Nostalgia Cruise Halong Bay

The 5-star Nostalgia Cruise Halong Bay has 03 decks with 10 luxury cabins spreading out on 2 decks, which promise to bring you lavish accommodations on board.

On the first deck are 05 lovely Princess Suites (28m2) and a reception area where you process check-in and check-out. As all the Princess cabins have connecting doors, the family room here can be large up to 56m2, perfect for families with 2-3 kids.

The second deck is split into two parts including 05 cabins: 04 Queen Suites (30m2) & 01 King Suite (35m2) and a spacious restaurant for a deluxe cuisine experience on board. Moreover, there is a big jacuzzi for guests to relax while admiring the scenic landscape of Halong.

The large top deck is dedicated entirely to enjoying sunbathing and chilling at the lounge bar with a magnificent panoramic view.

With a compact yet sophisticated design, this boat offers luxurious space with deluxe facilities, bringing a classy cruising experience to customers.

Modern jacuzzi

Located at the bow on the 2nd deck, the open-air pool with a jacuzzi will bring you comfortable relaxation on board with a splendid view of the bay. This is one of the largest onboard jacuzzis in Lan Ha Bay and can accommodate 10 adults at the same time. For families with children, this facility can really be one of the highlights of your trip.

Have a dip in the refreshing jacuzzi pool and treat yourself with a cocktail

Sundeck bar

Occupying the highest place on the cruise boat, the sundeck bar is both a perfect place to enjoy the bay scenery and to relax with classy cocktails. With a long drink menu, reasonable prices, professional bartenders, and well-arranged seats, ensuring privacy for guests, what could be better than watching the sunset or enjoying a romantic evening onboard?

Atmospheric bar corner for the best taste of vibrant cocktails and Halong Bay sightseeing

Whether choosing the 2d1n or 3d2n itinerary, tourists can have a satisfying experience of Lan Ha Bay with the itinerary including Dark & ??Bright Caves and Trung Trang Cave - the two most trending places to visit.

However, for passengers who choose to spend 3 days on the Nostalgia Cruise, returning to Cat Ba Island to experience biking in Viet Hai Village and visiting the unique destination - Ba Men Temple is truly an unexpected joy!

Sightseeing activities

Kayaking in Dark & Bright Caves

With its unique geological structure combined with magnificent scenery, kayaking in Dark and Bright Caves is always a must-do for every visitor to Lan Ha Bay. Cruising with Nostalgia, all passengers, whether joining the 1-night or 2-night itinerary, will have the chance to try this memorable experience.

Photogenic spot for kayaking and gazing at beautiful stalactites

Explore Trung Trang Cave

Trung Trang Cave is 300m long and a bit narrow but is one of the most magnificent caves in the bay with layers of stalactites in many different shapes, reaching close to the footpath and covering the entire cave ceiling.

There are very few boats on Cat Ba Island offering this attraction in the 2-day itinerary and fortunately, Nostalgia is one of them.

Trung Trang Cave is an indispensable highlight in the journey to explore Lan Ha Bay.

Cycling in Viet Hai Village

The 3d2n journey will take passengers back to Cat Ba Island and visit Viet Hai - a small, ancient fishing village, located quietly deep in the National Park. Visiting this place, tourists have the chance to cycle under the green trees, enjoy the fresh air, admire the rice fields, and visit an ancient house to learn about the local culture and customs.

Dive into the nature and local culture at Viet Hai Village is a must-do.

Kayak and swim at Ba Men Temple

Currently, only Nostalgia Cruise Halong Bay adds this special attraction to its itinerary and only when booking a 2-night trip, tourists will have the opportunity to experience this new place. 

Ba Men Temple is located on a tiny islet, very close to Viet Hai Village. This is where locals often come to worship and pray for safe voyages.

The unspoiled area offers a local-like experience and a tranquil beach. 

However, this is not just a spiritual destination. Right next to the temple is a small, deserted beach, extremely lovely and clean, suitable for tourists to experience swimming and kayaking one last time before ending the tour to Halong Bay.

Onboard Activities

Vietnamese tea ceremony

After dinner on the first day, Nostalgia's crew will take passengers to the traditional cultural space with the art of the Vietnamese royal tea ceremony and enjoy the gentle taste of tea made from special leaves harvested from famous tea-growing areas in this country.

However, please note that if you are sensitive to caffeine, you should consider it before experiencing as it can affect the quality of your sleep.

