Lotus Elegance Cruise
Location: Tuần Châu Block 28, Ha Long, vn
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Property Type: Cruises
About this Property
Luxurious Accommodations
Experience 5-star air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms and free WiFi. Enjoy breathtaking views from your balcony and relax in comfort with room service and a safety deposit box.
Exquisite Dining Experience
Start your day with a delicious continental or Full English/Irish breakfast. Indulge in gourmet meals at the on-site restaurant, or sip on cocktails at the bar overlooking the sea.
Prime Location and Activities
Explore Tuan Chau Beach, Bikini Island Beach, and Paradise Bay Beach just moments away. Take advantage of water sports facilities or unwind in the shared lounge and terrace.
Book your stay at Lotus Elegance Cruise for an unforgettable luxury experience in Ha Long.
Important Information
A deposit may be required at the property.
Policies
Check-in: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Check-out: 10:30 AM
Amenities & Facilities
- Health or beauty spa nearby
- Free beach shuttle
- Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
- Parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Terrace
- Family rooms
- Luggage storage
- Tour desk
- Soundproof rooms
- Massage services
- Currency exchange
- Karaoke
- Shared lounge/TV area
- Shuttle service (additional charge)
- Concierge service
- Allergy-free room
- Public transport tickets
- Evening entertainment
- Outdoor furniture
- Fruits
- Staff adhere to local safety protocols
- Guest rooms disinfected between stays
- Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
- Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
- Cashless payment available
- Fire extinguishers
- First aid kit available
- Sanitized tableware & silverware
- Invoice provided
- Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
- Smoke alarms
- Guest room sealed after cleaning
- Property cleaned by professional cleaning companies
- Food delivered to guest room
- CCTV outside property
- Access to health care professionals
- Face masks for guests available
- 24-hour security
- Delivered food - securely covered
- Security alarm
- Thermometers for guests provided by property
- Key card access
- Happy hour
- Cooking class
- Television in common areas
- Front desk (limited hours)
- Free wired internet
- Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
- Airport transportation - drop-off (surcharge)
- Free beach shuttle
- Beach umbrellas
- Pool sun loungers
- Internet access
- Housekeeping on request
- Wine release events
- Health or beauty spa nearby
- Water sports equipment
- Hosted evening meal (reserve)
- Beach toys
- Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
- Vegetarian menu options available
- Accessible shuttle
- No accessible shuttle
- Accessible train station shuttle
- No accessible train station shuttle
Rooms Available
-
Family Room With Balcony
The fireplace is the standout feature of this family room. The spacious family room features air conditioning, soundproof walls, a terrace with sea views as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower.
Max Occupancy: 6 (5 Adults)
- Minibar
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Bathrobe
- Desk
- Seating Area
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Slippers
- Fireplace
- Interconnected room(s) available
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Alarm clock
- Dining area
- Electric kettle
- Mosquito net
- Tumble dryer
- Wardrobe or closet
- Bidet
- Hypoallergenic
- Cleaning products
- Terrace
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Drying rack for clothing
- Toilet paper
- Bottle of water
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Cots
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- Shower cap
- Yukata
- Socket near the bed
- Hypoallergenic pillow
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key card access
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
- Hand sanitiser
-
Suite With Balcony
This suite's special feature is the fireplace. The air-conditioned suite features 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower and a bidet. The suite has soundproof walls, a minibar, a seating area as well as a terrace with sea views. The unit offers 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)
- Minibar
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Bathrobe
- Desk
- Seating Area
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Slippers
- Fireplace
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Alarm clock
- Dining area
- Electric kettle
- Mosquito net
- Tumble dryer
- Wardrobe or closet
- Bidet
- Hypoallergenic
- Cleaning products
- Terrace
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Drying rack for clothing
- Toilet paper
- Bottle of water
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Cots
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- Shower cap
- Yukata
- Socket near the bed
- Hypoallergenic pillow
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key card access
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
- Hand sanitiser
-
Junior Suite With Balcony
