A river of shifting shallows, and a season that opens only in February
The Charaidew II belongs to an Indian shipowner specialising in the Brahmaputra
and the Ganges. The line has chartered her since March 2026 and sells her under
its own banner, alongside the owner and several British and Australian tour
operators.
Our inventory shows no departure date as of 27 August 2026, and the explanation
is simple: the Brahmaputra season is a winter one. The itineraries show departures
in February and March. The 2026 season was over by that date and the next opens in
February 2027. The ship is neither withdrawn nor suspended; it is a calendar, not
a problem.
What the Brahmaputra imposes
An extra-shallow draught and a low profile. The river is wide but full of
shifting shallows, and a vessel of ordinary gauge does not pass. This 2019 hull
was designed for it, with two engines giving her a cruising speed above the local
average.
Forty-five metres, three decks, 17 cabins, 34 travellers. A spa, a fitness room
looking onto the river, an air-conditioned lounge with picture windows, a library,
a bar lounge and a sun deck part of which is an enclosed air-conditioned saloon.
The cooking blends Western dishes with traditional Indian ones, alongside Assam
teas.
What is not there: no documented lift, no pool, and a review flags the absence
of casino, theatre and children's club as well as limited onboard activities. The
packages add Kolkata, Kaziranga National Park and, on the long version, northern
India.
The other ships in the fleet
The The Jahan sails the lower Mekong. The Delfin II holds the Peruvian Amazon. The Oberoi Philae and the
Sun Goddess sail the Nile.
Who owns this ship
The line owns twelve ships and charters ten others. The twelve it owns are
exactly the twelve carrying the National Geographic name. This one is not among
them: the hull belongs to a local owner, and the line charters her for its own
departures.
That says nothing about quality, which can be very high. It says who answers
for what if something goes wrong aboard, and that is exactly what you want to
know in such a case. It also means the same ship may be sold by other brands and
directly by her owner: there is no exclusivity.
One point about the brand: National Geographic does not own the line and does
not organise the trips. It is a brand licence agreement, extended to 2040. What
National Geographic contributes are lecturers and specialists who join many of
the expeditions.
From Quebec
None of these routes begins here, and international air travel is not
included in the fare. Depending on the region, expect one or two connections,
and sometimes a compulsory internal flight the itinerary specifies.
Arrive the day before at the very least. On an expedition the ship leaves on
time and does not come back for you. A delayed bag or a shifted flight can be
absorbed by one spare day, and cannot be absorbed at all otherwise.
Our advisors assemble the flight, the expedition, hotel nights, transfers and
insurance in a single file, under the protection of Quebec's compensation fund
for travel agency customers. Write to us and we will look at what the season
allows.