A tea party will help you feel relaxed and calm after a long day program.

Traditional cooking class

Cooking classes on Nostalgia Cruise are usually held at sunset on the sundeck - an interesting way to end an afternoon on Halong Bay. For those who love culinary and cooking, this is the time to be introduced to and practice a fast and simple traditional Vietnamese recipe such as making spring rolls, fried rolls, or “banh xeo”, and of course, tasting your own products.

Try making your own Vietnamese fried spring rolls at the cooking session

Taichi exercising

A 15-30-minute Tai Chi session is always a gentle and refreshing way to start a morning, suitable for all tourists from the elderly to children. Practicing Tai Chi on the sundeck while catching the first rays of sunlight on the bay is a wonderful experience to begin a new day. However, this may also be a small challenge for guests who are not used to waking up early.

Calm your spiritual mind and strengthen your muscles with a Tai Chi session

Spa and massage

Different from other boats, Nostalgia offers an in-room spa and massage to help guests relax in a totally private and quiet space. The services provided are quite diverse with nearly 10 types of treatments lasting from 30 - 60 minutes at the price from US $25 - $45, ranging from basic foot and body therapy, to using hot herbal/hot lava stones or facial care.

Note: Massage service can be booked on-board or before your trip.

24/7 Medical Assistance

Medical assistance on board is available 24/7 with usual-used medicines and the cruise staff are all trained in basic first aid. This service is completely free of charge and guests can always ask for help from the staff when needed.

Cuisine style

Like its name, Nostalgia Cruise Halong Bay brings passengers back to Vietnam's nostalgic past from its design to culinary experience. Unlike most 5-star cruises in Halong Bay that often serve Western and Vietnamese menus alternately, this boat allows diners to enjoy traditional Vietnamese cuisine with the freshest ingredients, and all set-menu meals focusing on traditional dishes combined with a few light fusion dishes.

Fresh ingredients and high nutritional value are the priority of Nostalgia Cruise Halong Bay.

Evening is the time when the most attentive meal of the day is served, not only simply enjoying the high-end set menu, passengers are also encouraged to wear Vietnamese traditional costumes to enhance the nostalgic feeling of the meal. In addition, as mentioned above, the tea ceremony held after dinner also brings a perfect ending to the culinary experience of the day.

Dining time

The usual serving time is 6:45 for breakfast, 10:00 - 10:30 for brunch, for lunch, and 19:30 for dinner.

• 2 days 1 night tour: 01 set-menu lunch, 01 set-menu dinner, 01 light breakfast buffet, 01 set-menu brunch
• 3 day 2 nights tour: 02 set-menu lunches, 02 set-menu dinners, 02 light breakfast buffets, 01 set-menu brunch

Drinks

In addition to two complimentary bottles of water per day in each cabin, this boat offers an impressive beverage menu with a wide selection of wines, cocktails, spirits, and other non-alcoholic beverages. These drinks are not included in the cruise price and will be billed at check-out based on actual consumption during the trip.

• Alcohol drinks

Nostalgia Cruise has a long and varied menu of alcoholic beverages, especially cocktails & mixed drinks with over 60 types at prices ranging from US $9 - US $22. While the wine selection is quite limited and usually glass selling for 4 popular types of Chilano: sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, shiraz, and cabernet sauvignon with prices ranging from US $38 - US $400, the spirits drinks menu includes a wide variety of liquors such as whiskey, vodka, cognac, vermouth, gin, rum, etc. from many brands and ages. 

The attentive bartender always gives you the best-customized drink recommendations.

What makes Nostalgia special is that it is one of a few cruise boats that sell all types of spirits by both the shot (US $8 - $25) and the bottle (US $86 - $370); therefore, passengers on board have the opportunity to experience many of their favorite liquors without worrying about the cost.

• Non-alcohol drinks

Although not as extensive as the alcoholic beverages menu, for non-alcoholic drinks, Nostalgia also offers about 40 options for passengers including mocktails, fresh juices, smoothies, coffee, tea, and soft drinks. The prices for these drinks are quite reasonable, ranging from only US $2, and the most expensive are mocktails with an average price of about US $6.5.

Restaurant

As a small boat that only serves a limited number of guests, Nostalgia Cruise has only one restaurant with a capacity of 25 diners and an outdoor seating area for passengers who love a quiet and airy meal. This is where all meals of the tourists are served during the trip as well as the tea ceremony on the first evening of the journey.

