Paradise Cruises Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Halong Bay?

Halong bay has a humid tropical climate. There are however four seasons in the North. Winter lasts from December to March; temperatures can drop down to 12°C-17°C. Summer is from May until September, mostly sunny but rain showers are frequent as the humidity is higher. Spring and Autumn are nicely warm, October to early December being the best time to visit the area. Travellers to Vietnam and Halong Bay should be aware that the weather is rather unpredictable and can vary greatly even within one single day. However, there is charm and enchantment whether rain or shine: overcast weather and fog make the scenery more mysical and dramatic, bright sun accentuates the various shades of grey of the seascape, etc.

What is a “Junk Boat”?

A junk is a traditional Chinese sailing vessel still in use today.

What if I am vegetarian or cannot eat seafood?

At the time of booking, please indicate your food restrictions/allergies and we can cater towards you provided there is advance notice. 

Does the cruise price include a transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay?

Yes, you will  be picked up and dropped off at your hotel in Hanoi (approx.. 4 hours)

Do itineraries change?

Every effort will be made to follow the itinerary you have received but sometimes due to weather conditions, your itinerary may need to be revised

Is there any risk that Paradise may cancel the cruise?

Cruising and sailing in Halong Bay is strictly regulated by a local board: the Halong Bay Port Authority. Every morning, the Port Authority delivers a permit to each cruise company allowing them to sail in Halong Bay. Both day cruises and overnight cruises are regulated this way. In case of bad weather conditions and risks of tropical storms, the Port Authority might limit the possibilities of cruising and even decide to cancel all cruises. In those cases, the final decision by the Port of Authority is usually known only at 3.00 pm on the day of departure. Paradise Cruises would inform their guests as soon as the information available, which unfortunately might only be upon guest's arrival at the marina. Different possibilities are then offered to the guests.

Do you offer triple share rooms?

None of the Paradise Cruises boats have Triple Cabins. We can arrange one extra bed per cabin on all boats for children under 12 years old. Above this age limit, an extra cabin will have to be booked.

Where is Paradise cruising inside the Bay?

Paradise Cruises sets sails from a pier housing less than 10% of the cruise companies in Halong Bay. Our boats thus are navigating on more peaceful waters as the majority of the Halong cruisers take a completely different route. We try to provide a good balance between leisurely cruising away from the crowd and visits to the major landmarks of the Bay so that our guests wouldn't miss anything about this fantastic area. For passengers wishing for a completely exclusive "off-the-beaten-path" cruise, our Paradise Peak and Paradise Privilege boats fulfill all wishes by offering an entirely customizable journey.

Where do your cruises start from? Paradise Cruises disposes of a private pier on Tuan Chau Island where our fleet is anchored. Tuan Chau is located southwest of Halong City and is linked to the mainland by a bridge built at the end of the 1990s. it is literally at the doorstep of Halon Bay and in less than 20 minutes sailing, you will be already surrounded by the gigantic limestone formation.

What should I wear on the boat?

No dress code is imposed onboard Paradise boats. We advise you to take light garments in Summer, sweaters and/or a jacket in winter as it can get pretty chilly, especially at night. A raincoat will be useful any time of the year. If you intend to do kayaking, plan to have a change of clothes as you will easily get wet. As for shoes, choose what is appropriate according to the temperatures and bring along trainers/walking shoes for the excursions (visiting caves, hiking, cycling, etc.). Don’t forget your bathing suit!  If you are cruising for 3 days / 2 nights, you will be transferred on the second day, from about 8.30 AM to 4.30 PM on our day boat, Paradise Explorer. You can plan to have a small backpack to take to the day boat as you will be able to leave the rest of your baggage in your cabin.

Is there anything special I need to pack?

Whenever travelling, it is highly advised to carry with you mosquito repellent, wet serviettes/baby wipes and/or hand sanitizer, aspirin/paracetamol, stomach troubles medicines, etc.

How can I get to the Paradise boats?

It takes about 3h30 to drive from Hanoi city or Noi Bai airport to our marina, 1h30 from Haiphong airport. In order to get to the departure port, Paradise Cruises offers a shuttle bus service leaving from Hanoi every morning at 8h00. A private car with a driver can be requested, so can a helicopter service.