Wanted: A review ofthe Halong Bay by Junk excursion

We are booked for the March 4 2017 sailing (Singapore to Hong Kong)on the Sojourn and would like a review of the Halong Bay excursions particularly viewing the Bay by junk.

Do a private tour, not one offered by the ship. You'll have the boat or junk all to yourselves and can determine the agenda. And it will cost you less.

Do a private tour, not one offered by the ship. You'll have the boat or junk all to yourselves and can determine the agenda. And it will cost you less.

We did this a few days ago and I would think to do it privately would be a bit hard as the "junks" pull into a barge type vessel which is secured to the Sojourn

We are on the same cruise and it will be our first with Seabourn and in this region. We are just t the point of booking tours. I am just wondering how one books private trips if you have no knowledge of the local operators. All comments appreciated.

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We are on the same cruise and it will be our first with Seabourn and in this region. We are just t the point of booking tours. I am just wondering how one books private trips if you have no knowledge of the local operators. All comments appreciated.

 

 

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We were late back to the ship twice along with other coaches due to traffic but we had Seabourn tours so look out for private full day tours who could get caught up in the same traffic

The scenery is incredible. As noted above, the junks line up alongside the ship and groups of about 20 get on. Not crowded - it is likely to be cooler that far north, so many people choose to stay inside. Plenty of tables down there and eveyone who wants can get a window seat. Plenty of room on deck as well. Beers and soft drinks on sale on board and very cheap.

We only did the half day tour - enough to do the main circuit and see all the wonderful views you have seen on photos. There is a longer trip that includes the caves. And of course if you want a private junk, you would have to tender ashore (presumably waiting until the junks have loaded) and go ashore to meet up.

It was misty, but I gather it almost always is. I thought the tour was well worth the money

Of course the mist, if not so thick as to obscure the limestone outcroppings, is one of things that helps give Halong Bay that mystical feeling.

Dusky, many use reviews on the Ports of Call/Asia threads on CC to secure reviews of private tour operators. Also look at TripAdvisor.

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Many thanks for the replies. How cold were the beers on the junks?

Given the question about the beers I believe I am going to enjoy being on the same cruise as martiny

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The beers were cold enough for me. Although it was quite cool outside - not sure the refrigeration would stand up to very high temperatures, but I don't think you will ever cruise Vietnam at a really hot time. Our 'girls' were in shorts and shirts, but they are in their 30s and don't feel the cold. But I didn;t need my jacket.

Halong Bay- we did the ship's 6.5 hour tour. It was a great day. Longer trip has visit to caves-which were magnificent, lunch on board and also fishing village where go on a paddle boat for one hour where Vietnamese woman paddle you around the formations! 4 persons to a small boat.

The tour was a highlight! Everyone on our junk tour loved it!

Shorter cruise does not do all that. Easy because you get on junk right from the ship. We think longer cruise is a better option than shorter cruise.

Ho Chi Minh City- Used small tour company-

http://privatevietnamtourguide.com- Bao Lac is owner - ask for Xuan Le to be your guide. Amazing day with him. A very special young man. Great reviews on trip advisor.

We did it privately, you may want to find another couple on Roll call to go with you and split cost.

Itinerary: called Saigon Full Day city tour

Cholon: China town and Thien Hau temple to learn about my custom and religion.

Rickshaw riding through different local markets in 45 minutes with a driver for each of you. (This was so much fun!)

Walking into small alleys and through a local market to discover the real life as the soul of my city.

Downtown: war museum and site, walking on Dongkhoi road to visit French buildings: Notre Damn Church, City Post-office, City Hall and The Rex hotel.

Also there is an unique building that the Huey Uh1 evacuated people climbing on the ladder one day before the North came to take over Saigon in 1975, it became the iconic photo of the Fall of Saigon- only tour company allowed to go there as it is not opened for tourist and public

New city to see the contrast between old and new residences.

We also added with our guide a lunch break at Nha Hang Ngon restaurant- was delicious, not expensive and we treated the guide.

Also I heard from other passengers who did the night time dinner and show Seabourn tour - they loved it! - If you do this you probably would skip lunch as night tour starts early.

2nd half day- we did on our own:

- Reunification Palace- South Vietnam headquarters during the war- Basement has command center during the war ( very interesting) and also went shopping.

Bao Lac also suggested we do motorbike food tour this 1/2 day ( we didn't do- but everyone loves it)

Ho Chi Minh is so interesting for Americans with all the Vietnam war places to visit.

Ka Kood, Thailand

Seabourn does a Beach Barbeque on private island. Get off tender early and spend whole day there. Bring money for Thai massages. $30 US dollars for 1 hour. Also they have water sports that day, caviar in surf!

