Paloma Cruise

The Paloma is a brand new Chinese wooden junk crewed by a professional, loyal and dedicated team. Spread over 4 decks she has 16 en-suite fully equipped luxury cabins, a bar with soft seating and plasma TV, gourmet restaurant, outside dining area, sundeck and luxury spa.

Come onboard The Paloma. Be charmed by her exquisite luxury, intimate setting and unrivalled home from home service. An unforgettable way to witness the serene, calm setting of Halong Bay's exceptional natural beauty.

Facts about The Paloma

* 10.5m wide
* 43m Long
* 4 decks
* Luxury Spa (1st deck)
* Luxury cabins (1st and 2nd decks)
* Dining areas (3rd deck)
* Sundeck (4th deck)

The Cabins

* Deluxe Ocean View : 5 Deluxe (13m²) (double or twin) ( details )
* Premium Ocean View : 7 Premium (15m²) (double or twin) ( details )
* Family Suite : 2 Family suites with balcony (20m²) with 270 degree panoramic sea views ( details )
* Paloma Suite : 2 Paloma suites with balcony (17m²) with 270 degree panoramic sea views ( details )

ONE NIGHT HA LONG BAY CRUISE ABOARD PALOMA
Bai Tu Long Bay - Thien Canh Son cave -Cong Dam Area - Thien Canh Son cave-Vong Vieng floating village-Bai Tu Long Bay

DAY 1: HANOI – BAI TU LONG BAY – THIEN CANH SON CAVE ( LUNCH AND DINNER )

7.30-7.45 Our bus or private car will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter

12.30 Arrive at Paloma office, Halong City. Transferred by tender to Paloma Cruise - Enjoy welcome drink. Receive cruise briefing, check in cabin and start the cruise.

13.30 Have lunch - a delicious Vietnamese set menu (Massage service is available after lunch and throughout the cruise).

15:15 – 15:40 : Head to Bai Tu Long Bay. Pass the towns of Hon Gai and Cam Pha, Oan Lagoon, Monster Head and Teapot Islets and Thien Canh Son Cave. Explore the well- hidden Thien Canh Son cave.

15:45 – 18:00 : Enjoy relaxing on a white sandy beach at Hon Co island, swimming or kayaking.

18:00 Drop anchor in the calm water surrounded by islets in Cong Dam. Happy Hour (sunset party).

18:30 Vietnamese cooking demonstration on boat.

19.15 Sumptuous set-dinner onboard.

21.00 Relaxing on your cabin or join the on board activities: film entertainment, light music for dancing in the dining room (please book in advance with your tour guide), board games and playing cards are available, and massage services are available. Passengers may also try their luck at squid fishing from the boat.

Happy Hour! Buy two drink – get one free (wine by the bottle excluded)

Overnight aboard Paloma Cruise.

DAY 2: CRUISE TO VONG VIENG FLOATING VILLAGE – HA NOI ( BREAKFAST – LUNCH )

06.15 Starting your day with Tai Chi on the Sundeck while complimentary tea & coffee are served.

07.00 Have breakfast

07:45 – 09.00 Visit the Vung Vieng floating fishing village by bamboo sampan for an hour in to the village. Short visit to the Pearl Farm to learn how natural pearls are grown. Then, return to Paloma Cruise for your leisure or join one of the following optional activities: Sunbathing, traditional massage, swimming etc.

09.45 You have 30 minutes to freshen up and finish packing.
Please remove all of your belongings from your cabin, you may leave heavy luggage outside of the cabin (staff will transfer directly to the pier).

10:00: Check out cabin

10:30 Enjoy Set Menu for lunch in the dining room. We will settle bills after lunch. Relaxing on the sundeck or in the dining room, enjoying the rest of Halong bay before getting back to harbor.

11.45 Arrive at Hon Gai Harbour. Transfer by tender to the pier. Get on a van or a car back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi at around 4:30 PM.

NOTES

Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, tide levels and operating conditions.
Swimming, kayaking or snorkeling excursions may be cancelled due to poor weather. Unused services are not subject to a refund.
Meals: Vietnamese menu. Please advise us of any special food preferences, allergies or dietary requirements at least one (1) week prior to the cruise date.
Advance registration is required with full name, date of birth, nationality, gender, passport number and visa expiry date for all passengers

CHILDREN POLICY

The FOC rate for children under 4 years old is applicable for one children sharing a cabin with two adults (No extra mattress), limited to one child per cabin.
Two children below 12 staying in a separate cabin will be charge 75% of the adult price.
Children from 12 years older will be charged the same as adults. Extra bed is available with additional charge at 20$ /night (upon request)

THINGS TO BRING

Passport with valid visa
Some cash in Vietnamese Dong / USD for personal expenses
Sun block or insect repellent, swimming suites
Bring something warm to wear ( From December till March ).
Please be ready on time for the pick up at your hotel.
We advise you that you should leave your big luggage at your hotel or our office in Hanoi.