This suite features a fireplace. The air-conditioned suite has 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower and a bidet. The suite features soundproof walls, a minibar, a seating area as well as a terrace with sea views. The unit has 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)
- Minibar
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Bathrobe
- Desk
- Seating Area
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Slippers
- Fireplace
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Alarm clock
- Dining area
- Electric kettle
- Mosquito net
- Tumble dryer
- Wardrobe or closet
- Bidet
- Hypoallergenic
- Cleaning products
- Terrace
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Drying rack for clothing
- Toilet paper
- Bottle of water
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Cots
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- Shower cap
- Yukata
- Socket near the bed
- Hypoallergenic pillow
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key card access
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
- Hand sanitiser
-
Suite With Terrace
Guests will have a special experience as this suite provides a hot tub, a sauna and a fireplace. The air-conditioned suite features 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower and a bath. The unit has soundproof walls, sea views, a terrace and wine/champagne is provided for guests. The unit offers 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)
- Minibar
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Bathrobe
- Desk
- Seating Area
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Slippers
- Fireplace
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Alarm clock
- Dining area
- Electric kettle
- Mosquito net
- Sauna
- Tumble dryer
- Wardrobe or closet
- Bidet
- Hypoallergenic
- Cleaning products
- Terrace
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Drying rack for clothing
- Toilet paper
- Wine or champagne
- Bottle of water
- Fruits
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Cots
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- Shower cap
- Yukata
- Socket near the bed
- Hypoallergenic pillow
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key card access
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
- Hand sanitiser
Guest Reviews
- Ann (9/5): Had the most magical time - Amazing experience Nothing
- Silvio (9/5): Superb -
- Ruth (10/5): Exceptional -
- Kate (10/5): It was a great experience - Everything
- Anonymous (10/5): Greattt - we booked a 3 day 2 night cruise the scenery was amazing beautiful food delicious staff extremely friendly special compliments to Anna for helping and taking good care of our children thank you to everyone on the boat
- Rachel (5/5): Passable - The staff (in particular Bing) went out of their way to try and make up for the short falls. It was not the ship we booked nor the room. It seems to be fairly common reading reviews that there is a bit of a bait and switch. The staff had to awkwardly pretend it wasnt happening. The check in denied the 20% off as well, so still unresolved.
- Greg (2/5): Disappointing - We paid for balcony room and that was lovely, staff were friendly and helpful We waited around a lot with nothing to do. We were not interested in activity canoe and swim which left us nothing to do as no bars or music on board was open till 5pm. Leaving us in our room bored. Next morning we wre up for breakfast at 6am. Did activity to caves only to come back with nothing to do for 2 hours so back in our room again.
- Anonymous (10/5): Exceptional - great stay on the lotus cruise. food was lovely, all drinks were great as was the service, big mention going out to Hanry our waiter, he was great help and so friendly
- Alone (7/5): A great first-time experience, but some things need improvement Spending a night on a boat was a new and exciting exper - The staff was very kind and the rooms beautiful The commun space without AC was terrible
Several lies not written or not respected on the advertisement
- Sandy (10/5): Moved to another boat.- It was great with delightful staff - We were swamped out to a different boat. Assuming that if they don’t fill they don’t run so evaluation was on a different cruise. It was great. The unknown about being moved the night before. It turned out fine but it is unsettling wondering what you are being moved to.
- Simon (5/5): Great facilities but didn't see much of the bay - The room a facilitates were very good The boat spent very little time moving so we didn't see much of the bay. Thus may have been because the boat is too large the access a number of the sights
- Michailidou (10/5): Exceptional - The cruise was good, room & staff also good Drinks
- Lee (10/5): Exceptional - We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived on the boat. The room was lovely and clean and the dining area was really nice. The food was great and there was plenty of it!!
It was a fun experience and we made some good friends on the boat who we will now be meeting up with in Hoi An. Highly recommend inviting some of your crew members to play uno flip on the deck, we had many laughs and have made lifelong friends.
