Passenger Information

Starting 2026, Heritage Line 'Violet' will sail 2-night itinerary on Bai Tu Long Bay.

Halong Bay is the famous UNESCO-listed seascape most travellers know, dotted with iconic limestone islets and home to many of the bay’s classic sightseeing routes. It’s vibrant, more visited, and offers a lively mix of caves, viewpoints, and water activities.

Bai Tu Long Bay lies just northeast of Ha Long Bay and feels far more tranquil in comparison. Its landscapes are just as spectacular, yet the area remains much less frequented, meaning quieter waters, fewer boats, and a more serene sense of exploration. Bai Tu Long is also home to hidden cave systems and small communities that reflect the region’s more traditional character.

Ha Long Bay is the renowned headline destination, while Bai Tu Long is its quieter, more untouched counterpart—perfect for travellers seeking space, calm, and a more off-the-beaten-path cruising experience.

In case of an emergency situation on the way to the cruise destination or in the country of your cruise destination you can call our emergency number for support which is available 24/7 - please find the Emergency Number here: https://heritage-line.com/contact/

Please only call this number when you are in an emergency situation (for example late arrival to the cruise, any accident prior to your cruise departure, missing documents to board the ship, VISA issues when in the destination, etc). Please have important booking details ready (Heritage Line booking code, full name (Last name, first name), country of residence/passport, cruise booking details like departure date, itinerary, ship).

Please do not call this number for operational, logistic or questions to your booking! For such, please contact our reservation department via Email or via our dedicated reservation phone numbers also available here: https://heritage-line.com/contact/

For all cruises, airport or hotel transfers to/from the ship after embarkation/disembarkation are not included. For details of all cruises/itineraries, please see our Embarkation Guide.

Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay: Guests will need to arrange transportation to our welcome lounge at the Tuan Chau Marina. One-way or return transfers (private) can be booked with us from Hanoi or nearby other locations. Transfer time from Hanoi to Halong Bay is approximately 2.5 hours or about 1 hour from Haiphong. Our reservation will be able to assist you upon request.

Lower Mekong (Vietnam & Cambodia): All transfers to and from the ship are included when you start or end your cruise in Saigon or Siem Reap. There are meeting lounges in those two cities for pre-departure meetings or post-departure drop-offs. Please carefully read our embarkation guide about timings, especially about high and low water timings in Siem Reap.

Phnom Penh: Guest are requested to arrive at the ship location (pier) and arrange their transfer to/from the ship on their own. Heritage Line can arrange a private city transfer as supplement cost.

Upper Mekong (Laos):

Chiang Rai: Passenger will require own transfer arrangement between Chiang Rai and the Thai-Lao immigration (vice versa) for (dis-)embarkation. Heritage Line can arrange a transfer with supplement.

Luang Prabang: Transfers in Luang Prabang from and to the ship are not included. The ship is mooring very central in town. Heritage Line can arrange a city transfer upon request otherwise.

Vientiane: all transfer to and from the ship are included and operated as group transfers. Guests will be pick up or dropped off as their designated hotel in town.

Ayeyarwady & Chindwin (Myanmar): Ship embarkation/disembarkation points are located in the center of Mandalay and Bagan. Transfer to and from the ship are not included and can be arranged by Heritage Line upon request.

Rates listed in our Rates & Departures based on double sharing occupancy. For solo travelers, there is a surcharge on the adult rate. Please review it in the terms and conditions www.heritage-line.com/terms-conditions. Also, have a look at our offer section for any specials for solo travellers.

Water levels on the Tonle Sap Lake and River as well as on the Mekong River vary greatly depending on time of year – ranging from a depth of 1 meter to an astounding 10 meters!

Therefore, our lower Mekong ships, are only able to make a lake crossing during the height of the rainy season and dock directly at the pier in Siem Reap for passenger embarkation and disembarkation. High water season is from mid-August to mid-November (dates vary each year, depending on rainfall). During low water season (mid-November to late August), the ship moors at a pier at Kampong Cham on the Mekong River, and we provide shuttle bus transportation (4.5 hours) to/from Siem Reap for our guests.

Please note that only the Cambodian portion of our lower Mekong cruise itinerary (Siem Reap to Phnom Penh and vice versa) is affected by water levels. On-shore excursions remain the same on both low- and high-water itineraries (albeit in a different order). The Vietnam portion (Phnom Penh to Saigon and vice versa) of our lower Mekong cruises is unaffected by water levels.

