Athena 2D1N Cruise: Ha Long Bay, Sung Sot, Ti Top

The tour guide was very thorough in explaining the activities on the itinerary and was also very attentive, checking in with each table during meals. The staff on the cruise ship were also excellent; they provided detailed explanations of the attractions when we visited them and answered all traveler questions clearly without being vague. The cruise ship's facilities were good. This was my first time experiencing a cruise, and overall, it was a fantastic experience.

The price was quite reasonable, and the two-day, one-night itinerary wasn't too rushed. We had lunch after boarding the boat, then immediately went to explore Surprise Cave. While we weren't too tired, we also had time to play on a nearby beach for a bit. We returned to the boat around sunset, and after a shower, there was a spring roll making class. We ate spring rolls while watching the sunset. If spring rolls weren't to your taste, dinner was served on the boat shortly after. Following dinner was the night squid fishing activity (which was more for the experience, as we didn't catch anything). The next morning, after waking up, we went kayaking. If you didn't want to get wet, you could take a boat, but that cost extra. After brunch, we headed back to downtown Hanoi. The itinerary was quite full but not overly rushed. The room was spacious, but the TV was broken and couldn't be watched. The water pressure in the shower wasn't very strong, which was a minor inconvenience. However, overall, it was worth the price, and the food quality was decent. Value for money: Quite good Service: Good service

The experience on this trip was excellent. Both the customer service and the cruise staff spoke very good English, making communication smooth. They frequently checked in to see how our experience was going. Since I only have Line and not WhatsApp, customer service specifically asked the cruise staff to provide extra assistance to us. The facilities on the cruise were clean and well-maintained, and the meals were all delicious. Watching the sunset from the cruise in the evening was absolutely beautiful! I'm very happy to have been part of this itinerary.

The whole experience from pick-up until departure was excellent. The whole team of Athena has done their best to ensure we have incredible stay and experience. The cabin is comfortable. Food is ample, buffets for lunch and brunch. set dinner was well presented and tasty. Itinerary kayakking is good too. Love the taichi exercise in the morning. Overall, it is a luxury experience.

My original booking for the Athena cruise was pending, and I was worried about whether it would actually happen. That's when SSTtravel in Vietnam immediately contacted me through the contact information I had left on their website. The representative who contacted me, Ms. Mie, was professional and efficient in her communication and coordination with me. She clearly explained the upcoming arrangements and put my mind at ease through various means, ensuring I understood everything. Concerned that I might not be able to go, she suggested changing cruises. I initially worried this was just a sales tactic, but it turned out I was wrong. The cruise Mie changed me to was more than worth the money, and she didn't even charge me the difference. The transportation arrangements and the service on the cruise were both absolutely perfect. I thought I would have to get up early to go to the meeting point, but to my surprise, they sent a car to pick us up at the hotel. Another pleasant surprise was that, even though they had said the return transportation would only take us to the Old Quarter, they actually dropped us off right at our hotel door. I highly recommend this itinerary and service to everyone. Thank you again 🙏 to Mie and all the staff for their thoughtfulness and care for the customer. I will definitely be booking with this high-quality travel agency again in the future.

I was actually changed from Athena to Alisa. I was concerned with the pre-trip change, but it was handled well. The transfer was excellent, faster getting there than getting back. Coach was clean and good temp. As far as the Alisa itself, words cannot express the quality and service of this cruise. The rooms (private balconies ) and public areas were immaculate, and the food and beverages top quality. What really made this booking the best was the people. From the man in charge to the women keeping the boat clean and the rooms nice, everything was top notch. The actual staff we interacted with the most were so personal and inclusive, it was as if friends were accommodating us. We had the opportunity to sit down a bit with one of the staff members, Viet, who gave us some background on his life in Vietnam, from growing up to current. To me, this is what makes a holiday so special, learning about and interacting with people. I was hoping we didn't get him in trouble in our conversation, but it's things like this that make the difference from other service providers. I want to thank Viet and all the staff for making this such a special overnight trip away from the city. We opted not to go kayaking or hiking, but stayed on the boat and put our feet up and relaxed. I loved that this was an option, and I truly needed the quiet time. Thank you to the staff on the ALISA for such a great trip! Not sure why the request for review was not changed from the Athena to the Alisa.

This genuinely felt like a VIP cruise, not a standard tourist tour. The ship, service, and overall organization were on a very high level. The entire staff was extremely kind, attentive, and professional. As a vegan, I was honestly impressed by how large and thoughtful the food selection was. Important: make sure to inform them in advance, it really makes a difference. The only minor downside is that we didn’t sail that much. We reached the main spot within 1–2 hours and then stayed anchored there until the next day. Still, the overall experience easily outweighs this nuance. Highly recommended.

Service: 1. The local travel shuttle service is very thoughtful. As long as you are in the old town, the shuttle is very convenient. The tour leader also helps with luggage retrieval, reducing the burden. 2. The food and beverage on the cruise ship should also be liked by Asians, blending Western/Vietnamese/some Chinese styles. 3. The explanations at each attraction are given in English at a slower pace, and you can ask questions and consult again. With basic English listening skills, you can have a lot of fun. 4. Spending the evening on the boat was the most beautiful experience of this Halong Bay trip, releasing a lot of work pressure. Even on a rainy day, it is still beautiful. Itinerary Arrangement: Although it was a rainy day, I felt meticulous care especially during the indoor Surprise Cave tour, with raincoats provided. The detailed explanation was full of novelty and imagination. The cruise tour leader and related personnel also assist each passenger in boarding and disembarking, and pay special attention to each passenger in more dangerous places, and take practical care. Value for Money: The travel agency starts assisting and caring for travelers after the itinerary is booked. Vietnam's strength in service makes me feel beyond expectations and perfect, surpassing Taiwan. Coupled with the natural scenic advantages, I think it is worth coming again and entrusting the service.

This was an amazing and value for money experience. Our guide was cheerful and had clear communication. The team did a good job getting us to all the attractions first ahead of other tour boats, allowing us to enjoy them before they got flooded by a hoard of other tourists. Food was fresh and had a good variety too.

The driver only notified the pick-up time at around 9pm the previous night, but arrived on time that morning. Thanks to Chien, Son, Kelvin and other crew members of Athena for giving us a relaxing sea vacation. They are all very friendly! The bus from Hanoi was very comfortable, and there was a half-hour break during the journey, so the journey was not unbearable. The food on the boat is delicious, the activities are not too tight, and there is enough rest time between activities. You have to queue up to go up the mountain to the Surprise Cave, and climbing up the mountain to TiTop Island is a bit tiring, but the scenery is beautiful. There is a Happy Hour on the boat at dusk, with buy one get one free drinks. At the same time, you can learn how to make rice paper rolls and watch the sunset on the deck. It is really fun. The canoeing time on the second morning started at around 7 o'clock, and the advantage was that there was no sun. On the return trip, the bus will be delivered to the hotel entrance, which is very considerate. I highly recommend Athena!