Halong Bay / Lan Ha Bay / Bai Tu Long Bay / Cat Ba Island

Old Quarter - Guests are picked up in Hanoi’s Old Quarter area between 8:00 am and 8:30 am.

Halong Bay - For travelers who book the Halong Bay tour:

08:00 - 08:30 am: Pick-up at the Old Quarter area for transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay.

11:30: Arrive at the cruise dock, where assistance is provided for check-in at the cruise lounge area.

12:15: Transfer to the cruise, check-in, and enjoy welcome drinks.

13:00: Enjoy a delicious lunch while taking in the stunning views as the boat cruises towards the southeast of Halong Bay, passing Fighting-Cock and Finger Islet.

14:45: Visit Luon Cave or the Pearl Farm area by bamboo boat or kayaking.

16:00: Head to Titov Island for swimming or hiking to the top for another breathtaking panoramic view of the Bay.

17:30: Return on board to enjoy a Sunset party with HAPPY HOUR (from 17:30 – 19:00) – buy 2 get 1 free at the bar.

18:30: Participate in a Cooking Demo class or enjoy free time.

19:00: Delight in the shimmering atmosphere of thousands of stars while savoring a fantastic, expertly prepared dinner.

20:30: Relax with spa treatments or enjoy a cocktail.

Ti Top Island - For travelers who book the Halong Bay tour:

Visit Titop Island for sunbathing, swimming, or hiking up the island to enjoy great views (for travelers who book the Halong Bay itinerary only).

Hang Luon Cave - For travelers who book the Halong Bay tour:

Kayak in the cave, around the cave, karsts, and grottos (for travelers who book the Halong Bay itinerary only).

Lan Ha Bay - For travelers who book the Lan Ha Bay tour:

8:00 am - 08:30 am: Pick-up from Hanoi Old Quarter area.

11:30: Welcome at Tuan Chau harbor in Halong Bay.

12:00-12:30: Check-in on the cruise, enjoy welcome drinks, and check into your cabins.

13:15: Enjoy a great set menu lunch. The cruise sets sail for Lan Ha Bay, passing Da Chong islet, where you can see a lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago.

14:00: As lunch concludes, the cruise completes its entry through Cua Van area to Lan Ha Bay (part of Halong Bay). The area is surrounded by extraordinary limestone karst landscapes. Guests can start their journey to explore Lan Ha Bay by kayaking and swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the bay.

17:00: Return to the main boat and cruise to the overnight location.

17:30: Join the sunset party on the sundeck with complimentary fruits, juice, and music.

19:15: Relish a special dinner in the restaurant.

20:45 - 00:00: Enjoy free time with music, dancing, and drinks.

Bai Tu Long Bay - For travelers who book the Bai Tu Long Bay tour:

07:45 – 8:30: Transfer pick-up at your hotel in the Old Quarter.

12:30: Arrive at the cruise dock. Wait for the captain to complete registration and transfer by tender to the boat.

12:45: Enjoy a welcome drink and a brief safety briefing on the boat and activities included, then check into your cabin.

13:30: A delicious Vietnamese set menu is served while leisurely cruising further into Bai Tu Long Bay.

15:00: Arrive in the kayaking area at Cap La Island. Enjoy kayaking through the karst and breathtaking nature, swimming, and relaxing.

17:30: Return to the boat and enjoy the Sunset party while the cruise sails to the overnight anchorage.

19:00: Sumptuous set dinner on board.

20:30: Free time to play games, enjoy music, dance, or try squid fishing.

Cat Ba Island - For travelers booking Lan Ha Bay + Biking Cat Ba Island:

07:10: Pick-up from Hanoi.

11:45: Transfer by tender to the cruise.

12:15: Welcome and check-in on the cruise.

12:30: Enjoy lunch before continuing the journey via the islets. These amazing limestone karst formations rise impressively from the sea. This area is untouched, as not many cruise ships use the route via Cat Ba Island – Coc Ngoi islet – through Cua Dong to Ba Trai Dao area.

14:30: The cruise sails through Lan Ha Bay. Begin your journey to visit Dark & Bright Cave and islets by kayaking and enjoy swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the Bay.

15:20: Enjoy time for swimming.

17:45: Return to the cruise and join a traditional cooking class. Happy hour time.

19:00: A great dinner is served in an intimate romantic setting.

21:00: Relax while enjoying drinks from the bar, squid fishing, and fun karaoke time.

Halong Bay / Lan Ha Bay / Bai Tu Long Bay / Cat Ba Island

Halong Bay - For travelers who book the Halong Bay tour:

06:00: Morning call (if requested).

06:30: Enjoy Tai Chi instructions on the sundeck for 30 minutes.

