Viking The Road to Mandamay

[Arizonasunshine]

I think that telling what Viking didn't tell us will serve future participants of this cruise better than just describing the cruise.

[Peregrina651]

I think that telling what Viking didn't tell us will serve future participants of this cruise better than just describing the cruise.

 

 

It is very unclear what you are trying to accomplish with this thread. Please be specific. Are you trying to start a general thread for this itinerary? Do you have complaints about this cruise that you would like to air? Are you trying to learn more about this itinerary?

[deec]

any info ( good or bad) about this itinerary would be very welcomed by me

[Arizonasunshine]

Sorry, I tried to edit my first post and did a summary of the cruise but unfortunately there is a time limit on the edit function, and my review went into cyberspace. I'll try again.

 

Let me start by saying that Myanmar is just opening up, and that tourism is in a very early stage of development. This has both pluses and minuses. The plusses include the Myanmar people. They are very friendly and approachable, love to have their picture taken and meet tourists. I think that they were as interested in us as we were in them. The Pagodas were both plentiful and beautiful. If you asked me if I would do this trip, knowing what I know now, I would probably say yes. If you asked my wife it would be a definite no.

 

Day one and two were in Bangkok at the Bangkok Millennium Hilton, an o.k. hotel that could use some refurbishing. On the second day we were told that we would be leaving to go to the airport at 4:30 a.m. That our bags had to be out by 4:00 a.m. and that the Viking representative scheduled a 3:30 a.m. wake up call for us. Breakfast came in a box to eat on the bus.

 

When we arrived in Mandalay we cleared customs with no incident. Baggage was slow and erratic. The two Viking representatives started pulling luggage without the owners knowledge. We were told not to worry that they would take care of the luggage. We told them that we were not leaving until we were sure our luggage arrived.

 

We then were divided into two groups, which would be our groups for the remainder of the time in Myanmar. Each group had a Viking representative who escorted us to our respective bus. It was then that we were told that due to low water the ship could not get to Mandalay, but was docked two hours by bus south. We were going to have a tour of Mandalay and would not get to our ship until 6:00 p.m. that evening. We had a tour of Mandalay and a nice lunch in a good restaurant. We arrived at our ship, the RV Indochina Pandaw at 6:00 p.m. as promised. Yes the ship was the RV Indochina Pandaw, not the Viking Mandalay as advertised. It seems that there is no Viking Mandalay, it must be a figment of Viking's marketing groups imagination.

 

The next two days were filled with interesting tours of areas around Mandalay. This required a two hour bus ride each way both days.

 

The guide system was different than we have experienced on any other cruise. We had two Viking representatives (one per bus) who would tell what we were seeing as we traveled and give us a little insight on life in Myanmar. One was excellent the other had trouble with the language and was very shy. Not what you would want in a guide. In addition we had two local guides who would travel with us the entire cruise. Both of these guides were very good and added a lot to the cruise.

 

This brought up a unique tipping issue. Viking suggested $10/day/person for the crew, $10/day/person for the cruise directors, and $50/person one time for the local guides. This was the most discussed topic the first two days and could have been avoided if Viking would add the tip fees to the cost of the trip.

 

The ship, the RV Indochina Pandaw is a leased vessel. You either love or hate the Pandaw type ship. On the plus side it surely fits in with the country, and adds a little 1930's romance to the cruise. On the minus side it lacks air conditioned common areas, and has a dining room that gets so loud that carrying on a conservation is difficult at best. The common area on this ship is a covered open area on the top level of the ship. This is where you meet for cocktails before dinner and listen to the next days briefing by the cruise director. Bugs were an issue on our cruise. we were fortunate with the weather, I can't imagine sitting up there when the temperature hits 90 with high humidity.

 

Our stateroom had two twin sized bed with an aisle between. This is not the hotel style beds advertised. I checked with a number of passengers and the twin configuration was common. Another issue with the stateroom was the balcony that is common to all passengers. This requires you to keep the drapes closed in your cabin if you want any privacy.

 

The crew on this ship were some of the best that I have ever experienced. Excellent service was provided in all areas, dining room staff, room steward, bartender, laundry. No exceptions, all great. To be continued.

Edited February 19, 2014 by Arizonasunshine

[deec]

Arizona Sunshine,

Thanks for the very good candid overview of Viking's tour. We were really considering this itinerary 2015 but not now until Viking has it figured out....long bus rides are NOT what we want to do. I was already concerned with the bus from Yangoon.....the ship swap is another disappointment especially the bed configuration.

 

I know GCT has a product that does a similar tour may look at them more closely. How did you choose Viking?

