I just had a two-day trip to Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay on the Mon Cheri Cruise, and it was just brilliant! With only 200 USD, I was totally immersed in the picturesque scene while enjoying a 5-star cruise experience, particularly the Elegance Suite Balcony. Keep in mind that this price did not include the charge for transportation from Hanoi to Halong.
But how can it be so surprisingly cheap? The answer is that I booked the Mon Cheri Cruise on www.bestpricetravel.com. After looking at many reviews on TripAdvisor and Trustpilot, I decided to land on it, and the agency did not disappoint me.
What was the ship like?
Launched in 2018, Mon Cheri Cruise has a modern design mixed with classic luxury. Overall, the suites are quite large, ranging from 35m2 to 90m2. Our room is 40m2 wide, fully equipped, and offers comfortable space for two. It also has a private balcony and a bathtub facing the bay.
What makes me appreciate the ship is the Infinity pool decorated with two stainless artificial waterfalls. With an integrated jacuzzi, all my pressure faded away as I soaked myself in the pool and admired the scenery.
The dining space combines a luxury, cozy, and modern atmosphere with views of picturesque scenery. Also, there is a mini golf course that is not that challenging and is only wide enough to accommodate 6 – 7 holes.
For those who want to stay fit on vacation, there is a fitness room on the top deck. However, it would be better if the gym was soundproofing, as it annoyed me a little.
What was the food like?
On our 2-day-1-night cruise, the restaurant serves 4 meals on board, including lunch and dinner on the first day, breakfast and brunch on the second day. With a great fusion of Vietnamese, Asian, and European cuisine, the highlight concentrates on Asian dishes.
The food manager was very nice and accommodating with dietary restrictions. On Mon Cheri, you can be served several special menus, like Indian food, Kosher, Vegetarian food, and Halal food. What a great news for Muslims!
As a vegan, I tried some vegetarian dishes, and I had to say that the food here was extremely tasty. I loved the way these attentive chefs combined the fresh ingredients harmoniously and put in a delicate concept.
If there was one thing that made me feel unsatisfied, it would be breakfast. I ate the dishes that did not match my taste due to the option limitation, which somehow reduced my mood.
What was the staff like?
The crew members were so professional and provided excellent service. I encountered courteous and attentive staff who provided exceptional service, making sure we always had everything we needed.
They helped me transfer luggage from the terminal to the ship and carefully disseminated information. I even saw a staff member come and try to help an old Vietnamese passenger clearly understand the rules. They also gave us insights into the local culture and geography during the trip. Despite some English limitations, they were well-qualified to meet high standards of service.
Which activities are included?
For me, the activities provided by Mon Cheri were nothing special but perfect. I was immersed in every moment and learned many new things. Here are some typical activities that met my expectations.
Kayaking at Dark & Bright Cave
This was absolutely a must-do on every Lan Ha Bay cruise! Kayaking in Dark & Bright Cave was like stepping into a landscape painting. Both caves boast beautiful limestone formations, including stalactites that hang from the ceiling and stalagmites that rise from the floor.
The Dark Cave is about 70 meters long, so it’s restricted to access. The Bright Cave faces south and gets plenty of sunlight, making the interior much brighter. The sunlight paints the water emerald and illuminates the cave formations. Enjoying the tranquil ambiance and vibrant scene really rids me of daily life.
Vietnamese cooking class
At twilight, I had an opportunity to join a cooking class in the dining room. It was very interactive, as I could gain hands-on experience making spring rolls. Also, chatting with the humorous chef makes me enjoyable and exciting.
While other members were making their own food, I was quite confused which ingredients I should put in the rice paper. After 5 minutes, I could finish mine, thanks to some references. However, I did not roll it correctly, so the product was quite loose. Anyway, it was decent enough for me to savor the delicious dish I had prepared.
Final thoughts
After this trip, I can undoubtedly say that this is one of the best cruises I have ever had. I swear that everything is so decent that I yearn to be on the cruise forever. With the entry level from 175 USD, Mon Cheri gave me a chance to enjoy the 5-star services and learn new things from unique activities.
Please leave your comments below to share your experience of cruising in Halong Bay and Vietnam.
