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I contacted a few different cruise operators, and some informed me that if the transportation they arrange is delayed by traffic, guests might either miss the cruise entirely or have to pay approximately $100 for a special tender to catch up.
Conversely, others are asserting that the transfer is fully guaranteed and their ship’s tender will wait for their scheduled vehicles.
Given that I’ve observed most cruises share a very similar itinerary, activities, dining, cabins, and policies, I need to confirm: Should I trust the companies that claim they will definitely wait?
I intend to travel from Ninh Binh rather than Hanoi, which might be a factor since not all companies even provide this specific booking option.
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Yeah I ended up just reversing my itinerary so I take the cruise lines guaranteed option from Hanoi and do Tam Coc at the end .
Decided on Grand Pioneers , who from Tam Coc only offered a >$120 private transfer. Which not only was above market rate , but they also said if it were late I’d be paying for the speed boat .
I am also unsure. I reached out to ~6 mid range cruises and junk boats all well rated on TA, Google, accommodation and tour operator sites. Since I’m transitioning from Hai Phong airport, they could not guarantee I would arrive within their 15-30 minute tender window for boarding (navigating to the right port terminal adds time too). All 6 specified a surcharge for a second tender or a speedboat (USD 100 – 150 per group). None said they could wait 🙁
If you’re coming from Ninh Binh, book a one way transfer via the cruise operator (those where the transfer from Hanoi is price inclusive should have more flexibility to offer you this option) or combine it with a multiday tour from Ninh Binh. I recall seeing 2 or 3 travel agencies that offer a 3D2N package or more combining Halong with Ninh Binh when I was looking at day tours to Ninh Binh from Hanoi/Halong.
Hope this information helps!
As you have found, so many choices. Me? If I’m hoping to go on a cruise (or any tour for that matter) I tend to stay in the immediate vicinity the night before. No faffing around, no worries about late connections etc.
Sure, you might have to forego one night in Ninh Binh but I’d imagine you could be doing much the same around Ha Long bay i.e. drinking, eating and sleeping!
As to trusting a company to wait, if they say they will, what else can you do? You either take it at face value or you don’t go there. I can tell you one thing though, asking on here will not solve that dilemma, as you haven’t mentioned the company’s name that you are worried about.