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Heading to the Hạ Long cruise ship
For this trip, I opted for the Paloma 4* cruise ship. As for transportation to Hạ Long, the cruise ship provides limousine service from Hanoi to Quang Ninh and vice versa, which I found very convenient. I took the shuttle from the Hanoi Opera House at 8 a.m. and returned here in the evening. The travel time is about 4 hours, quite long, so the shuttle will stop at a rest station in Hai Duong for everyone to rest a bit and grab some snacks if hungry.
The car has about 10 seats, spacious and clean, so it feels more comfortable than regular cars. It's fully equipped with air conditioning, and there's free WiFi for comfortable use. Although the journey is a bit far, it's smooth and comfortable, so everyone can rest assured they won't get tired. We arrived at our destination around 12 p.m., rested for a bit in the Paloma cruise ship's waiting lounge, and completed the check-in process.
The waiting lounge of the Paloma cruise ship
As far as I know, there's now a high-speed highway from Hạ Long to Hải Phòng, cutting the travel time from Hanoi to Hạ Long to just 1.5 - 2 hours. Depending on the route and ferry departure points, some cruise ships provide shuttle services along this new route. So, if you want to save time, make sure to pay attention and do some research before booking your tour.
Besides, you can also make your way to the cruise ship's waiting area without necessarily using their transportation. If you're unsure about how to get to Hạ Long or how long it takes to get here, check out this article for more information.
Traveling during the trip
During the 2-day-1-night journey, we stayed entirely on the Paloma cruise ship, floating amidst the Hạ Long Bay. The cruise ship will visit several points of interest on the itinerary, and to reach these points from the cruise ship, we'll travel by a small boat, which only takes a few minutes each time.
I've heard many people say that going on a Hạ Long cruise can cause seasickness. Before going, I was a bit worried because my sister and I usually get car sick, but this time we were both fine. In my opinion, cruising in Hạ Long Bay is relatively sheltered, with not much strong wind, and the movement is quite slow, so it shouldn't make people seasick.
Traveling by small boat between attractions
About the Paloma cruise ship
Design of the cruise ship
The Paloma cruise ship is a wooden vessel, consisting of 4 decks: the first and second decks are bedrooms, the third deck is the restaurant area, bar counter - where meals are served to guests, and the top deck is the sundeck where people can relax, watch the sunset, etc. Upon stepping onto the Paloma cruise ship, I was impressed by the classic, luxurious design. The walls, floors, and stairs are all wooden, with a dominant brown color creating a very cozy, intimate feeling.
Bedrooms on the cruise ship
My sister and I stayed in the Deluxe Ocean View room on the second floor, which is about 15 square meters, small but very lovely. The room has 1 double bed, air conditioning, a mini bar, a small wardrobe, and a clean and fully equipped bathroom. For me, there's a slight downside in that the room has a strong scent of essential oils. Those who are used to or like using essential oils daily may not mind. However, I don't think every Hạ Long cruise ship will be like this, so don't worry, everyone. Apart from that issue, everything else seems to be fine.
Image of the Deluxe Ocean View room on the Paloma cruise ship
Dining
What to eat when cruising in Hạ Long? Throughout the journey, all meals are already included in the cruise price. The 2-day-1-night itinerary includes all 4 meals: 2 lunches for 2 days, 1 dinner (day 1), 1 buffet breakfast (day 2). For lunch and dinner on the first day, we had plenty of dishes, including rice, soup, seafood,... The most impressive was getting to enjoy and watch the chef perform the grilled shrimp with pebbles - a specialty dish learned from local fishermen here. For lunch on the second day, each person will have their own portion of rice and food. The breakfast buffet offers many options for everyone such as: bread, fried noodles, salad, fruits, desserts,...
Lunch on the first day
Overall, the food on the Paloma cruise ship is delicious and plentiful, I give it a 9/10. For two girls like us, we even found the portion a bit too much, we were always very full every meal. One thing I really like is that there will be many different groups on the trip, but the cruise ship will arrange each group at a separate table, no mixing, creating the most privacy and comfort for customers.
Breakfast buffet on day 2
Paloma cruise itinerary
Day 1: Exploring Thien Canh Son Cave – Kayaking
On the first day, after disembarking from the cruise ship, checking in, having lunch, and resting, around 3 p.m., we were free to visit Thien Canh Son Cave for about 1 hour. This is one of the most beautiful and famous caves in Bai Tu Long Bay. Just walking about 100 steps, you'll arrive and can explore inside the cave. Standing from above, you can overlook the beauty of the bay and islands. The nature here is still pristine, not heavily exploited, along with the quiet space, bringing a very comfortable feeling.
