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| Era Cruise Interior |
Departure point for the cruise is an easy 1.5 hour drive from Hanoi departs in the port of Hai Phong, which is closer to Hanoi than Halong so means less road travelling. When our group arrived we were taken to a cool waiting room and provided with a welcome drink and cold towel. We then boarded a small tender boat which took us the short distance out to the cruise boat.
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| Era Cruise Interior |
As we approached the cruise boat we were greeted by the friendly staff who waved to us. We docked and boarded the ship from the back and were given a cold towel and a cool glass of juice.
Joy, the cruise director, welcomed us and gave a run down of the amenities of the ship and activities planned for the 2 days. All the friendly, helpful and attentive staff worked very hard to ensure our cruise was comfortable, safe and memorable. They made us feel at home and among friends whilst also providing a 5 star travel adventure experience.
My impressive guest room was breath-taking. It was large and roomy with floor to ceiling glass windows that offered me views of the bay as we glided along. All that I needed was there. The big bed was in the middle of the room looking out to the water view. There was a safe, very good air-conditioner, and minibar and bottled water.
Era Crises offer either 2 day 1 night or 3 day 2 night cruises. They offer a complementary luxury van pick up and drop from your Hanoi hotel if you book directly.
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| My Era Cruise Guest Room |
The boat itself is new and very beautiful, opulent and luxurious. It is also also tasteful, welcoming and serene. The first two floors are the guest rooms, the third floor is the restaurant, bar and lounges and the cinema, massage rooms and sun lounge seating on the rooftop sundeck.
My impressive guest room was breath-taking. It was large and roomy with floor to ceiling glass windows that offered me views of the bay as we glided along. All that I needed was there. The big bed was in the middle of the room looking out to the water view. There was a safe, very good air-conditioner, and minibar and bottled water.
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| My Era Cruise Jacuzzi Bath |
A private balcony had two sun beds to laze upon. The private bathroom was large with a rain shower and a Jacuzzi bath that I sat in and admired the view outside. The toilet is very high tech. It is an electronic bidet toilet similar to what you'd find in Japan or Korea.It has a heated seat and lots of settings to control the spray strength and direction depending on your preference.
The meals on board were delicious, with lots of variety and incredible service. The breakfast buffet spread was varied and tasty.It even had a pho station. The set course lunch served at our table and buffet dinner had plenty of choices and tasted fabulous.
The meals on board were delicious, with lots of variety and incredible service. The breakfast buffet spread was varied and tasty.It even had a pho station. The set course lunch served at our table and buffet dinner had plenty of choices and tasted fabulous.
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| Era Cruise Buffet Dinner |
The Cocktail Happy Hour was great and offered buy 1 drink and get 1 drink for free.
There were various activities offered each day that guest could participate in. The short tours off the main boat were well planned and a member of the crew stayed with us at all times. These were well organized and fun with clear briefings about them given beforehand.
There were various activities offered each day that guest could participate in. The short tours off the main boat were well planned and a member of the crew stayed with us at all times. These were well organized and fun with clear briefings about them given beforehand.
On the first afternoon I joined the kayaking excursion the short distance to a nearby beach for swimming. I was glad when a small tender boat then took us back to the cruise boat rather than kayaking back.
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| Era Cruise Tender Boat and Kayaks |
A Vietnamese cooking demonstration was held before dinner where I learnt the art of making Vietnamese rolls. The best part was eating the ones we made. After dinner there was the option of watching a movie in the cinema, or on the TV inside my guest room, or listening to music on the comfortable seats on the deck next to the bar. I id a combination of all of these before I slept.
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| Era Cruise Bar Lounge |
The next morning a Tai Chi Session was held on the Upper Deck for the early riser. I was one of the very few who took up this opportunity - the other must have been enjoying sleeping in. That morning an excursion was taken on the boat tender to the Bright Cave and sea a fishing village.
The good thing about this Era Cruise is the quieter route it takes around Lan Ha Bay which is the sister bay to Ha Long Bay. This bay is every bit as spectacular if not better, going around Cat Ba Island which is less touristy, so unspoiled by lots of other boats. It was superb with very few other boats around so was less crowded than Halong Bay.
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| Era Cruise Sun Deck |
Era Cruises
Head Office: 13 Nguyen Huu Huan St., Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Telephone: +84 24 39351268
Email: info@eracruises.com
Fax: +84 24 3935 1270
Website: www.eracruises.com
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