Emperor Cruises Experience 2 Days 1 Night in Halong Bay.

Just simply amazing !

It was absolutely amazing. We didn’t expect to be doing so many activities but it was just lovely. The food was the best we have had so far on our Trip. The whole staff: Chi, Chey Nam, Captain Hoang and most importantly our guide Karen where so nice the whole trip and made the experience even better than it already was. The atmosphere was astonishing and we only stayed one night but it was great. Would definitely recommend!!

Response from the operator: Xin chào, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for choosing Emperor Cruises. We are delighted to hear that your journey exceeded your expectations and that you enjoyed the wide variety of activities on board. It is especially rewarding to know that what began as a one-night cruise turned into such a memorable experience. We are thrilled that you found the food to be the best you had during your trip. Our culinary team takes great pride in showcasing the finest flavors of Vietnamese cuisine, and your kind words are a wonderful encouragement to them. Your special recognition of Chi, Chey Nam, Captain Hoang, and especially Karen means a great deal to us. They will be delighted to know that their warmth, professionalism, and genuine hospitality helped make your journey even more enjoyable. We will be sure to share your thoughtful compliments with them and the entire crew. Thank you also for your kind words about the atmosphere on board. At Emperor Cruises, we strive to create an elegant and relaxing environment where every guest can enjoy both the beauty of Ha Long Bay and the warmth of Vietnamese hospitality. Thank you once again for your generous recommendation. It was a pleasure to welcome you on board, and we sincerely hope to have the opportunity to host you again in the future—perhaps for a longer voyage, allowing you to discover even more of the breathtaking beauty of Ha Long Bay. Warm regards, Emperor Cruises Legacy Halong Team

via Tripadvisor

Cannot recommend this cruise company and shop enough

My husband and I had an AMAZING time on the Emperor Cruise. We had originally booked the Heritage ship for Lan Ha Bay but they likely didn't have enough people to sail so we were put on Emperor Cruises and was notified a week or so before the trip with the option of continuing with the holiday. We were given ample communication (2x) prior to the cruise starting via WhatsApp about our driver (we paid the $110usd additional for round trip transport and was well worth it - our first limousine bus had a massage chair option). The driver was a bit rude and abrupt but that was definitely a personality thing and not to do with the company. Now WHERE DO I BEGIN? From the outside the shop looked lovely and normal - nothing so amazing. But you walk in and you're greeted with this extravagant and beautifully crafted staircase with little opulently decorated rooms surrounding - a feast for your eyes if Ive seen. Will (Nam) was our tour guide and excursion leader and was amazing, informative, and funny. He was genuinely passionate about the Bay and was a Vivunam specialist. Karen was the first person we met and she was absolutely lovely, friendly and did everything she could to support us on the trip. One thing about the ship is that the staff were attentive and did EVERYTHING under the sun to make our experience lovely. There was Duy, Ben, Chi, Captain Ta, Jenny who served us food and did cooking lessons. I loved how each staff member was dedicated to something like for example Will was our overall guide but Duy did the cooking and squid fishing activities, and Jenny and Chi were the wait staff it was well organised. We were joined by one more lovely couple on the cruise and we had slight bit frequent opportunities to interact which made it so pleasant. We stayed in the King Suite (70sqm) and it had that wow effect from start to end. Never have I stayed in such an opulent room and this was definitely a nod to their 5 star reputation. I also read one of the books in the room about the Emperor Bao Dai who inspired the cruise and it's a simple easy read (maybe an hour) and if you're so inclined to read it it provides some great commentary about the last emperor and how he lived. The details in the room were screaming luxury - we had an old timey telephone (I frankly didn't know how to use it and tried to dial reception to no avail), one of those phonograms, a fancy spa jacuzzi and so many chairs I felt shy not having anyone to entertain. The food is something I have to mention - Chef Thao was a thing of legend and every dish he sent out was a favourite of mine. My husband is not one to try new things but he loved every plate and especially the jellyfish salad that we had on the first day (I changed to chicken). Even if all you do is just eat, you would have gotten your money's worth I cannot stress how amazing the food was in both quantity and quality. I spent a large time planning this holiday and especially this cruise part and looked into so many different ships and cruise companies and Emperor is not widely known but i cannot imagine anyone saying anything bad about it that's how much we enjoyed our stay. We booked via Halong Bay Tours.