07:00: Enjoy a light breakfast in the restaurant (coffee, tea, fresh milk, water, pastries, bread, egg, fresh fruit, cereals will be served in the dining room).

8:30-09:00: Transfer to a day boat to discover new destinations in Halong Bay.

10:00: Visit Tung Sau areas and enjoy free kayaking.

12:00: Traditional Vietnamese cuisine will be served for lunch.

13:30: Visit Me Cung Cave.

15:00: Return to the Athena Cruise. Choose to relax at the outdoor jacuzzi, sunbathe on the sundeck, or experience a spa treatment.

18:00-19:00: HAPPY HOUR - Buy 1 drink, get 1 free (wine excluded).

18:30: Enjoy a Vietnamese cooking demonstration.

19:00: Have a set menu dinner.

20:30: Evening activities include film entertainment (in the dining room), squid fishing, and massage (contact the cruise manager for service prices).

Me Cung Cave - For travelers who book the Halong Bay tour:

Visit Me Cung Cave.

Lan Ha Bay - For travelers who book the Lan Ha Bay tour:

06:30: Tai Chi class, tea morning time, relaxing.

07:00: Enjoy a buffet breakfast with the best local coffee brand and fresh fruit juices.

8:00 - 8:30: Get picked up at Tra Bau area.

8:30 – 9:00: Boat cruises through Lan Ha Bay before disembarking at Viet Hai dock.

10:00: Join a biking tour, electric car tour, or walking tour, visit a local village, and see wild animals.

11:30: Return to the cruise.

12:00: The day boat anchors for a peaceful lunch.

13:00-14:00: Kayak around Tai Quéo cave area, a tunnel cave, to a lake like “Dragon eye.”

14:00 – 14:30: Move on to Ba Trai Dao (Three Peaches) Beaches.

14:30 – 15:30: Free to swim in this beautiful and clean area. Enjoy finger fruit dishes while cruising back toward Tuan Chau island.

16:00 – 16:30: Arrive at Tra Bau area.

17:30 – 18:00: Free time and dinner, enjoy nightlife with singing karaoke, bars, and dancing.

Bai Tu Long Bay - For travelers who book the Bai Tu Long Bay tour:

06:00: Start your day with a Tai Chi routine on the sundeck or catch a morning view of the stunning bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.

07:30: Breakfast will be served in Western style, familiar to you to fulfill your strength and prepare for another day of exploration.

09:00: Transfer to a day cruise, passing several floating hamlets including Cap La and Cong Dam, entering the Centre of pristine Bai Tu Long Geology Park. Visit Vung Vieng fishing village to interact with local people.

12:00: Return to the boat for a delicious hot lunch at noon.

14:00: Spend more time kayaking and swimming at Cong Dam, or relaxing on the boat. If the weather allows, take a glance at Thay Cave before returning to the anchor point.

16:30: Return to the main boat and enjoy the sunset party afterward.

19:00: Dinner will be served.

20:30: Free time for joining games, or try your luck with squid fishing.

Cat Ba Island - For travelers booking Lan Ha Bay + Biking Cat Ba Island:

Morning

06:00: Tai Chi class on request, breakfast.

07:10: Tender ship to Cat Ba Island, Viet Hai dock for a bicycle trip to Viet Hai village.

=> Biking and trekking, electric car to local villages.

=> Visit a local house to learn about the local people and their daily work or visit the island school.

=> Return to the cruise and a local boat will take you 40 minutes through Lan Ha Bay, passing by floating fishing villages of Cai Beo to Cat Ba Island, then a car drive up to the center of the park for trekking.

=> A moderate trek to a local mountain to enjoy great views.

Trek down to visit Trung Trang cave.

Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.

Afternoon

=> Walk on the on-cliff path for spectacular landscapes from the beach. Dip to swim on Cat Co 3 beach for relaxing moments.

=> Return to the cruise.

=> Enjoy more kayaking or swimming from the cruise.

Evening

=> Enjoy dinner and free time at night.

Halong Bay / Lan Ha Bay / Bai Tu Long Bay / Cat Ba Island

Halong Bay - For travelers who book the Halong Bay tour:

06:00: Warm up your day with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck with a breathtaking view as the sun rises on Halong Bay.

07:00: Light breakfast is served at the restaurant.

08:00: Your next stop is the magnificent Sung Sot Cave, one of the biggest caves in Ha Long Bay with beautiful stalactites. You will be amazed by the breathtaking panoramic view across the Bay once you exit the cave, as well as the stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years, which have taken on fascinating shapes.

09:30: Return on board, check-out, and return to Tuan Chau Island.

10:00: Brunch is served at the restaurant and payment.

10:45: Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina, return to Hanoi.

