CRUISER INFORMATION:

Facts about The Paloma

v 10.5m wide

v 43m Long

v 4 decks

v Luxury Spa (1st deck)

v Luxury cabins (1st and 2nd decks)

v Dining areas (3rd deck)

v Sundeck (4th deck)

Bar & Dining Room

Relax and unwind in the bar which adjoins the restaurant. Enjoy pre-dinner or after-dinner drinks, relax in the soft seating area, browse our selection of books and magazines or watch a DVD on the plasma TV. The bar is fully stocked with fine wines, spirits, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

On board you will be delighted with our top notch service and fine dining experience. Our menu is an innovative blend of European cuisine with an Asian twist. In Vietnam food preparation and presentation is an art form. A healthy and refined cuisine with exotic flavors features Vietnamese herbs, spices and other well-known traditional specialties.

Non-meat eaters will be able to sample some of the best vegetarian food in Vietnam.

Sundeck

The sundeck, situated on the 4th deck, is the perfect spot to view the limestone peaks, lagoons, grottoes and emerald sea. Relax on our cosy sun lounges and enjoy the cool sea breeze.

Activities

During your stay on The Paloma, you won’t be short of things to do. Our expert guide will lead kayaking tours of the bay, enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters or pamper yourself in our luxury spa. Join our staff in some late night cuttle fishing and we run cookery demonstrations for those interested in learning the art of Vietnamese cooking. Take part in early morning Tai Chi on the sundeck which is the perfect way to welcome the new day.

Water sport facilities and activities:

v Kayak (upon request or part of cruise package)

v Tender

v Bamboo rowing boat

v Swimming

v Cooking demonstrations

v Early morning Tai Chi

v Join the staff to go cuttle fishing in the evening

Amenities

With perfect attention to detail, all aspects of your stay on board have been meticulously planned. All cabins are en-suite with hot showers and full bathroom amenities, towels and luxury linens. The junk is fully air conditioned throughout, there is plenty of storage space, a luxury spa, gourmet restaurant and a fully stocked bar. Equipped with all the luxury and comforts you desire, The Paloma is your home from home while you cruise the Bay.

Prevention better than cruise

To ensure your safety and to give you peace of mind, The Paloma is fully equipped with all the necessary equipment complying with international safety standards and requirements.

On board we have:

60 life vests

40 life bouys

4 lifeboats

In case of fire there are 4 fire hoses and 14 fire extinguishers in the public areas and 1 extinguisher per cabin

GPS system

Radar

VHF radio

Automated alarm system with speakers throughout the vessel

As part of our introduction to life on board we will give you a short talk on our health and safety procedures

DETAILED ITINERARY:

08.30 approx: Our guide will meet you at your hotel. Mini bus or private car pick up.

Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta. You will have a chance to take photos.

Comfort break.

The distance from Hanoi to Halong bay is approximately 3 ½ hours.

12 noon approx

Arrive Halong Bay. Welcome aboard The Paloma. Meet the captain and crew and join us for a welcome cocktail as we tell you about life onboard.

Check into your cabin. Time to refresh and unwind.

Set sail as lunch is prepared by our chef.

Join us for a relaxing lunch in the restaurant or on the outdoor dining area. Enjoy the stunning views of the Bay, its dramatic limestone islands as we sail through the calm waters.

Afternoon

While we make our way to Bai Tu Long Bay, relax on the sundeck and watch the world go by or take an afternoon nap in your cabin. Early afternoon arrive at Vong Vieng floating fishing village

Drop anchor.

Our guide will give you some information and interesting facts about this fascinating village and its local community.

Disembark and travel on the sampans rowed by the local people. They will be your guides through their fishing village where you can meet the locals, visit the school and pearl farms. See at first-hand what life is like living on the water. We are proud of our working partnership with, and support of, this community.

Back on board The Paloma we head towards Halong Bay.

We drop anchor in the calm waters surrounded by islets

Opportunity to go swimming in the clear warm waters or go kayaking. Kayaking is suitable for all levels and ages. Our expert will run through the safety procedures and after a basic paddling lesson our experienced guide will lead you to explore the Bay, its lagoons and beaches.

For those who prefer a relaxing afternoon, make the most of sunbathing on deck or pamper yourself with a massage and sauna in our luxurious spa.

Early evening

Back on board, enjoy the sunset with evening cocktails and fresh fruit.

Take an opportunity to refresh and then join friends for a pre-dinner drink in the bar.

Dinner is served in the restaurant or outdoor dining area, which is a gastronomic delight.After dinner, unwind in the bar where there is a selection of books, magazines and board games or relax in the spa; watch a movie on our plasma TV; join some of our team to go cuttle fishing at night or take a late night swim under the stars.

Accommodation and overnight on junk.

06:30: For the early risers join us for a Tai Chi session on the sun deck. Tai chi helps focus the mind and condition the body and there is no better environment to practice this than amongst the limestone peaks and islands.

Take an opportunity to view the sunrise over the Bay or have an early morning swim.

Breakfast, coffee and tea and served.

After breakfast we sail through the waters and pass by a number of caves including Trong (Drum) cave, Trinh Nu (Virgin) cave, Coc Ngoi (Toad) cave and we drop anchor at Surprise (Sung Sot) Cave.

Disembark and visit Surprise Cave located on Bo Hon Island. It is one of the widest grottoes in Ha Long Bay with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites.

10:00: We board The Paloma again. Take time to refresh and relax before checking out. Bags can be left in the luggage store.

An early lunch is served.

12 noon: Return to the shore and disembark from The Paloma as our crew say farewell.

Transfer to minibus or private and return to Hanoi.

Arrival back at your hotel approximately 16:30/17:00

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PACKAGE COST:

Rates are in USD per person, based on twin shared cabin, valid from Jan 1^st 2012 to Dec 31^st 2012

INCLISIVE OF THE ABOVE PRICES:

v Transfer Hanoi - Halong bay - Hanoi by shuttle bus

v Full equipped luxury en-suite cabin with A/C, hot water

v All meals onboard

v Complimentary mineral water

v Complimentary morning tea and coffee

v Welcome drink

v Tai Chi

v Cookery demonstrations (on request)

v Entrance and sightseeing fees

v Kayaking

v Fishing equipment

v English speaking guide

EXCLUSIVE OF ABOVE PRICES:

v Private car (upon request)

v Beauty Spa and massage

v Additional drinks

v Tips and other personal expenses

v All other services not clearly mentioned above

CHILDREN POLICY:

v Only one child under 4 years old free of charge, sharing fully-paid cabin, limited to one children per cabin.

v Children aged from 4 -11 years old will be charged 75% of adult price, sharing fully-paid cabin, limited to one children per cabin.

v Children from 12 years old will be charged as the same as adults.

v Baby cots available free of charge for every cabin - on request

v Terms and conditions about our family Suite (1 double bed, 1 single bed) for 3 adult

v 3 adults and child under 4 years old . Child no charge

v 3 adults and child 4-11 years. Charge of 75% for child

v 2 adults and child from 12 years old. Child full cost

WHAT TO BRING:

v Sun block

v Camera + Film

v Insect repellent

v Original Passport

v A wide brimmed hat

v Swimming costume

v Sun glasses

NOTES:

v Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, tide levels and operating conditions.

v Surcharge 25% on Lunar New Year, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve