I am not really sure how to start this topic, because there are thousands of Halong Bay Tour Package (1 day tour/3 days 2 nights/4 days 3 nights) and there are thousands of Halong Bay Cruise (luxury/deluxe/normal/private), price range widely from $USD 60 to $USD 800 per pax. Ok, I know the word “thousands” is a little bit exaggerating, but those packages really cause a trouble to my family. Halong Bay Cruise price changes from one travel agency to another, sometime even just next door, it’s the same tour package and the same cruise, all you need to do is “BARGAIN LIKE AN INDIAN”! If you miss out my previous entry, you can read here: Old Quarter Hanoi. It was about my walking tour around the old quarter.

Halong Bay Cruise Reviews

What we have chosen is the “Deluxe Dragon Cruise Halong Bay Tour 3 days 2 nights”, $USD 125 per pax for all the sightseeing and entrance fees, kayaking, shuttle bus, 1 night on cruise, 1 night at Holiday View Catba Hotel and 2 breakfasts; 3 lunches and 2 dinners plus a English speaking Vietnamese tour guide. In short, you get what you pay. We actually got that package from Mr. Nam Ho, Director of Sales of Vietnam Home Travel Co. Ltd whom we met at Gondola Hotel’s restaurant. If you stay at Gondola Hotel Hanoi, then you’ll probably see him around. But after that I found out that our tour is actually organised by a Vietnam travel agency name Apt Travel, if you couldn’t find Mr. Nam Ho, you can directly search for Apt Travel Vietnam.

Best Halong Bay Cruise

Shuttle bus picked us up at hotel approximately around 8 am and took about 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach a port. Then, we have to transfer to a small boat then the cruise. After a brief talk with our tour guide and a warm welcome drink, we “check-in” to our traditional styled cabin. Vietnamese lunch was served half an hour later, again SUPER YUMMY! I think Deluxe Dragon is the best Halong Bay Cruise, not-so-expensive and they give yummy meals.

Lots of rocks can be seen and we were getting more and more excited on the cruise and took lots of photos and videos. It took about one and half hour to reach the Sung Sot Cave and about one hour for you to climb in and out the cave. Next, kayaking, swimming and sunbathing (if weather is good).

After all these activities, we enjoyed a wonderful delectable seafood cruise dinner, if you’re allergy to seafood, please tell the tour guide and they will prepare other things for you. Lastly, we ended our day with karaoke and fishing. Well, we couldn’t manage to catch any fish but I did see many small fishes there, it’s a very beautiful, quiet and relaxing night.

P.S. Check Halong Bay Weather before your plan your trip. Overnight on the cruise is recommended. Watch the video below: Halong Bay Cruise accident!