Response from the operator: Xin chào, Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a detailed and heartfelt review. We are absolutely delighted to hear that your experience aboard Emperor Cruises exceeded your expectations and became such a memorable highlight of your travels in Vietnam. While we understand that the change from Heritage Cruises to Emperor Cruises was unexpected, we are grateful that you chose to continue your journey with us and are thrilled that it proved to be such a rewarding experience. Your description of the ship, the atmosphere on board, and the Emperor Suite truly warms our hearts. Every detail of Emperor Cruises has been carefully designed to reflect the elegance and lifestyle of Emperor Bao Dai, and it is wonderful to know that you appreciated both the historical inspiration and the luxurious touches throughout your stay. We are especially grateful for your recognition of our team. Karen, Nam (Will), Duy, Ben, Chi, Jenny, Captain Ta, and the entire crew will be delighted to hear your kind words. Delivering genuine hospitality and creating meaningful experiences for our guests is what inspires us every day, and it is incredibly rewarding to know that their dedication made such a positive impact on your journey. A special thank you as well for your compliments to Chef Thao. Our culinary team takes great pride in creating memorable dining experiences, and knowing that every meal became a highlight for both you and your husband is the highest praise we could receive. It means so much to us that after carefully researching so many cruise options, you found Emperor Cruises to be worthy of your trust and recommendation. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your Vietnam adventure. We sincerely hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back on board one day for another unforgettable voyage through the beautiful bays of Northern Vietnam. Warm regards, Emperor Cruises Legacy Halong Team

via Tripadvisor

Wonderful trip

My experience with Emperor Cruises was extraordinary. The first thing that impressed me was the accommodation. The rooms on Emperor Cruises are absolutely stunning. They are incredibly spacious, beautifully decorated, and thoughtfully designed with a combination of classic royal elegance and modern luxury. Every detail inside the room feels premium, from the polished wooden interiors and elegant furniture to the luxurious bedding and artistic decorations inspired by Vietnamese royal heritage. Another thing I absolutely loved about Emperor Cruises was the ship's spacious atmosphere. Every public area was designed with elegance and openness in mind, allowing guests to fully relax and enjoy the beauty of the bay in complete comfort. The sundeck was large and comfortable, offering plenty of space to sit and admire the spectacular scenery. The atmosphere on the deck was always peaceful and breathtaking. The dining area was also impressive. The restaurant had an elegant design with panoramic views of the bay, making every meal feel like a luxury dining experience. The lounges and bar areas were also spacious, beautifully decorated, and perfect for relaxing throughout the journey. The food on Emperor Cruises exceeded all my expectations. Every meal felt like dining in a fine-dining restaurant. I was especially impressed by the variety of dishes offered throughout the cruise. The menu perfectly combined Vietnamese cuisine with international flavors. From fresh seafood and flavorful Vietnamese dishes to premium steaks, soups, and desserts, every meal was memorable.

Response from the operator: Xin chào, Thank you so much for your incredibly thoughtful and detailed review. We are truly honored to know that your experience with Emperor Cruises was such an extraordinary one. Reading your reflections on the design, atmosphere, and culinary journey on board means a great deal to our entire team, as every detail of the experience has been carefully crafted to create a sense of elegance, comfort, and connection to Vietnamese heritage. We are especially delighted that you appreciated the spaciousness and royal-inspired design of your accommodation. The blend of classical Vietnamese elegance with modern luxury is an important part of the Emperor Cruises identity, and it is wonderful to know these details helped make your stay feel both refined and memorable. Your kind words about the public spaces on board are also deeply appreciated. From the sundeck and lounges to the panoramic restaurant, we always hope guests can fully immerse themselves in the beauty and tranquility of the bay while enjoying a relaxed and luxurious atmosphere throughout the journey. We are equally thrilled that the culinary experience exceeded your expectations. Our chefs and culinary team will be delighted to know that the combination of Vietnamese flavors, fresh seafood, and international cuisine helped create such memorable dining moments for you. Thank you once again for choosing Emperor Cruises and for taking the time to share such generous feedback. It was a true pleasure to welcome you on board, and we sincerely hope to have the opportunity to host you again for another unforgettable voyage in Ha Long Bay. Warm regards, Emperor Cruises Legacy Halong Team