- Sarah (5/5): Disappointing as it’s not the boat we booked - The room and the cruise manager were great It wasn’t what I booked - totally different boat from the pictures
- Seetha (5/5): Trip was amazing but disappointed with www.booking.com & Cruise operator for changing details - Staff were polite and provided excellent service, food was good, activities as advertised. A person from the cruise management contacted me via WhatsApp a week from my check-in, answered all my questions and even provided transport options for a fee of course from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay and return. Smaller guest size so less crowded within the cruise. Booked for lotus elegance but then I was sent to Blue Diamond Cruise couple of hours before the check-in (message was via WhatsApp). So I was unsure why they changed in the last minute, if they were both same quality, did I get the service I paid for? I had no other choice but to go ahead. I heard from other fellow travelers something similar and they were not happy about the changes. Cruise looked bit old but in decent shape.
Secondly, I booked the cruise for Ha Long Bay but we were taken to Lan Ha bay. If we were not listening to the briefing this would not have been clear for unsuspecting travelers of where they have been touring. We were told that Lan Ha bay is less crowded with cruises compared to the Ha Long bay. Again, unsure what is the fact. The frustration stemmed from lack of clarity and doubts that I didn't get what I paid for! www.booking.com should take equal responsibility as it suggested this cruise at the time of booking due to higher commission it receives from this operator but information and service are inaccurate. Do not mislead customers on what you promised at the time of booking vs what we received in reality. No explanations were given.
- Paul (1/5): Switch and bait. A destructive business practice. - When we were already in Ha Long Bay, (2 hours from Hanoi), they told us they were switching boats, with no explanation. The one they proposed was not at all the same quality (Blue Diamond). They said we had 2 choices: accept or cancel and be abandoned there. We chose to cancel, but refused to get out of their Hanoi-Ha Long Bay transport and insisted they bring us back to Hanoi. If there was an option, I would post more photos to show the differences and our text discussion. Never got to see it.
- Naidoo (8/5): Very good -
- Zlata (9/5): Great for family - We initially booked lotus elegance, however this cruise was not available and we were transferred to arcadi cruise. It was equally good. The service was great, the tour guide Tony was super friendly. Bathrooms were brand new. Food was fresh and lean .
- Nikhil (3/5): Poor -
- Rachel (9/5): Superb -
- Jacqueline (9/5): Not the cruise we booked but very good - There are no words to describe the stunning scenery of Halong Bay....even with one day of fog
The staff on the boat were excellent and very attentive
The food was very good Our booking was changed from the Lotus Elegance to the Arcady Boutique the night before we were due to go. Some facilities that were offered on the Lotus cruise were not offered on this one. The rooms are very small so if you have a suitcase....good luck finding space for it.
- Terri (1/5): We were eventually happy with our cruise, but were treated badly by not being informed from the start that our cruise wa - when we were transferred to Paradise Grand & Paradise Elegance boats, they were both amazing with excellent staff, food & facilities we were advised @ 9.00pm on the evening before our cruise that we were being ‘upgraded’ to a different cruise boat & that our 3d/2n was actually 2 seperate cruises & we had to change boats…NOT WHAT WE BOOKED!!…
- Ravindu (10/5): Exceptional -
- Alexander (10/5): Exceptional -
- Uttarwar (8/5): Very good - Rooms were very spacious and huge. Food
- Martynas (9/5): Superb -
- Jan (8/5): Very good - Food and staff excellent Rooms are not sound proof.
- Amy (9/5): Superb -
- Darlene (10/5): Exceptional -
- Renay (10/5): Relaxing - The staff were very friendly and attentive. The boat was lovely
- Evgenia (5/5): Passable - The staff was excellent - very kind, professional, and helpful!! The food was disappointing and did not meet the expectations. The rooms feel outdated and need renovation. The communication with the agency to book the transportation to the cruise was not good at all. I couldn't reach them for days by phone, message, and email, which made the whole process frustrating.
