Halong Hideaway Cruise – Is it worth it? – TREKwithBECK

Halong Bay is one of the most popular places to visit in Northern Vietnam. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features thousands of limestone karsts and islets in various shapes and sizes. It is breathtaking to see in person and was everything I thought it would be. What’s the best way to experience this natural wonder, by a cruise! I decided to go with what essentially is a backpacker cruise, the Hideaway Cruise. I ended up booking the 3 day, 2 night tour which was enough time to see the sights.

This post will have a brief run through of what the expect on the Hideaway cruise, including food and a look at the ship. This blog post is not sponsored in any way.

There are several ways you can book this tour. Firstly, through the Hideaway website, second through the Central Backpackers website. And lastly, in person at the Central Backpackers hostel. I booked mine through the Central Backpackers website and had no issue.

I would also recommend staying at the Central Backpackers hostel the night before the cruise, to make it easier!

The basic package for this tour, which includes accommodation, food and activities in a shared room is:

• 2.800.000 dong for 2 Days, 1 Night (roughly $170 AUD)
• 4.600.000 dong for 3 Day, 2 Nights (roughly $280 AUD)

If you would like to upgrade your room to a private this is an extra million dong a night. I ended upgraded my room to a private and I was placed with a couple. Being too much of a romantic setting, I felt they needed their own room even though they didn’t mind! I got a budget room for 500,000 for one night (aircon wasn’t working) and upgraded to a better room for 1 million dong the next night. I ended up spending about $350 AUD for my 3 day, 2 night cruise.

The Transport

Transport to and from either Hanoi Central Hostel or Hanoi Buffalo hostel, is included in this tour. The buses and ferries were all really well planned, so it took the thinking out of travelling the Halong Bay. We were picked up from Hanoi Central Hostel around 8am, and continued our way to the ferry. We had one short break on the 2.5hr drive to the ferry port for snacks and the bathroom.

The next step was a short ferry over to Cat Ba island, we had to wait 20mins for this ferry, which took 15mins to get to the island. From here we had a bus waiting to take us to another ferry port, where we caught a boat to the ship. Although a 4-5 hour travel day, it all flowed very smoothy and there were no issues at all!

You wil complete the same route heading back to Hanoi.

The Accommodation

I was amazed by the standard of the rooms on the Hideaway cruise! I wasn’t expecting the rooms to be as big and lush as they were. Each room has a balcony, ensuite and either double bed or 3 single beds. If you want to book a private you will have to pay a little bit more, but sharing is also fine! Each room has big windows, which makes laying in bed and watching the scenery a perfect way to relax

The ship itself is massive and has plenty of areas to relax for the duration of the cruise. There are 3 hot tubs located on the ship, each for you to use whenever you would like. There is a dining hall, which has lounges to relax on and a mini club with dance floor. The top of the ship has several lounge chairs so you can soak up the sun. And there are multiple viewing platforms on the ship. This felt much more luxe than a backpacker cruise!

The Food

The Hideaway cruise includes 7 meals total (if you are doing the 3 day/2night cruise). This includes a sit down ‘family’ style lunch once you get on the boat. Two buffet dinners and two buffet breakfasts. Lunch on the hiking day excursion and brunch before you depart the ship.

The food itself wasn’t anything to rave about, but it did the job and there was plenty of variety. The food isn’t exactly traditional Vietnamese food and is more western style food. Nether the less, we still got tofu, beef and chicken dishes with an asian twist! They also do cater to vegetarians and vegans, and you will still be fed well.

Alcohol and drinks are not included in this package, so you will need to buy tokens once on the ship. These tokens make it easier to pay for drinks at the bar, instead of them handling cash. The tokens are brought at the start of the cruise, or during if you run out. You can pay in cash or card, however the card machine wasn’t working for a while during my cruise.

They have a happy hour every single night, which includes 2 for 3 cocktails and beers, and 2-3 shots. You can also buy soft drink and water.

The Activities

Included in the tour is a jungle hike/cycle (3day/2night only), visiting the beach and optional banana boat, as well as kayaking. The beach was beautiful to visit, although it was quite busy and the sun had disappeared behind the mountains by the time we got there. Never the less was very nice to go for a swim and have a drink. I didn’t partake in the hiking part (because of the party, which I’ll talk about shortly). But this hike takes around 6hrs and includes a very steep climb to a viewpoint and some cycling. The kayaking is done from the boat and is a beautiful way to see the bay up close and personal!

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Although this cruise does include all the things you want to do in Halong Bay, don’t be fooled it is a party cruise. There are parties happening every night till 1am, which can make it noisy if you are underneath the dance floor. I went to the first ‘welcome party’, which was a lot of fun and concluded with us all dancing in life jackets at 1am. It is a good time, but did led to me being extremely hungover for the hike at 8am. I was dying as I cannot drink like 21 year olds anymore, and was not leaving my room!! You don’t have to attend these parties, but keep in mind there will be loud music and drunken antics each night.

Conclusion

SO was the Hideaway cruise really worth it? I think it was! For the price and the inclusions, I believe this is a great way to see Halong Bay. I had a really great time on this cruise, even with the anxieties of being a solo traveller! I ended up making heaps of friends and having a fabulous time. This cruise would be great either as a solo traveller, couple or group. It is a party cruise but has a great mix of activities as well.

It beat all my expectations, especially for what essentially is a budget cruise. I was able to see the beauty that is Halong bay, as well as have a bit of party. I would highly recommend this cruise to any backpacker heading to Hanoi.

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