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Traveling on a boat brings freedom, excitement, and distinction to holidaymakers who want to go as a free sailor, so if it’s your wish, learn how to choose a Lan Ha Bay Tour early on. Being a lovely little sister of the big renowned Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay appears as a smart alternative with the off-the-beaten-track natural islands and islets, plus caves and floating villages. The overnight cruise tours provide you with comfort and pleasure during the stay aboard while the outdoor adventures are amazing. Here are some tips to opt for the most satisfactory cruise packages in this “hidden Eden.”
Decide on the Duration of Your Lan Ha Bay Cruise
How many days will you spend on traveling Lan Ha Bay? The Lan Ha Bay Cruise Tours can take place in 1 day, 2 days 1 night, 3 days 2 nights, or chartering. Therefore, first, decide on the duration that you would love to stay on the cruise. Thanks to the launch of the Hanoi – Hai Phong expressway, the transit time from Hanoi Old Quarter to Got Ferry Terminal is only around 2.5 hours, which make it ideal for the one-day tour. Else, if you want the full discovery of the lovely pristine Bay, opt for the package of more days and nights. Oftentimes, the itinerary of 2 days 1 night covers the top attractions of Ba Trai Dao Beach and Dark & Light Cave while the package of 3 days 2 nights includes extras of Viet Hai Village and Van Boi Beach. Of course, each cruise will offer programs that are slightly different. Thus, make sure you read the itinerary based on the defined duration.
Decide on Your Budget and Boat Category
How much should you pay for Lan Ha Bay Tour on a cruise? Make sure to answer this question by determining your monetary budget. Based on that, decide on the category of the cruise that can be luxury, budget, or family-orientation. The level of luxury varies from 3 to 5 stars that come at different prices and quality. Some cruises might be categorized as the best day cruises in Lan Ha Bay (such as Vietnam Tonkin Cruise and Escape Sails), the most luxury cruises (Ylang Cruise and Heritage Cruise), the best cruises in Lan Ha Bay for family (Azalea Cruise and Peony Cruise), and the best budget cruises (Cat Ba Sisters Cruise, Cat Ba Sailing Junk), and the biggest cruises for group tours (Indochine Cruise and Sealife Legend Cruise). In particular, the ideal budget boats will cost around USD127 – USD150 per passenger for the 2-day tour while the luxury-branded properties are more expensive yet worthy. In that sense, know how many dollars and cents that you are willing to pay for the trip so that you can conclude the most-suited cruise.
Consider the Size of the Boat
Do you like the small lovely boat of luxury or the grand one with many rooms and suites? Decide on this by considering the size of the boat prior to booking. Often, the luxury cruises own around 10-20 splendid suites associated with the state-of-the-art facilities to pamper the wealthy guests. Differently, the family-oriented boats offer the family rooms for 3 and 4 people (45-50 square meters) so that members can share the happy trip altogether. And, the biggest cruise like Indochine owns up to 43 cabins (Junior Suite, Suite, Executive Suite, President Suite, and Family Triple) which secure everybody’s comfort. So, take the size of the ship into consideration according to your preferences or the number of your groups. If you stress on luxury and privacy, choose a cruise with around 10 ritzy suites (Ylang Cruise). If you like the large vessel, think of the one with 27 cabins (Sealife Legend Cruise) or more.
Consider the People You’ll Be Travelling With
Will you travel with kids, as a couple, or with other family members? Make a note of this so that the choice of Lan Ha Bay Cruise Tours will never go wrong. And if you travel with the elders (your parents or even grandparents), it’s best to select the luxurious and private boats, instead of the crowded ones. There might include some notices if your companions have a food allergy or something like that, which needs to be informed to the cruise operators in advance. People with seasickness need careful attention, too. For newlyweds who enjoy the Lan Ha Bay Cruise Honeymoon Tours, feel free to let the tour operators know beforehand so that the love-themed decorations and some offerings will be prepared, just for honeymooners. It is always beneficial and necessary to tell people what you want (or need) in advance so that the services will be handled as expected.
Consider the Food You’ll Be Eating
Once boarding, you will have meals on the board, which can be seafood, Vietnamese food, and international menu sets. However, note that not all cruises offer the international food, and this is up to the category of the boat that you’re being on. Again, if you or your companions have any food allergy, it’s always important to let the operators know in advance so that the replacements or veggies will be prepared. The sailing packages also include the sunset parties onboard with cocktails, fruits, and wine that might sound appealing to some vacationers.
Check if Transfers are Included
Ask the tour agents whether the pick-up and transfer services are included in the tour prices. You can also check the Inclusive and Exclusive sections to know if the transfers are covered or not. Most of the cruise itineraries will specify this matter clearly so that guests know if they will be picked up and transfer on a limousine/shuttle bus from Hanoi Old Quarter to Got Ferry Terminal or Tuan Chau Marina. The arrival port will depend on the tours that you choose. Along with that, some cruises might require surcharge if you use their limousine transfers.
So about the question How to Choose a Lan Ha Bay Tour, you know now ways to choose the right cruise and it is time to carry out the steps to opt for the most-suited property that escorts your voyage along and across the gorgeous Bay.
I love traveling and have been working in tourism industry since 1996. Vietnam is my homeland so I would like to share with you my experience to discover this destination best!