- Yh (9/5): Amazing experience - Kayaking, squid fishing, cave tour. Staff were professional and friendly. One of our rooms had the smell of sewerage the entire time
- Bhavin (9/5): Superb - Room Veg meal option.
- Sigurrós (10/5): Exceptional -
- Sophie (1/5): I don’t even know where to start and if I could minus star ratings to this I would. - Ha Long is nice nature wise, but it very overcrowded Honestly, the worst experience of accommodation and service. My partner and I booked this cruise for Christmas Day thinking we will get something a little bit more expensive for the day. However, we were told during our transfer to the port that we were being put on a “similar” cruise to lotus elegance as there was maintenance work that needed to be done to lotus. Basically they gave us no choice and went as far as manufacturing text messages from a ‘guest’. They put us on a cruise with another group who had a guide who only communicated in German, but without them we wouldn’t have known what activities were happening and when. The food was awful and the “similar room” was a standard double bedroom with no balcony and barely a window. They said we would be put on the “right” elegance cruise the next day, however when we went back to the port they said they had booked us on a bus back to Hanoi. No one at the port seemed to know what was going on, Han was no where to be seen and kept saying he was on his way. We decided due to the mess up that we didn’t want to risk going on the cruise because we couldn’t trust this company. They then tried to charge us the same price for the night even though the cruise ships were in no way comparable.
It gets better though as a couple of days later they tried to charge us on booking.com, thankfully it didn’t go through and then they cancelled the accommodation.
This is 100% a scam - they clearly overbooked the cruise due to the busy time of year and then just moved some people around onto different boats that they own and claim it is due to maintenance. Should be removed from booking.com. DO NOT BOOK THIS! YOU WILL 100% be disappointed and ripped off.
- Mariana (8/5): They have potential, great boat, good staff but definitely need some small adjustments - The room is beautiful, very clean and the view is just stunning.
Staff is very friendly and the food is ok. - no wifi during the whole trip
- more info about the activities schedule should be available in the room, we stayed for 2 nights and the tour on the second day took so long, no planning at all, that we had no energy to enjoy the second evening in the boat. If we knew more about this tour, we would have stayed in the cruise.
- they do not have food, snacks to sell (and they do not recommend buying from the local boats - so the only way is wait for the next meal in the boat.
- Happy Hour and events are LOUD, if you are planning to sleep early, its not possible hahaha your whole room will shake from the music
- Happy hour deal - buy one and get the second one free was not applied to our bill.
- Ben (6/5): It was ok. Wouldnt suggest it to others or do it again. - The staff were good and the food was reasonably good. The boat is fairly run down and needs maintenance. The bathroom smelled really bad when we entered our room and it stayed around most of the first day.
The kayaking was really disappointing due to all the rubbish on the shorelines of the islands, what is Lotus doing to contribute towards a clean up of the area?
- Chantel (9/5): Received upgrade to different boat, room was great area was lovely once you got onto larger boat. - We had a problem with our original booking on lotus cruise and we got upgraded to Amanda luxury boat cruise and it was wonderful! Great staff great rooms fun activities. The travel and transit needed a bit more communication, there was some confusion and a bit of waiting around but all worked out in the end.
- Kristina (10/5): Exceptional - We did not get to stay on the Lotus Cruise due to the boat breaking down but they did reach out and get us on just as nice of a room and a sister boat.
- Swarna (5/5): Passable -
- Jack (8/5): Very good -
- Giedre (6/5): Pleasant -
- Robert (10/5): Excellent short trip (overnight) packed lots in. - Fantastic value for money, staff super friendly. Food and drinks were great! Running behind a little to head off, little chaotic upon return.
- Briar (1/5): Wouldn’t recommend to anyone- book a different cruise - The excursions were the only good part of the trip They put us on a different boat to the lotus elegance of what we booked, without telling us before we got on the boat. We booked a suite and we just got a double room. Very unapologetic and unhelpful- bordering on fraudulent activity.
- Yanty (1/5): Bad - Food we booked for Lotus Elegance Cruise but were given a different cruise Verdure Lotus Cruise which was not what we booked. We are not happy with this, since we felt like we were being scammed. Please be really careful when you booked a cruise in Halong Bay.