This day was fabulous and one of the highlights of our cruise.

Da Nang

We used this company- Tour :http://privatehoianguide.com/private-hoi-an-shore-excursion-from-tien-sa-port.php

Another great day- XuanTu has great tours. Rated #1 on tripadvisor for a reason. XuanTu was one of the best guides we ever had and a fantastic day!

Loved going to Cam Kim Island to see local businesses in people's homes.

and Hoi An afterwards.

We did privately but you can also get another couple on roll call to go with you.

We are on this cruise too so an interesting thread for me!

We have gone independent for Day 2 of HCM city... but it does involve an early start. We are doing SB's junk tour at Halong, beginning to wish we had gone for the longer one!

Cant wait for our cruise :):)

If you call Seabourn Tours- they will let you switch I am sure without a fee for the longer cruise.

Ho Chi Minh-Also when you walk to gate to go on your own to the city.( very close to port)

Make sure taxi uses the meter. We were quoted $15 us dollars without meter.

With the meter it was only $2 US dollars. I had read about it beforehand so knew to do the meter with the taxis.

If you call Seabourn Tours- they will let you switch I am sure without a fee for the longer cruise.

 

Ho Chi Minh-Also when you walk to gate to go on your own to the city.( very close to port)

Make sure taxi uses the meter. We were quoted $15 us dollars without meter.

With the meter it was only $2 US dollars. I had read about it beforehand so knew to do the meter with the taxis.

Thank you Johnny for that useful information.

As far as HCM City, we have to make our way to HCM Opera House which is only about half a mile, thought we could walk it, no idea if that is feasible but thanks for the tip about the taxis! :)

Where did the ship dock in Saigon? Were you right in the city or were you docked at Phu My which is ove an hour away?

We've done Halong Bay twice and had different weather each time.

I would highly recommend doing it privately. If you can get four others from your roll call to do it with you the price would be less expensive per person then doing it by ship.

We only had one other couple on a Junk Boat that would have accommodated 50 or more people.

We were supposed to have snacks. The amount of food provided was more then a full lunch.

I am not sure how the cruise line will do this but when we did it through a different cruise line we were not allowed to stop at one of the caves but privately we did and it was fascinating.

Some photos.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xyMbSHGuZb0/T1rrC9ygYrI/AAAAAAAAPBQ/5yP9NcFq7r0/s1600/DSC_3400.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2dJt929Eo9k/T1rpQZxZtGI/AAAAAAAAO_g/1jJK_zp4mNw/s1600/DSC_3355.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-soH3qWepdO4/T1ro-f61RcI/AAAAAAAAO_Q/Mbe4KRngPAI/s1600/DSC_3350.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IB_fn58Ri8c/T1roNsbaGwI/AAAAAAAAO-k/JsMcRzzr2Ik/s1600/DSC_3334.jpg

We had a crew of four people. These are two of them.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TK1UCJHtW9o/UwyOosfEyXI/AAAAAAAAixA/WpeXRXtX1BM/s1600/DSC_0264.jpg

Inside one of the caves.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uSIF5UMyntE/UwyKsqRYM0I/AAAAAAAAiwk/v-k85QMeYBk/s1600/DSC_0290.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PqadZfa9cSA/UwyUA1kPsRI/AAAAAAAAiyI/T0EnVfjOjHg/s1600/DSC_0275.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7aYoiWCLXWU/UwyLE4fy74I/AAAAAAAAiws/BMfx-YmBIT0/s1600/DSC_0296.jpg

The snack.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--VqsoBonVVs/UwyQjtr3RxI/AAAAAAAAixc/XAwA5FXMcQ8/s1600/IMG_2345.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UPYICPgQfwo/UwyQyVa9uaI/AAAAAAAAixk/aTgcW7amZR0/s1600/IMG_2346.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gk1D4iN8pwM/UwyQ-ooH3rI/AAAAAAAAixs/lMb7gax8IvI/s1600/IMG_2347.jpg

Keith

Great Photos: Please advise the details..name, email website etc., of the private tour guide, its cost and how you got to and from the ship to such guide. Such stuff would be really helpful. Regards Martin

martiny.....you can e mail me at KESWORLD AT AOL DOT COM

use @ in lieu of AT and . in lieu of DOT

Keith

Where did the ship dock in Saigon? Were you right in the city or were you docked at Phu My which is ove an hour away?

Cant remember but the book says a 2 hour coach ride to one of the rivers 9 branches at Cai if that is any help

As I mentioned before traffic could be a problem

Usually Seabourn docks at a location that is less than a 10 minutes shuttle ride from the Rex Hotel.

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