With a long and rich experience of 30 years onboard, Indochina Sails’ cruises, in general, and Indochine Cruise in particular, have become the first choice of tourists worldwide when traveling in the Gulf of Tonkin. Spruced up with a combination of contemporary luxury, this 5-star overnight cruise will bring a breath of the traditional Indochinese maritime heritage while evoking the colonial period of Vietnam.
Cabin and Suites
Indochine Overnight Cruise offers five distinct classes of suites, which add up to 43 cabins in total (32 Junior Suite - 08 Suite - 02 Junior Suite - 01 President Suite). To create the most favorable conditions for group travelers when overnight onboard, the 32m2 standard room type accounts for up to 70%.
Junior Suite
- Area: 32m2
- Maximum capacity: 02 adults
- Highlight facilities: Private balcony
A calming and refined elegance is what you can find in the Junior Suite, which occupies the 1st & 2nd decks of the cruise - closest to the reception & restaurant area. Featuring an extra bed next to the balcony, the cabin allows guests to relax and admire the bay through an immense glass window.
Junior Suite - Best Choice for a standard overnight cruise
Indochine Suite
- Area: 42m2
- Maximum capacity: 02 adults
- Highlight: Private balcony, Bathtub
The Indochine Suite, located on the 3rd floor, is super convenient for guests to move to the sundeck, the Cochinchin lounge, and the plunge pool area. The room was a flawless combination of luxury and the tradition of Indochina maritime heritage framed with quaint wooden furnishing and intricate interior decor.
Indochine Suite with impressive design
Executive Suite
- Area: 54m2
- Maximum capacity: 02 adults
- Highlight: Private balcony, Bathtub
Lying on the second deck, the Executive Suite is also an ideal option for couples, which is adorned with a whimsical Southeast Asia theme, and dim yellow lighting which emphasizes all traditional patterns. With an extended private balcony, the room will definitely elevate your high-end overnight stay to another level.
Excellent cabin with a luxurious Asian-style design
President Suite
- Area: 80m2
- Maximum capacity: 02 adults
- Highlight: Private balcony, Jacuzzi tub
If you are looking for an exquisite experience in the pure waters of Lan Ha Bay, the only President Suite cabin on the 3rd floor is a fit for you. Taking advantage of the largest cabin on board, the arrangement of luxuriant interior furniture will please even the most stringent customers.
This cabin breaks the boundary between centuries by incorporating both authentic French Indochina heritage and the modern technology of the twenty-first century, providing you with a lavish stay like a king on board.
Elite Suite full of the magnificent panorama
Family Connecting
- Area: 54m2
- Maximum capacity: 03 adults
- Highlight: Private balcony
If you are looking for a suitable suite for your family, the two Family Connect cabins on the 1st deck will definitely be a certain level of privacy, which combines two Junior suite cabins through an internal door. The cabin offers separate bathrooms and balconies to level up the convenience and ensure both your family moments and intimate times.
A wonderful cabin for family or group of friends overnight together
Deck Plans
Indochine Cruise takes advantage of 4 decks to arrange spacious and comfortable accommodations for up to 110 passengers onboard:
- The first deck: This is where the guests have their main meals at the Tonkin Restaurant. The cabin area includes the Junior Suite & Family Connecting.
- The second deck: The An Nam restaurant & main bar is located on the stern of the boat, while the remaining part is for the Junior Suite & Executive Suite.
- The third deck: This deck features a small plunge pool area, the Cochinchine Lounge, and a gathering area of the Indochine Suite & President Suite.
- The fourth deck (Sundeck): The top deck of the Indochine Cruise for sunbathing, enjoying the panoramic bay view, and Taichi Class.
Indochine Cruise Deck Plan
Highlight Services and Facilities
- Cochinchine Lounge: Having an area of 350m2, this lounge is usually used as a conference room. Moreover, this can be a perfect place for relaxing with a classic piano at the end of the lounge - a high-quality one with limpid sounds, and you are free to play this.
- Tonkin Restaurant: Having the same area as Cochinchine Lounge, Tonkin Restaurant is the main restaurant of the cruise, where you will be served your main courses.
- An Nam Restaurant: This is the second restaurant on board with an area of 150m2, it’s smaller and suitable for groups to celebrate separately and have a buffet meal here.
- Bar: The main bar in the Cochinchine Lounge enables you to try various sorts of luxury wines and soft drinks. Moreover, the cruise also has an open-air bar in the sundeck, which is a recommended place for sightseeing lovers.
Cochinchine Lounge
- Spa: Located on the second deck, the Oriental Spa offers professional masseuses with age-old techniques perfected by Vietnamese people. You will have a chance to experience a soothing massage, body scrub, and herbal treatment with 5-star standards.
- Jacuzzi: There is a separate room with a 4-season plunge pool inside. It provides thrilling relaxation while immersing in cool waters and admiring spectacular landscapes at the same time through large windows.
