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Pandaw "ABC"
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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.
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 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.
Excursions
When moored you are
welcome to come and go from the ship as much as you like. Our next
sailing time will be advised on the daily schedule and passengers are
requested to note this before disembarkation. Group shore excursions are
organized by the Purser and you will be accompanied by a member of the
ship's company. Details of these are posted on the daily schedule.
Fifteen minutes prior to casting off the captain will sound the ship's
horn to warn you to return to the ship. Passengers should hang their
keys on the key board on the main deck when disembarking so that we know
if anyone has not returned. If you go ashore with your cabin keys and we
leave without you we cannot be held responsible for this.
Gratuities
The price of a ticket
includes all gratuities and passengers are not expected to tip staff
individually or collectively. We have calculated $5 per passenger per
day to be added to crew salaries as an end of a month bonus subject to
passenger satisfaction.
Guides
All guides services
are in the English language. Guides in other languages may be supplied
by special arrangement at additional cost which may include using guest
accommodation at guest rates.
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 slippery 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.
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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.
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 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.
Visas
THE COST OF ANY VISA
IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE CRUISE
VIETNAM
You need a visa for Vietnam.
These are valid for 30 days and cost around US$60. They are best
obtained from a Vietnam embassy or consulate abroad.
Travelers may also obtain a visa upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh airport.
However, our representative or your travel agent will need personal data
for applying visa approval first. Experience has shown this is not 100%
reliable and expects delays. Note that
Vietnam visa on arrival cannot be issued on the river border entering
from Cambodia. If entering Vietnam
from Cambodia you should state that the entry date for
arrival in Vietnam is the day you arrive in Cambodia.
A wrong entry date can result in a 24 hour delay for the ship and a
fine.
CAMBODIA
Upstream (from Vietnam)
Passengers can obtain the
Cambodian visa upon arrival at the border Vietnam / Cambodia on the
Mekong River by paying US$25 net per person added to room bill. Two
photos per person are required. Downstream (from Siem Reap)
Passengers can obtain the Cambodian visa upon arrival at Siem Reap
airport by paying US$20 net per person directly on the spot.
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.
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Vietnamese in Hue
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