Itinerary for Halong overnight on-board trip

At Halong bay, many companies offer now overnight tours on board including 2 days and 3days itinerary. Today I just choose a typical 2days tour overnight on Halong bay by Valentine cruise. It is sister's cruise of Indochina Sails which might be more familiar with readers. This luxury cruise with 5 cabins was launched from Oct 2007 to offer the best suite for VIPs or private charming space for single passengers. Detailed itinerary can be a little adjusted due to real conditions but in general it will look like as follow:

Day 01: Start from Hanoi to Halong, get on board
When you get on board, welcome cocktail is served and received cruise briefing and safety instructions. 12.15 Start discovering Halong Bay and check-in cabins. Around 13.00 Lunch with the best Vietnamese food. While enjoying lunch the cruise is going to move to Bat Cave (Hang Doi) where you can choose from some optional programs including visit local floating village with the cruise tender or to visit Bat cave by rowing sampan or kayak or just simlpy relax with beauty services onboard. Return to the cruise

16.30 Depart by boat to Soi Sim Beach for swimming or just relaxing. Return to the cruise
18.30 Depart for Luon Bo area where the cruise anchors for overnight
19.00 – 21.00 Dinner with Vietnamese food. The luxury at this cruise is surely confirmed but in the standard cruise the menu may varies

In evening there is some optional activities which you can choose from like: classical Movie Night or play board games with fellow passengers or join squid fishing with crew. If you don’t want to join these, just lazily stay on board or your cabin, enjoy Halong by night. If you travel in full moon night the view is really fantastic

21.00 – 23.00 Happy Hour at Bar and Sundeck. Overnight on board.

Day 02: Halong Yoga session then back to Hanoi
Morning with optional. Meditation and Yoga Session on Sundeck. At 07.00 depart to Surprise Cave (Sung Sot), this is a very beautiful lime stone cave with strange but awesome stalactites and stalagmites

08.30 – 10.00 Breakfast, then cruise back to Bai Chay dock. The shuttle van by the cruise will pick you up from this place or your private car if you reserved a private car for transfer from and to Halong. There is not much different between two options: Shuttle bus may costs you 25USD/person while private one costs 35USD/person

The rate for the whole tour like this often around 190 USD per person and may be more if you travel on peak season with inclusion of accommodation on twin cabin traditional junk, on-board (English speaking) guide, Meals, Entrance fee, Insurance on board. Valentine cruise offers some welcome drinks and fruits as complementary, however some others may not if you choose budget ones.

Direct link: http://vietnamholidaynow.com/english/vietnam_tour_halong_Halong-Valentine-luxury-cruise-days_244_1883/index.html