via Tripadvisor

PERFECTION. The greatest experience of our honeymoon.

My husband and I had a glorious time on this cruise during our honeymoon. After having trouble finding a well-reviewed experience through TripAdvisor, we asked our hotel in Hanoi to find a suitable company for us. they really delivered. From the seamless arrival, well-curated schedule and excursions, outstanding food, and the most incredible Emperor's Suite, we could not have felt more loved. The service was over the top, by staff who religiously attended to our needs. The room itself was bonkers -- just absolutely opulent, impeccably clean and comfortable, filled with elaborate details and luxuries. We spent three weeks in Southeast Asia, but our single night aboard this ship was our most memorable experience. Loved every minute of it. My only recommendation would be to stay longer! THANK YOU to the incredible staff, guides and chefs for the experience of a lifetime.

Response from the operator: Xin chào, Thank you so much for your beautiful and heartfelt review. We are truly honored that you chose to spend part of your honeymoon with us, and even more touched to know that your time on board became one of the most memorable experiences of your entire Southeast Asia journey. It’s wonderful to hear that every aspect of your stay — from the seamless arrival and thoughtfully curated excursions to the cuisine and service — helped make your experience feel so special. Knowing that the Emperor’s Suite exceeded your expectations and provided such comfort, elegance, and unforgettable moments means a great deal to us. Your kind words about our team are deeply appreciated. Creating an atmosphere where guests feel genuinely cared for and welcomed is at the heart of what we do, and we are delighted that this was reflected throughout your stay. There is no greater compliment than hearing that your only wish was for more time on board. Thank you once again for allowing us to be part of such a meaningful chapter in your lives. We sincerely hope to welcome you back in the future for another unforgettable voyage. Warm regards, Emperor Cruises Legacy Halong Team

via Tripadvisor

Emperor Cruise - Horrible Experience and Customer Service

AVOID Emperor Cruises or Heritage Cruises for Halong Bay. I had booked the 2 day-1 night option for Emperor Cruise after months of saving money to spend a part of my honeymoon in Halong Bay. Our booking was for Apr 22nd. They had a storm coming in that evening and couldn't receive a permit to sail so I thought we would get lunch and the rest of the trip would be cancelled and we would get a refund. However, they said they would transfer us to their sister ship and give us equivalent rooms and an equivalent experience to the one we booked and that corporate had already sent us an email informing us of the changes. However, no email ever arrived. There was only a brief announcement to everyone that we were being transferred. After our lunch on the Emperor Cruise, they had us board a transfer boat with all our luggage. Arriving at the new ship, Heritage Cruises, it was clear that it was a much lower quality ship and the room my husband and I were given was 1/3 the size of the room that was provided on the Emperor Cruise. The service was much poorer, and the walls, furnishings, and dishware were damaged and dirty on the Heritage Cruise. There were leaks in the ceiling of the Heritage that was causing puddles on the ground. I understand that the unpredictable weather can cause changes in the itinerary but they switched our entire ship, giving us a lower quality experience, and did not give us proper information to make a decision to cancel prior to the transfer. The cruise overall has good reviews and I believe that our cruise on the Emperor would have been great if the weather was better. Looking at the negative reviews from other people, though, I can see that if anything goes wrong, Lux Cruises Group will not take any responsibility and will blame the customer despite issues caused by their lack of communication and disorganization. From my personal experience while trying to receive a refund, they will make misleading and false statements to deny any accountability. I hope this saves someone else from a disappointing experience and losing money.

via Tripadvisor