Athena Luxury Cruise Halong Bay

With a total of 21 cabins, the ship can accommodate up to nearly 50 passengers. Every room has a private balcony and can add an extra bed. Moreover, each room is set up with complimentary water, tea, coffee, and fresh fruit. Also, Athena Luxury offers 5 different suites to custom-make your stay on this overnight vessel.

Executive Suite

• Area: 25m2
• Number of cabins: 10
• Maximum capacity: 2 adults + 1 child (extra bed)
• Highlight facilities: Private balcony

Located on the first floor, including double and twin bedrooms, the room is the most affordable cabin full of wooden furniture. Executive Suite is spacious, with air conditioning, an LED television, and a standing shower with hot water. Every cabin has an outside sitting space and a huge ocean-view window.

Executive Suite with Elegant wooden decor

Elegant Suite 

• Area: 28m2
• Number of cabins: 07
• Maximum capacity: 2 adults + 1 child (extra bed)
• Highlight facilities: Private balcony

These cabins are located on the second deck and offer a peaceful and calming Halong Bay view from the private balcony. Along with the tranquility, a comfortable mattress and soft pillows will always guarantee a comfy overnight stay.

Cozy Elegant Suite on 2nd floor

Terrace Suite

• Area: 30m2
• Number of cabins: 02
• Maximum capacity: 2 adults + 1 child (extra bed)
• Highlight facilities: Private sun terrace, Jacuzzi

On the second deck, each cabin has its private sun terrace with a panoramic ocean view and a jacuzzi. This deluxe cabin is designed to give you solitude, luxury, and leisure and will make you fall in love at first sight.

Terrace Suite with Huge sea-view window

Family Triple Suite

• Area: 35m2
• Number of cabins: 02
• Maximum capacity: 3 adults + 1 child (extra bed)
• Highlight facilities: Private balcony

Ideal for a group or a family, this suite offers one single and one double bed with elegant decorations. It is the largest cabin on the first deck, providing passengers with a private balcony and a home-like atmosphere while you are enjoying 5-star services.

Family Connecting Suite

• Area: 56m2
• Number of cabins: 01
• Maximum capacity: 4 adults + 2 children (extra bed)
• Highlight facilities: Private balcony

Another option for families with more than one child or large groups, Family Connecting Suite is a perfect choice. This Connecting Suite on the second deck possesses two connecting cabins with a private balcony offering a spectacular ocean view. Pick this cottage to keep your family together while enjoying luxurious service.

Beautiful Family Connecting Suite 

The cruise provides passengers with first-class services as well as convenient facilities with up-to-date equipment and high-tech systems.

Bar & Lounge

The cruise arranges an indoor bar with a romantic and cozy vibe on the second deck. Meanwhile, the open sky bar on the third floor brings great relaxation and harmonious nature while enjoying the mesmerizing seascape. 

Restaurant

The restaurant is designed in a semi-classical style. The wooden chairs are upholstered and leather, bringing luxury and great comfort to up to 45 people. 

Spa & Sauna

The third deck boasts several double and single-treatment Vietnmassage rooms and a high-class dry sauna, which give a uniquely exhilarating experience. 

Sundeck

The cruise provides a large sunbathing area with many facilities and decorations for relaxing under the clear sky (sun loungers, projector, fresh plants,..).

Elegant Restaurant on board

Deck Plan

The Athena Luxury consists of 3 decks covered with white paint, bringing luxurious, neoclassical, and modern beauty. The ship's interior is decorated with classic brown wood, giving it a warm and familiar ambiance. 

• The first deck: the reception, boarding area, executive and family triple suite
• The second deck: dining room & bar, elegant suite, terrace suite, and family connecting suite.
• The sundeck: a relaxing spa & sauna, outdoor bar, and sunbathing area.

Start departing from Halong International Harbour, then begin your cruise to Halong Bay. The 2d1n cruise takes you through Halong Bay - Titop Island - Luon Cave. If you want to explore more deeply, you should experience the 3d2n that provides other amusing activities at the Tung Sau Area on Day 2.

For every travel style, Athena Luxury has something for you. It would be an unforgettable adventure with hands-on offboard and entertaining onboard activities.

Cooking demonstration

It is one of the most popular activities on board. You will try making a traditional Vietnamese dish under the cruise chef's instruction while making friends with other visitors.

Spa & Massage

Relaxing on the cruise with professional massage staff could wake your mind up after joining energetic activities on a day excursion.

Kayaking/Rowing bamboo boat

Paddling by kayak or bamboo boat while discovering the Tung Sau Area and Luon Cave. You will be instructed on how to use the kayak safely.

Squid fishing: It is an exciting night activity after your dinner. Try your patience and luck. Your achievement could be a full meal of fresh squids. (only worth trying in squid season - July to August)

Film night: Another amusing choice after dinner. You can get to the top deck and watch famous movies on the cruise's projector in the beautiful bay. 