- Souvenir Shop: Located on the third deck, there is a small corner on the third deck that displays unique Vietnamese-styled items. This boutique has many sorts of vintage things such as luxurious round velvet cushions, classic cutlery sets, night lamps, etc.
- Sundeck: The top deck of the Indochine Cruise is airy and spacious with an impressive area of more than 1000m2, ideal for guests to sunbathe, enjoy fresh air, and admire the charming beauty of Lan Ha Bay.
Wonder place to admire the sunset of Lan Ha Bay
Food and Drink
Onboarding with Indochine overnight cruise in Halong, you will be served scrumptious meals - a fusion of Vietnamese traditional cuisine and international flavors. The tour booking has already covered all mentioned meals along with welcome drinks, however, the dishes may change depending on the season.
- The 2-day-1-night includes 04 standard meals: 01 light breakfast, 01 lunch, 01 dinner, and 01 brunch
You should be noted that the beverages served upon request will be charged separately including wine, soft drinks, cocktails, fruit juice, etc.
Delicious Lunch On The Indochine Cruise
Itinerary and Highlight Activities
The 2-day 1-night itinerary will take you to discover the deepest beauty of Lan Ha Bay - the hidden gem of Cat Ba Island. You will have a chance to explore the most charming attractions of the bay such as Trung Trang Cave and Dark & Light Cave:
- Go sightseeing: You will be taken to both the famous wet cave (Dark and Light Cave) and the dry cave (Trung Trang Cave) at Cat Ba Island.
- Kayaking/ Wooden boat: If you want to get to the Dark & Bright Cave, you will have to go kayaking/ get on a wooden boat rowing by local people. Going inside, you can learn the interesting geology of the cave. You can ask the ferryman to take photographs of your family/ friends.
- Taichi Session: Improve your mental and physical health with the ancient martial art of Tai Chi session. The Taichi class opens every morning on the sundeck at 06:30 and lasts for about 20 minutes.
- Squid Fishing: Challenge yourself by joining the adventurous squid fishing activity with the help of professional staff at night. In the squid season (usually from Sep to Feb), the chance to catch more squids is higher.
- Cooking Class: Besides enjoying Vietnamese cuisine throughout the trip, you can make them yourself by participating in a cooking class with award-winning chefs. The class is usually held in the Cochinchine Lounge.
Enjoy Cooking Class on Indochine Cruise
Transport from Hanoi
Since it will take about 2.5 hours to transfer from Hanoi to Tuan Chau Port, every traveler has to leave their accommodation early for on-time arrival. You should book the shuttle bus service with BestPrice Travel for a door-to-door pick-up offer and a comfortable transfer experience.
- By BestPrice Travel’s luxury shuttle bus: The driver will take you from the hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter to Tuan Chau International Marina from 08:00 to 08:30, then arrive at the Indochina Sails’ waiting station around 11:30. At about 12:00, all guests will be transferred by tender to the Indochine Cruise.
Transfer To Halong By Luxury Shuttle Bus
- By yourself: If you want to travel to the port on your own, please be noted that you should be at Tuan Chau Port before 11:30 for check-in procedures before boarding the cruise at 12:00.
Indochina Sails Waiting Station
Indochine Cruise on TripAdvisor
- Number of reviews: 31 reviews
- Excellent: 28/31 reviews
Though the reviews about the Indochine Cruise on Tripadvisor are fewer than other Halong Bay cruises, there is no review below that is very good. Therefore, the Indochine cruise is highly recommended since the boat features high-quality & well-maintain facilities, excellent world-class services, and delicious food.
Moreover, the Indochine Cruise was also rewarded the Traveller's Choice in 2022 on Tripadvisor.
BestPrice's Reviews
- Inspection date: 17 & 18th, December 2022
- Cruise: Indochine Cruise
- BestPrice Travel inspector: Tra My & Thao Anh
After experiencing travel 2D1N on this overnight cruise, Indochine seems to be an ideal choice for foreign travelers who loves classic and vintage Eastern style. Though the cruise launched in 2019, both the interior and exterior of the cruise are still maintained new, clean, and modern, bringing an elite breath when staying for guests are on board.
- Facilities & Amenities
BestPrice’s Rating: 9/10
Featuring 5-star accommodation standards, the cruise provides guests with a luxurious and comfortable overnight experience. Guests can also experience other high-quality amenities such as a bar, spa, jacuzzi, and gym. Nonetheless, nothing is perfect, Indochine still has some disadvantages.
Pros
- Spacious and airy sundeck with many private spaces for couples/groups. Though it’s outdoor, all furniture such as sunbeds and sofa sets were kept clean.
- Nice restaurants and lounges are equipped with comfortable table sets. Gentle yellow lights were used on the cruise (both inside each cabin).