The answer is a clear and definite ‘yes’. All our ships are maintained within strict governmental and maritime requirements annually and must be certified by such agencies to operate. We have equipped all vessels with modern navigational equipment, fully integrated fire prevention and control systems – including smoke and fire detection in cabins and public areas, ship to shore and emergency communications systems as well as emergency public address systems.

We offer a comprehensive safety briefing to all passengers right upon boarding. Beyond that, all crews do regularly trainings of emergency situations and procedures and our ships are outfitted with life-saving equipment to aid in emergencies, including man overboard and abandoning ship.

Generally speaking, the rivers we are cruising on in Southeast Asia are very calm and there is hardly any motion on any of our ships. A bit of motion can occur during monsoon rains with stormy winds, but the amount of motion is much less than one would feel during bad weather on the open ocean.

Sea cruises as we offer in Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay can sometimes encounter heavier waters and ship motion, although this happens very rarely and port authorities will most likely not allow sailing under any such circumstances anyway.

If you are new to cruising or prone to motion sickness, it does not hurt to bring along some motion sickness medication. Drinking a nice hot fresh ginger tea is a natural remedy and tasty alternative our staff is always happy to make for you.

All our cabins have a built in personal safe in which you should store valuable items. Please read our Terms and Conditions carefully regarding this topic.

It is very safe to be on board at any time, day or night. Our ships have always standing guards on duty whenever the ship is docked or moored, especially overnight. Of course, as you would also do at home, you should always keep your cabin and balcony doors locked when you leave the room or at night as well as keep your valuable items locked within your cabin’s safe.

We recommend wearing loose and comfortable clothing made of cotton or modern material that can readily cool off sweat and body hear. The type of shoes will depend on the excursion types so best to have both light, open toed shoes as well as good walking/hiking shoes with you. A sun hat is always a good idea to bring along.

Southern Vietnam and Cambodia are warm all year-round, but our other cruise destinations can get chilly during the winter months (Laos, Myanmar or northern Vietnam). Therefore, it is always recommended to bring a pullover or a warm jacket with you during this period.

Many of our cruises include visits to local temples or pagodas. When visiting these holy sites, make sure to wear appropriate clothing which covers your shoulders and knees.

All crew are trained and certified in life saving techniques (CPR) and first aid procedures. All crews also have regular training in emergency medical procedures. Each of our ships have first aid kits and the most essential medications on board. All ships cruising in remote areas (lower Mekong, Ayeyarwady, Chindwin, Upper Mekong) have an automated external defibrillator on board.

All food and beverage on board is completely safe to eat and enjoy, including the ice cubes you enjoy in your chilled drinks. We do not recommend drinking water straight from the tap anywhere, including onboard. We provide you with complimentary clean drinking water throughout your cruise.

You may want to be bit careful with local dishes as they can be spicier than you are used to from home. Approach new dishes slowly and carefully. If you have a sensitive stomach, then you may like to double check with our chef or onboard managers about specific dishes or meals.

On excursions, it may be a good idea to avoid local foods and snacks unless offered by our tour guides. Besides the above, in general we recommend the following motto for your pre- and post-cruise travelling in the Southeast Asian tropics: boil it, peel it, cook it, wash it or forget it!

The most effective protection from personal contamination is ensuring strict attention to personal hygiene and in particular, frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water and refraining from hand-to-mouth contact. Colds and other viruses can spread quickly in an enclosed area such as a ship. Continue to practice common-sense hygiene and respiratory courtesy. Wash your hands often and cover your coughs and sneeze. It is recommended that passengers carry anti-bacterial hand sanitizer, which does not require rinsing with water. Use sanitizer frequently and throughout the day, particularly after shore excursions and prior to meals. If you have any questions regarding your health or safety, please do not hesitate to ask your cruise director.

Motion sickness can be a problem for some people when cruising, flying or travelling on coaches and trains and it is a good idea to take precautionary measures. Over-the-counter drugs for treating motion sickness can be purchased at pharmacies in most countries, though a side effect can by drowsiness. Alternatives such as ginger tablets and acupressure wristbands are also available and work well for some people.

Laos & Thailand - Upper Mekong Cruises

E-Visa: Travelers from most countries can apply for a Laos e-Visa (https://laoevisa.gov.la), which is valid for land and river border crossings between Thailand and Laos. Please obtain your e-Visa prior to your cruise departure.

Visa Waiver:
• 15-day exemption: Japan, Switzerland, Luxembourg
• 30-day exemption: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei.

Visa-on-Arrival (VoA): Available only at international airports (Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse, Savannakhet). VoA is limited to select nationalities and subject to certain requirements. Heritage Line does not accept passengers planning to obtain a VoA at the Thai-Lao Border when checking in for downstream sailings. Only e-Visas or pre-issued visas (obtained from the Lao embassy or consulate in your home country) are accepted.