TWO NIGHTS HALONG BAY CRUISE ABOARD PALOMA CRUISE

Bai Tu Long bay - Thien Canh Son Cave - Geological park in Cong Dam/Vung Ha - Vong Vieng floating village

DAY 1: HANOI – BAI TU LONG BAY – THIEN CANH SON CAVE ( LUNCH AND DINNER )

7.30-7.45 Our bus or private car will pick you up at your hotel.

12.30 Arrive at Paloma office, Halong City. Transferred by tender to Paloma Cruise - Enjoy a welcome drink. Receive cruise briefing, check in your cabin and start your cruise.

13.30 Lunch time - enjoy a delicious Vietnamese set menu (Massage service is available after lunch and throughout the tour).

15:00 – 15:30 : Head to Bai Tu Long Bay. Start sailing among the famous Islets (Indochina studio, Am Islet...) of Bai Tu Long Bay, a wild beauty with plenty of panoramic natural views.

Explore the well-hidden Co Cave (known as Thien Canh Son Cave).

15:30 – 16:40 : Enjoy relaxing on a white sandy beach at Hon Co island, swimming or kayaking.

16:45 Drop anchor in the calm water surrounded by islets in Cong Dam. Happy Hour (sunset party).

18:00 Vietnamese cooking demonstration on boat.

19.15 Sumptuous set-dinner on board.

21.00 Relax in your cabin or join the on board activities: film entertainment, light music for dancing in the dining room (please book in advance with the guide), board games and cards and massage. Passengers may also try their luck at squid fishing from the boat.

Happy Hour! Buy two drink – get one free (bottles of wine excluded)

Overnight aboard Paloma Cruise.

DAY 2: DEEP IN TO BAI TU LONG BAY- CONG DAM (HON XEP, NATURAL PARK) - CONG DO ANCHOR ( BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER )

06:15: Start your day with Tai Chi on the Sundeck while complimentary tea & coffee are served

07:15 - 8:00: Catch the morning view of seascape while enjoying the buffet breakfast in the restaurant.

08:30: Transfer to the Smaller boat and start cruising to admire the great beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay.

Visit Cong Dam Area – Deep into Bai Tu Long Bay, the are is full of the famous hidden lagoons covered by majestic limestone islands and islets with wild beaches.

09:30: Guided kayaking and swimming at Geological park in Cong Dam or Vung Ha area (depend on the weather and tide levels), a pristine natural beach lapped by the turquoise water.

12:30: BBQ lunch is served on the beach (depend on the weather or tide levels).

14:00: Continue to discover Master Cave – one of the largest & well-hidden cave in Bai Tu Long Bay.

16:00: The vessel cruises back to the bay for a second overnight anchorage near Cong Do areas. Happy hour (Sunset party).

19:15: Sumptuous Seafood Set - dinner onboard.

21:00: Relax in your cabin or join the on board activities: film entertainment, light music for dancing in the dining room (please book in advance with your tour guide), board games and cards, and massage. Passengers may also try their luck at squid fishing from the boat.

Happy Hour! Buy two drink – get one free (wine by the bottle excluded)
Overnight on Paloma cruise

DAY 3: CRUISE TO VUNG VIENG FLOATING VILLAGE – HA NOI ( BREAKFAST – LUNCH )

06.15 Start your day with Tai Chi on the Sundeck while complimentary tea & coffee are served.

06.45 Have breakfast

07.45 – 09.00 Visit the Vung Vieng floating fishing village by bamboo sampan for an hour. Short visit to Pearl Farm to learn how natural pearls are grown. Then return to Paloma Cruise for your leisure or join one of the following optional activities: Sunbathing, traditional massage, swimming etc.

09.00 Upon return to the boat, you will have 30 minutes to freshen up and finish packing.
Please remove all of your belongings from your cabin, you may leave heavy luggage outside of the cabin (staff will transfer directly to the pier).

10.00: Check out of the cabin.

10:30 Enjoy Farewell lunch in the dining room. We will settle bills after lunch. Relax on the sundeck or in the dining room, enjoying the rest of Halong Bay before getting back to harbor.

