Vietnam forum

Cristina Cruise, Halong Bay

RenaG

newbie
Posts: 2

Hi- is anyone familiar with Cristina Cruise? It was recommended by my hotel and I just want to make sure it will be a nice experience b/c I've read some horror stories!It is a mid-range cruise.

Thanks!

#1 Posted: 10/11/2009 - 12:13
debeerj

newbie
Posts: 1

Posted from within Vietnam.

did you use Cristina cruise in the end? its just been recommended to us by our hotel too... just want to make sure its not too dodgy

#2 Posted: 25/7/2010 - 09:23
rawjer

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 103
priceoftravel

I did a Cristina Cruise in Halong Bay in February of this year and I was impressed with pretty much everything. That's the short version, and I wrote a very long review along with a discussion of prices and the exact itinerary, with loads of photos, so if you want even more information check out my Halong Bay Cristina Cruise review.

#3 Posted: 25/7/2010 - 11:52

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Price of Travel
vuzu

longtail driver
Posts: 5

Hi Rawjer, where did you make your cristina cruise Halong Bay tour in Hanoi?
My hotel offers me at usd70, while I found halongcruisevn at usd58 and AST costs usd68.
Are they the same cristina or they're different cristina cruises??
Please advises.
Thanks.

#4 Posted: 9/10/2010 - 19:10
rawjer

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 103
priceoftravel

Hi vuzu,

I booked my Cristina Cruise through my hotel, which was the Prince II in the Old Quarter, but it's the same Cristina Cruise that the others book. I believe AST is the name of the tour company that ran the buses and hired the guide, and Cristina Cruise was the name of the group of similar boats, so I believe they are the same thing. AST is a big company that runs a lot of those cruises, I believe.

I found that the "starting price" for that cruise was around US$70 at most places, but once I got a nearby agency (one of the many Sinh Cafes) to drop their price, my hotel lowered it even more.

Also, I paid US$55 plus a $15 single supplement, and maybe they gave me a good deal since they knew the cabins wouldn't all be full anyway? In the end, I was quite impressed by the tour operators as well as the boat, and it's a fantastic trip, so trying to get that last $10 down may not be worth the headache.

#5 Posted: 11/10/2010 - 15:20

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vuzu

longtail driver
Posts: 5

Hi Rawjer, how many cabins do they have on the cristina cruise and how many guests/customers will be on board? Do all the cruises in Halong bay have upper deck where guests can relax ?
Should I take the upper or lower deck cabin? Thanks.

#6 Posted: 12/10/2010 - 17:55
rawjer

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 103
priceoftravel

Sorry for the delay, I was in a no-internet part of Laos for a bit.

I'm guessing that the Cristina Cruise boats are all identical, but I'm not sure. The one I was on had 3 or 4 cabins on the main deck and 6 or so on the lower deck, and I saw inside many of them and noticed they were all different sizes. Mine was on the main deck, a small cabin right behind the bar, and I liked it, though it was a bit noisy while the karaoke was going on. Perhaps the lower deck is better if you get a choice, but I don't think there is much difference. On my trip they just assigned the cabins before we got there.

My boat did indeed have a huge open upper deck as well, with many lounge chairs and such. I think most boats have those, though I think they can get crowded on the 1-star boats where they really pack 'em in.

#7 Posted: 17/10/2010 - 15:05

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Price of Travel