It might be quite challenging to choose your ideal Halong Bay Cruises because there are so many cruise lines and cruise names to choose from. If you’re a first-time visitor, don't worry; you may choose the best one by looking at the cruise's duration, the itinerary, and the boat activities.
Halong Cruise Duration
There are 2 options to think about when determining the length of a cruise trip: a day cruise or an overnight cruise. And if you choose the latter, how many nights should you stay?
Most travelers choose to spend one or two nights on a Halong Bay Cruise because day cruises in the bay can seem hurried. You will have ample time to explore and take in Halong Bay if you choose the complete 2-night tour. Many tourists regret not taking the 2-night trip after experiencing a 2-day 1-night voyage.
Of course, your budget will play a part in this. Cruises may be divided into a variety of categories, including: budget cruises, mid-range cruises, luxury cruises, day cruises, private cruises, party cruises, etc. Therefore, knowing what you want is crucial. Do you need a cabin with just an ocean view, or would you also want one with a balcony, a shower, and great Vietnamese food included in your tour? It's also essential to keep in mind that even though many cruises appear to be reasonably priced, there are sometimes hidden costs, such as kayaking fees, meal costs, excursion fees, and more. Make sure you are aware of the value you are paying for overall.
Halong Cruise Itinerary
Halong Bay is a fascinating natural marvel with many places of interest, including Sung Sot Cave, Titov Island, Luon Cave, Cat Ba Island, Ba Trai Dao Beach, Trung Trang Cave, Vung Vieng Floating Village, Cong Do, and Cong Dam area, etc. They are all divided into 3 primary types of attractions: caves, beaches (islands), and fishing villages. Decide which one interests and appeals to you the most, then look for cruises that fit your budget and have the itinerary you want. When making your reservation, be cautious to confirm your itinerary because it may alter based on the weather and the time of year.
Halong Bay Cruise Activities
Floating villages: You will get the chance to visit the fish farm and learn more about the locals' way of life if this excursion is included in the cruise program. This activity isn't always included in tours; it depends on your preferences.
Swimming: Depending on the program, you will visit an island or beach where you can swim, sunbathe, or just relax and take in the scenery of the bay. Sometimes, you can even jump into the middle of the bay to swim, but make sure you confirm this with the cruise organisers first.
Kayaking: All cruise ships offer tourists to use kayaks to go through different caves or paddle around an island or beach. This can be a fun thing to do that you should experience at least once.
Exploring caves: The big caves in Halong Bay will definitely make you feel surprised. When you go inside the caverns, you will be impressed by the beautiful views that nature has created over thousands of years.
There are also lots of other things to enjoy on board the cruise, such as joining a cooking class, doing tai chi on the sundeck, having a tea ceremony, and more.
In summary, before starting a trip, you should spend time researching all the information carefully. The easiest and most helpful way is to read different reviews online. If you want to choose a travel agency that you don't know much about, you can check out their ratings and reviews on TripAdvisor, a big travel website where people share their experiences and rate their trips. Then you can get an idea of how well the agency has done in the past, and what to expect when going on a vacation to Halong Bay.
