Emeraude Cruises Halong Bay e brochure

One Of theSeven natural WOnderS

Of the WOrldh a l o n g B a y - v i e t n a m

emeraude ClaSSiC CruiSeS 2

www.emeraude-cruises.comwww.emeraude-cruises.com

One Of the Seven natural WOnderS Of the WOrld

halong Bay - vietnam

www.emeraude-cruises.com

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every day, the emeraude journeys through one of the world’s most dazzling natural wonders and into the sepia realm of a dream. named for a cruising vessel that plied these waters between 1906 and 1937, the emeraude aspires to the magnificence of the bay itself. its air-conditioned cabins, en suite bathrooms, award-winning cuisine and spacious deck space set the stage for the voyage of a lifetime.

eXPerienCe the Jade Green WaterS




early french tourists who wandered among the 10,000 square meters of this cavern dubbed this space “Grotte des Surprises”, or Surprise Cave. Sung Sot more than lives up to its name on Bon ho island, situated right at the heart of the uneSCO-recognised World heritage area. from the wharf, 50 steep stone steps lead up to the entrance, but the view is worth the effort. the grotto features thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. Paths, lights and signposts guide you through two caves which continue to offer yet more twists, turns and, yes, surprises throughout.

GO CavinG at SunG SOt GrOttO

Sung Sot Cave




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halong Bay is rich in natural beauty and wildlife. ancient trees are home to a diverse bird population including Black Kites, herons, egrets, terns and gulls.

Wildlife

halong Bay Wildlife



Sixteen hundred people live on halong Bay fishing villages in a calm bay surrounded by limestone karsts. most, not surprisingly, earn their living by fishing and spend almost their entire existence living on the water.

flOatinG villaGe

halong Bay fishing villages




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the emeraude anchors at hang trong. hang trong or drum Cave, refers to a nearby cave that earned its name as a result of the sound made as the wind blows through its stalagmites and stalactites. the waters here are quiet for swimming and there is lots to explore by kayak.

hanG trOnG anChOraGe

hang trong Cave





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try your hand at squid fishing with the emeraude crew.

SQuid anYOne

Squid fishing



after dark, gather topside for a viewing of “indochine”, projected on deck with surround sound and surround scenery. an unparalleled movie experience.

BehOld the Silver SCreen

“indocina” film




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to enjoy the ultimate serenity in the ultimate location, meet our tai chi instructor on the sun deck at dawn with complimentary tea and coffee.

tai Chi, halOnG StYle

tai chi on emeraude



When it COmeS tO PhOtOGraPhY, halOnG BaY iS a ChallenGe. nO QueStiOn aBOut it. On BOard the emeraude, We’ve heard mOre than a feW PaSSenGerS vOiCe fruStratiOn Over nOt BeinG aBle tO CaPture thrOuGh the lenS What theY feel in PerSOn.

reCentlY, We SPOKe With KriS leBOutillier, a PhOtOJOurnaliSt WhO haS WOrKed With natiOnal GeOGraPhiC traveler aCrOSS aSia and auStralia. here’S What KriS haS tO SaY aBOut taKinG PiCture On halOnG BaY.

What should photographers be thinking about as they make plans for halong Bay?

if you’re going specifically for photography, you have to go at the best time of the year. Go for the optimal amount of good light. the second thing is a wide angle lens. You want as much

hOW tO ShOOt halOnG BaY




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of the beautiful bay at the right time as you can. Whether you are at water level, or on a hill looking down, the whole point is to get the wide shot to show vastness.

What else would you recommend before traveling to the bay?

read up on the stories, the legends, the history. this will give you inspiration. as you appreciate how others, from a perspective of history or legends, see the bay, you’ll then have some impressions to go for in your pictures. except that in halong Bay so many of the stories are about dragons. no one’s going to get to

capture dragons. no, but you may get mist and early morning light that’s very soft, or afternoons where you get that long light late in the day. With the right kind of weather, and the lovely limestone, you’re going to get the ambiance of an east asian fairy tale. that’s where your dragons come in.



