Overview
On this five-star luxury cruise boat you will be taken on a unique route to explore the magical Halong Bay and the lesser visited Lan Ha Bay. Enjoy a sunrise Tai chi session on deck, a Vietnamese cooking class with top chef, explore hidden beaches and go swimming or kayaking in remote areas of Lan Ha Bay. Visit the authentic local village of Viet Hai by bicycle or electric cave, explore the Dark and the Bright Cave by local rowing boat and go squid fishing at night.
The boat is equipped with a luxury fitness centre and spa where you can enjoy massage and treatments with incredible views. Enjoy on-deck jacuzzi and swimming pool with a cocktail in hand. Each room has a private balcony and bathtub. This cruise ship is pure luxury and a cut above the other Halong Bay cruise ships.
Itinerary – 3 Days, 2 Nights Cruise
Day 1: Hanoi to Halong Bay
- 8.45 – 8.15: Pick-up at your hotel lobby in Hanoi Old Quarter.
- 12.15 – 12.30: Arrive at Tuan Chau harbour.
- 12.30 – 13.15: Transfer by speedboat to the Dora Cruise Boat. Enjoy a welcome drink, meet the captain and crew and get a short introduction and safety brief.
- 13.15 – 13.30: Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese lunch while starting your cruise in the magnificent Halong Bay as you admire the fascinating rock formations. We continue cruising through Con Vit islet (Duck Islet), Thumb islet and Gia Luan Harbour, which are part of Cat Ba National Park.
- 14.30: After lunch you can check in to your room and relax.
- 15.30 – 17.00: Go kayaking and/or swimming at the beautiful Tra Bau area (famously the background of the action movie, Kong: Skull Island) or you can use the on-board Jacuzzi.
- 17.30: Sunset party begins with fruit, cake and wine! Take photos, relax and mingle with other guests.
- 18.00 – 18.15: Join cooking class guided by the Head Chef on the Dora Cruise. You will make (and try!) traditional Vietnamese dishes such as spring rolls or Pho Bo.
- 19.00 – 19.15: Dinner is served.
- 21.00: Choose from a variety of evening entertainments: play games (board games, cards or chess), listen to music, go squid fishing or simply enjoy a drink and relax.)
Day 2: Lan Ha Bay. Viet Hai Village. Kayaking Hidden Beaches.
- 5.30 -7.00: Rise early so you don’t miss the amazing sunrise over Halong Bay!
- 7.00: Join an early morning Tai Chi session for on the sun deck (optional).
- 7.45 – 8.45: Enjoy breakfast whilst taking in the panoramic views of the UNESCO world heritage site. After breakfast, enjoy your time for relaxing in amazing view of the Lan Ha Bay while the boat continues cruising.
- 9.15: Transfer to a small boat which will take you to Viet Hai Village, a small local and non-touristy village surrounded by the Cat Ba Jungle Reserve.
- 10.30: Explore Viet Hai Village by bicycle or electric car.
- 12.00: Return back the cruise to continue cruising further in Lan Ha Bay. Enjoy lunch with more beautiful views.
- 13.00-14.00: Arrive in a peaceful area of Lan Ha Bay perfect for swimming or kayaking.
- 15.00: Visit several beaches including a beautiful hidden beach named Ba Trai Dao (Three Peaches) due to the shape of the surrounding limestone cliffs.
- 16.30: head back to Dora Cruise.
- 17.00: Free time! Take time to relax or enjoy a massage on board or head to the spa or fitness centre. Enjoy a drink at sunset, or partake in another Vietnamese cooking class on the sundeck.
- 19.30: Dinner is served.
- 21.00: After dinner, enjoy a large selection of cocktails or wine at the bar. Take part in one of the on-board activities like squid fishing or watching movies in the restaurant.
Day 3: Dark & Bright Cave. Lan Ha Bay. Halong Bay. Hanoi.
- 5.30 -7.00: Rise early so you don’t miss your last sunrise over Lan Ha Bay!
- 7.00: Join an early morning Tai Chi session with spectacular views on the sun deck (optional).
- 7.45: Enjoy breakfast and tea or coffee with a beautiful view of the bay.
- 8.45 – 10.00: Meet at reception to visit the Dark & Bright Cave by small boat. Explore the cave on local bamboo boat (rowed by a local fisher person). Enjoy the peaceful morning and the beautiful scenery surround you. (Option to also stay on the cruise and relax.)
- 10.00: Return to Dora Cruise and enjoy a final fantastic cruise of the bay.
- 10.30: Check out from your room.
- 10.45 – 11.00: Lunch at the restaurant.
- 11.30 – 11.45: Leave Dora Cruise via the small the transfer boat back Tuan Chau Harbour.
- 12:15 – 12:30: Begin your return to Hanoi.
- 14.00 – 14.30: Stopover in Hai Duong Province for a rest stop.
- 15.30 – 16.00: Arrive back in Hanoi Old Quarter. End your trip!
Itinerary – 2 Days, 1 Night Cruise
Day 1: Hanoi to Halong Bay
- 8.45 – 8.15: Pick-up at your hotel lobby in Hanoi Old Quarter.
- 12.15 – 12.30: Arrive at Tuan Chau harbour.
- 12.30 – 13.15: Transfer by speedboat to the Dora Cruise Boat. Enjoy a welcome drink, meet the captain and crew and get a short introduction and safety brief.
- 13.15 – 13.30: Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese lunch while starting your cruise in the magnificent Halong Bay as you admire the fascinating rock formations. Continue cruising through Con Vit islet (Duck Islet), Thumb islet and Gia Luan Harbour, which are part of Cat Ba National Park.
- 14.30: After lunch you can check in to your room and relax.
