Grand Pioneers Cruise
Crafted to seamlessly blend the renowned luxurious travel lifestyle with the unparalleled freedom of a yachting getaway, Essence Grand Cruise presents an opportunity for guests to indulge in authentic experiences aboard a meticulously designed vessel that sails through the captivating Gulf of Tonkin.
Scheduled for launch in the spring of 2023, our focus revolves around the essence of cruising: destinations, experiences, and cherished memories. Our ambition is grand, aiming to deliver an extraordinary journey that encompasses exclusivity, comfort, elegance, and style. Similar to our esteemed chain of boutique hotels, Essence Grand Cruise aims to proudly represent our distinguished brand of luxury hospitality on the open seas.
This five-deck steel masterpiece showcases over 50 gracefully appointed guest rooms and suites, establishing its distinction as the largest overnight ship to grace the tranquil waters of Halong Bay. However, its uniqueness lies in a remarkable array of state-of-the-art amenities and facilities found onboard.
- The five-deck steel craft is designed with over 55 elegant guestrooms and suites
- A conference room; a saltwater infinity pool that appears to blend with the ocean waters beyond
- Golf simulator impact screen, a gym, and a yoga studio
- Dolby digital theater where, among other things, you can sing karaoke to your heart’s content
- A wine & cigar lounge; mini library and reading area; a kids’ club for families
Room type & Price
Itinerary
08:15 – 08:45 Pick up
Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in the Old Quarter or at our cruise waiting lounge (if you have booked the shuttle with us). The journey time to Halong Bay takes approximately 2.5 hours
09:50 Comfort Stop
A short break on route for refreshments (about 20 minutes)
11:30 – 11:45 Welcome
Arrive at the Halong International harbor (Sun Harbor) – Halong City. You will be warmly welcomed at our Essence Grand Superyacht waiting lounge by our staff
12:00 – 12:15 Embark – Cruise briefing – Check-in Essence Grand Superyacht
Once on board our Essence Grand Superyacht, enjoy a welcome drink in Cloud Nine restaurant during the cruise briefing. Check-in to your luxury spacious suite
13:00 Lunch – Cloud Nine restaurant
Lunch will be served in Cloud Nine restaurant while our Essence Grand Superyacht cruises among thousands of islands and islets of stunning Halong Bay
14:30 – 15:15 Luon cave – Kayaking or Bamboo boat ride
Visit Luon Cave, a hidden lagoon ideal for kayaking. This is one of the must-do activities in the bay. Or if you prefer you can paddle leisurely around the lagoon in a bamboo boat. A chance to see the
incredible karst formations of the bay close-up
15:30 – 16:30 Titop island – Climbing or Swimming
Your next stop is Titop island with its famous crescent moon-shaped beach and tranquil beautiful blue waters. Viewing Halong Bay from the peak of Titop island is another not-to-be missed activity. Climb the 400 steep steps to see the scale and majesty of Halong Bay from a height of 100 meters
14:30 – 17:30 If you prefer to stay on board, and for after the excursion, you can simply relax in your comfy suite or take part in the various onboard services and activities: La Spa (spa and massage), swimming pool, pool bar, cigar club, poker, 3D golf simulator, billiards and table soccer, library, and for children there is a kid’s club
17:30 Sunset & Happy Hour time
Halong Bay has been rated as one of the most beautiful sunset spots in Asia. You can enjoy the best moments of the day at our Lighthouse sky bar as the sun hits the water between the dramatic limestone peaks and emerald-green coves, enjoying cocktails and a cooking demonstration
19:00 Dinner at Cloud Nine Restaurant
Tantalize your taste buds with a selection of Western and Vietnamese cuisine.
