Heritage Cruises

HERITAGE DISCOVER CRUISE EXPEDITION IN A TWO-DAY/ONE-NIGHT PROGRAM

Cat Ba Archipelago is an exotic destination with pristine beaches, secluded lagoons, coves, tropical forest and lakes. On this program, find the best places for kayaking, biking and discovery. Heritage Cruises

This boutique cruise starts at Got Harbor near Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong, in the Gulf of Tonkin, which can be reached from Hanoi by shuttle bus. At noon, the boat’s team welcomes you on board to check in to your cabins.

A few minutes into the cruise, you are invited to savor Vietnamese dishes at the restaurant. The next highlight is Lan Ha floating village with its pearl-farming plots, visited via small boats. After returning to the cruise boat, you are offered such activities as a massage, kayaking or afternoon tea.

In the evening, a chef will demonstrate the art of preparing traditional Vietnamese spring rolls. An a la carte dinner menu is also offered. Evening activities can include a movie night, board games and squid fishing.

At sunrise on the second day, guests have the opportunity to experience Vovinam, a Vietnamese martial art. This is followed by exploration of the area including swimming in crystal-clear waters or sunbathing on a beach. After checkout, brunch is served on board during the cruise back to Got Harbor in Hai Phong.

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 – HAIPHONG – HALONG BAY – LAN HA BAY IN CAT BA ARCHIPELAGO

9:15 Hotel pick-up for trip on new highway to Got Ferry Terminal, Cat Hai Town, Haiphong City (arrival about 11:30). You will see the longest bridge over water in Southeast Asia, and be welcomed at our lounge for refreshments before boarding for the cruise.

Midday Transfer by speedboat to Heritage Cruises Cat Ba Archipelago.

12:15 Our cruise director will welcome you on board. Over a welcome drink there will be a cruise briefing and safety instructions before checking into your suite.

12:40 Cruise to Da Chong Islet, where you can see a heritage lighthouse built more than a century ago by the French. After lunch, continue to Gia Luan Lagoon with its limestone karst formations rising out of the sea. This bay is untouched and remote, as not many cruise boats use this route.

15:00 The cruise vessel approaches the Ba Trai Dao or Three Peach beaches 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 swim in the clear waters of the bay.

17:30 Back on Heritage Cruises, enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite, and with cocktail in hand watch the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Activities include afternoon tea and wine tasting, and the chef will lead a Vietnamese cookery 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 squid fishing, or watch a movie in the restaurant. The bars are open until late.

DAY TWO: HALONG BAY – HANOI

6:00 Help set the sails and practise Vovinam on the sundeck. After a light breakfast, head off in a bamboo boat to explore the Dark and Bright Cave.

9:30 Return to the boat for checkout.

10:00 Enjoy brunch while cruising back to base.

11:35 Return to Got Harbor and disembark for your onward journey.

12:10 While waiting for your pick-up service to Hanoi, enjoy the comfort of our lounge.

14:00 If you have booked our limousine service, our chauffeur will pick you up to take you to your hotel in Hanoi.

Inclusions:

• Welcome drink
• Tender/speedboat transfer
• Experienced director onboard
• 24-hour room service at no extra charge
• Mini-bar replenished daily with soft drinks, beer and bottled water.
• Fresh seasonal fruit, snacks and nuts
• Unlimited drinks: water, tea and coffee
• Fine dining on board
• Two-day/one-night cruise: 1 set lunch, 1 a la carte dinner, 1 breakfast and 1 brunch
• Live music, cinema, bars and art gallery
• Cookery and tea/cocktail demonstration
• Vovinam, sauna, game and gym
• Beach activities such as kayaking, bamboo boating, caving, squid fishing
• Upgrade to higher category accommodation or transportation (subject to availability)
• Fun club for children, and library
• All rooms with private balcony with full ocean views; bathtub
• Free WiFi
• All sightseeing tickets
• Free bank charges if paying by credit card
• Service charges and government tax

Exclusions:

• Pick-up, drop-off and transfers services
• Accommodation pre- and post-cruise
• Airfares
• Personal expenses
• Massages
• Visa arrangements
• Other services

DAY ONE: HANOI – HAIPHONG – HALONG BAY – LAN HA BAY

9:15 You will be greeted at your hotel to take the new highway to Got Ferry Terminal, Cat Hai Town, Haiphong City (arrive about 11:30). You will travel on the longest bridge in Southeast Asia and be greeted at our lounge before boarding.

