Day 22: In a Bay of a Thousand Islands

• From - To: Paradise Suites Hotel – Doris Cruise

• Distance: 3,5 km, 0:07h

• Route: to Gate 17 (Doris Cruise)

• Accommodation: Doris Cruise, Junior Suite Sea View with Private Balcony 261 Eur for 2-day and 1-night cruise, full board, drinks à la carte

My visit to Ha Long was not just for the Bai Chai Bridge. Ha Long is arguably Vietnam's most famous tourist destination, renowned for its UNESCO-protected, enchanting bay, where around 2.000 karst limestone pillars rise from the water. The best way to appreciate the bay's beauty is by booking a 1 or 2-night cruise. Although I opted for a one-night option, it was the most expensive stay I had in Vietnam. Understandably so, as this was not just any hotel but a five-star cruise ship with luxuriously furnished rooms, a restaurant, two bars, and a spacious jacuzzi at the bow. The restaurant's menu was equally five-star, and the service was exemplary. I don't recall ever being so well looked after, with just the right amount of attention and without any intrusiveness. Choosing Doris Cruise turned out to be a successful decision, although initially, I had planned for a different ship...

While planning my route in Lithuania using booking.com, I had selected a different cruise – Halong Dragon Bay Cruise. It was a four-star vessel offering a 2-day and 1-night cruise with an All-Inclusive package. I thought 204 EUR for an all-inclusive deal was a good price, and that was my main reason for choosing this cruise. To be honest, I wasn't planning to indulge in free drinks all night; it was the idea of an All-Inclusive package that attracted me. I hoped to leave my wallet behind and not worry about the typical high extra charges on such cruises. But... five days before the cruise, I received an excited message via WhatsApp from the manager of Halong Dragon Bay Cruise, congratulating me on my choice, etc. However, one part of the message mentioned a happy hour where you get a second drink for free with each purchase. Strange. All-Inclusive, but there's a happy hour? Maybe these were special imported drinks? But then, that should have been clearly stated.

I queried the manager about this. They replied that their All-Inclusive meant that food was included, but drinks were not. Not even water was included. I pointed out that my booking confirmation stated All-Inclusive and explained what that entails. A few hours later, they admitted a mistake had occurred. I asked whose mistake it was. They simply said it was a mistake and that I would have to pay extra... I filed a complaint with booking.com, asking them to resolve the issue since I had their confirmation for All-Inclusive. After three days with no response (though they claimed to respond within three days), I sent a reminder. On the fourth day, they tersely told me to deal with the service provider, i.e., Halong Dragon Bay Cruise. I understood that booking.com hadn't written All-Inclusive, but I had hoped they would handle customer issues more effectively. After receiving confirmation that there would be no cancellation penalties, I canceled Halong Dragon Bay Cruise and chose Doris Cruise.

From this ordeal, I concluded that Halong Dragon Bay Cruise lists All-Inclusive to entice customers from over 60 similar options (there were 68 on booking.com for my dates). Then they come up with "oh, our All-Inclusive isn't actually all-inclusive..." Avoid Halong Dragon Bay Cruise. It's better to pay an extra 50 EUR and opt for a five-star experience. It's truly worth it, including the part of Ha Long Bay where the more expensive cruise ships go. Location in Ha Long Bay matters greatly, as all the cheaper options crowd into the nearest bays, while Doris Cruise heads to a more secluded, peaceful area, away from the karaoke cacophony.

Doris Cruise had kayaks available at no extra cost. Before sunset, all interested cruise passengers could kayak to an island where the 2005 "King Kong" movie with Naomi Watts was filmed. Kong and Naomi were no longer there, but with a little recollection from the film and some imagination – it was very enjoyable!