Thailand: please find more information here https://thaievisa.go.th

Vietnam (Lower Mekong Cruises & Bai Tu Long Bay / Lan Ha Bay Cruises)

Visa Waiver (effective from August 15, 2025 to August 14, 2028): Citizens from the following countries can stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days without a visa: Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.K. Check here for eligibility https://www.vietnam-visa.com/vietnam-visa-exemption/. Any other citizen has to apply for a visa.

E-Visa: Available for citizens of 80 countries. Valid for single or multiple entries, for stays up to 90 days. To check eligibility, ports of entry, and apply: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt. NOTE: We strongly recommend arranging your visa ahead of time. For immigration via river border, no explicit immigration location / port is required anymore to state with the application.

Online Entry Declaration: Passengers arriving in Vietnam must provide a declaration prior to arrival. An official portal of the Immigration Department has to be used: https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn/ (the process is also available on the ground at the airport, but may take much longer; we recommend preparing the declaration before leaving your home country). All foreign nationals entering Vietnam with a valid visa or entry permit must comply with this process starting from April 15, 2026. Once personal details are completed via the website form, a personal QR code will be created, which can be downloaded or sent to the personal email address. The Code must be presented to the immigration officer upon arrival.

You may apply at a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Processing may take several weeks. Please check with your embassy or consulate for more information.

Cambodia - Lower Mekong Cruises

Visa Exemption: Travelers of ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Brunei, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) do not require a visa for short stays.

E-Visa: Most nationalities (exceptions include Afghanistan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Sudan) may apply for a Cambodia visa online: https://go-cambodia-online.com/. Valid for 30 days and are only eligible for individuals arriving at Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville International airports and select land crossings. E-Visas are NOT accepted on the river border crossing between Vietnam to Cambodia (upstream).

For guests cruising from Vietnam to Cambodia, Heritage Line can arrange a 30-day, single-entry Cambodian visa onboard (please check current fee with Heritage Line reservation team).

You may also apply for a visa directly from the Cambodian Embassy or Consulate in your home country (your local travel agent may also assist you with this). This method may take weeks to process. Please check with your embassy or consulate for more information.

From 1st Jul 2024, all travelers must submit the Cambodia e-Arrival Card within 7 days before arrival, replacing traditional forms. It is available for free via the official website or mobile application.

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Heritage Line does not guarantee that all information is up to date or fully accurate. Please check with your national embassy or consulate for details. Please arrange your visa ahead of time.

According to both the World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when travelling to Southeast Asia the most essential vaccinations include:

• Hepatitis A (at least two weeks before date of travel)
• Hepatitis B (three injections over the course of six months prior to travel)
• Typhoid (one month before)

Other recommended routine vaccinations are Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) and Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (TDaP).

To give an idea of the times in Southeast Asia versus regions across the world, let’s say it is 12:00 PM noon in our cruising destinations of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos (Myanmar is half an hour behind).

Please note that most Asian countries do not observe Daylight Saving, thus there is no time change between winter and summer. Times listed below are for summer in the northern hemisphere.

Location	Time Offset	Time
Vietnam Cambodia Laos	UTC +7	12:00 noon
Myanmar	UTC +6:30	11:30
Sydney, Australia (Australian Eastern Standard Time)	UTC +10	15:00
New Zealand	UTC +12	17:00
British Summer Time Central European Time	UTC +1	06:00
New York, USA (Eastern Daylight Time)	UTC -4	1:00
Los Angeles, USA (Pacific Daylight Time)	UTC -7	22:00 (day before)

Passengers are encouraged to bring minimal necessary luggage as cabin storage is limited. We are able to store extra luggage onboard and outside your cabin on a limited basis only. Therefore, we kindly ask passengers travelling with excessive or oversized baggage to inform us prior to your cruise departure to get an official clearance. Otherwise, Heritage Line may refuse to store excessive baggage. You shall be responsible for supervising any luggage you do not deposit with us for carriage. Please read our Terms and Conditions hereto.

We recommend at least purchasing travel health insurance which covers both in- & outpatient visits and medical repatriation. Buying additional trip cancellation and interruption coverage may also be beneficial in case you have to cancel your travel plans due to unforeseen circumstances.

We always recommend bringing a travel adapter as a standard item in your travel kit. You can borrow an adapter on board, but these may be limited.

Please bring aboard your valid passport and booking confirmation which you have received from us or from your travel agent. If you are a person at risk for travelling, please bring a certificate from your doctor ensuring that you are fit for travel.