The dining hall is well-designed with 19th-century Vietnamese cultural influence.

You can travel from Hanoi to Tuan Chau Port by a private car service with a driver or a luxury shuttle bus (additional fee). Please contact BestPrice’s travel consultant if you want to book transportation.

• Transport from Hanoi: You will be picked up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter around 8:00 - 08:30, and take the new highway to Tuan Chau - Ferry Terminal - Halong City.
• Transport from cruise port: After arriving at the pier, you will be welcome to embark on the cruise at around 12:00.

The limousine offers high-end transfer services and comfy leather seats.

BestPrice Reviews: 9.6/10

After the annual inspection, BestPrice rated Nostalgia as a ship worth trying for travelers who are interested in Vietnam's traditional cultural and culinary values ??- this is also the theme throughout the ship, clearly shown in the design, itinerary, and accompanying services.

Facilities & Amenities - 9.5/10

Possessing an outstanding design with a combination of Indochine and Vietnamese traditional styles, this ship really impresses passengers from the moment they set foot on it. As a typical small boat, Nostalgia has a modest capacity but can provide all the amenities that a 5-star cruise in Halong needs.

Pros

• All suites have private balconies with adequate space for unobstructed views
• Wooden materials are used widely, bringing a cozy & elegant feeling on-board
• Comfortable and large 4-season Jacuzzi with an outstanding view

Cons

• Not fit for huge group travelers due to the small capacity
• The Princess Suite cabins are not so spacious (only 28m2)

Delicate wall design and Hue royal-styled furniture make Nostalgia extremely unique.

Foods & Drinks - 9.7/10

For travelers who love to explore exotic foods and are willing to try local dishes, Nostalgia's menus with Vietnamese cuisine as the main theme are truly a perfect party. In particular, the tea ceremony, although only lasting about 30 minutes after dinner, is a great combination of Vietnamese culinary and cultural experiences. 

In addition, the ability to serve many different types of drinks with a list of alcoholic beverages totaling up to hundreds of types is impressive.

Pros

• Professional in serving Vietnamese traditional cuisine
• Interesting free tea ceremony after dinner with traditional tea and desserts
• Encourage passengers to wear Vietnamese costumes creating a nostalgic atmosphere for dinner

Cons

• Not a good choice for tourists who prefer Western cuisine

Savor the greatest Vietnamese culinary experience with an exquisite menu onboard

Activities - 9.5/10

The itinerary with diverse activities is truly a great unique selling point of Nostalgia as tourists can hardly find a ship with such a traditional style but at the same time extremely dynamic.

Pros

• Impressive itineraries with various activities and must-see attractions of Lan Ha Bay
• Unique 3-day-2-night itinerary with Ba Men Temple included on day 2
• Various traditional activities onboard: wearing Vietnamese costumes at dinner, joining tea ceremony

Cons

• Day 1 itinerary may be confused sometimes due to the sudden change between Dark & Bright Caves and Ba Trai Dao Islets
• A little too active itinerary with activities full of journey

Join a royal dinner in Vietnamese royal costumes, isn’t it stimulating?

Services: 9.8/10

There is nothing to criticize about the on-board crew of Nostalgia Cruise - extremely enthusiastic, attentive, and professional. The idea of ??not designing a separate area for spa & massage but providing this service in-room for passengers is brilliant, making this experience absolutely private and comfortable. However, the 24/7 medical assistant plays the role of both strength and weakness in the service of this lovely boat.

Pros

• Friendly & professional staff always cater to the most discerning needs of customers
• Perfect in-room massage experience instead of shared space in a spa room
• Heath safety first - 24/7 medical assistance with well-trained staff

Cons

• Medical assistant services are available but without any doctor on-board

The welcoming staff is a key point to positive feedback on Nostalgia Cruise Halong Bay.

TripAdvisor Reviews

• Number of reviews: 823 reviews
• Excellent reviews: 791 / 823 reviews

With no bad reviews and excellent ratings accounting for 95%, Nostalgia Cruises on TripAdvisor is indeed a nearly perfect cruise for those who have experienced it and also anyone who is planning their trip to Halong and Lan Ha Bay. The shower of compliments from customers mainly focuses on the inherent strengths of the boat such as amazing service with wonderful staff, many interesting activities, and tasty foods. 

On the other hand, it seems like a few guests who left average reviews are not a fan of Vietnamese cuisine and some felt the itinerary was too rushed and busy.