 

How did you find the daily ship tours....too much of the same thing or enough different to keep you engaged.

thanks

[Arizonasunshine]

The daily ship tours were pretty good. Don't get me wrong, we saw more than our fair share of Pagodas, but Viking did a pretty good job of adding other things. On one day we visited an orphanage, on another day we went to a golf course on a horse drawn cart. We visited a number of markets which were interesting and visited a village where the entire population were producing clay pots.

 

A major disappointment was the tour size. One of the tour directors was very shy and had a hard time with English, so many tours were combined. Trying to heard 55 or so people with varying physical abilities was to say, at best, a challenge. We did have quiet boxes but I thought that a lot of time was wasted due to the large tour size.

 

One other thing to be aware of is that when visiting the temples and pagodas you must take your shoes off. This is strictly enforced. To some on our cruise this got to be a negative and more than a few passed on some pagoda visits.

 

In my mind this would have been a much better trip if it started and ended in Myanmar. The day and a half spent in Bangkok at the start didn't really give you much time in this great city, and in my mind the 3:30 a.m. wake up call negated many of the benefits. The half day at the end(we left our hotel in Yangon at 6:00 a.m. and didn't get to our hotel in Bangkok until 3:00 p.m.) gave us a night in Bangkok before an early departure for home. Viking could have cut four days out of the trip, much of which was travel to and from airports and flights between Bangkok and Myanmar.

[Islandgirl4242]

Thanks for the in depth and honest appraisal of your Viking river cruise. We have been looking at The Road to Mandalay cruise for Nov. 2015 and it would/will be our first river cruise. We've been cruising for 25+ years, but only on ships and a river cruise is something we have always wanted to do. The opportunity to visit Myanmar before it becomes touristy is what made us decide on this cruise. You brought up several concerns for me and I want those addressed before we pay a deposit. I would be upset if we were not on the boat that is stated in their advertisements...I did read that the Mandalay was being refurbished in 2013 and possibly that was not completed in the time expected...other cruise lines have faced this same problem when refurbishing. I am hoping they explained why the change in boats to all of their passengers. I do have a concern about the long bus ride to Yangoon and also that you were not able to begin in Mandalay because of low river levels. I've contacted Viking about my concerns via email and am now waiting for their reply...not as timely as I expected. I sent an email because I prefer the response in writing.

 

If we do take this river cruise we'll book our own flights and arrive 2-3 days early and also stay 3-4 days after the cruise in Bangkok...we've previously enjoyed our days there and always wish we had more time. But my concerns do need to be addressed by Viking before we move forward with plans. Again, I thank you for your review!!

[Arizonasunshine]

I hope that Viking responds to your questions. I really believe that the Viking Mandalay is a marketing spoof, that there is no boat registered as the Viking Mandalay. We asked the hotel director, the only Viking representative on the ship wearing a Viking uniform, what happened to the Viking Mandalay and her response was that "this is the Viking Mandalay". The ship was clearly marked Indochina Pandaw, our final receipt was on a Indochina Pandaw letterhead.

 

I think that Viking is trying to put the Viking signature on the Pandaw product, but it is very early in the game and they are still feeling their way. Fortunately the ex Pandaw staff and crew are great, perhaps the best crew and staff we have ever experienced.

[Islandgirl4242]

I have received a reply from Viking Cruises with most of my questions and concerns addressed. They did insist that the "Mandalay" has been the boat doing the Memories of Mandalay cruises during their 2014 season, so I was pleased to be able to provide the date of your sailing and now am waiting for their 2nd response.

 

The representative also assured me that Viking provides passengers with any changes to boats or itineraries before the sailing and I believe (?) this was not provided to you. I would imagine they know the water depths in advance to be able to arrange alternative transfers to/from Mandalay. She did write that Nov. - Mar. has the lowest water levels.

 

We do plan to do a river tour of Myanmar in 2015 and now just need to decide which company to book with. I think there are pros and cons with each one. I imagine that we'll book our own flights and make hotel arrangements for additional days in Bangkok pre and post-cruise. Our favorite Bangkok hotel is riverside and offers a very reasonable airport transfer.

Again, thank you for your time and honest review.

~~Judy

[Arizonasunshine]

I have tried with no success to post a picture of the ship that we were on. It clearly shows the ship's name, Indochina Pandaw. I am amazed that Viking is taking this approach. Basically they are calling me a liar. I am interested to hear if Viking responds to your second e-mail and what they tell you. They made no excuses about the refurbish causing the ship being delayed and substituting another vessel, they clearly stated that the ship we were on was the Viking Mandalay despite the fact that the ship was marked Indochina Pandaw. I will be making a call to Viking regarding this tomorrow.

