Emperor Cruises
An ultra-boutique boat of just 10 suites (up to 20 guests), themed around Emperor Bao Dai and 1930s Nguyen-dynasty style. It leans heritage and privacy over resort glitz: a Jacuzzi bathtub in every cabin, an onboard art gallery of Pham Luc ("the Picasso of Vietnam"), a library-lounge and a Vovinam martial-arts session at sunrise. Three decks, no pool.
Scored by our Halong cruise team, who spend their season on these waters. We rate each boat the way a returning guest would - cabins, dining, crew, itinerary and value - not the way a listing does.
The all-suite layout genuinely delivers: even the entry Hanoi-Saigon Suite runs a generous 35m2, and the Jacuzzi bathtub in every cabin is no gimmick. The Bao Dai heritage styling, the Pham Luc art gallery and sunrise Vovinam on deck give it a character the glossier big boats lack. Two honest caveats though: there is no pool, and it sails the busier main Ha Long channel rather than the quieter Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long, so expect company at the caves.
Choose your suite
Hanoi - Saigon Suite
BEST VALUE
Signature Suite
State Suite
Royal Suite
Prices are per cabin, all guests included in USD. Final price is confirmed on WhatsApp before any payment.
Cabin details - Cabins (10 suites / 3 decks)
Itinerary
Hanoi - Tuan Chau - Me Cung Cave - Tung Sau
- Limousine van pickup in the Old Quarter ~08:00-08:30 (add-on), aboard at No.28 Tuan Chau Port ~11:30-12:00
- Welcome drink + set lunch at the Panorama Lounge as the boat sails
- Afternoon: Me Cung Cave (Cave of the Maze), kayaking in the Tung Sau area, afternoon tea + canapés on the sundeck, cooking demonstration
- Evening: dinner at the Royal Palace Restaurant, then squid fishing
Luon Cave - back to Hanoi
- Sunrise Vovinam session on the sundeck + light breakfast
- Luon Cave by rowed bamboo boat
- ~08:30-09:15 check out, à la carte brunch as the boat returns
- Disembark Tuan Chau Marina ~11:00, transfer to Hanoi ~14:30
Meals
- 2D1N: 4 meals (lunch, dinner, breakfast, brunch)
- Royal Palace Restaurant + Can Chanh Restaurant, Panorama Lounge
Activities
Me Cung Cave, kayaking (Tung Sau), Luon Cave, cooking class, Vovinam, squid fishing, art gallery, spa + sauna + gym.
What’s included
- Welcome drink + mineral water / tea / coffee
- All onboard meals per itinerary
- Flowers, fruit + snacks in cabin
- Cooking class
- Sauna + gym use
- Kayaking / cave discovery, bamboo boat, squid fishing
- Vovinam martial-arts session + sunrise activity
- Kids fun club + library, floating art gallery
- Pickup
- Hanoi Old Quarter (limousine van add-on) → No.28 Tuan Chau Port
- Pickup window
- 08:00-08:30
- Drop-off
- ~14:30 Hanoi (last day)
- Children
- Under 5 stay free
- Ages 5-11
- 70% of adult fare
- Age 12+
- Full fare
- Note
- (final terms confirmed at booking)
- Weather
- Halong weather is variable; cave and kayak activities are weather-dependent. Winter (Dec-Feb) is cool and misty.
We never take card payments on this site. Your booking is confirmed by a real person on WhatsApp, and the final price is agreed before you pay anything.
Ask us anything about this cruise
A real person replies within hours, 7am-10pm ICT - WhatsApp is fastest.
It's an ultra-boutique boat - only 10 suites and up to 20 guests - themed around Emperor Bao Dai and the Nguyen dynasty, with an onboard art gallery, library and a Jacuzzi bathtub in every cabin. If you want something intimate and characterful over big and glossy, it stands out
No pool on Emperor - the focus is heritage and privacy (spa, sauna, gym, art gallery) rather than resort-style facilities. Every cabin does have its own Jacuzzi bathtub
