The Heritage Line ‘Violet’ vessel has undergone a redesign, featuring revamped suite accommodations, a new dining venue, and completely renovated and enhanced public areas. Launched in 2009, the boutique “Violet” is the smallest vessel of Heritage Line’s fleet of seven ships featuring a distinct heritage design theme weaving in French-Indochinese and Art-Deco elements. The ship navigates the breathtaking waters of Bai Tu Long – Halong Bay in Northern Vietnam, a serene and lesser-known corner of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
As part of the refurbishment, the ship’s two (32 sqm, 344 sqft) Junior Suites and four Imperial Suites (38 sqm, 409 sqft) are completely refurbished and also redesigned incorporating a fresher, brighter, and bit more modern design. These designs are inspired by Halong Bay’s distinctive elements – water, mountains, clouds, phoenix, moon, and dragon. Hand-painted murals and carved art-deco details pay tribute to these themes, with colours, textures, and patterns evoking the natural landscape and folklore of the bay. The individual room designs wonderfully blend with the French-Indochinese and Art-Deco umbrella interior design underlining the cultural heritage of Northern Vietnam’s region.
Emphasizing the vessel’s focus on privacy and intimacy, a new private dining venue was introduced, designed to accommodate small groups of up to four guests. This exclusive space, available by reservation, boasts a specially curated menu and bespoke décor, elevating the dining experience to new heights of intimacy and refinement. A pre-booking of this facility including a specially curated menu is required together with the cruise booking.
All public areas, including the restaurant, library lounge, spa room, and bar received a new and fresh appearance. The restaurant in particular highlight now has the bespoke French-Indochinese and Art-Deco design par excellence. At the same time, the library lounge on the upper floor has been updated with some new furnishings and décor to make a stay at this public space much cozier. The spa room does include a steam bath and can welcome a couple with two spa beds for various sheltered treatments.
Finally, the Sun Deck has been expanded to the back, providing now even more space for only 12 guests. Each guest has their own sunbed with some additional cocoon loungers now added for couples to hide away in the outdoors. The sun deck also allows ample room for private-styled outdoor dining with a table-for-two set-up.
“We are dedicated to continually enhancing our vessels to ensure every journey offers a supreme blend of luxury and authenticity,” said Andreas Schroetter, Director of Sales and Marketing for Heritage Line. “With Violet’s new design, we’ve elevated it to one of the most exclusive luxury ships in the bay, offering an intimate and refined experience that is perfect for honeymooners, VIPs, multi-generational families, and private charter clients seeking both exclusivity and a deep connection to Southeast Asia’s rich cultural heritage.”
The ship made its return on October 31, 2024.
Explore Bai Tu Long – Halong Bay with Heritage Line
All of the 2-night itineraries operate on a bi-daily schedule that can be reviewed on the website. An Early Bird offer allows a 5% discount when booking at least 120 days out of the cruise departure date for entry cabin type only. Bookings can be made with Heritage Line directly (or via any travel agent). Cruise prices include accommodation, all activities on and off shore (excluding spa), all meals, brewed coffee and tea, and mineral water (detailed inclusions/exclusions see website).
Additional Information & Links:
Heritage Line | Collectors. Artisans. Hosts.
Heritage Line is a leading boutique luxury river cruise company in Southeast Asia founded in 2008 by John Tue Nguyen offering one-of-a-kind on-and off-shore cruise experiences. They possess a remarkable collection of small ships plying the region’s most prestigious waterways in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Various cruise itineraries of different lengths per cruise destination are available – all of which promise a very bespoke and authentic venture or expedition like travelling on waters. Driven by a deep passion for art and local heritage, each of their ship embodies a refined & themed design and aura transporting guests into a different world. Personalised service, attention to detail, and fond family values complete a stay aboard a Heritage Line cruise to become a truly holistic and memorable voyage.
