Before You Go
A little preparation will make your shore excursion much easier. Please review the information below before leaving your cruise ship.
Required Information
For most shore excursions, we only need the information required to arrange and operate your trip.
This may include:
- Full name
- Cruise ship name
- Arrival date
- Number of guests
- Contact number or WhatsApp
- Pickup and drop-off requirements
Some services, such as overnight cruises or services requiring local registration, may require additional passenger information including full name as shown on the passport, date of birth, gender, passport number and nationality.
Only send passport information when our team specifically requests it after your trip has been confirmed.
Food and Dietary Requirements
Please tell us in advance about any food allergies, intolerances, vegetarian or vegan requirements, religious dietary restrictions or other special meal requests.
We will check the available arrangements with the restaurant, cruise or service provider. Special meals may not be available on every excursion.
Before Leaving Your Ship
Please save your final confirmation on your phone before disembarking.
Make sure you have:
- Your confirmed meeting point
- Pickup time
- Driver or guide contact details
- Your excursion details
- Your return deadline
A screenshot is recommended so you can access this information even without mobile data or Wi-Fi.
Please follow your cruise line’s instructions regarding passports, ship cards and documents that you should carry ashore.
Meeting Your Driver or Guide
Drivers and guides normally cannot wait beside the ship. After disembarking, continue to the meeting point stated in your final confirmation.
Depending on your berth and the day’s port operation, the meeting point may be inside or immediately outside the main passenger terminal.
Please use the exact meeting instructions in your confirmation rather than relying on a general location from an online map.
Be Ready on Time
Shore excursions operate around your cruise ship’s schedule. Please arrive at the confirmed meeting point on time so that the excursion can depart as planned.
We also plan your return with a safety margin before the ship’s departure. Please follow the return time advised by your driver or guide, even if you would prefer to stay longer at a destination.
Halong Bay
For Halong Bay excursions, we recommend bringing:
- Camera or phone
- Sun cream
- Hat or cap
- Sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Umbrella or light raincoat when needed
If your excursion includes kayaking, swimming or a beach stop, bring sandals or flip-flops, swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes.
Day cruise boats normally have toilets onboard. Shower facilities may not be available.
Some attractions include stairs and steep paths. Comfortable footwear is particularly useful for caves and viewpoints such as Titov Island.
Hanoi
Hanoi traffic can be very busy, particularly during rush hours. Travel times may change because of traffic conditions, road restrictions or local events.
Please stay with your guide, keep your phone and valuables secure in crowded areas and take extra care when crossing roads.
For temples, pagodas, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and other formal or sacred sites, wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
Access to some attractions, including Train Street, may change without notice because of local safety controls. Please follow instructions from your guide and local authorities.
Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh excursions normally involve a longer road journey from Halong and may include extended outdoor activities.
Bring sun protection, comfortable footwear and drinking water. A hat, umbrella or light raincoat can also be useful depending on the weather.
Boat trips are a major part of many Ninh Binh itineraries and may last several hours depending on the route and local conditions.
Pagodas, Temples and Sacred Sites
Please dress respectfully when visiting pagodas, temples and other sacred places.
- Cover your shoulders and knees
- Avoid very short or revealing clothing
- Speak quietly
- Remove your shoes when required
- Follow local photography rules
Weather and Itinerary Changes
Excursion routes, activity times and attraction visits may change because of weather, traffic, tides, safety requirements, port operations or instructions from local authorities.
When changes are necessary, our team will prioritise your safety and your return to the cruise ship on time.
Personal Belongings
Keep your phone, money, ship card, passport if carried ashore, and other valuables with you.
Do not leave important belongings unattended in vehicles, boats, restaurants or public areas.
Health and Mobility
Please tell us in advance if anyone in your group has limited mobility or needs additional assistance.
Some excursions include stairs, caves, uneven paths, boat transfers, kayaking or extended periods of walking. Let us know your requirements before booking so we can help determine whether the selected excursion is suitable.
Stay Connected
Keep your phone available during the excursion in case your driver, guide or our support team needs to contact you.
Mobile data is useful, but do not rely on a live internet connection for essential information. Save your meeting point, contact details and return deadline offline before leaving the ship.
Need Help?
If anything is unclear before your excursion, contact Halong Shore Excursion and include your name, cruise ship, travel date and request or booking number so we can assist you quickly.