- Himanshu (8/5): Very good -
- Nikki (8/5): Great activities not to be missed, kayaking and bamboo boats to caves. Well organised and guide was great. Fed well with - Attentive staff, good food, nice activities Load music from bar and late night karaoke disturbs the bedrooms at night. Should stop at a reasonable hour for those who want an early night and early start
- Md (10/5): Overall inside cruise the service is awesome - Everything ! Transportation from hotel to harbour should be more smooth. Here I find pick and drop issue . Some proper communication need to made. Sometime they didn’t reply also if reply then too late.
- Elif (6/5): I booked lotus Elegance cruise and day before they cancelled this cruise due to unexpected incident. - Staff were fantastic. Ann and Han were amazing. They was well organised. They served Indian and Vietnamese group dinner separately. Bathroom had moulds on the curtain and floor. Boat facilities were old.
- Becky (8/5): Very good - The cruise was amazing had to go on sister cruise staff couldn’t be more helpful
Don’t use bookings.com thoe as lady who they went through ripped us off changed an extra 18.00000 vnd (£600 ) roughly after the origanl price being £839 for 11 people imputed children’s ages and when booking came through had them down for 1 year olds , email was sent they asked for another £600 for 5 children . Was only enough beds for 10 people and didn’t have enough beds for the 11 person As above
- Aayushi (9/5): Superb -
- Kamil (3/5): Poor -
- Marcel (4/5): Disappointing -
- Han (10/5): Exceptional - The Lotus Elegance Cruise offers a luxurious and memorable experience in Halong Bay. The ship is beautifully designed, with spacious, comfortable cabins that provide stunning views of the bay. The staff is exceptionally friendly and attentive, ensuring a smooth and relaxing trip.
Activities like kayaking, visiting floating villages, and Tai Chi sessions are well-organized, allowing you to fully experience the natural beauty of Halong Bay. The meals on board are outstanding, with fresh seafood and local dishes prepared to perfection.
Overall, the Lotus Elegance Cruise is a fantastic way to explore Halong Bay in style, offering a perfect balance of relaxation, adventure, and top-tier service. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an unforgettable escape in Vietnam.
- Han (10/5): Exceptional - My recent experience aboard the Lotus Elegance Cruise in Halong Bay was nothing short of spectacular. From start to finish, the journey offered an impeccable blend of luxury, comfort, and natural beauty.
**1. The Ship**
The Lotus Elegance is a beautifully designed vessel, blending modern amenities with traditional elegance. The interiors are spacious, with sleek wood finishes and tasteful decor that evoke a serene atmosphere. The cabins are well-appointed, offering stunning views of the bay from large windows, and equipped with all the comforts one could wish for—plush beds, clean bathrooms, and a generous amount of space for relaxation.
**2. The Staff**
The crew aboard the Lotus Elegance is exceptionally friendly and attentive. From the moment we boarded, we were greeted with warm hospitality. The service was top-notch throughout the cruise, with staff members always willing to go the extra mile to ensure guests' comfort. They were knowledgeable about the region and eager to share their insights, making the trip even more enriching.
**3. Activities and Excursions**
Halong Bay’s iconic limestone islands are best experienced up close, and the Lotus Elegance offers plenty of opportunities to explore. We went kayaking through serene caves, visited floating fishing villages, and took a scenic boat ride to admire the bay's stunning rock formations. The cruise also includes cooking classes and Tai Chi sessions, which were enjoyable and a great way to unwind and learn something new.
**4. Dining Experience**
The dining aboard the Lotus Elegance was a highlight of the trip. Every meal was a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds. Fresh seafood, local specialties, and international options were expertly prepared by the onboard chefs. The atmosphere in the dining area is intimate yet elegant, making each meal feel like a special occasion.
