Gvoya

Pandaw Cruises vs Ponant in Asia

This comparison covers two cruise lines operating in Asia — Pandaw Cruises and Ponant — drawing on current platform inventory of 338 in-stock departures across 2 operators. Itineraries range from 3 to 21 nights, with departures available across most months of the year, including January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, and December. The busiest departure month is November, and the most common itinerary length is 7 nights. Embarkation ports include Kolkata, Viet Tri, Hanoi, and Manila, with highlights spanning Halong Bay, Kolkata Immersion, Murshidabad, Mayapur, and beyond. Prices and availability are subject to change; final price confirmed at booking.

Pandaw Cruises

Pandaw Cruises specialises in small-ship river cruising across Asia, with itineraries starting from $5000 and voyages from 7 nights. The fleet operating in Asia includes RV Angkor Pandaw (guest capacity: 32), RV Kindat Pandaw (36), RV Kalaw Pandaw (36), and RV Katha Pandaw (24) — all intimate vessels designed for shallow-draft river navigation. According to Pandaw Cruises, the line sails rivers including the Mekong — tracing Southeast Asia's longest river from Yunnan toward the South China Sea — as well as five river systems in India: the Ganges, Hooghly, Brahmaputra, Lower Ganges, and Kerala Backwaters. The Kerala Backwaters programme, described by Pandaw Cruises as sailing lily-fringed canals, palm-thatched homes, and floating markets across Vembanad Lake and the Pamba, operates year-round. Highlighted itinerary stops include Kolkata, Serampore, Kalna, Matiari, Murshidabad, Baranagar, Ajimganj, and Mayapur. The all-in cost structure is a defining characteristic of Pandaw's offering, with most meals, excursions, and onboard services typically bundled into the fare — prospective travellers should confirm exact inclusions at booking. Physical demands are generally moderate, with river embarkations and tender landings that may require some mobility.

Best fit: Well-suited for travellers seeking small-group river immersion across Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, particularly those drawn to cultural and historical itinerary highlights in intimate onboard settings.

Ponant

Ponant operates expedition and luxury small-ship ocean voyages in Asia, with itineraries starting from $12000 and voyages from 14 nights. Ships in the Asia fleet include Le Soléal (guest capacity: 264) and Le Jacques-Cartier (184), offering a notably larger onboard community than Pandaw's river vessels while still remaining well below the scale of mainstream ocean liners. Embarkation options include Hanoi and Manila, with itinerary highlights featuring Halong Bay among other destinations. Ponant's pricing reflects a premium positioning, and the all-inclusive cost structure — covering meals, select beverages, and expedition programming — should be verified in full at the time of booking. Physical requirements can vary by itinerary; expedition-style departures may involve Zodiac landings or active shore excursions, while other sailings are more leisurely in pace.

Best fit: Well-suited for travellers looking for a larger small-ship ocean experience in Asia with a premium service level, particularly those whose bucket-list includes destinations such as Halong Bay accessible from Hanoi or Manila.

Pandaw Cruises and Ponant represent two distinct approaches to cruising in Asia. Pandaw Cruises centres on river voyages — from the Mekong to the Indian subcontinent's waterways — aboard small vessels with capacities ranging from 24 to 36 guests, starting from $5000 for 7 nights. Ponant brings ocean expedition cruising to the region aboard ships accommodating 184 to 264 guests, starting from $12000 for 14 nights. The choice between the two will largely depend on preferred geography (river versus ocean), desired voyage length, group-size comfort, and overall budget. Both lines offer structured all-in or near-all-in pricing models, though travellers are encouraged to confirm exact inclusions at booking. Neither line offers single-supplement-free cabins in the current inventory. With 338 departures available across both operators and sailings running through most of the calendar year, there is meaningful scheduling flexibility regardless of which line aligns with a traveller's priorities.

Ready to plan your Asia voyage?

Browse live departures or ask our concierge — whichever you prefer.

Explore Asia voyagesAsk Gvoya AI

Inventory data on this page last updated 2026-10-29.

See live market data for Asia →

More on Asia

Explore Asia by operator, month and destination