Who owned Viking Mandalay?

The boat belonged to Pandaw, the long-established Irrawaddy operator. Viking chartered her and sold the trip under its own name.

Does Viking still sell Myanmar?

No. The Burmese programme ended when Pandaw closed. Viking's Asian fleet today is limited to Viking Brahmaputra, Viking Ganges, Viking Saigon and Viking Tonle.

How many guests did the boat carry?

Sixty guests and twenty-eight crew, across four decks.

Why did Viking not run its own ship in Myanmar?

Burmese regulation did not allow a foreign line to operate a boat directly on the Irrawaddy. Chartering from a local owner was the only route.

Viking Longships Mandalay

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Viking Longships Mandalay

The Viking Longship Mandalay is a Viking Longship Mandalay operated by Viking River Cruises, offering river cruise itineraries along the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar. The Viking Longship Mandalay features a contemporary Scandinavian design, with modern cabins, comfortable relaxation spaces, and refined onboard dining. As part of the Viking Longship class, it emphasizes comfort, natural light, and a strong connection with river landscapes. The Viking Longship Mandalay operates culturally focused itineraries with stops along the Irrawaddy, allowing guests to discover local heritage, history, and traditions in Myanmar. The Viking Longship Mandalay is well suited for travelers seeking a river cruise experience that combines modern comfort, elegant surroundings, and cultural exploration in an intimate and immersive setting.

Itineraries of the Viking Longships Mandalay

Price and Availability Notice
Prices displayed are provided for informational purposes only. They reflect the rates in effect at the time of their most recent update and are shown in Canadian dollars, per person, based on double occupancy, unless otherwise specified.

Supplier rates, exchange rates, taxes and fees, room or cabin categories, and promotions are subject to change at any time. The applicable price is the one confirmed by a travel advisor at the time of booking, subject to availability. Only the confirmed price shall be considered valid.

It is the traveler's responsibility to confirm the price, inclusions, and applicable terms and conditions before making a reservation. While every effort is made to keep our content up to date, transmission, display, or pricing errors may occur. In such cases, the correct price will be communicated to the traveler before any booking is confirmed. Certain terms, restrictions, and exclusions may apply.

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decks plans

Deck - 4

Sun Deck

Deck - 3

Upper Deck

Deck - 2

Middle Deck

Deck - 1

Main Deck

Technical specifications

Decks: 4

Viking Mandalay: a chartered Pandaw boat on the Irrawaddy

Viking Mandalay did not belong to Viking. The boat was owned by Pandaw, the long-established Irrawaddy operator, which ran her technically and hotel-wise while Viking supplied the programme directors and sold the trip under its own name.

Why a charter rather than a Viking ship

Burmese regulation did not let a foreign line operate a boat directly on the Irrawaddy. A specialist writer who made the trip in 2015 put it plainly: Viking could not put a longship there, and the Pandaw boats, handsome as they were, stayed far more modest in their fittings.

The boat

Sixty guests, twenty-eight crew, four decks. Sources disagree on the build year, 2002 for some and 2014 for others, and we would rather say so than pick one at random. Cabins ran a little under sixteen square metres, small by European river standards and normal by Burmese ones.

What happened next

Pandaw ceased operations, a casualty of the pandemic. Viking's Burmese programme went with it, and the line's Asian fleet today is limited to Viking Brahmaputra, Viking Ganges, Viking Saigon and Viking Tonle.

The fate of the boat herself is documented nowhere, and we will not invent it.

If it is Myanmar you are after

The country's political situation and its river cruise offering have both changed a great deal since 2020. An advisor can tell you what actually sells this season, and what no longer does: 1-866-628-6241.

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