After dinner, chill out in your suite; pamper yourself at La Spa; try some squid fishing; or spend time with your fellow companions at our poker club, cigar club, karaoke club, sky bar or the pool bar
Overnight at Essence Grand Superyacht
05:30 – 06:00 Amazing sunrise time
Watch the sun rise over Halong Bay
06:15 Tai Chi on Sundeck
Start the day on our Essence Grand Superyacht with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck or a work-out in the gym; or you may just want to sleep in
06:45 Light Breakfast
A light breakfast will be served in Cloud Nine restaurant
07:30 – 08:15 Excursion to Sung Sot Cave
Our speed boat will transport you to Sung Sot Cave – the biggest and most stunning cave in Halong Bay
09:00 Room check-out
After visiting the cave, return to our Essence Grand Superyacht to pack your luggage and check-out
09:30 Brunch at Cloud Nine restaurant
Cruise back through the bay to Ha Long harbor over a delicious morning brunch
10:45Farewell & Disembark
Goodbyes and transfer back to the harbor
11:00 Arrive at the harbor & return to Hanoi
Once back on land, our staff will meet you and arrange your transportation back to Hanoi
11:30 Start your trip back to Hanoi
Arrive back in Hanoi approximately 14:30-14:45
08:15 – 08:45 Pick up
Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in the Old Quarter or at our cruise waiting lounge (if you have booked the shuttle with us). The journey time to Halong Bay takes approximately 2.5 hours
09:50 Comfort Stop
A short break on route for refreshments (about 20 minutes)
11:30 – 11:45 Welcome
Arrive at the Halong International harbor (Sun Harbor) – Halong City. You will be warmly welcomed at our Essence Grand Superyacht waiting lounge by our staff
12:00 – 12:15 Embark – Cruise briefing – Check-in Essence Grand Superyacht
Once on board our Essence Grand Superyacht, enjoy a welcome drink in Cloud Nine restaurant during the cruise briefing. Check-in to your luxury spacious suite
13:00 Lunch – Cloud Nine restaurant
Lunch will be served in Cloud Nine restaurant while our Essence Grand Superyacht cruises among thousands of islands and islets of stunning Halong Bay
14:30 – 15:15 Luon cave – Kayaking or Bamboo boat ride
Visit Luon Cave, a hidden lagoon ideal for kayaking. This is one of the must-do activities in the bay. Or if you prefer you can paddle leisurely around the lagoon in a bamboo boat. A chance to see the incredible karst formations of the bay close-up
15:30 – 16:30 Titop Island – Climbing or Swimming
Your next stop is Titop Island with its famous crescent moon-shaped beach and tranquil beautiful
blue waters. Viewing Halong Bay from the peak of Titop Island is another not-to-be-missed activity. Climb the 400 steep steps to see the scale and majesty of Halong Bay from a height of 100 meters
14:30 – 17:30 If you prefer to stay on board, and after the excursion, you can relax in your comfy suite or take part in the various onboard services and activities: La Spa (spa and massage), swimming pool, pool bar, cigar club, poker, 3D golf simulator, billiards and table soccer, library, and for children there is a kid’s club
17:30 Sunset & Happy Hour time
Halong Bay has been rated as one of the most beautiful sunset spots in Asia. You can enjoy the best moments of the day at our Lighthouse sky bar as the sun hits the water between the dramatic limestone peaks and emerald-green coves, enjoying cocktails and a cooking demonstration
19:00 Dinner at Cloud Nine Restaurant
Tantalize your taste buds with a selection of Western and Vietnamese cuisine.
After dinner, chill out in your suite; pamper yourself at La Spa; try some squid fishing; or spend time with your fellow companions at our poker club, cigar club, karaoke club, sky bar or the pool bar
Overnight at Essence Grand Superyacht
05:30 – 06:00 Amazing sunrise time
Watch the sun rise over Halong Bay
06:15 Tai Chi on Sundeck
Start the day on our Essence Grand Superyacht with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck or a work-out in the gym; or you may just want to sleep in
06:45 Light Breakfast
A light breakfast will be served in Cloud Nine restaurant
08:00 A morning cruise to Bai Tu Long Bay
Our transfer boat will pick you up from Essence Superyacht for a morning cruise to Thien Canh Son cave in Bai Tu Long Bay
10:30 Excursion to Thien Canh Son Cave
Visit the Thien Canh Son Cave area and enjoy the view of Bai Tu Long Bay. After exploring the cave, you can relax on the white sandy beach or go kayaking to explore Cong Do island
12:30 Lunch time
Lunch on board the transfer boat while cruising the Vung Ha area
13:45 Visit Vung Vieng fishing village
Visit Vung Vieng fishing village by a rustic rowing boat; a chance to meet and interact with the local villagers and learn above their lives and the community
14:45 – 16:15 Cruise back
Cruise back by transfer boat to our Essence Grand Superyacht for ultimate relaxation and entertainment
17:30 Sunset & Happy hour time
You can enjoy the best moments of the day at our Lighthouse sky bar as the sun hits the water between the dramatic limestone peaks and emerald-green coves, enjoying cocktails and a cooking demonstration
19:00 Dinner at Cloud Nine Restaurant
Tantalize your taste buds with a selection of Western and Vietnamese cuisine.