**5.
- Rohan (1/5): Would not trust the food served here. - Ha long bay is lovely. My wife experienced severe symptoms of food poisoning and ended up in hospital twice after eating the dinner that was served. These symptoms persisted for seven days, significantly impacting her health and the rest of our holiday. There was another guest on the trip that we spoke to who also had suffered food poisoning after dinner.
Furthermore, we were disheartened by the lack of empathy and concern exhibited by the ship's staff. When we reported the incident, their response was dismissive and lacked urgency. The team offered no support and showed no interest in investigating the matter.
- David (1/5): Couldn’t wait to leave - Comfortable beds and very friendly driver I recently went on a cruise, and unfortunately, my experience was extremely disappointing.
Cabin and Cleanliness:
The shower in our cabin was not clean upon arrival, and even after raising this issue, the staff simply mopped the floor without addressing the actual problem. Other cabins clearly had cleaner showers, but they insisted ours was fine. Additionally, the drain was blocked, causing the shower to puddle. There was also a persistent leak in the bathroom, leaving water on the floor every morning.
Food and Dining:
The food quality was terrible. Portions were tiny, and if it was an open buffet, empty dishes were rarely replaced, leaving guests with limited options. Requests for basic items, like extra toast, were met with a dismissive "not available." Snacks were nonexistent unless purchased separately, and the occasional fried chips offered after dinner were served in such small quantities that they were gone instantly. To make matters worse, the food was bland and lacked any authentic Vietnamese flavor, and the fruit platters were barely enough for one person and were rarely refilled.
Squid Fishing Disappointment:
As an avid fisherman, I was especially excited about the advertised squid fishing experience, but it turned out to be a complete letdown. They handed us basic bamboo rods with no instructions or guidance—just follow the crowd and hope for the best. There wasn’t even any bait provided, making the chances of catching anything extremely slim. It felt more like a gimmick to lure people into booking the trip rather than a genuine activity. For anyone who actually enjoys fishing, this was a huge disappointment and a waste of time.
Tours and Activities:
The tours were poorly organized. While the activities themselves were enjoyable, they lasted only 20 minutes, followed by hours of waiting around with no clear itinerary or communication. There was no head count when leaving or returning, and no one seemed to know what was happening.
- Phillip (10/5): Exceptional -
- Shazzat (1/5): I had an weird experience; read this before you book Lotus - I booked this cruise but could not enjoy it. Anna on behalf of the cruise tried to reach me the day before my stay, and sent me a message that they have a broken window that's why they want to transfer me to another cruise. Unfortunately my phone died on the previous day and I only got her message around 11 pm at night. By then they cancelled my booking because I couldn't confirm my transfer by 8pm.
Yes, it was a mistake on my side that I was unreachable; but on the 11th hour they make changes and expect 'a tourist' will available all the time; that is not right in my POV. Even if I had my phone with me that day, I was on a trip, exploring the city. I could be unable to reply by 8pm anyways.
Anyway, Anna was extremely helpful. She tried to find me another cruise in my budget till late night and continued looking the next morning. I was already on my way to the port because I had transportation booked from Hanoi to the port, Anna finally found me Grand Pioneer cruise. It was a bit expensive than my budget but I had no other option.
So if you want to book Lotus, make sure you have your phone and internet connections all the time. I personally am not happy with this experience, as I feel both sides were guilty but I am the only one who was penalized.
- Sue (10/5): Absolutely wonderful experience - All services were efficient, the staff were amazing, meals stunning. Experience was first class. Would definitely recommend to all travellers. Nothing to disappoint
- Neil (9/5): Loved it - Spacious bed with great pillows, clean room Cushions on chairs on rear deck would be great
- Shekhawat (8/5): It was a lovely stay, very beautiful rooms! Activity planning can be improved. - The room and vibe of cruize was amazing. The overall experience was great. It was a lovely experience with stunning views. Activities included, swimming, kayaking and boat ride to cave. Some extra stuff like cooking and party night was also there which was cool. Rooms interior is really great! Will recommend! The planning by the crew. There were two instances were we wasted lot of time. One was during boat ride to cave. We were waiting for almost an hour after we were done for some other guests which wasted time. Other instance was sunrise next day. The cruise was standing behind a big mountain because of which we had to wait a lot to see the sunrise, whereas other cruise moved ahead to save time and did other activities. So planning definitely could have been better.
