travelling alone with Pandaw, and expeditions are famously single-friendly.

Travelling solo doesn’t have to be limiting or cost twice the price. Pandaw is proud to be nominated as the best solo cruise operator in the world* thanks to our unique approach to singles;

Pandaw guarantees no single supplement on the broadest range of dates in river cruising, including the peak season.

Meeting like-minded travellers is easy thanks to the famous ‘Pandaw spirit’, our spacious and comfortable public areas, plus daily cocktail hours.

Special singles tables are available on request during meals, or join with your newly found friends.

*2023 WAVE awards, Pandaw nominated ‘Best for Solo Travellers’.

SOLO TRAVELLER

Early bird discounts

Pandaw has also recently released its sailing schedule for the 2025/26 season and has included a very limited number of early bird Discovery Discounts for all itineraries. For those looking to plan their travels further ahead, bookings are now open for early bird bookers to secure their preferred staterooms.

Book a Pandaw expedition today to take advantage of these offers. To book, visit pandaw.com or contact the Pandaw team at information@pandaw.com.

River expeditions

Pandaw has 17 beautifully crafted ships in operation, built in-house from decades of unrivalled experience sailing Asia’s rivers. Each ship is hand-finished in brass and teak by traditional craftsmen, making it a real beauty as it sails the iconic rivers of India and Southeast Asia.

The secret of Pandaw’s success is that while luxury and comfort are ever-present on its ships, the colonial-era character, Asia’s renowned hospitality and friendly atmosphere reign supreme. All Pandaw river vessels have ultra-shallow drafts and can travel to remote areas that are unreachable by other passenger-carrying vessels, let alone overland.

Expeditions

visit pandaw.com or contact the Pandaw team at information@pandaw.com.

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In addition to releasing new dates, Asia’s river cruise specialist offers both no single supplement as well as complimentary drinks packages for all new bookings on these select dates. The Laos Mekong cruises start from the Lao capital, Vientiane or Chiang Mai in Thailand. Both upstream and downstream cruises are on offer.

Pandaw is recognised as a leading river expedition cruise operator across Asia have sailed the Upper Mekong through Laos and Thailand since 2015. Its famed river boats, specifically designed to navigate the major rivers of Southeast Asia and India, present a remarkable cruise experience up close to Asia’s hidden gem destinations. Pandaw’s boutique little vessels provide understated comfort and luxury, reflecting Asia’s diverse culture and hospitality. 

“Our unique itinerary brings you to the very heart of life along the Upper Mekong, exploring the charming villages of the various hill tribes that inhabit the region, a sustainable elephant experience at the Mekong Elephant Park, as well as a three-night stay in the UNESCO Heritage city of Luang Prabang,” the cruise operator explains in its latest update to travel agents and travellers planning to explore Asia’s waterways.

Additional sailings on the Laos Mekong River cruises

Downstream – Chiang Mai to Vientiane
23 October 2023 – 02 November 2023
28 October 2023 – 07 November 2023
19 Nov 2023 – 29 Nov 2023

Upstream – Vientiane to Chiang Mai
02 Jan 2024 – 12 Jan 2024
04 Feb 2024 – 14 Feb 2024
14 March 2024 – 24 March 2024
19 March 2024 – 29 March 2024

The Laos Mekong

CHiang Mai to Vientiane
10 nights
FROM US$  4,360.00
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ON SELECTED DATES

For more details on the Laos Mekong Cruise

For bookings visit pandaw.com or email information@pandaw.com

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“After more than three years, we’re counting down to our return to Asia cruising once again!” said Ben Angell, NCL VP and Managing Director, APAC. “We know our guests can’t wait to explore closer to home, and  as a smaller ship, Norwegian Jewel is the perfect size to explore Asia’s lesser-known ports while offering all the features we know local cruisers love, from showstopping musical acts and entertainment to a myriad of dining options that would delight any palette.”

Norwegian Jewel’s extensive six-month Asia season will offer 16 immersive, port-rich itineraries visiting 11 countries and sailing from nine different departure ports, including Tokyo and Yokohama in Japan; Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan; Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand; Bali (Benoa), Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Malaysia. With cruises ranging in length from 10-14 days, the season features several brand firsts: NCL’s first departures from Manila, Philippines and Seoul (Incheon), South Korea, as well as six new ports of call:

• Manila, Boracay, Palawan and Salomague, Philippines
• Bintan Island, Indonesia
• Hualien, Taiwan

A focus on destination immersion means guests will enjoy country-intensive cruises that uncover the wonders of trending destinations like Korea, Indonesia and Japan; open-jaw itineraries that allow cruisers to book-end their trip with land tours; together with fewer sea days, longer stays in port and more overnights. Boasting an average of less than two sea days per sailing, up to 13.5 hours in destinations like Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, as well as extended overnight stays in places that come alive at night, such as Phuket, Osaka and Bali (Benoa) – Norwegian Jewel provides the ultimate way to explore diverse cultures closer to home.

