The grandeur of a bay as magnificent as the legendary Halong Bay requires a vessel of the highest class to cut through its jade green waters. Bridging the gap between the shimmering sea and the open span of the sky are the tall sails of Halong Bay's 5 and 6-star junk boats, standing head and shoulders above the rest in a picture of utmost majesty.
Since the region’s earliest inhabitants, life in Halong Bay has advanced at a gentle pace, so why rush it now? Halong Bay luxury cruises are designed for life in the slow lane and the relaxed itineraries of such tours reflect the more refined desires of their clients. Minimal activities afford maximum time on the cruises, all of which feature a very attractive array of onboard facilities and amenities for guests to use at their leisure.
While cruises of 6-star opulence have innovative features such as seaplane rides and a personal butler service, all 5 and 6-star cruises have a shared luxury running through their timber veins. Smooth, varnished wood anchors cruises to their Vietnamese heritage, while artisanal flares of creativity meld with Western comfort in a wonderful marriage of East and West. Rose petal-flecked bathtubs sit beside wall-length windows, ensuring that a gorgeous backdrop of the Land of the Descending Dragon is ever-present throughout every moment of your cruise.
The wide sundecks, ubiquitous on Halong Bay luxury cruises, feature panoramic vistas of strong, forested mountains and the shaded undulations of peaks stretching off into the distance. Entire days can be spent here as the staffs are at your beck and call, and most cruises can opt for outdoor or indoor meals, meaning the sundeck can be your hub of activity for the entire day.
Below is a brief example of an itinerary from a luxury cruise in Halong Bay:
Boarding the cruise with a welcome drink, feel free to check into your luxury cabin and explore your home for the next three days.
A delicious a la carte lunch will be laid out in the Lily Restaurant as we pass the first of Halong Bay’s stunning karst towers. Guests staying on the Concierge Level can request tailored meals from their personal chefs at whatever time on the cruise.
After getting to know your new Halong Bay luxury cruise, we have a choice of two options:
1. Kayak around the beautiful Cua Van Fishing Village or take a bamboo boat rowed by a local.
2. Explore the dramatic rock formations found in Tien Ong Cave.
Upon returning to the ship, indulge yourself in a range of artisanal small dishes from our Afternoon Tea Set.
The stunning outdoor Iris Restaurant will be the location for an informative cooking display from one of our wonderful chefs.
The theme of tonight’s dinner will be one of Halong Bay’s incredible floating villages, after which you are free to relax on board at your own leisure. Sip on cocktails at the Cuckoo or Panthera bars or opt for a deserved pampering at the spa. Those with energy to burn before bed might want to consider our gym, with its wide window overlooking the sparkling waters of Halong Bay at night.
Wake up to Tai Chi on the sundeck, a wonderful way to boost your energy levels as dawn begins across Halong Bay.
A Western breakfast buffet will be laid out in one of our restaurants, after which we will embark on the nimble day boat to head to the remote Cap La area.
At Cap La, we have the morning to kayak and swim in the pellucid waters. Look out for monkeys and birds in the forested mountains around as we soak up the serenity of Halong Bay at its absolute finest.
After re-boarding the day boat, we will have a full barbecue seafood lunch, cruising to Trong Cave for our next stop.
A walk around Trong Cave’s high walls and the striking forms that rocks have taken will give us an insight into the local mythology surrounding this ancient and mysterious place.
In the afternoon, we return to your Halong Bay luxury cruise and you have many hours on board to settle into our spa, workout at the gym, relax in your cabin or unwind on the gorgeous wooden sundeck.
Dinner tonight will be in the theme of Vietnam’s gorgeous hill regions; sourcing local food from Sapa and Cao Bang provinces.
After-dinner entertainment for tonight includes karaoke and other live music. Feel free to play board games with the crew or try out the squid fishing available from the back of the boat before settling into your second night in otherworldly Halong Bay.
One more session of Tai Chi will be available on the sundeck, giving you your final opportunity for a revitalising workout in the new morning light of Halong Bay.
An organic breakfast with our range of freshly squeezed detox juices is laid out in the indoor Lily Restaurant or outdoor Iris Restaurant.
The following choice of activities is available after breakfast:
1. A walk around Sung Sot Cave, translating to ‘the Surprising Cave’ for its incredible stalagmite and stalactite formations.
2. Visit the famous Titop Beach, with its golden sands, placid waters and a hike up the centre of the mountain to the panoramic view available at the top.
3. Take a kayak or bamboo boat through Luon Cave, a marvellous wet cave with a lake enclosed by forested mountains on the other side.
Returning to your Halong Bay luxury cruise, you will check out and sit down for brunch, served in the theme of bustling Vietnamese markets.
As we sail languidly back to the harbour past your last views of Halong Bay’s gorgeous maze of limestone peaks, you can take the last of your photos and disembark your cruise, waving goodbye to your friendly staff as you do so.
For guests arriving in Vietnam with a higher-end budget, looking to enjoy the finer touches on a cruise around UNESCO World Heritage-listed Halong Bay.
For guests looking to enjoy the intimacy of a tailored experience in a magnificent setting.
For guests looking to truly unwind; luxury cruises in Halong Bay focus on your relaxation on board rather than days full of activities.
Incredible Asia Journeys is proud to present the following luxury cruises of Halong Bay.