Tai-chi training: Stretching yourself with your fellows under your Tai-chi trainer's guide in the early morning. Breathe fresh air in and out among the wondrous seascape.

Try your luck with squid fishing at night

The onboard restaurant is always willing to serve you diverse and nutritious meals based on your chosen itinerary:

• The 2-day-1-night itinerary offers 04 meals: 01 buffet lunch, 01 set menu dinner, 01 light breakfast, and 01 brunch.
• The 3-day-2-night itinerary serves 07 meals: 02 buffet lunches, 02 set menu dinners, 01 breakfast, 01 early morning coffee, and 01 brunch.

Western fusion food and Vietnamese traditional dishes with fresh seafood and natural ingredients are served onboard to make it a pleasure for all the passengers. Suppose you have special diets like vegetarian or gluten-free, lactose-free, etc. Athena’s master chef will provide you with suitable food on request. 

Delicious meal on High-end Cruise

Moreover, each room will be fully prepared with complimentary water, tea, coffee, and a basket of fresh fruits (extra wine bottle for Athena Terrace Suite). Beverages in the bar and lounge must be extra-paid based on the menu, including juice, tea, coffee, cocktails, and alcohol-free mocktails. 

Athena Luxury Cruise supports the guests by a private limousine bus with a maximum of 15 seats. This bus is fully equipped with facilities, including air conditioning, soft leather seats, free drinks and snacks, wifi on board, and USB capability to charge phones and devices to guarantee that you are comfortable from the minute you leave until you return.

From Hanoi

The pick-up location is at 14 Ngo Quyen, Hanoi, from 8.00 - 8.30 or door-to-door at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter.

From cruise port

For passengers who choose to move to Halong Bay cruise from Hanoi by themselves. Please arrive before 11.30 at Ha Long International Cruise Port (09 Ha Long Road, Bai Chay, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh). 

The opulent bus of Athena Group

BestPrice's Overall Rating: 9.0/10

• Inspection date: November 2022
• Cruise: Athena Luxury 1
• BestPrice Travel inspector: Huan Nguyen & Dung Nguyen

After a 2-days and 1-night experience, this high-class cruise shows how it deserves to be called one of the best luxury Halong Bay cruises. Although the cruise still needs to fix some problems to be worth the price, the service from the crew is top-notch.

Facilities & Amenities: 9.2/10

Pros

• Spacious sundeck with many places to relax with many sun loungers, set tables, sofas,...
• Exquisite and cohesive design with luxurious wooden interiors combined with leather.
• Huge cabin on board, the smallest one is already 25m2, with private balcony and new marble bathroom. 
• A bar on the 2nd deck and one on the sundeck give the guest more choices.

Broad sundeck with outdoor bar

Cons

• Unoptimized layout in the cabin, there is a big table right in front of the bed, making it harder to move inside the room.
• Except for the Suite Terrace cabin, other rooms have small terraces.

Food and Beverage: 8.6/10

Pros

• The dining establishment offers a wide selection of exquisite Vietnamese delicacies.
• Each morning, guests may enjoy a breakfast buffet in their rooms. 
• Fresh seafood and natural ingredients.

Cons

• The food stops at the level of fullness with a good taste, not too outstanding.
• The drink price is still high for its quality.

Itineraries and Activities: 8.8/10

Pros

• Well-planned schedule with only 3 attractions for 2 days, which is loose and not too packed.
• Fantastic trip to Sung Sot Cave, one of the most beautiful and widest caves in Halong Bay.
• A joyful cooking class is the best way to make new friends on board.
• Conquer Titop Peak will give you a great and satisfied feeling.
• Entertain with movie night. Enjoying the cool air while watching your favorite movie on the top deck is a memorable experience.

Amusing cooking class

Cons

• Travel to very touristy attractions in Halong Bay, packed with visitors.
• If the passenger does not request it soon, the Tai Chi and cooking classes will be disabled.

Services: 9.5/10

Pros

• Friendly and professionally-trained staff, attentive, helpful, and dedicated to their job.
• The sauna facility is one of several new amenities. Every day from 15:30 to 16:30, complimentary sauna sessions are available. 
• Themed party, ceremony,... always open for request.

Cons

• Only the bar staff and cruise manager and some others speak good English.

Athena Luxury on TripAdvisor

• Number of reviews: 1929
• Excellent: 1843/1929

Athena Luxury Cruise has many reviews from its customers compared to other cruises. With almost 99% positive reviews, it seems the travelers loved this luxurious cruise on TripAdvisor in every aspect, from the staff, schedule, activities, and food,... Which is outstanding with the number of reviews the cruise has.

The 2% of complaints were mainly about the old facilities, which were posted right after the pandemic ended. Maybe the cruise has updated the amenities since these negative reviews stopped in July 2022 and have never been seen again. There are still some complaints about staff not speaking good English, too.