One of the biggest decisions on your Vietnam trip is picking a junk cruise for Halong Bay! It can seem over-whelming; there are literally hundreds of options, so you may be wondering how to begin to narrow it down. But with just a little bit of research, a helpful tour agent from Asia Tour Advisors, and knowing what it is you want, you can make sure that you end up on just the right cruise for you. So many options means that the prices are affordable and you can end up on a luxury boat without breaking the bank, or guarantee that you’ll get in all the adventures you’ve been hoping for!
Halong Bay Vietnam
When you know what you want you can better plan and customize your trip. So here are some tips on how to pick the perfect Halong Bay junk cruise.
How much money?
This is the first thing you need to decide. There are cruises for every budget, but a mid-range or luxury cruise is going to make a big difference. In the truest sense, you get what you pay for– the discount cruises tend to be very crowded and offer less side activities, and the food and rooms reflect the price. They can be fun if you’re not bothered by a crowd and are just looking for a rowdy trip, but for luxury, safety, relaxation, and a wider variety of things to do on the side, consider upgrading.
The luxury cruises offer some serious R&R with incredible views
The mid-range boats are not much more expensive than the discount boats, but they’re a big step up in terms of quality and things to do. The luxury lines are obviously the priciest, but they’re also a real treat! Beautiful boats, gourmet meals, and a wide range of choices of things to do.
How much time?
Second decision: how much time are you going to spend in Halong Bay? Standard cruise options are one day, two days and one night, or three days and two nights. One day is really not enough, because with traveling to the bay and back to the city, you’re only actually on the boat for about half a day. With both the two day and three day options you get a lot more time out on the water, soaking up the sights, reveling in the experience, and truly just letting yourself enjoy the majesty of the Bay.
Where are you going?
Halong Bay is undoubtedly the most popular place to cruise– but that also means it’s the most crowded. If you want to get away from the traffic a bit then consider a cruise that takes you through Bai Tu Long Bay instead. It’s right next door to Halong Bay and still offers incredible natural beauty, but it’s not near as busy.
You can also choose a cruise that stops for a night at Cat Ba Island. The town itself is pretty basic, but there are some nice hotels and the island is home to a sprawling National Park with lots of hiking and biking trails. If you’re a nature lover it could be a great option for you. If you want more time on the
What activities?
If you’re a fan of water sports, make sure you pick a cruise that will offer plenty of time for kayaking, caving, swimming, and exploring the islands. If you want culture there are cruises that will stop at the floating villages and let you spend time with the locals and in their markets. Morning tai chi, cooking classes, snorkeling, spas, fishing or squid-catching are all options– and plenty of cruises will offer a little bit of all the above.
Kayaking gives you a whole new view of the bay
Ok, I know what I want to find… now how do I find it??
Quiz your Asia Tour Advisors tour operator! Don’t be shy, it’s what they do. Ask them what’s included. Ask which boat you’ll be on. Be smart about it, know that the price will reflect the quality. Halong Bay is incredibly beautiful, and it can be one of the most spectacular parts of your journey through Vietnam!
Time to go book the perfect cruise for you!
Getting on the right Halong Bay Cruise is a big decision! Here are tips on how to pick the perfect one!
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