A number of passengers have contacted us recently having received offers from a company called 'Pandaw India' offering cruises on the Ganges starting September 2010. We wish to make it clear that we are in no way connected with this company.

The ship on offer, our old Pandaw IV since renamed the Bengal Pandaw, is not owned or managed by Pandaw Cruises. Last winter Pandaw Cruises invested in setting up a river cruise operation in India and sent the Pandaw IV from Burma.

Soon after the vessel's arrival the partner, a Mr Raj Singh, through his company called Pandaw India, seized control of the ship.

Currently Pandaw Cruises are suing Pandaw India in the Indian courts for either payment for the ship or its return to ourselves, the rightful owners. Meanwhile a court injunction will stop Pandaw India from operating the vessel next season. Note this litigation does not in any way affect Pandaw operations in other countries where all is running to our usual high standards.

Our plans to increase vessel capacity for the Mekong and other new river destinations in Asia have not in the slightest way been set back. Finally, please note that the Pandaw name is trade marked in the United States, India and most other countries. Any entity violating the rights to the Pandaw name will be vigorously prosecuted by Pandaw attorneys.

This would include any individual or corporation marketing the 'Pandaw India' or 'Bengal Pandaw' names.