Day 1: Hanoi - Hai Phong - Halong Bay - Lan Ha Bay (L/D)

08:30 Depart by Orchid’s luxury van (extra charges apply) from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and make the 2.5-hour journey through the Red River delta to Tuan Chau Marina in Ha Long Bay.  

11:30 Arrive to Orchid’s waiting lounge in Tuan Chau Marina and proceed with check-in requirements. 

12:15 Transfer to Orchid Classic by tender and be welcomed aboard the ship with a special homemade drink. Then, be seated in the restaurant for the cruise briefing and safety instructions.  Welcome our guests onboard, here passengers can enjoy our special home-made welcome drink. 

13:00 Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch as the ship begins to cruise through Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO world heritage site.  

15:00 Enter Lan Ha Bay and discover via kayak or bamboo boat at the Dark and Bright cave, two caves featuring underground caverns and hidden grottoes. 

17:00 Sail into Tra Bau, a remote region of Lan Ha Bay, for a pleasant afternoon swim in the green emerald waters. 

18:00 Learn about Vietnamese dining culture with our chef and staff as they instruct you on how to make one of the country’s most popular traditional dishes. Likewise, enjoy the buy 1 get 1 happy hour at the bar while the sun goes down. 

19:15 Sit down for a deluxe dinner made with the freshest ingredients in the restaurant’s sophisticated space decorated in the elegant French neoclassical style with typical Vietnamese touches. 

21:30 Free at leisure. Watch a film in the restaurant, book a spa treatment, cast a pole and catch squid with some staff off the side of the boat, or relax under the stars with a drink in hand. 

Overnight on board. 

Day 2: Lan Ha Bay - Cat Ba Island (B/L/D)

06:30 Take in the sunrise from the sundeck with a morning Tai Chi class followed by a hot cup of fresh coffee or tea. 

07:00 Head down to the restaurant for breakfast as the ship sails to a docking point outside of Cat Ba Island. 

08:45 Board Orchid’s day-boat and anchor at Viet Hai fishing village’s dock. From here you can choose to cycle or take the electric car service through the stunning landscape of Cat Ba’s rain forest and rice fields to the village centre, admiring the old homes and meeting locals.  

11:00 Return to the day-boat for a tasty lunch on the water. 

14:00 Spend some time at Bao Trai Dao (Three peach islets), a peaceful location with exotic scenery and sandy beaches. Sunbathe, swim, and kayak at leisure here. 

17:00 Return to Orchid Classic just in time to sample a selection of Tapas as the day shifts to evening. Happy hour returns with its excellent buy 1 get 1 offer, wonderful to enjoy while dipping your feet in the sun deck’s jacuzzi. 

19:15 Can you pick out the different spices and herbs used at dinner? Feast your senses on the colourful and creative display served by the catering team tonight in the restaurant. 

21:30 Free at leisure to enjoy your final night in this natural wonder of the world. 

Overnight on board. 

Day 3: Lan Ha Bay Departure (B)

06:30 Welcome the dawn with Tai Chi on the sundeck. This is also one of the best times of the day to snap photos for those who are art enthusiasts! 

07:00 Munch on freshly prepared pastries and a hot beverage before the morning excursion in Ao Ech, one of Lan Ha Bay’s most beautiful landscapes. 

07:45 Choose a kayak and paddle through water to small caves and around tiny islands, getting a final closer look at the Gulf of Tonkin’s vast riches. 

08:30 Return to Orchid and head to your cabin to begin the check-out process which must be completed by 10:00. 

10:00 Meet back at the restaurant for a fabulous brunch as the vessel exits Lan Ha Bay towards Ha Long Bay’s harbour.  

11:30 Disembark Orchid Classic at Tuan Chau Marina and return to Hanoi by the transfer service of your choice (additional charge applies). Additional points like Noi Bai Airport and Hai Phong Airport can be arranged.

14:30 Expect to arrive to your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter around this time.

Please contact us for the best rates.

+ Cabin with private bathroom (double occupancy/cabin) 

+ All meals as mentioned in the itinerary

+ All activities as mentioned in the itinerary (please be advised the itinerary and activities can change depending on weather conditions) 

+ English-speaking customer liaison 

+ Welcome drink and two bottles of water/day in cabin

+ Onboard insurance, sightseeing fees, entrance tickets, and value added tax.

+ Hanoi – Ha Long transportation (luxury van is available to be booked)

+ Massage treatments (available to be booked in advance)

+ Personal expenses and services not included in the service included

+ Tips and gratuities.

PAYMENTS

A deposit of 30% of the total booking is required within three days from the date of confirmation. The balance payment is due at 45 days prior to embarkation date. For bookings made less than 45 days, full payment is required. Bookings will be cancelled if payments are not received by the due date(s).

Payment can be made via bank transfer or credit cards. In addition to the total payable amount, credit card payments will incur a merchant fee of 2.5% for MasterCard and Visa, 3% for American Express. Any bank charges and merchant fees must be covered by the customer.

CANCELLATIONS

Confirmed bookings must be cancelled by the party leader in writing (by email) and this will only be effective once the written cancellation is confirmed by FantaSea Vietnam. Cancellation by the party leader will be subject to the following cancellation fees from the date the written cancellation is received:

+ more than 45 days prior to embarkation date - 10% of total cost

+ between 31 and 45 days prior to embarkation date - 25% of total cost

+ between 16 and 30 days prior to embarkation date - 50% of total cost

+ within 15 days prior to embarkation date or “no show” - 100% of total cost.

AMENDMENTS

Any amendments to confirmed bookings must be requested by the party leader in writing (by email). Whilst we will endeavor to assist, we cannot guarantee that requests will be met. If we can make the requested change, you will be provided with a quote detailing any additional costs, whether incurred due to your amendments, imposed by a Third-Party Travel Provider, or our amendment fees. In all cases, the following amendment fees shall apply:

+ If amendments are made more than 45 days prior to embarkation date: the first amendment is free of charge. From the second amendment: a charge of U$30 per amendment.

+ If amendments are made within 45 days prior to embarkation date: the above standard cancellation fees will apply, and full price will apply to new travel arrangements.

We will not charge any cancellation/amendment fees if it is due to a breach by us of any of our obligations or due to our fault; or if the Third-Party Travel Provider amends your booking through no fault of the customer.