Hanoi-based Ambassador Cruise is now offering a day cruise to Halong Bay, the UNESCO World Heritage site in Vietnam that is home to thousands of unique limestone islands in emerald waters.
Nguyen Cao Son, founder of Asia Premier Cruises Corporation, which owns Ambassador Cruise, said this was the right time to launch the day cruise, following the world’s reopening from the COVID-19 pandemic and the completion in 2018 of Van Don International Airport and an expressway linking Hanoi to Halong Bay.
“The day cruise opens up Halong Bay in an exciting new way for many travellers, particularly those who can’t squeeze an overnight cruise into their schedule and yet now have the opportunity to experience this breathtakingly beautiful destination in style in a day,” he said.
Accommodating up to 500 passengers, the approximately 6.5-hour trip is available for partial and full group buyouts. Venues on the ship include a 120-seat restaurant, piano lounge (60 guests), and two sundecks, one which accommodates up to 120 guests and the other with an 80 guest capacity. Groups also have the option of holding an event on Soi Sim Island and Titov Island.
The Ambassador Cruise is a 500-ton, five-floor steel craft with a basement measures 90 meters long, 16 meters wide and 19 meters high. Its two sundecks deliver 360-degree views of Halong Bay and its limestone karsts. Other amenities include two restaurants, two bars, an entertainment area for live music, a large open-air jacuzzi, and 45 cabins.
The cruise’s itinerary includes exploration of Sung Sot Cave, a buffet lunch served while the ship travels by Ho Dong Tien Cave, Trong Cave, Me Cung Cave and Cua Van Floating Village. The cruise anchors off Titov Island and afternoon tea is served on its sundeck. The trip begins with guests checking in at Ambassador’s Check-In Lounge in Halong City at 9:45 a.m. and ends at 4:30 when the ship returns to Halong International Cruise Port. A shuttle bus service is available between Hanoi and Halong Bay.