- With a reasonable price of about US $25,5, spa & massage is a perfect choice for guests to relax both their bodies and mind (The price details are on the catalog in each cabin. You will have to ask the cruise manager for booking).
- The bartender is available at the bar even at midnight to serve guests (You will have to ask the cruise to arrange this).
Cons
- The WIFI on board is not stable.
- The plunge pool room doesn’t have lights, so at night this area is quite dark.
- Foods & Drinks
BestPrice’s Rating: 11/10
One of the most outstanding points that many guests, including the BestPrice team, satisfy about this cruise is the food. All dishes served on the Indochine Cruise are delicious and well-presented. However, there are still a few points worth noting about the meals.
Pros
- The food on board was tasty with fusion dishes, which are a harmonious combination of Western and Vietnamese food.
- Buffet meals include a huge selection for guests. All dishes are kept warm in the chafing dishes.
- The pastry in the light breakfast was nice. It was soft and not too sweet.
- Must-try foods: Grilled Black Angus Ribeye Steak served with Vegetables, Crab and Asparagus Soup, and Roasted Creamy Pumpkin Soup.
Cons
- No free drinks are served during your meal, but it is the same as many other Halong cruises.
- The number of Western dishes is fewer than Vietnamese dishes in the brunch buffet.
- Activities
BestPrice’s Rating: 8.8/10
Having a 2-day trip on the Indochine cruise, you will be taken to the most well-known attractions of Lan Ha Bay and have a chance to experience some wonderful activities.
Pros
- Explore Dark and Light Cave by kayak: Using a kayak to go through this famous wet cave of Cat Ba island will be an unforgettable adventure for those who love aquatic activities. However, guests can choose to get on a bamboo boat rowed by a local to witness the cave.
- Morning Tai Chi class: is held on the sundeck on the 2nd day. You can wake up early and go to the sundeck for practice while still can enjoy the cool atmosphere of the bay
- Exciting cooking demonstration on board: The experienced chef of the cruise will teach the guests how to make and roll a perfect Spring Roll - a delicious and easy-to-make Vietnamese cuisine.
- Discover Trung Trang Cave: The cruise will take you to Cat Ba Island to visit one of the most beautiful dry caves of Halong. Guests will have a chance to go inside the cave and admire the beauty of natural stalactites.
Cons
- The Cat Ba island route to Dark & Bright Cave and Trung Trang Cave is quite popular compared to other Cat Ba cruise itineraries.
- All the activities such as swimming and kayaking being repeated, maybe it can be less eager for your trip
Service
BestPrice’s rating: 10/10
The services on the Indochine Cruise are incredibly excellent. The cruise staff team is friendly, polite, and helpful, always willing to help guests with any requests or problems.
All of the guests who join the cruise tour on the Indochine can feel the hospitality right from when they come to the cruise: Every guest is helped to get on/get off the cruise, and when the tender approaches the cruise, guests will receive a warm welcome by happy crew members. After that, they will be instructed carefully about safety equipment by the cruise manager before the trip and enjoy a whole incredible journey with the polite and kindness.
We went on a date night sail through Lan Ha Bay. The encounter is wonderful.
The beautiful scenery may be seen from a sundeck with a 360-degree perspective.
Beautiful boat with exquisite design. We were surprised when check-in. All meals are given with excellent food in very comfortable bedrooms.
Hera - Our trips around the Hanoi-Linh Binh-Halong Bay cruise and private transportation were designed with the consultant's assistance. Our trip went smoothly because of her extensive knowledge, rapid responses, and hard work. Very satisfied and enthusiastically advised. Thank you, Hera, and best wishes.
The trip was excellent.
We had a lot of leisure time to relax post-dinner.
Our cabin was comfortable and lovely, but we were bothered by the neighbor next door, who kept banging on the wall aggressively, and we could hear it; there was no soundproofing.
The guests on board when we were on the trip were… More The trip was excellent.
We had a lot of leisure time to relax post-dinner.
Our cabin was comfortable and lovely, but we were bothered by the neighbor next door, who kept banging on the wall aggressively, and we could hear it; there was no soundproofing.
The guests on board when we were on the trip were mostly families and couples, so the atmosphere was peaceful and calm, it's good, but we prefer someplace that is more fun.
The food was average except for breakfast on day 2; it was delicious.
This cruise was peaceful and relaxing; I think it will be perfect for those who want to stay away city zone and refresh their body. Less
Indochine Cruise is very nice. But unfortunately, we have food poisoning the day before. I was vomiting and having diarrhea yesterday. So I slept in the boat. After the morning, I was getting better. I just went to visit a cave and came back. On the previous day, the cruise staff was very supportive of me.
We were very impressed with the design of this ship; very luxurious, but there also has the traditions of Vietnam. Everything was perfect, from the staff, food, and services to activities!