Stepping onto the emeraude is as transporting as time travel. and the vessel’s history is as captivating as a fine old yarn.

the Postcard. in 1999, a young french entrepreneur eric merlin was rummaging in the St. Ouen flea market in Paris,

looking - as was his habit - for anything old with links to vietnam and indochina. On this day, he found three postcards, dated 1916, 1917 and 1919. two pictured paddle steamers in halong Bay. a third showed a steamer at port in nearby haiphong. a magnifying glass

revealed the name of one of the vessels, the “emeraude”. for some time, the cards lay in eric’s desk in Paris. from time to time, he took them out and showed them to friends. he dreamed of finding the old vessels. later, as those prospects dimmed, a new dream took sail.

aBOut the fOunder





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faCtSheet

deStinatiOn

Only a mere 3 hours drive from hanoi, vietnam is one of the great natural wonders of the world and a uneSCO World heritage Site, halong Bay covers an area of 1,500km over which are scattered thousands of limestone islands and grottoes rising from the clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Bac Bo. the majestic beauty of the bay and its islands is only fully appreciated while meandering among the islands, fjords and inlets.

hiStOrY

in 1910 a paddle steamer called the emeraude was offering unforgettable cruises in halong Bay for visitor to what was then french indochina. the emeraude was part of a flotilla owned by the roque family who had left Bordeaux in 1858 in search of adventure and fortune. Over a period of more than 50 years they found both. after several ups and downs including successful trading and timber businesses, near bankruptcy and being taken hostage by pirates, the roque

brothers built emeraude, Perle, Saphir, rubis and Onyx to ferry passengers and freight along the waterways of indochina and cruise on magnificent halong Bay.




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COnCePt

the emeraude offers a regular one night 2 days cruise & charter service on board a luxurious replica steamer with 37 cabins meticulously designed to evoke the nostalgic charm of colonial indochina . a chance to experience timeless elegance and nostalgia of a by-gone era on board halong’s finest.

aCCOmmOdatiOn

each bespoke cabin exudes warmth and character with high standards of workmanship, distinguished style and impeccable service. With its polished wooden floors and brass fixtures and fittings the emeraude’s rooms offer timeless elegance. all cabins have two way air-conditioning, en suite bathrooms with private shower.

CaBin COnfiGuratiOn

34 luxury Cabins (04 Standard, 08 Superior, 22 deluxe)01 Paul roque Suite01 Suite emeraude01 Captain’s Suite



dininG

the restaurantthe emeraude’s restaurant offers delicious, freshly caught local seafood and other specialties.Sun deck Bara bar lounge serves refreshing cocktails and beverages ,it also provides relaxing sun beds.

aCtivitieS

• tai chi classes on the Sun deck• Kayaking• vietnamese food preparation demonstration• Squid fishing• visit to Sung Sot Cave or Surprise Grotto• visit to floating village• evening movie show “indochine”• Swimming

faCiltieS

• Spa facilities• major credit cards accepted - visa,

ameX and master Card• Souvenirs and gifts• first aid and life jackets• multilingual Staff




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Shuttle ServiCe

for independent travelers, emeraude ferries passengers between hanoi and the vessel’s Pier on halong bay daily. it leaves hanoi Sales Office each morning at 8.00am and departs the pier at 12.00pm.

emeraude Cafe

from shuttle to cruiser, we anticipate virtually direct boarding but, for those arriving independently, the emeraude Cafe offers a comfortable place to spend time until embarkation. Shop for souvenirs or enjoy a drink or snack. the Café serves a wide selection of

international food including freshly made sandwiches, panini and pizzas. in addition, there are teas, coffees, fresh juices and a wide ranging wine list. the emeraude Cafe also provides complimentary Wifi access.



