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 Cruises Explorer is a program particularly designed for those who love exploring. Venture off the beaten path, go kayaking, swimming, and cycling. Discover 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. Dine whenever and wherever you wish, and choose from massage options.
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 spring rolls. After an a la carte 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 Hotel pick-up for trip on new highway to Tuan Chau International Marina, Halong City (if you book our shuttle bus).
12:00 Welcome to Heritage Cruises Lounge at No.28 of Tuan Chau International Marina for refreshments before boarding for the cruise
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. Lunch is served at L’Indochine Restaurant.
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.
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 water of the bay.
17:30 Return to Heritage Cruises, enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite, and with a cocktail in hand watch the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.
18:30 Activities include afternoon tea and the chef will lead a Vietnamese cooking class
19:30 A memorable dining experience will be offered at the restaurant, with local food in an intimate and romantic setting.
21:30 Enjoy evening views of the bay at the bar on the top deck. Try your hand at squid fishing. The bars are open until late. Overnight onboard.
DAY TWO: HALONG BAY – LAN HA BAY HIDEAWAY
06:15 Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck, followed by coffee, tea, and pastries.
8:30 Transfer to a speedboat to visit Viet Hai Village. Take a bicycle ride or electric car through a rainforest tunnel that leads to a rice-field vista. Visit a traditional house in a village deep in a national park where you can observe the lifestyle of the local people and enjoy lunch in the village. Return to the speedboat to visit Lan Ha Bay.
13:30 Visit the Cat Ba Archipelago, cruise through Cai Beo floating village and then go to the Ba Trai Dao beaches where you can explore the secret trail and beaches, enclosed by vertical cliffs (if the weather and tide permit) or just swimming and kayaking in Tra Bau area.
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
21:30 Welcome the night at the bar on the top deck, or try squid fishing. The bars are open late. Overnight onboard
DAY THREE: HALONG BAY – HANOI
06:15 Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck.
06:45 Have a light breakfast on board.
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
10:00 Enjoy brunch while cruising back to the mainland
11:00 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 drop you off at your hotel.
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
- Tender/speedboat transfer
- Bike/Electric car for transportation on the island
- English-speaking experience Manager and Cruise Director on board
- Fresh seasonal fruits, snacks and nuts
- Fine dining on board
- Three – day/two-night cruise: 2 set lunches, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts and 1 brunch de luxe.
- Music, bars and art gallery
- Cookery demonstration
- Vovinam, games, gym, swimming pool and library
- Beach activities such as kayaking, bamboo boating, caving, squid fishing
- All rooms with a private balcony, full ocean views and bathtub
- Free WiFi
- All sightseeing tickets
- Service charges and government tax
Exclusions:
- Pick-up, drop-off and transfer services
- Airfares
- Personal expenses
- Visa arrangements
- Beverages, massage, spa expenses
- Other services not mentioned in the inclusion list or in the program
