The fact that Pandaw refers to its itineraries as river expeditions, and not simply ‘cruises’, tells you a little bit about what you can expect from your time with them. The operator specialises in trips within Asia, focussing on taking guests to countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma), China and India. As a new product for 2017, Pandaw have also started offering river cruises through Borneo.

Life on board is a thoroughly relaxed affair with no need for conventions such as dressing up or dining at the captain’s table. This helps to create a friendly atmosphere and an environment in which the crew offer some of the best service on the world’s rivers. In fact, the excellent ratio of one crew member to every two guests is something that brings people back time and time again.

The vast majority of itineraries are all-inclusive. There will be no need to find extra money for shore excursions, meals and standard drinks; even your gratuities to the dedicated crew members are covered by the price you pay before you sail. You are also free to do as you wish during your time with Pandaw, joining in with the shore excursions if you like, or choosing to stay on board and relax with a cocktail if you prefer.

The fleet of beautifully handcrafted vessels have the shallowest drafts of any ships operating in this part of the world, so you won’t be restricted by water levels at any time of year. And with profits being passed onto local community projects, you can rest assured you are travelling with an operator that cares about the destinations they visit as well as their paying guests.