Noon Transfer by speedboat to Heritage Cruises for embarkation and welcome reception.

12:15 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 Cruise to Da Chong islet, where you can see a heritage lighthouse built by the French more than 100 years ago. After lunch, cruise to Gia Luan Lagoon where limestone karst formations rise out of the sea. This quiet bay is untouched and remote, as not many cruise boats visit.

15:00 Approach the Ba Trai Dao beaches in Lan Ha Bay, a natural frontier between two provinces, Halong Bay and Cat Ba Archipelago. This is a secret hideaway with its pristine beaches, caves and coves, plus the natural beauty of about 400 limestone islands. Options include kayaking or swimming.

17:30 Head back to the cruise ship and grab a cocktail to watch the sun set over the Gulf of Tonkin. Options include a tea ceremony or wine tasting, massage, or a Vietnamese traditional cookery class.

19:30 A memorable dining experience at the restaurant features local delicacies in an intimate setting.

21:30 Relax at the top-deck bar, try your hand at squid fishing or watch a movie in the restaurant. The bars are open late.

DAY TWO: HALONG BAY – BAU TU LONG BAY HIDEAWAY

6:00 Practise Vovinam on the sundeck at sunrise, followed by coffee, tea and pastries.

8:30 Transfer to a day boat to visit Viet Hai Village. Take a bicycle ride 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. Back to the day boat to visit Bai Tu Long Bay. Lunch is served on the day boat.

13:30 Visit Bai Tu Long Bay where you can go bamboo boating, kayaking or swimming at Ba Ham Lake, enclosed by vertical cliffs (weather permitting).

16:00 Return to the Heritage Cruises boat and join a traditional cookery class. Watch the sun set over the Gulf of Tonkin and enjoy cocktails, beer or fine wine as the sky changes color.

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 or watch a movie under the stars. The bars are open late.

DAY THREE: HALONG BAY – HANOI

6:00 Help set the sails then practise Vovinam on the sundeck, followed by a light breakfast. Then take the bamboo boats to explore the Dark and Bright Cave.

9:30 Return to the boat for checkout.

10:00 Enjoy brunch while cruising back to base.

11:35 Return to Got Harbor to disembark for your onward journey.

12:10 Relax in our lounge while waiting for the transfer to Hanoi.

14:00 If you have booked our limousine service, our chauffeur will take you to your hotel in Hanoi.

Inclusions:

• Welcome drink
• Tender/speedboat transfer
• Experience Manager and Cruise Director on board
• 24-hour room service with no extra charges
• Mini-bar replenished daily with soft drinks, beer and bottled water
• Fresh seasonal fruit, snacks and nuts
• Unlimited water, tea and coffee
• Fine dining on board
• Three-day/two-night cruise: 2 set lunches, 1 a la carte dinners, 1 barbecue dinner, 2 breakfasts and two brunch de luxe.
• Live music, cinema, bars and art gallery
• Cookery and tea/cocktail demonstration
• Vovinam, sauna, game, gym, swimming pool and other social areas
• Beach activities such as kayaking, bamboo boating, caving, squid fishing
• Upgrade to higher category accommodation or transportation (subject to availability)
• Fun club for children, and library
• All rooms with a private balcony and full ocean views; bathtub
• English-speaking experience manager and cruise director service
• Free WiFi
• No bank charges if paying by credit card
• All sightseeing tickets
• Service charges and government tax

Exclusions:

• Pick-up, drop-off and transfer services
• Airfares
• Personal expenses
• Visa arrangements
• Other services