Hon Cau island: A beautiful oasis 3 days

I did the 2 days 1 night Halong Bay cruise from Hanoi, the room with ocean view and very well furnished... also the crew was very helpful and created a happy atmosphere for all the passengers and everything was in a timely manner not to mention the amazing chef on board...

We did a 2 day cruise with an ocean view cabin. The bay is beautiful and the itinerary was varied and very full. The staff were brilliant, spoke English well and were friendly. They were very knowledgeable about the area and good tour guides in the caves. They also took us to TiTop beach and squid fishing. We were provided with a five-course lunch AND dinner as well as a breakfast and brunch before our departure, the food was exceptional. The rooms were comfortable with ample facilities. However, it takes 4 hours to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi and consequently, a 2 day/1 night cruise feels very rushed - opt for the 2 nights and 3 days if you can.

Now I can say only that I am sorry we didn't stay on 3 days cruise. Everything was perfect. Great cabin, beautiful view, great food and specially waiters that knew what gluten free diet is. And to see beauty of Ha long is something that everyone should do in their lives. Don't miss climbing on the top of the island for the view.

We payed extra to be picked up and dropped off at our hotel through Glory Legend. The bus arrived on time and had 18 of us on with the driver and our guide Tommy. We stopped off at the half way point for some food, drinks and a walk round the shop which gave us time to stretch our legs and use the toilet as the drive is about 4 hours. Tommy was very friendly and made us all feel very welcome, ensuring that we were comfortable on the journey. Before boarding the boat everyone receives a welcome drink and any bigger bags are loaded onto the boat and taken to your room for you. Check in was really simple and quick with friendly staff. Once on the boat, you are given an itenary with all the important timings and then given the key to your room. The room was very big considering the size of the boat and the view was beautiful. The activities and trips are fantastic! I would definitely recommend kayaking as it was very relaxing. You are able to opt out of all trips and enjoy the view from the boat instead which is great for people who just want to relax. The food on board was lovely, I�m a vegetarian and received some lovely dishes! We struggles to eat lunch and dinner as both are five course meals and that is the only �issue� we had.

Our family of five loved everything about this cruise. We had a connecting room with an extra mattress, the room was clean and comfortable. The kids were kept busy and entertained with all the activities on offer. The schedule allows a short time for each activity which suited us fine. I would highly recommend this cruise for families with children aged 5-10. The food was amazing and far exceeded our expectations, even with one very fussy eater. It�s best to take some drinking water with you and some snacks for the bus ride to Halong. Try to avoid buying anything from the outrageously priced cafe/souvenir shop on the way.