2d1n CruiSe PrOGram

daY 1

12:00 - 12:15 register/Check-in at emeraude Café12:15 - 12:20 embarkation12:20 - 12:25 Captain raises anchor12:25 - 14:30 Cruising halong Bay12:45 - 14:00 vietnamese & international Buffet lunch14:00 - 15:00 free & easy15:00 - 16:30 Guided Shore excursion to Sung Sot Grotto and floating village16:30 - 17:00 Crepe Station on Sundeck17:00 - 18:00 Kayaking or Swimming18:00 - 18:30 vietnamese fresh Spring roll Cooking Class (Sundeck)18:30 - 19:30 Complimentary Canapes on Sundeck19:30 - 21:00 vietnamese & european dinner buffet served21:00 - 22:00 Bills Settlement (Optional)20:00 - 22:00 Squid fishing (Seasonal)20:30 - 23:00 Silver Screen “indochine”

intinerarieS

daY 2

06:00 - 07:00: Complimentary cafe gourmand served on the Sundeck06:30 - 07:00: learn ancient art of tai Chi on Sundeck07:00 - 08:00 leave luggage/Bags Outside Cabins07:30 - 09:30 Cruising halong Bay07:00 - 08:30 energizing breakfast served08:30 - 09:00 Check-Out09:30 - 10:00 disembarkation10:00 - 10:15 drop Off Point: emeraude Café




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3d2n CruiSe PrOGram

daY 1

12:00 - 12:15 register/Check-in at emeraude Café12:15 - 12:20 embarkation12:20 - 12:25 Captain raises anchor12:25 - 14:30 Cruising halong Bay12:45 - 14:00 vietnamese & international Buffet lunch14:00 - 15:00 free & easy15:00 - 16:30 Guided Shore excursion to Sung Sot Grotto and floating village16:30 - 17:00 Crepe Station on Sundeck17:00 - 18:00 Kayaking or Swimming18:00 - 18:30 vietnamese fresh Spring roll Cooking Class (Sundeck)18:30 - 19:30 Complimentary Canapes on Sundeck19:30 - 21:00 vietnamese & european dinner buffet served21:00 - 22:00 Bills Settlement (Optional)20:00 - 22:00 Squid fishing (Seasonal)20:30 - 23:00 Silver Screen “indochine”

daY 2 (Rock Climbing, Cruising, Kayaking on Moody Island)

06:00 - 07:00 Complimentary cafe gourmand served on the Sundeck06:30 - 07:00 learn ancient art of tai Chi on Sundeck07:00 - 08:00 energizing breakfast served07:45 - 08:00 transfer to fishing boat08:15 - 10:15 Cruise through ha long Bay to less traveled lan ha Bay10:15 - 11:30 visit beaches, archways and Kayaking11:45 - 12:30 viP lunch and transfer to moodys Beach12:30 - 15:15 rock Climb on moodys Beach (option kayaking)15:20 - 17:15 Cruise through lan ha Bay to rejoin emeraude18:30 - 19:00 free Canapes on Sundeck19:00 - 21:00 vietnamese & european dinner buffet served21:00 - 22:00 Bills Settlement (Optional)20:30 - 23:00 Squid fishing (Seasonal)20:30 - 23:00 Silver Screen “indochine”

daY 3

06:00 - 07:00: Complimentary cafe gourmand served on the Sundeck06:30 - 07:00: learn ancient art of tai Chi on Sundeck07:00 - 08:00 leave luggage/Bags Outside Cabins07:30 - 09:30 Cruising halong Bay07:00 - 08:30 energizing breakfast served08:30 - 09:00 Check-Out09:30 - 10:00 disembarkation10:00 - 10:15 drop Off Point: emeraude Café



emeraude ClaSSiC CruiSeS

address: 46 le thai to Street, hoan Kiem dist, hanoi, vietnamtel: (84-4) 3935 1888 fax: (84-4) 3825 5342email: [email protected]

address: 18 hai Ba trung, district 1, ho Chi minh City, vietnamtel: (84-8) 3823 5800 fax: (84-8) 3823 5801email: [email protected]

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Emeraude Cruises Halong Bay e brochure