Hermes Cruise is an 18-cabin overnight vessel offering a classic Halong Bay itinerary with Luon Cave, Titov Island and Sung Sot Cave. Its private balconies and choice of cabin layouts make it worth considering if you want a smaller cabin count and organized sightseeing, with time aboard between excursions.
Check that your quote is for this vessel: Hermes Premium is a separate cruise, and its facilities should not be assumed to apply here. The main decisions are your room and bedding, one night versus two, and whether transport and any facilities important to you are included.
How the cabins compare
Hermes advertises cabins from 28 to 64 square meters, with private balconies. The Junior and Senior categories give a useful starting point for comparing deck position and usable space.
- Junior Suite: on the first floor, with a published room area of 28 square meters and a separate 7-square-meter balcony. Double or twin bedding, a jacuzzi bath and shower are listed.
- Senior Suite: on the second floor, with a published room area of 30 square meters and a separate 7-square-meter balcony. Double or twin bedding, a jacuzzi bath and shower are also listed.
- Triple and family categories: options include triple cabins and connecting configurations. Request the exact bed arrangement and the number of separate rooms before comparing prices.
- Royal and President categories: ask for the individual layout, terrace and included benefits. An upgrade should be assessed by the space and access you will actually use.
For a family, confirm whether the quote provides separate beds, an extra bed or a child sharing an existing bed. A connecting arrangement uses two adjoining cabins; it is not the same as putting everyone in a single larger room. Send the children’s ages and total party size when requesting availability.
What the two-day, one-night trip includes
The standard short itinerary starts from Tuan Chau and visits three of Halong Bay’s established sightseeing stops. It suits a first visit when you want both a cave on land and an excursion in a small boat.
- First afternoon: lunch aboard, followed by Luon Cave by kayak or locally rowed boat and a visit to Titov Island.
- Evening: return to the vessel for deck time, a cooking demonstration and dinner. Squid fishing is an optional evening activity; a catch is never assured.
- Final morning: Tai Chi if you wish, breakfast and Sung Sot Cave, followed by cabin checkout and brunch before returning to port.
Titov gives you a choice between the beach area and the climb to the viewpoint. Sung Sot involves substantial stairs, while Luon requires boarding a kayak or small rowed boat. Tell the crew if you want to sit out a stop and confirm the waiting arrangements; the presence of a balcony cabin does not make the excursions step-free.
One night contains an afternoon, evening and following morning aboard, with meals and activities scheduled around them. If your priority is long uninterrupted time in your room, check that this pace suits you before paying for a cabin upgrade.
What changes on the three-day, two-night trip?
The longer stay adds a middle-day excursion on a separate day boat, with lunch served there before you return to Hermes. It gives you more sightseeing time, but should not be booked on the assumption that you spend the entire extra day using your overnight cabin.
The detailed program includes the Trinh Nu area and Three Peaches, also called Ba Trai Dao, for water activities. Confirm the named stops and any pearl-farm or additional cave visit for your sailing date. Weather, local permissions and the day-boat program can affect the route.
If you prefer to remain on the main vessel, ask whether that is possible and what meals and crew arrangements apply. For families or travelers needing rest between activities, this answer may matter more than the number of places listed in the itinerary.
Relaxation spaces and facilities to check
The restaurant, bar, sundeck and spa offer ways to spend time aboard outside the excursions. Spa treatments are an additional expense unless your written package says otherwise.
If a swimming pool or gym is central to your choice, request details for the exact Hermes vessel and cabin you are booking. Ask whether the water facility is a swimming pool or a jacuzzi, whether it is shared, and whether access is restricted to particular suites. Do not use photographs or specifications from Hermes Premium to decide.
Wi-Fi can be intermittent away from the mainland. Download travel documents before departure and avoid relying on the connection for meetings or time-sensitive work.
Meals and dietary requests
The cruise program includes meals aboard, with Vietnamese and international dishes. Vegetarian and vegan arrangements are offered by advance request, but you should describe what you eat rather than rely only on a dietary label.
For a strict requirement, specify ingredients you avoid and ask the booking team to confirm preparation arrangements before payment. A vegetarian option does not automatically establish allergen-free preparation, Halal certification or suitability for a Jain diet. On a two-night trip, include the separate day-boat lunch in that conversation.
Transfers, extra costs and booking terms
Hermes uses its waiting lounge at No. 20, Tuan Chau Marina. Follow the arrival appointment on your voucher. If you need help boarding, ask how passengers reach the ship on your departure and what assistance can be provided.
The operator’s cruise-only fare excludes the Hanoi–Halong road transfer, even though the sample itinerary describes hotel pickup. Shared transport can be added; confirm your hotel’s pickup eligibility or the meeting point if you are staying outside the Old Quarter.
- Compare the complete quote: cabin category, occupancy, meals, sightseeing fees, activities and road transport.
- Allow for extras: drinks, massage and any services outside the selected package.
- Get written terms: payment schedule, cancellation charges and the arrangements for weather-related changes should come from the seller handling your booking.
Hermes is a useful option to assess for its smaller cabin count and classic Halong route. Choose it when the actual room, excursion pace and confirmed facilities match your trip. To compare different vessels and cabin packages available through Hai Phong Tours, browse the Halong Bay cruise options.