Exploring Thien Canh Son Cave
Afterward, our group returned to the cruise ship and experienced kayaking - one of the top 5 most exciting activities when traveling to Hạ Long. This is my favorite activity on this trip, everyone should try it if you have the opportunity to cruise in Hạ Long.
As it was our first time kayaking, my sister and I were very excited, and everything was even better than we thought! The feeling of being in the vast sea, gently paddling, surrounded by the fresh and beautiful natural space of the bay, absolute tranquility, an experience beyond comparison. Perhaps it's been a long time since I found a place completely separated from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to refresh myself like this.
Kayaking experience
After kayaking, the whole group returned to the cruise ship to relax, went up to the rooftop sundeck to admire the sunset over the bay, enjoyed some drinks and snacks. Then, we had dinner, around 9 p.m. experienced night squid fishing. It's just a bit regrettable that I didn't catch any squid that day, but my sister caught one. This activity is quite interesting so don't miss it!
Admiring the sunset on the sundeck of the Paloma cruise ship
Day 2: Visiting Vung Vieng Fishing Village
To start the new day, our group participated in a Tai Chi class on the rooftop of the cruise ship, feeling the fresh air in the early morning. Then, everyone had breakfast and went to visit Vung Vieng Fishing Village. You will sit on small bamboo boats paddled by local fishermen, admire the natural scenery, and learn about the life of the people here. Each boat accommodates about 4 people, sitting comfortably, we departed around 8 a.m. so the weather was very cool and pleasant. Along the way, we also visited the pearl farming area here.
Exploring Vung Vieng Fishing Village
At 10 a.m. we returned to the Paloma cruise ship, joined a cooking class, and competed in making spring rolls. The cruise staff will guide guests on how to wrap spring rolls (because there are foreign guests too). Everyone happily participated in this small contest and enjoyed their creations right during lunch. After that, we had lunch, returned to the mainland, got on the bus, and headed back to Hanoi.
The winners of the cooking competition
Impressions of the 2-day-1-night Hạ Long cruise
- 'Awesome' would be the word I'd give to this trip. Unlike normal tours, the Hạ Long cruise tour brings a completely new experience of eating, sleeping, and playing from A to Z right on the cruise ship, amidst the bay's islands.
- Regarding the itinerary: The tour program is well-arranged, with suitable activities for the 2-day-1-night trip, gentle, and interesting. I think the Hạ Long cruise would be suitable for those who don't have much time or want a short getaway. Taking advantage of the weekend for a Hạ Long cruise tour is not a bad idea at all!
- About the services: Before, during, and at the end of the journey, I was very satisfied with the services provided. The experience of the Hạ Long cruise feels like staying at a 5-star resort in the middle of the bay, folks. The staff on the cruise ship are very cheerful, friendly, and professional; they pay attention to the smallest details such as guests' food preferences or allergies.
A memorable experience with the Hạ Long cruise
Tips for Hạ Long cruise experience
And to have a perfect trip, everyone should also pay attention to some tips for Hạ Long cruise below:
- Regarding attire: In addition to regular clothes, don't forget to prepare a swimsuit or shorts to wear when kayaking. For footwear, although you won't be walking much, it's best to choose comfortable flat shoes or sneakers because you'll have to get on and off the boat at some points. For convenience, consider bringing an extra pair of sandals, both easy to walk in and to avoid getting wet.
- Other essentials: If planning to go on a Hạ Long cruise in the summer like me, bring sunscreen, a hat, an umbrella, and sunglasses to protect against the sun when participating in outdoor activities. For those who love taking photos, don't forget a waterproof phone pouch to use when kayaking, to prevent your phone from getting wet or splashed.
- When participating in kayaking, it's important to follow the guide and not paddle too far beyond the designated area to ensure your safety.
- Nowadays, there are various types of cruises available at different prices. Therefore, it's essential to take the time to read through the itineraries, view room photos, check prices, and explore the most booked Hạ Long cruises to make a suitable choice. When booking a Hạ Long cruise tour, it's recommended to select reputable and reliable agents to ensure better service quality.
Hopefully, my Hạ Long cruise review has provided useful information for everyone. Wishing you all a memorable trip to Hạ Long!
>>> Explore more Hạ Long travel guides here.
Contributed by Hanh Chu
Photo source: Hanh Chu
