Hera Classic Boutique Cruise, Ha Long Bay – 2 Days 1 Night
The Hera Classic Boutique is a 19-cabin overnight boat on Ha Long Bay, built small on purpose: fewer cabins than the big steel cruisers, more room on deck, and a wellness slant that runs through the whole stay — herbal foot baths in the cabin, tai chi at sunrise on the sun deck, massage on board.
This is the one-night version. You leave Hanoi mid-morning, board at Tuan Chau Marina at midday, and spend the afternoon on the water: Titop Island for the climb to the viewpoint and a swim, then kayaking through the rock formations at Luon Cave. The evening is the part people remember — a cooking class on deck at sunset, dinner outside when the weather allows, and a night at anchor in a quiet corner of the bay. You are back at the marina by 11:00 the next day, after Sung Sot Cave.
If you would rather have a full day on the water and reach Lan Ha Bay, take the three-day version of the same boat.
World Mate Travel books this cruise as part of a private Vietnam itinerary, with or without the transfer from Hanoi.
- Beach
- Car
- Cruise
- Caves
- Gastronomy
- Cooking class
Itinerary, day by day
07:45–08:30 — Pick-up from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and transfer to Ha Long Bay. For guests who book the limousine or shuttle bus.
11:30–12:00 — Arrive at Tuan Chau Marina. The cruise staff meet you in the waiting lounge and complete check-in.
12:00 — Board the Hera Classic Boutique. Welcome drink and cold towel, then into your cabin. The boat leaves Tuan Chau and heads out among the limestone islands towards Luon Cave and Titop Island.
12:00–14:30 — Lunch in the restaurant on board while the cruise sails.
14:30–16:00 — Titop Island. Climb the steps to the viewpoint for the long view over the bay, or swim from the beach.
16:00–17:30 — Kayaking or bamboo rafting around the rock formations at Luon Cave.
17:30–18:30 — Sunset party and cooking class as the boat turns back towards shore. The chef shows you how to make traditional Vietnamese floating rice cakes, and you eat the ones you make. Happy hour: buy two drinks, get one free.
19:30–21:30 — Dinner outside on deck if the weather allows, otherwise in the restaurant. Afterwards: massage (extra charge), a herbal foot bath in your cabin (free), the “Footsteps of Heritage” traditional costume show, or a drink at the Sky Bar over the bay at night.
The ship anchors in a quiet part of the bay for the night.
06:15–06:30 — Tai chi on the sun deck.
06:30–07:00 — Light breakfast: coffee, tea, pastries, fruit, phở and an egg station.
07:30–08:30 — Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest caves in Ha Long Bay. The path climbs through foliage and up steep stone steps to the cave mouth before opening into the chambers inside.
08:30–09:30 — Back on board. Rest in your cabin, sit on the sun deck, or take photographs of the bay.
09:30–10:00 — Check-out. Leave your luggage outside the cabin and your key at the front desk; the crew move the bags to the waiting area.
10:00–11:00 — Early brunch buffet in the restaurant on the second floor. Settle any extra bills.
11:00 — Arrive at Tuan Chau Marina. Guests travelling by bus can cycle around Tuan Chau Island after check-out before the transfer back to Hanoi.
What's included
Included
One night on board the Hera Classic Boutique
Welcome drink and cold towel
Tea, coffee, bottled water and in-cabin amenities to the cabin’s standard
Four meals as listed in the itinerary
Dinner outdoors on deck if the weather is favourable
“Footsteps of Heritage” traditional costume show
Herbal foot bath in the cabin, with herb bags, free of charge
Fruit in every cabin
Cooking class: traditional Vietnamese floating rice cakes
Afternoon tea
Wi-Fi on board
Cabin decoration for a birthday, anniversary or honeymoon, on request
Sightseeing tickets, with the service fee and insurance those tickets require
Not included
Drinks
Transfer between Hanoi and Tuan Chau Marina
Spa and massage treatments
Tips for the guide and driver
Personal expenses
Anything not listed under “Included”
Age pricing
| Traveller | Age | Rate per person | Sleeping arrangement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (parents pay any entrance fees) | 0 to 2 years | No charge | No extra bed |
| Child sharing parents' bed | 3 to 10 years | 68% of the adult fare | No extra bed |
| Child in own single bed | 3 to 10 years | 86% of the adult fare | Extra bed |
| Child sharing a twin room with one adult | 3 to 10 years | 100% of the adult fare | Own bed in a twin room |
| Child 11 and over (adult fare) | 11 years and over | 100% of the adult fare | As an adult |
Frequently asked questions
No. The cruise price covers the boat only. A limousine or shuttle bus transfer is available and is quoted separately — pick-up from hotels in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is between 07:45 and 08:30, and you are back in Hanoi in the late afternoon of day 2.
The same boat and the same cabins. The two-day cruise gives you one night on board, Titop Island, Luon Cave and Sung Sot Cave. The three-day cruise adds a second night and a full day by day boat to Lan Ha Bay — the Dark and Bright Cave, kayaking, and the Three Peaches beaches.
Nineteen cabins. It is a boutique boat rather than a large cruiser, which is why the sun deck and the restaurant stay quiet.
No, drinks are charged on board. There is a happy hour on the first evening — buy two drinks, get one free.
Yes. It runs at sunset on the first evening and is included for every guest: the chef teaches traditional Vietnamese floating rice cakes on deck.
Yes, and most of our guests do. Tell us the dates and the rest of the route and we price the cruise inside one private itinerary.
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