- Robyn (8/5): Very good - Location Booked a great room, but was ruined by a cigar smoker in the adjacent room
- Megan (8/5): Very good - It was all great, rooms are amazing and staff are super friendly, the trips they plan are so much fun The food was catered to American cuisine and we were hoping for more traditional Vietnamese dishes, that’s the only ‘negative’ thing to say
- Diane (9/5): Superb -
- Kiri (8/5): Very good - Lots of activities to do. Plenty of room and space for everyone. Great food.
After a mistake with our room they kindly upgraded us to correct boat and beautiful suite.
Sarah who works on the boats stood out for her customer service. 1st boat we were on, the staff and managment were outstanding. Food excellent on both boats. The company has 3 boats, please check what one you are going on. I booked and double checked for a particular room and was told yes thats our room, we arrived on a boat in a room that was nit what i booked, this one was lower quality. After putting in a complaint, we were put on the correct boat the next day. Also some of the staff were rude to my husband when he tried asking for help, like he was being a nuisance. This was only on the 2nd boat
- Phongdang1 (6/5): Pleasant -
- Tony (9/5): Ha Long Bay cruise - Very friendly staff that went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed. Perhaps a white board to advise guests of the time of activities so staff don't have to keep repeating themselves, especially to non English speaking guests.
- Chaitra (7/5): Good - Location and room. Food was very bad..was provided with only 2 350 ml water bottles rest everything was chargeable. Food got over for breakfast and they lie about this. Staff says finish finish and after complaint they bring food. Very bad approach towards customer
- Han (10/5): Exceptional - Really nice ship with great room. Slept very well, loved the sunset party. Stunning to watch the nature while drinking a cocktail
- Han (10/5): Exceptional - Absolutely amazing experience. Couldn’t fault the amenities, activities and staff on this cruise - in particular Son, the cruise manager. Would strongly recommend to anyone travelling Ha Long Bay!
- Julia (3/5): Not 5 star. 1 star - Decent size room and bathroom. We booked after the typhoon and were told it was fine to go and everything was back to normal. We booked two nights and the day activities were nothing what we were told and all were cancelled. Was just the same kayaking and swimming so we were disappointed they didn’t tell us the truth.
Bathroom and shower and blinds were all falling apart.
We got food poisoning from the boat the day after leaving the cruise which was one of the worst food poisoning I’ve had and the food was awful. Definitely not 5 star! If you book the two nights you’ll just be served the same food as the day before.
Also the tour organiser gave us the wrong time for pick up and told us 8.30am but the bus turned up at 7.30am when we weren’t ready. She said we would be discounted but were actually over charged. We realised after and had to go through the uncomfortable instance of trying to get a refund.
I wouldn’t recommend this cruise if you decide to do ha long bay.
- Morgan (5/5): Passable - Food and drinks The bed
- Sarah (10/5): We had a fabulous time! - Everything was great.
- Kerryanne (10/5): Exceptional - Well organised, staff were excellent.
Good variety of food and activities No complaints, good service for price paid
- Mariana (9/5): Superb -
- Han (10/5): Exceptional - Had an amazing time in the cruise the people were amazing and our tour guide was super fun and knowledgeable, learn about the culture of the people who used to live in the Halong bay
- Nicholas (10/5): Exceptional -
- Han (10/5): Exceptional - Very beautiful cruise! Big Thanks to Ms Anna. She was so supportive and 24/7 in touch with me!
Nice host! Very nice activities!
- Maria (2/5): Terrible experience - The room and the staff were Nice - food was terrible and low quality
- poor activities (e.g. Squid fishing when there is no squid in halong Bay)
- free foot massage per room was mencioned on the scheduled however it was not given to us
- room was near the boat engine so at 5:30 we woke up because it made a lot of noise
- this is not a 5 start cruise (expect a 2 star one)
- Tran (10/5): Amazing - Very good spacious room and friendly staff Everything was good!