11.30 Arrive at Hon Gai Harbour. Transfer by tender to the pier. Get on a van or a car back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi around 4:30 PM.

NOTES

Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, tide levels and operating conditions. Swimming, kayaking or snorkeling excursions may be cancelled due to poor weather. Unused services are not subject to a refund.
Meals on board are fusion: Vietnamese, seafood…. Guests should advise any special food preferences, allergies or dietary requirements at least one (1) week prior to the cruise date.
Advance registration is required with full name, date of birth, nationality, gender, passport number and visa expiry date for all passengers.

“Paloma Cruise Ha Long Bay – Simply The Best” from Brenton R – Victoria, Australia
2 couples from Australia. Retirees but VERy fit and active. Where do we start? The expectations we had were far and away exceeded bu wonderful staff and fantastic food. yes there were minor hiccups but that is all part of the journey.
We were collected in an airconditioned ‘super mini bus’ from our hotel in Hanoi absolutely on time.Travelled the 4 hours to Ha Long Bay with a stop at the most wonderful and I mean wonderful community centre for disadvantaged people where they work and create the most amazing marble sculptures, silk artwork of world standard, clothing and laquor work second to none – this is not a junk shop. It has very clean toilet facilities and after you have spent 1/2 and hour here you are ready for the onward trip to Ha Long Bay.
All the while you have an English speaking tour host who makes sure that you have everything you need. Arriving at the boat dock, you are taken out to the ‘mother ship’ where you are welcomed with a full briefing and drinks/food.
We had the thee day/two night cruise and you definitely need this to enjoy what the area has to offer. The rooms have superb amenities.
FANTASTIC staff, food and activities capped of with a ‘formal’ BBQ on a deserted private beach – fully catered with wine (all drinks are extra’s but at very reasonable prices)
Kayaking, walking, swimming – all available and of course a great limestone cave walk.
All in all 110% – we will be back and use Cruise Lan Ha Bay again.

“The Paloma Chinese Junk Cruise on Ha Long Bay – Very Nice”-from Peter & Anne UK
We had a two day one night stay on the Chinese Junk The Paloma during our tour of Viet Nam. We really enjoyed our time on the boat, and the stunning views in Ha Long Bay.
We were picked up by a mini-bus at our Ha Noi Hotel, and were driven along with the other people on the cruise to Ha Long Bay City, the departure point for the Paloma. There were roughly 40 people on the mini-bus and we were a little cramped, its about a 3-4 hour bumpy ride to the bay from Ha Noi, so if you are claustrophobic, or don’t like long rides, you may want to opt for a private car. Along the way we stopped at an embroidery factory and store, that had really nice embroidered pieces, as well as clothing, and home goods for sale. It also had a much needed bathroom, and small cafe.
Upon arriving in Ha Long Bay you board a smaller boat that brings you out to The Paloma. The Paloma is beautiful, with dark wood working and striking red accents. The rooms are good sized considering you are on a boat, and have full bathrooms in each room, as well as heat and air conditioning.
On day one the Paloma takes you out on the bay, and after a few hours cruising you get back on the smaller boat to go to the floating village that is in the bay. It is really interesting to see what life is like in the village, complete with a school, and of course a gift shop. The villagers harvest pearls for sale in the gift shop which is a good portion of their main source of income. Once in the village you can go on a bamboo boat trip around the surrounding bay area, which was very nice, or you can jump in a kayak and go for a paddle.
Back to the Paloma, and its time for a cooking lesson, we learned how to make Spring Rolls, which is not as easy as you may think.
Day two you have to option of jumping back on the small boat for a trip to the amazing cave. We did this and it is pretty cool to see, however if you would just rather relax on deck you are really not missing anything that exciting in the cave. Also there are lots of steps to get up to the cave, and lots more once you are in it, so if you have any physical limitations, this may not be for you.
Now a word about the food on the The Paloma, not only is it fantastic, its never ending!!! I think each meal was at least 4 courses, at dinner I actually lost count. The crew is also very accommodating to special diets, if you are a vegetarian, or do not eat seafood, its not a problem at all, they will make sure you are well fed either way! Most meals are some sort of seafood, with as I said several courses, and then dessert.
Breakfast has an omelet station, as well as toast and fresh fruit. Coffee was so-so, but you are on a boat!
The only unfortunate part of our trip was the weather, as it was rainy and foggy, and you really can’t do much about that. Should you have bad weather the room where your meals are served has plenty of tables and great views of the bay so you can play cards, as we did, or read, or simply just relax and watch the bay go by.