[Viking Cruises]

Thanks for the in depth and honest appraisal of your Viking river cruise. We have been looking at The Road to Mandalay cruise for Nov. 2015 and it would/will be our first river cruise. We've been cruising for 25+ years, but only on ships and a river cruise is something we have always wanted to do. The opportunity to visit Myanmar before it becomes touristy is what made us decide on this cruise. You brought up several concerns for me and I want those addressed before we pay a deposit. I would be upset if we were not on the boat that is stated in their advertisements...I did read that the Mandalay was being refurbished in 2013 and possibly that was not completed in the time expected...other cruise lines have faced this same problem when refurbishing. I am hoping they explained why the change in boats to all of their passengers. I do have a concern about the long bus ride to Yangoon and also that you were not able to begin in Mandalay because of low river levels. I've contacted Viking about my concerns via email and am now waiting for their reply...not as timely as I expected. I sent an email because I prefer the response in writing.

 

If we do take this river cruise we'll book our own flights and arrive 2-3 days early and also stay 3-4 days after the cruise in Bangkok...we've previously enjoyed our days there and always wish we had more time. But my concerns do need to be addressed by Viking before we move forward with plans. Again, I thank you for your review!!

 

Dear Islandgirl4242,

 

First, we’d like to say that we’re excited about the possibility of welcoming you onboard. The Memories of Mandalay cruise is definitely an exotic adventure we wouldn’t want you to miss. Please send an email to TellUs@vikingcruises.com with your contact information and booking number so we can arrange to have your questions answered. We look forward to hearing from you Islandgirl4242.

[batikmama]

First late me state that someone named George from Viking called my husband yesterday and he said the complaints were all the same: great staff, great trip but the ship itself was not up to Viking standards. The food was mediocre to inedible, there is no a/c except in your teeny dark room or the dining room and we felt that we had been misled about the ship from Viking. The water pressure in the shower is crazy - up and down (which isn't so awful) but it goes from scalding hot to freezing cold as the pressure goes up and down. We were in Myanmar in September and it was very hot, very humid. A refreshing shower would have been a big plus. We paid extra to be on the upper deck but all the rooms were tiny, dark and claustrophobic. The bathrooms are the same dark teak as well. The upper deck has a series of tiny fans instead of some good sized ones which might have made the area more pleasant.

 

So I loved the people, the scenery and almost every place we visited - our guide Nyo was awesome - the staff really tried their best - but the ship really let us down.

[nana541]

I believe it is "Common" in the world of river cruising for a company to "LEASE" a boat for a season or more. Refurbish is to its requirements and "RENAME THE BOAT" while the boat continues to be registered by its legal name in its country of origin. Though usually they put the new name on the boat.

In Europe Viking leased a whole bunch of boats in the early days of launching their company. These boats got new names painted on their bow's even though the legal names are still registered with maritime authorities....

 

Just my thoughts on what I think is happening ;)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[batikmama]

In reading over the past posts, I should add that the staff of the ship all wore uniforms that said "Pandaw" so no question this was a leased vessel. We had thought from reading the literature that this was a "new ship" and I guess it is new for Viking.

 

Also, we always book our own flights - my husband uses the concierge service at American Express - and we did arrive early in Bangkok and got to do some sightseeing there as we'd never been in Thailand before. The jet lag is a killer and the Shangri La Hotel in Bangkok is fantastic - upgrade to a river view room for a few extra dollars and you will be glad you did. One of the finest swimming pools I've ever seen with Thai massage available pool side!

 

And the 8 hour bus ride to board the ship is kind of awful - no bathroom on the bus and almost every single person had a swollen foot issue from being on the bus so long and that continued for a few days. I've never had my feet do that ever before and it was a bit weird. The overall heat seemed to contribute to what several ladies were referring to as "cankles" from the bus ride.

[nana541]

Hummm I always called those "tankcles" ;)

 

 

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[batikmama]

I posted a review at the Viking website a few days ago and I noticed they are not posting my review. If they can't take criticism, what does that say?

[Arizonasunshine]

I posted a review at the Viking website a few days ago and I noticed they are not posting my review. If they can't take criticism, what does that say?

 

What it tells me is that they do not want to be up front about what they are offering. Our cruise was in January of this year, from what you posted there is very little change in the last nine months. Check out the Viking web site, there is no name on the boat pictured, I wonder why?

