Overall the standard of the boat is nice and it is very spacious. So the quality of the boat is very good.
Food and drinks
The 4* of the cruise is not just based on the standard of the ship – but of the quality of the food as well. I found the food absolute fantastic.
Breakfast is served buffet style, with a variety of items like eggs, bacon, soup, rice, toast and jam served. It is a nice start of the day.
Lunch on arrival and departure day is served as well – with a mix of buffet items and served food. The mix of spring rolls, sop, seafood, fish and noodles was just delicious.
If you do the three-day cruise you will get lunch on day two on the day boat. It is a bit more simple, with seafood, fish, vegetables and meat, but nonetheless very good and very tasty.
The highlight though is dinner. It can only be described as amazing, superb, awesome and delicious. It was a seven course meal, with the theme being how the food was served at the royal court – using only food from the sea, including fish, prawns, crab, squid and other sea food – served in a very imaginative way. If you do not like seafood or fish, a combination of pork & chicken dishes as well as vegetables can be served. If you stay for two nights, this will be your second dinner. It is tasty, but cannot compare to the royal meal served during night 1.
Except of tea and coffee drinks are not included in the price. You can order at the bar, and pay at the end of the cruise. The prices are not as cheap as in Hanoi, but not too expensive either. I paid around $15 for three days. If you drink wine it will be more expensive. Though if you buy a bottle they will store it for you if you do not finish it.
Itinerary
Most cruises will have similar itineraries for a 2 day trip – but it varies a lot for 3 day cruises. Some will include more activities like rock climbing, while others focus on exploring the Bay. The Viola cruise does the latter, which I prefered.
The itinerary looked like that:
Day 1: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Cua Van Floating Village – Soi Sim Beach
Day 2: Viola Cruise – Day & Night Grotto – Ho Dong Tien Cave
Day 3: Viola Cruise – Sung Sot Cave – Halong Bay – Hanoi
The combination of caves and seeing the bay as well as some kayaking was perfect for me. It gives you a great impression of Halong Bay.
On day 2 you won’t be on the Viola boat, but on a smaller day boat. If you are with a small group it is actually ok, with some comfortable loungers on the top deck, and seats and tables on the lower deck. I didn’t mind being on that little boat – as long I got my comfortable loungers to watch the scenery.