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. 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.
We need to stop over for 30 minutes in between Hanoi & Halong Bay (vice-versa) for bathroom breaks and for our drivers to have some time to rest as they work the whole day, every day.
You should bring with you the necessary ones as there is not much space on the shuttle bus. In addition, we will drop you at the same hotel after Halong Bay trip so you can leave your big suitcase at the hotel. If you need to go directly to Airport or train station you can bring your entire luggage.
There is no laundry service available on board. Please contact the Reception Desk for information.
Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Our bar stocks a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at very reasonable prices so there is no need to bring any on board. However, if you would like to request any special alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages then please contact our Sales Department.
You will need to present:
– Booking confirmation
– Identification documents (proof of citizenship) for each guest
– Credit card or cash used for your onboard expense.
The cancellation of the cruise is decided by the local authority in Halong Bay. They closely monitor the weather conditions; they usually do not give official notice but instead do not give permission for boats to go out. Most often in case of storms, Athena Cruise informs guests a day before the cruise. In case there is no knowledge beforehand of any storms, Athena cruise may announce the cancellation on the morning of the cruise or as soon as we receive information from the local authority that no boats are allowed to go in the Halong Bay.
Each cabin has its own telephone for cabin-to-cabin calls. Ship-to-shore calls can be placed at the Reception Desk; the charges will be added to your shipboard account. Please note that mobile/ handphone coverage may be intermittent in some places due to the area’s topography.
Yes, WiFi connection is available onboard but has limited internet connectivity throughout the itinerary due to the sea and the karst limestones and mountains blocking the signal from the satellites. Please pay attention and arrange your time to use wifi in order to avoid any inconvenience or interruption.
Wifi signal may be strong at this time as below:
– From 12.30 pm to 13.30 pm on the first day and from 09.30 am to 11.30 am on the second day (apply for 1-night itinerary); wifi signal is more steady in the restaurant area.
– There is no wifi in Cong Dam area (apply for 2-night itinerary).
Each cruise has their own policy regarding transfer: some cruises include transfer in their cost, others charge extra fee for transfer.
“If you book the transfer by shuttle bus, you will only be picked up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter Area (and the West Lake area such as Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake or Sheraton Hanoi)”. If you book the transfer by shutt. If you stay outside of these areas, you need to take a taxi on your own to our office or to the cruise office to get picked up. An alternative is to book a private transfer. (Popular hotels located outside of the Old Quarter include Lotte Hotel Center, JW Marriot, to name a few).