- 15.30 – 17.00: Go kayaking and/or swimming at the beautiful Tra Bau area (famously the background of the action movie, Kong: Skull Island) or you can use the on-board Jacuzzi.
- 17.30: Sunset party begins with fruit, cake and wine! Take photos, relax and mingle with other guests.
- 18.00 – 18.15: Join cooking class guided by the Head Chef on the Dora Cruise. You will make (and try!) traditional Vietnamese dishes such as spring rolls or Pho Bo.
- 19.00 – 19.15: Dinner is served.
- 21.00: Choose from a variety of evening entertainments: play games (board games, cards or chess), listen to music, go squid fishing or simply enjoy a drink and relax.)
Day 2: Dark & Bright Cave. Lan Ha Bay. Halong Bay. Hanoi.
- 5.30 -7.00: Rise early so you don’t miss your last sunrise over Lan Ha Bay!
- 7.00: Join an early morning Tai Chi session with spectacular views on the sun deck (optional).
- 7.45: Enjoy breakfast and tea or coffee with a beautiful view of the bay.
- 8.45 – 10.00: Meet at reception to visit the Dark & Bright Cave by small boat. Explore the cave on local bamboo boat (rowed by a local fisher person). Enjoy the peaceful morning and the beautiful scenery surround you. (Option to also stay on the cruise and relax.)
- 10.00: Return to Dora Cruise and enjoy a final fantastic cruise of the bay.
- 10.30: Check out from your room.
- 10.45 – 11.00: Lunch at the restaurant.
- 11.30 – 11.45: Leave Dora Cruise via the small the transfer boat back Tuan Chau Harbour.
- 12:15 – 12:30: Begin your return to Hanoi.
- 14.00 – 14.30: Stopover in Hai Duong Province for a rest stop.
- 15.30 – 16.00: Arrive back in Hanoi Old Quarter. End your trip!
Accommodation
The Dora Cruise boasts 22 luxurious, modern and comfortable cabins. They are 100% private rooms with extra-large windows for spectacular sea views. Each room has a private balcony with table & chairs. There is a bathtub & shower in each cabin bathroom with an extra large window for views.
There are several types of rooms to meet the needs of visitors (please choose your preference at the time of booking):
- Honeymoon Suite: Special occasion? Choose the most luxurious and spacious suite on the cabin (48m2) with sea view and private terrace. King-size bed, ocean-view bathtub, AC. Located on the 2nd floor of the ship.
- Executive Suite: Luxurious and spacious suite (45m2) with private sea-view sun terrace. Double bed, bath-tub, AC. Located at the back of the ship.
- Senior Suite: Beautiful 35m2 cabins with large windows for the best ocean views. Double, twin or triple cabins available. Private balcony and bathtub in each room. Located on the 2nd floor of the ship. (If you are a family, please enquire about family connecting rooms.)
- Junior Suite: Beautiful 35m2 cabins with large windows for the best ocean views. Double, twin or triple cabins available. Private balcony and bathtub in each room. These rooms are exactly the same as the Senior rooms apart from the fact that they are located on the 1st floor of the ship. (If you are a family, please enquire about family connecting rooms.)
🍾🎉 Can be provided: Free birthday cake and room decoration for honeymoon, birthday, wedding, anniversary, marriage proposal.
Food
Food is cooked fresh daily by top-class chefs on board the cruise with an emphasis on local seafood and seasonal vegetables sourced from the local area. Vegetarian and vegan options are available. If you have any specific dietary requirements we are able to cater to you. Please tell us about your requirements in the ‘additional information’ box when you make your booking.
Guide
English and Vietnamese speaking guide, staff and crew.
What’s Included
INCLUDED:
-
- Luxury accommodation on board (cabin) with private balcony with table and chairs + bathtub in each room
- All entrance fees
- Kayaking
- Local bamboo boat ride
- English speaking guide
- Use of fitness centre (gymnasium) for free
- All meals on board (3 lunches, 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts)
- Alcoholic or non-alcoholic welcome drink
- Tea, coffee, water
- Sunrise Tai Chi class
- Travel insurance whilst on-board
- Internet WIFI in the cabin, Satellite – HD LED Television
- Fishing equipment + life jackets, towels and dry bags for water activities
- Sunset Party & Cooking class on cruise
NOT INCLUDED:
- Drinks
- Spa and massage treatments. Download price list here.
- Personal expenses
- Transfer round trip from and to Hanoi (Extra cost +$15 US one way. $30 US return.)
FAQs
- What should I bring on the cruise? Cool, comfortable clothing, swimsuit, flip flops, sun hat, sun screen, sunglasses, trainers or sturdy walking shoes, camera or phone, cash for drinks.
- Are there vegetarian / vegan options available? Yes. Please inform us of your dietary requirement in the ‘additional information’ box when booking.
- I have a dietary requirement, can I be catered for? Yes. Please inform us of your dietary requirement in the ‘additional information’ box when booking.
- Is this tour suitable for children? Yes. Children under 4 travel for free. Children 4-8 pay 50% of the tour price. Children 8-12 pay 75% of the tour price. Children above 12 years pay 100% of the tour price.
- How do I get from Hanoi to the harbour? A limousine bus from Hanoi can be arranged for you. Cost is $18 US one way or $35 US two ways. Please let us know in the additional information box when booking if you require the transfer. The pickup/ drop-off will be in your hotel lobby in Hanoi the Old Quarter. Pickup/ drop off in Ninh Binh can also be arranged.
Hi, I’m Nikki. I started this website in 2008 after my first solo backpacking trip to Asia. A trip that changed my life. My vision was to create a travel diary for everyone – a place for all travellers to share their experiences. After living in Southeast Asia for over 10 years, I saw the opportunity to provide backpackers with the kind of experiences that I’d treasured myself in the region.
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