15:00 - 15:30: Drop off at hotel/point in Old Quarter area.

Sung Sot Cave - For travelers who book the Halong Bay tour:

Visit Sung Sot Cave, walk in the cave, hike up to the top of the cave, and enjoy great views - this is the biggest cave in Halong Bay, and it is sure to be a favorite.

Lan Ha Bay - For travelers who book the Lan Ha Bay tour:

06:00: The nicest time of the day on Lan Ha Bay is the morning. Head to the upper deck to participate in our daily Tai Chi sessions. Relax with an early morning cup of tea, coffee, or juice anywhere you wish on the boat and watch the never-ending miraculous scenery unfold before you.

06:30: Light breakfast will be served in our restaurant (pastries, tea, coffee).

7:15 - 8:30: Enjoy the last stage of your trip to Dark & Bright cave and islets by local rowing boats, which is a wild and mysterious beauty in the middle of the World Heritage. Return to our main board afterward.

09:00 - 9:15: Check out of your cabin as we draw closer to the mainland.

09:45: Enjoy your brunch on the boat.

10:45: Board our tender and head back to the wharf, where you will be met by your trip vehicle to transfer you to Hanoi.

11:45: Tour ends at Tuan Chau harbor in Halong.

15:00 - 15:30: Drop off at your hotels in Hanoi.

Bai Tu Long Bay - For travelers who book the Bai Tu Long Bay tour:

06:00: Start your day with a Tai Chi routine on the sundeck or catch a morning view of the stunning bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.

07:00: Breakfast will be served in Western style, familiar to you to fulfill your strength and prepare for another day of exploration.

08:00: Explore the well-hidden Thien Canh Son Cave.

09:00: Upon return to the boat, you will have about 30 minutes to freshen up and finish packing.

10:00: Attend a Vietnamese cooking demonstration. You can quickly learn a simple but delicious Vietnamese dish that Gordon Ramsey (a 2 Michelin Star Chef) used to guide – Nem Cuon or challenge yourself in fruit and vegetable carving.

11:00: Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch on the boat.

12:00: Return to the harbor and disembark at Ha Long cruise port.

12:30: Our shuttle bus or limousine will take you back to Hanoi.

15:00: Arrive in Hanoi. Trip ends.

Cat Ba Island - For travelers who book the Lan Ha Bay + Cat Ba Island tour:

06:00: Begin your new day with a cup of coffee, take photos, or enjoy the sunrise from your cabin window. Enjoy a light breakfast in the delightful and peaceful beauty of the bay.

08:00: Transfer to a tender to visit Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island and hop on a bicycle ride (electric car also available) through a rainforest tunnel that leads to a village nestled in a valley deep in a national park. Meet, visit a traditional house, and greet local inhabitants doing their daily work, see their homes and the village school.

Return to the cruise boat for check-out procedures.

10:45: While cruising back, enjoy a delightful lunch.

11:45: Return to the quay side in the south of the bay, where visitors disembark.

12:00: Bid farewell at the port, marking the end of the program. We hope you have enjoyed your time with us and wish you a safe onward journey.

15:45: Return to your drop-off point in Hanoi.

• Positive reviews on Tripadvisor from over 2,000 travelers
• Kayaking around Lan Ha Bay and adventure biking on Cat Ba Island with a local village visit
• Complimentary round-trip transfer from Hanoi via express highway, cutting travel time to 2-3 hours
• Welcoming drink, refreshments, and a fruit basket, plus two bottles of mineral water per cabin
• Extensive onboard activities including Tai Chi, local rowboat excursions, swimming, squid fishing, and music entertainment
• Three meals a day: two lunches, one dinner, and breakfast, catered onboard
• Accommodations in a fully-equipped deluxe en-suite cabin with air conditioning and hot water
• Guidance from an English-speaking tour guide throughout the journey

• Beverages, tips, and gratuities.
• Personal expenses
• All other services and items not mentioned specifically in the list above

Option 1) If you book 2 nights in Halong Bay

• Sung Sot Cave: Walk and hike inside the cave
• Ti Top Island: Hiking, sunbathing, and swimming
• Luon Cave: Kayaking inside the cave
• Lan Ha Bay: Explore Dark and Bright Cave and other less touristy areas.

Option 2) If you book 2 nights in Lan Ha Bay

• Lan Ha Bay: Explore Dark and Bright Cave and other less touristy areas.
• Cat Ba Island: Trekking, biking, visiting local villages, and possibly exploring caves on the island.

Option 3) If you book 2 nights in Bai Tu Long Bay

• Visit Thien Canh Son Cave and Vung Vieng Floating Village
• Explore Cong Dam and Cong Do areas, which are less touristy and not accessible to many.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.