- Treerawad (3/5): Wasn’t quite as we expected well over price too - The water is dirty as I filled up the bath tub it was the same colour as the water outside the boat.
FOOD-Every other boat I’ve seen you can walk up to the buffet and pick what you want here you get what they feed you not to mention my partner found a dead fly in her soup and that was the stater :(
The loud microphone in every room oh my god not sure about other people but we were definitely there to relaxed and take in the nature of ha long bay but how ever this boat had different plans like waking us up at 5:30 or 6am to tell us there’s tai chi and breakfast is serving up soon not once but a few time to make sure we are awake
The staff was good only understood a few of them but they did what they could to help
Wasn’t quite what we expected however the natural nature of ha long bay was pretty
- Alison (7/5): Good - Great balcony area with the rooms. The food selection could have been better.
- Rebecca (10/5): Exceptional - The food and activities were very good. And Anna the women who helped us with the booking was very good
- Katherine (8/5): Very good -
- Katherine (8/5): Very good -
- Cassie (8/5): Very good -
- Simon (9/5): Great experience - Staff were excellent.
A dominant group of Indians were allowed to be loud, late & rude - should have been managed better.
It would have been nice to simply cruise through the islands on the ship, rather than leaving for activities on the tender so much.
- Han (10/5): Exceptional - Good trip
- Luis (10/5): Exceptional - I had an amazing time on the Lotus Elegance cruise. The rooms were comfortable, and the staff was very friendly. The food was delicious, especially the seafood. There were fun activities like cooking classes and kayaking. Highly recommended!
- Valerie (4/5): I wouldn't recommend this particular company. We were very underwhelmed. - Rooms were nice and big and clean and tidy.
Evening meal was better than the rest-a set menu Didn't learn anything about Halong Bay. Equipment is of average quality and most of the life jackets are broken or of poor quality. For the money paid to do this cruise, we were very disappointed.
Not much cruising- you get picked up from an over crowded booking office, taken 30 mins on over crowed boat to the boat/ship then travel a small distance and park up for the night.
Very little choice for breakfast. Bread rolls and danish's were not fresh. Not really catered for all cultures and not much food in general.
Upon return to the booking office, our transport which was organised through them was not a priority and no one seemed to care that we had to wait for 1 1/2 hours for it and keep asking why it wasn't there.
- Luis (10/5): Exceptional - Good The drinks were a bit expensive. But i can understand since we were on the sea
- Sylwia (3/5): Disappointing - Nothing The property is old and needs a lot of cleaning and TLc. Almost anything you touch is waiter falling apart or sticky.
- Sales (10/5): Exceptional - The staff is very enthusiastic, we are supported with any problem. The room is nice and has a good view
- Sales (10/5): Nice cruise - The staff very friendly, good food, nice room
- Maryanne (6/5): Pleasant -
- Han (10/5): Great trip and Very helpful from Staff - Good support by whatsapp! halong bay is amazing.
Cruise is nice. we got an upgrade for a bigger room.
Food is ok.
- Donna (4/5): Boat was an old dump - The natural beauty of Hai Long.
Beautiful scenery. The boat was old and needed maintenance. The public toilets on both decks were dirty. The curtains in the dining area had holes.
Windows were cracked or shattered. Light fittings on deck were missing or did not work.
Food was very average especially the breakfast. The boat was dirty and unkept. This was not a luxury cruise as advertised.
Two free bottles of water and then you pay for water. Very poor.
- Uttam (8/5): Very good -
- Gilbert (9/5): Great trip and activities with good value - -Very friendly, helpful and entertaining staff
-Lots of activities squeezed in two days, great value for what was paid
-Good food and drink options
-Amazing spacious room with balcony, clean, comfortable, good climate control
-Good transfer options to and from Hanoi -Room was near the engine so can be a bit loud during movement
-Some windows needed some better exterior cleaning
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