The Heritage Explorer Ocean Cruise is a program particularly designed for those who love exploring. Venture off the beaten track, go kayaking and visit floating fish farms and villages. Discover secluded beaches, lagoons, coves and caves.
HERITAGE CRUISES EXPLORER 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain said.
The Heritage Explorer Ocean Cruise is a program particularly designed for those who love exploring. Venture off the beaten track, go kayaking and discovering secluded beaches, lagoons, coves and caves.
Cruising is all about personal experiences. We ensure your cruising experience is comfortable and special with excellent food, friendly staff, an interesting itinerary with many optional activities, excellent service, attention to detail, elegance, sophistication, and, of course, guaranteed safety.
Heritage Cruises aims to offer each guest the opportunity to create their own memories with exquisite cuisine, 24-hour room service and fun activities.
This boutique cruise starts at Halong Bay, reached from Hanoi by shuttle bus D’car Limousine (optional). At noon, the boat’s team welcomes you aboard and checks you into your exclusive cabin. The first part of the cruise presents the wild beauty of Halong Bay followed by Lan Ha Bay’s panoramas. A few minutes into the cruise guests are invited to taste Vietnamese dishes at the restaurant. The next highlight is Ba Trai Dao beach or the Tra Bau area to enjoy kayaking or swimming.
After this, you have a range of options including massages or afternoon tea. In the evening a chef gives a cooking demonstration featuring traditional Vietnamese dishes. dinner, activities can include a movie night, board games, or squid fishing.
The second day is dedicated to leisure including meeting locals and exploring Ba Trai Dao beach (secret cave, hidden coves, and lagoons if the weather permits) or the Tra Bau Area.
The third day starts at sunrise with Vovinam, a Vietnamese martial art session. It is followed by an exploration of the Dark and Bright Cave, and there is enough time to take a swim or sunbathe on the beach. After checkout, brunch is served on board while cruising back to Tuan Chau Marina for your onward destination.
DESTINATIONS
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ACTIVITIES
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WHAT TO BRING
- Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent
- Comfortable clothing and swimwear (warm clothes in winter)
- Camera, valid passport
- Sports shoes for climbing, trekking, and walking
- Personal medical supplies
DAY ONE: HANOI – HALONG BAY – LAN HA BAY IN CAT BA ARCHIPELAGO
8:00 – 8:30 Meeting point/or hotel pick-up for trip to Tuan Chau International Marina, Halong City (if you book our shuttle bus).
11:30 – 11:45 Welcome to Heritage Cruises Lounge at No.28B of Tuan Chau International Marina. Please move from the Heritage Cruises Lounge to the speedboat (about 30 – 40 minutes) to the Heritage Binh Chuan Cruises Cat Ba Archipelago.
12:30 Board the Heritage Cruises boat and enjoy a welcome drink as you receive a cruise briefing, safety instructions, and check-in to your suite.
12:40 Heritage Cruises takes you to contemplate the magnificent sceneries made from the limestone mountains of Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago. This bay is untouched and remote, as not many cruise boats use this route.
13:15 Lunch is served at L’indochine Restaurant
15:30 The cruise vessel approaches the Ba Trai Dao (Three Peach beaches) (upon the weather), or Tra Bau area in Lan Ha Bay, a natural frontier between the provinces of Halong and Haiphong. This secret hideaway has beaches, caves, and coves, plus the spectacular natural beauty of about 400 islands. Guests can try kayaking or simply swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the bay.
17:00 Return to Heritage Cruises, enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite.
18:00 Activities include afternoon tea and the chef will lead a Vietnamese cooking class
Join our HAPPY HOUR (from 17:00 to 19:00) while enjoying the amazing scenery while watching the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.
19:15 A memorable dining experience will be offered at Le Tonkin Restaurant, with local food in an intimate and romantic setting.
19:45 Turn down service
21:30 Enjoy evening views of the bay at the bar on the top deck. Try your hand squid fishing on 1st deck or watching movie, sing karaoke on 3rd deck. The bars are open until late.
Overnight onboard
DAY TWO: LAN HA BAY HIDEAWAY
06:15 Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck, followed by coffee, tea, and pastries.
07:45 Full breakfast is served at Le Tonkin restaurant.
8:30 Transfer to Viet Hai Village by speedboat or dayboat. Take a bicycle ride or electric car through a rainforest tunnel that leads to local field. Visit a traditional house in a village deep in a national park where you can observe the lifestyle of the local people or visit Tien Duc cave – a cave located deep inside Cat Ba National Park (optional).
Then enjoy lunch in Viet Hai village or on dayboat and enjoy the scenery in Lan Ha Bay.
13:00 Visit the Cat Ba Archipelago and then go to the Ba Trai Dao beaches (if the weather and tide permit) or crystal-clear water area for swimming and kayaking.
15:30 Return to Heritage Cruises to enjoy cocktails, beer, and fine wine as the sky changes color.
17:30 Enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite, and with a cocktail in hand watch the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. The chef will lead a Vietnamese cooking class
19:30 Enjoy a fine-dining experience in the main restaurant
DAY THREE: LAN HA BAY – TUAN CHAU – HANOI
06:15 Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck.
06:45 Have a light breakfast on board.
Or you can choose a luxurious breakfast, especially served in the swimming pool on the 3rd floor (time from 6:30 – 8:30). Maximum for 2 groups of guests and maximum to 6 guests (with surcharge).
07:15 Head off in a bamboo boat to explore the Dark and Bright Cave to enjoy the sparkling stalactites on the ceiling and feel the soul of the surrounding nature.
9:00 – 9:30 Return to the boat for checkout
09:30 Enjoy brunch while cruising back to the mainland
10:30 Return to Tuan Chau Marina and disembark for your onward journey
11:30 If you have booked our limousine service, our chauffeur will pick you up to take you to your hotel in Hanoi.
14:00 -14:30 Our chauffeur will drop you off at your hotel. (if you book our shuttle bus)
Notes:
Itineraries may be subject to change without prior notice due to weather, pandemic conditions, or regulation of Port authorities. Wi-Fi is available in the restaurant/bar area, but internet connectivity is limited due to the geography of the bay. Thank you for your understanding.
Inclusions:
- Welcome drink
- Speedboat transfer
- Bike/Electric car for transportation on the island
- Fresh seasonal fruit, snacks and nuts, water bottle, tea & coffee in rooms
- All meals included. Three – day/two-night cruise: 2 set lunches, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts and 1 brunch deluxe.
- Music, bars and art gallery
- Cookery demonstrations
- Vovinam session, games, gym, swimming pool, library.
- Outdoor Lounge, Song Hong Lounge, Pool Bar, Le Tonkin Restaurant & Bar, L’indochine Restaurant & Bar.
- Beach activities such as swimming, kayaking, bamboo boating, caving, squid fishing.
- All cabins with bathtubs & showers, private balcony with full ocean views.
- English-speaking experience manager and cruise director on board.
- Free Wi-Fi
- All sightseeing tickets
- Service charges
Exclusions:
- Transfer service to harbor
- Accommodation pre- and post-cruise
- Air fares
- Personal expenses
- Massages
- Visa arrangements – Heritage Cruises can assist in providing visa services for guests (rate available on request)
- Other services, such as phone calls, medical bills
- Tips and surcharges
- Fuel surcharge (if any)