After dinner, chill out in your suite; pamper yourself at La Spa; try some squid fishing; or spend time with your fellow companions at our poker club, cigar club, karaoke club, sky bar or the pool bar
Overnight at Essence Grand Superyacht
05:30 – 06:00 Amazing sunrise time
Watch the sun rise over Halong Bay
06:15 Tai Chi on Sundeck
Start the day on our Essence Grand Superyacht with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck or a work-out in the gym; or you may just want to sleep in
06:45 Light Breakfast
A light breakfast will be served in Cloud Nine restaurant
07:30 – 08:15 Excursion to Sung Sot Cave
Our speed boat will transport you to Sung Sot Cave – the biggest and most stunning cave in Halong Bay
09:00 Room check-out
After visiting the cave, return to our Essence Grand Superyacht to pack your luggage and check-out
09:30 Brunch at Cloud Nine restaurant
Cruise back through the bay to Ha Long harbor over a delicious morning brunch
10:45 Farewell & Disembark
Goodbyes and transfer back to the harbor
11:00 Arrive at the harbor & return to Hanoi
Once back on land, our staff will meet you and arrange your transportation back to Hanoi
11:30 Start your trip back to Hanoi
Arrive back in Hanoi approximately 14:30-14:45
Facility
Restaurant
Rescue Boat
Meeting Room
Conference Room
Oceania Pool
Sea Spa
Wine & Cigar Lounge
Gym center
Pool Bar
Kid Club
Family Entertainment Room
Medical Centre
Security Room
Reception
Lifts
Karaoke Room
3D Golf
Entertainment Room
Open Kitchen
Rhythm of the bay Sky Bar
Included/Excluded
INCLUSIONS
- Fully equipped luxury en-suite guestroom with chilled water central air-con and marble
bathroom - All meals onboard (1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner)
- Tender/speedboat transfers
- Welcome drink
- Daily refilled bottled fresh water
- Cocktails and cooking demonstration
- Entrance and sightseeing fees
- Tai chi, gym, four seasons and salt water swimming pool, poker, billiards, table soccer,
kid’s club and use of the library - Activities: kayaking, bamboo rowing boat, cave visits, squid fishing
- Wifi, satellite – HD LED TV onboard
- English and Vietnamese speaking guides
- Onboard insurance
- VAT & service charge
EXCLUSIONS
- Transportation: Hanoi – Halong – Hanoi
- Beverages
- La Spa (spa and massage)
- Karaoke, cigar lounge, use of conference facilities, 3D golf simulator
- Tips and other personal expenses
- Personal travel/health insurance
- All other services not clearly mentioned
above
NB: Surcharges will be applied during the Christmas and New Year’s Eve periods and over
the Vietnamese Tet Lunar New Year
NOTES
Wifi connection: at times due to the remote location the signal may be weak. We hope for your kind understanding as the cruise is far from the mainland
Advance registration is required. Please provide your full name, date of birth, nationality, gender, passport number and visa expiry date. A valid passport is required upon check-in, otherwise boarding may be denied by the port authority
Itinerary
The above is an outline itinerary and specific timing and more detail will be given by the tour guide during the trip
Please note itineraries in the Ha Long Bay region are subject to change without prior notice depending on weather conditions, tidal levels, and local authority regulations
All meals are included on board. Please advise If you have any special dietary requirements or food allergies when you book or at least 24 hours before departure
ESSENTIAL PERSONAL BELONGINGS YOU SHOULD NOT FORGET TO BRING
Valid passport
Camera
Sunglasses, hat, swimwear, sunscreen, insect repellent
Any personal medication (if applicable)
Book early for better price
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