|
Dan F.
Groups
Singapore,
October 20, 2013
|
Nice and attentive staff with awesome tour guide
Service, itinerary, hotel transfer
7.3
Hotel transfer was provided if we stay within the old quarter which was an added convenient to my friend and I. Our tour guide was full of enthusiasm and has a fair grasp of English language which allowed him to communicate quite easily with the group. Itinerary was quite well done as well though there was a visit to the cave which was rather over crowded with tourists. Would prefer a quieter spot with similar scenic spot. The itinerary gave us happy hour and own relaxation time on the first night which was quite nice for those who wants to have an early night, otherwise we may just mingle around with our group at the cruise top with awesome weather. Cruise wasn't as clean as I expected to be, but I guess it was passable still.
|
|
Bart P.
Couples
Netherlands,
August 27, 2013
|
the bay is beautiful
the bay, the bay and the bay
8.3
We really enjoyed the cruise. Schedule of activities could be more clear. Around 14:00 the junk stops and stays at the same location till next morning, I think it is a shame. Would like to see more of the bay.
|
|
Rita P.
Groups
Malaysia,
August 25, 2013
|
It was a fun filled adventures holiday
The guide and the staff were so friendly ,,, a personal touch to everything they did ,,,,,had delicious seafood cuisine ...the itinenary was good,,,,a bit of adventure thrown in
9.3
The stay was good ,,,as i mentioned before ,,,,friendly guide and friendly staff ,,,,good food and plenty of adventure
|
|
Bethany D.
Couples
United Kingdom,
August 13, 2013
|
Value for money!
A great guide, lovely food and fantastic scenery
6.7
The Alova Gold Cruise is one of the cheaper cruises and is good value for money. They picked us up promptly from the hotel and took us to Halong Bay from Hanoi. Our guide was very good, excellent language, funny and friendly. The food was pretty good and you get lots of it!! only down side is not enough water so take some big bottles with you! and unfortunately when we went to bed we could hear mice all night scratching and squeeking which kept us awake! which was such a shame as we enjoyed the activities and the general cruise.
|
|
Jason M.
Solo travelers
Austria,
July 28, 2013
|
beautiful cruise in the bay
location, comfort and staff
8.7
Apart from the torrential rain this cruise was well worth the money paid. Great English speaking staff.
|
|
Lucas S.
Couples
Australia,
July 24, 2013
|
Fantastic crew
Staff, food, value for money
8.7
The staff bought a great vibe to the cruise. Kim our guide leader even made 5hr drive from hanoi almost seem enjoyable! He was informative without being in your face. The number of activities provided meant that you would never get board. Great value for money
|
|
Alexander J.
Couples
Germany,
July 24, 2013
|
way overpriced wannabe luxury trip
5.7
simply put: you are just one of a thousand tourist a day getting squeezed.
When booking they say drinks are not included and this is how they try to make big extra bucks on an already overpriced trip. In the menu it says that you are not allowed to bring any kind of drink (even water) from somewhere else but on the boat they charge you about 4-6 times more for anything. 500ml water is 20.000D a can of local beer 45.000D a Heineken 75.000D (the boats at the habour at least every 3 days, no problem stocking up). We only read so many good things about the food but to be honest: it just looked good because they serve it with all kinds of decoration but compared to what we had during 6 weeks of Vietnam the food was honestly less than average.
the room: it looked very nice though small but smelled like a rabbit cage for the whole 3 days. ok, you get used to that and don't spend to much time in there but when you wake up because the aircon is leaking in your face at 5.30am (because they turn power of to save) you don't really feal like on a fancy ride. breakfast is at 7.30am but they decided to start with some construction at about 6.30, to then "wake you up" with loud knocks at 7.00... the soultion for the leaking aircon was to move the bed, we then had constantly water flowing through the room for the rest of the trip. one guide was nice but very hard to understand, the other one didn't talk much but always asked how you are in a sober manner. all in all we felt everything but luxury during the 3 days and none of our fellow travelers felt very different. and really it wasn't superbad but you just get the real standard tourist-beeing feeling.
|
|
Karen M.
Couples
Australia,
June 18, 2013
|
A highlight of our Vietnam experience
The food was delicious, the activities were fun and varied and the Junk was just the right size to enjoy everyone's company.
9.3
Apart from the four hour bus trip to get there, the rest of the trip was great! Mike, our, tour guide was easy to understand, was entertaining and very informative. The Junk was just the right size, although the rooms were a bit smaller than indicated on the web site. The bar and dining area was pleasant and the deck was well appointed with shade and deck chairs. All the activities were well organisedand allowed plenty of time as they were not rushed. The meals on the boat were some of the nicest we had in Vietnam, however, the meal at the resturant before you get on the bus to return was very average.
|
|
Joanne N.
Couples
Philippines,
June 8, 2013
|
Cruise junk was a bit old but good condition.
Relaxing, good services, nice people/company, good food. But has to mention that the bay that all the ship moored for the night is a giant sewage, can actually see ship discharging all day/night.
8.3
The cruise was good, had a great time with cruise mates, junk is a bit old but good condition. Good services. No complain there, but the area where all the junks moor at night is a giant sewer, saw all the junks disposed the sewage the whole time we were there. Stayed in the lower room and smelt the sewage the whole time, instead, we spent most of time on the upper floor/deck to avoid it. Another thing that bothers me is the captain uses his feet to sail the ship the whole trip, and talks over the mobile phone most of the time (makes me wonder if that is really the Vietnamese way).
|
|
Francisco B.
Couples
Philippines,
June 7, 2013
|
best bang for the buck...good staff...nice meals
9
|