About Norwegian Jewel

With a capacity for 2,376 guests, Norwegian Jewel boasts 13 bars and 15 dining options, including three Asian restaurants: Sushi, Teppanyaki and Chin Chin, where friendly wait staff serve up freshly prepared noodles and wok-fried dishes. Guests can get active on the sports court for a basketball game or indulge in wellness at Mandara Spa and Thermal Suite, complete with Thalasso Therapy Pool, steam room and sauna. Showstopping entertainment includes Rock You Tonight, a high-energy production showcasing music from rock icons Queen, Journey and The Who.

The newly revitalised ship boasts completely refreshed accommodations, including staterooms, suites and bathrooms throughout, for the ultimate home away from home. And those with a taste for the finer things in life will fall in love with The Haven by Norwegian®. Located at the top of the ship, The Haven houses NCL’s most elevated suites and villas accommodating up to eight people, complete with a concierge and 24-hour butler service, a private sundeck and a pool exclusively for guests of The Haven.

For a limited time, NCL is offering incredible savings of up to 35% across the season.

Asia season highlights:

• An 11-day Asia: Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam cruise from Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Malaysia to Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand via nine destinations, including Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Sihanoukville in Cambodia and Ko Samui in Thailand. Departing 11 December 2023, fares start from USD$1,366*.

• An 11-day Asia: Osaka, Kochi, Nagoya & Himeji cruise from Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan to Tokyo, Japan, with no sea days. 11 ports of call include Okinawa, Mt Fuji (Shimizu) and an overnight stay in Kyoto (Osaka). Departing 29 February 2024, fares start from USD$1,849.

• An 11-day Asia: Thailand, Vietnam & Malaysia cruise from Singapore to Bangkok (Laem Chabang) via Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia as well as Phuket and Ko Samui in Thailand. Departing 5 January 2024, fares start from USD$1,689.

View Norwegian Jewel’s Asia itineraries here.

For more information or to book a cruise with NCL, contact a travel professional; call NCL in Australia on 1300 255 200 or in New Zealand on 0800 969 283; or visit www.ncl.com.

(Source: NCL)

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Celebrity Cruises executives heading sales in the Asia Pacific are monitoring a solid uptick in cruise bookings in the Thai market, especially non-group bookings.

Celebrity Cruises director of sales & marketing – Asia, Adrian Au, led a recent sales mission to meet with Thai travel agencies in Bangkok to exchange ideas and listen to feedback. The sales team introduced booking tools to enable travel agents to sell cruises on Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Beyond.

In addition, Au announced the brand will be welcoming another new ship Celebrity Ascent, which will join the fleet in late 2023. The team also announced their plans for repositioning itineraries aboard Celebrity Edge and introducing new Asian itineraries that make Celebrity more appealing to the Thai and Southeast Asia markets.

“There is an opportunity next year. Celebrity Edge will relocate from Rome to Sydney. The ship will travel from Rome to Dubai, Singapore, and finally Sydney. It is the first time Celebrity Edge will come to Asia, so it’s a good opportunity to experience the flagship without flying long-haul. Guests can experience the difference in Edge Class, such as the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered platform, and Infinite Veranda cabins. In Asia, they can book on Dubai and get off in Singapore or book on Singapore and get off in Sydney. The bookings are near full capacity,” he explained.

Asia itineraries coming in 2024 will see Celebrity introducing a Singapore to Bali cruise on Celebrity Millennium. The cruise departs Singapore and goes up to Malaysia, Phuket in Thailand, and down to Bali. Another exotic Asia itinerary on Celebrity Millennium is the Spice Route, highlighting cultural destinations in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Singapore.

 “We believe that Asia will return very strongly, which is why we are investing and putting our ships in this region. These itineraries make Celebrity a lot more accessible to the market.”

Au noted the cruise line is experiencing strong bookings from the Thai market.

“Europe and Alaska cruises have been popular among Thai travellers, but we also see that Thai travellers are not just going to the usual destinations. They are trying something more exotic such as South America, where our Celebrity Flora, designed with environmentally friendly technology, brings guests to experience unique destinations such as Galapagos and Machu Picchu in the all-inclusive package.”

However, Au pointed to the Gen X population in Thailand, who are looking for new experiences.

“We have seen that bookings from the FIT are very strong, while incentive groups are coming back, so we are also seeing strong inquiries from the sector.”

But the main factor that helps to support the cruise traveller market from Thailand is the ease of travel restrictions.

“Right now, there are a lot of external factors that are coming to play. For example, a long-wait and difficult visa process, limited flight capacity and expensive air tickets can sometimes be more expensive than the cruise trip itself. We see that people want to travel, but they encounter bottlenecks.”

To avoid these problems, he says travellers should book early. “We have to educate the market that if you want to go on a cruise, you better book early. If you book ahead, you can get your visa sorted out. You can book your flights in advance for much more reasonable prices.”

As for the role of travel agencies: “We are here to listen to their feedback, what the trade wants and needs, and we will do what we can to accommodate and help the trade.”

He added, “We find that trade recovery is significant. We understand that the travel industry has been through a very challenging time, and we are here to help the trade get back on its feet.”

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