Halong Bai Tu Long Bay Overnight Cruise - Away from the Crowds

Great cruise!

Great cruise, the staff of the boat is very kind is attentive even when we have trouble speaking English. The guides are great too and everything is very well organized. You can trust them with your eyes closed.

via Viator (translated)

Excellent Service and Views

Fantastic Views of the Islands of Ha Long Bay. Excellent Food And Service on Board. Vinh, our Cruise Director, was very informative.

via Tripadvisor

Just don't book with them

We booked a tour with BC Family tours of Bai Tu Long/Halong bay and used the link from the TripAdvisor website. If we can warn one person not to book with this firm we will feel we’ve helped. We checked the reviews and they look ok, but this was not our experience at all. We went to Bai Tu Long bay and were put on the wrong boat. This is after a pick-up in a very old dilapidated bus from Hanoi, with a driver who drove terribly and actually crashed through a barrier on the toll road, but that’s only the beginning. We specifically asked them to send us pictures of the boat before we booked and they did so and confirmed that this was the actual boat we would go on. When we got there we were taken by small motor-boat and put on a much older boat with less facilities. We wanted to get off immediately and cancel but were told that this was not possible as the speed boat had gone (they could have sent it back for us). We rang BC tours straight away and they acknowledged this was the wrong boat but said there was nothing they could do and we had to stay on that boat. We were really upset as this had been a trip we had been looking forward to for a long time. We had booked and paid for a deluxe cabin on a really nice boat - this boat did not even have deluxe cabins. Eventually BC said they would process a partial refund due to the cabin being a standard not a deluxe as paid for, but it does not excuse the different than promised, much-more run down and older, dilapidated boat. They still charged us for the more expensive boat that we did not go on and have not refunded anything anyway, so they lied about that too. There was another couple on the boat who had booked a state cabin for their honeymoon also on a more expensive boat and had also been sent photos of it, so obviously this is not a one-off situation. They were really furious. We paid through PayPal and the invoice was headed as being invoiced from Trip Advisor so we guess they use this to appear more trustworthy, unless they really do represent Trip Advisor. Their representative Daisy said that she hoped we didn’t think they were trying to cheat us, but let’s think – we paid and were confirmed for an expensive cabin on an expensive, luxury boat and ended up in a bargain-basement boat which doesn’t even have deluxe cabins and there’s been no refund. Your words Daisy and we think the description fits the situation. Sounds like they’ve been here before. After the trip, BC Tours gave us details of a supposed manager called Tony and he WhatsApped us to say he would look at this. He has not been back in contact since then despite many messages from us to him asking for an update. The other staff have also stopped responding to mails and messages. I have even asked the question on their TripAdvisor Q&A page and there is no reply. The tour of Bai Tu Long/Halong bay was ruined for us. We did not want to go on a cheap boat and would have waited until the tour we booked was available. However, we are being reasonable and not demanding a refund of the full trip, but we do want a refund from what we paid to the amount it would have cost on the cheaper boat and cheaper cabin. We checked the price of this on the day of the tour and confirmed this with the tour leader on the boat. No response at all from this firm and having read a few other reviews, this seems to be their usual way to do business. We are disgusted with the lack of customer service provided by BC Tours Vietnam and so disappointed. We don’t think they should be allowed to use the Trip Advisor name on the invoice when booking, unless of course, Trip Advisor are happy to take responsibility for them. If we can dissuade one person from booking with this firm, we’ll feel a bit better. That way our horrible experience can stop someone making the same mistake. Just don’t book with them.

Response from the operator: Hello, Some people try every way to get a refund. Some people want to travel for free. All those people need to know our regulations. Especially your friends/family should also know whether your actions are right or wrong. We know that we and the local people need to learn and improve every day. We are certainly not perfect. After more than 10 years of implementing this unique program, we have clear regulations: Rule 1. We have provided a detailed schedule for passengers. Rule 2. Our travel experts and guides are available 24/7 to assist you with any questions or issues. If you don't like something, please let us know so we can support and resolve it for you to have a wonderful and private vacation. We always proactively ask passengers how they feel about their trip. Rule 3. Some people demand a refund and if not, they leave a bad review. We have resolved any issues that arise under Rule 2. We are very happy to receive sincere feedback to help us provide you with a wonderful stay and help us improve our services day by day. According to our regulations, those who demand a refund and if not, leave a bad review will not receive any refund in exchange for a review. Thank you, John

via Tripadvisor

Bai tu long cruise with bcfamilytour.com: unique experiences!

We had a good time in our Vietnam trip. Clean room, nice people and good facility. Overall it’s a good value for your money. Would stay there again once I’m back. We booked directly through Bcfamilytour.com with cheaper price and more flexibility. Recommend you do that too. We also did many tours with them, really good like Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long cruise, homestay with local in Sapa as well as motorbike trip from Hue to Hoi An and Mekong Delta cruise to Cambodia... No worries staying with Bc family, they have it all:)

via Tripadvisor