 

I will be generous and say that we were misled about the ship. The queen hotel beds that were in actuality twin beds. The lack of air-conditioned common areas, the dining area that was so crowded and noisy that it was impossible to carry on a conservation. Other companies have noticed the deficiencies of the Pandow style ship and have built new ships that have addressed many of the problems. I am amazed that there is not more discussion about this cruise on this forum.

[batikmama]

I am not finding any feedback about this particular cruise anywhere. Fodors cruise webpage said that if offered "hotel bedding, windows that opened and separate bathrooms". What windows? That was not a hotel bed either.

 

I will say I'm not sure I'd go with Viking again - not that they don't do good trips. I for one don't like being misled and then not accepting my review of their cruise says they are not open to criticism.

[nana541]

I have seen several instances where complaints posted on Vikings FaceBook page have been deleted fairly fast. That to me is concerning.

 

Do remember that many many Cruisers are (or seem to be) very happy with their Viking experience. Proof of this is seen regularly on the River Cruise Board.

 

 

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[Arizonasunshine]

I have seen several instances where complaints posted on Vikings FaceBook page have been deleted fairly fast. That to me is concerning.

 

Do remember that many many Cruisers are (or seem to be) very happy with their Viking experience. Proof of this is seen regularly on the River Cruise Board.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I agree that Viking, for the most part, has good reviews. Their China cruises, for a long time, were the top in Asia. That is why we chose them for Myanmar. They sorely lacked in Myanmar. What disturbs me the most is that seem to be in denial regarding this itinerary.

[batikmama]

We did Russia with Viking two years ago and except for one itinerary we paid extra for (which was really disappointing) we thought the trip excellent, which is why we booked Viking for this Myanmar trip a year and a half ago. We too wanted to see Myanmar before it got too "touristy".

 

It looks now like we are giving Silverseas a shot this Christmas/New Years. I think we have to pay by Monday or Tuesday to totally confirm.

[Viking Cruises]

First late me state that someone named George from Viking called my husband yesterday and he said the complaints were all the same: great staff, great trip but the ship itself was not up to Viking standards. The food was mediocre to inedible, there is no a/c except in your teeny dark room or the dining room and we felt that we had been misled about the ship from Viking. The water pressure in the shower is crazy - up and down (which isn't so awful) but it goes from scalding hot to freezing cold as the pressure goes up and down. We were in Myanmar in September and it was very hot, very humid. A refreshing shower would have been a big plus. We paid extra to be on the upper deck but all the rooms were tiny, dark and claustrophobic. The bathrooms are the same dark teak as well. The upper deck has a series of tiny fans instead of some good sized ones which might have made the area more pleasant.

 

So I loved the people, the scenery and almost every place we visited - our guide Nyo was awesome - the staff really tried their best - but the ship really let us down.

 

Dear batikmama,

 

Thank you for your candid feedback regarding your cruise. We’re happy to hear that you loved the people and the destinations you visited. But we do want to acknowledge that we’ve read your comments regarding the ship you sailed aboard as well. While we understand that food is a subjective matter that guests can have varying opinions about, we are very sorry to hear that you did not enjoy the meals onboard. Additionally, we hope you will accept our sincerest apologies for the unpredictable water pressure and temperatures that occurred in your stateroom’s shower—if you will kindly send an e-mail to TellUs@vikingcruises.com with your ship name and itinerary date, we can forward your comments on to the team best suited to look into these issues. Please do contact us at the e-mail address we provided so that we may also put you in touch with the Customer Relations team member to further discuss your experience and feedback.

 

Sincerely,

Viking Cruises

[jnjcruz]

I'm a little late to post on this thread but we just returned from Myanmar on the Viking Mandalay -- yes it is the leased Pandaw Indochina, but also has a sign saying Viking Mandalay. So if anyone is upset about names you can take your pick.

The cabins are small and have no TV. Don't know why you would want to stay in your cabin when you can sit on the sundeck or in the dining room and watch the surroundings. You can have the beds pushed together to make one large bed--you just have less room to move around. Yes the erratic water pressure is annoying. But, honestly, if you are going to a developing country you should not expect the elegance of a European voyage.

I don't understand the food complaints. We thought it was very good and you always had multiple choices.

We thought the trip was great

Jay

[travelberlin]

I have done a river cruise in Myanmar some years ago with a ship called "Road to Mandalay". This ship belongs to the well known company Orient Express (now called Belmond). Cruising with this company is very good. I have liked it so much that I am going to do again a river cruise with them in Myanmar in September 2015. I have read some one was looking for a good cruise overthere. Have a look at their web page.