Thank you for this video. We are headed on a two week trip to Vietnam soon and we are ending our vacation with a bay cruise. It's so nice to see GenX travel vloggers!
Hi, Amy! You will have a fantastic time in Vietnam. The cruise is a lot of fun and worth the price. We really appreciate you watching our channel! Cheers 🍻
I did a 3-day, 2-night Halong Bay cruise in early November, 2022. $770 for a couple, $590 single. The tour you were on appears to have been far quieter than the one I was on! We were accompanied everywhere by 17 to 18 other tour vessels, everyone did activities at the same time each day, which meant you and hundreds of others were kayaking or crammed into a shore excursion together. Further, "cruising?" We were only actually underway when repositioning to take on new passengers or get rid of others. During the entire 3D/2N journey, I'd estimate we were moving for less than a half-hour. By all means, see Halong Bay, but do a day cruise and avoid these overpriced overnight tours. EDIT: I was on Mon Cheri as well. Price difference probably due to included round-trip transit from Old District Hanoi.
I can see how it could get way busier during certain times of years, and the crowds would take some of the relaxed feel from it. We had a fantastic time and we were cruising through the islands a fair portion of time, especially on the 2nd day of our trip which was wonderful. I agree, a must see but everyone may have a different idea how they want to see it. Thanks for watching! Cheers 🍻
This was 100% worth it!!! We felt the exact same way as y'all. Glad you guys got to fully experience the caves while kayaking & didn't smack your head at any point in the Trung Trang Cave (or at least from what we could see in the video lol). Can't wait to see your Da Nang videos!!!
My wife and I also did the Halong Bay cruise. it was cloudy too, the two days we were there. We really enjoyed the experience and the cruise crew were good. What I wish this video showed is how absolutely packed the harbor and inner islands are with other tour boats. It's like rush hour in some places. I think that will affect the distance and length of cruise others will choose, if they knew this in advance. You will never really feel alone on a Halong Bay cruise.
You made the comment about a couple days break from having to think. I can really appreciate this. We spent last year traveling Spain and eastern Europe and the planning gets tiresome. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful we could do it but I think we we leave on our next trip in a few weeks I need to throw in some all included activities here and there. A resort in southern Turkey or a cruise etc. Something where we just go and they say do this or that and here's your food etc.
It really is a thing to get burned out of always being in planning mode. It felt great to have some one else do it for us, if even only for a few days. Thanks for watching!
WOW what a beautiful get away. So happy you two experienced this place. THANKS so much for filming and sharing with us. It is incredibly difficult to produce such a great video. You two are the BEST!
It just wouldn’t be another Saturday nightshift at work without the Brian and Carrie show! Fantastic as usual you two, thanks for bringing it to us! Cheers 🍻
Very glad to see that the title was a bit of a misnomer and you felt that the cruise was a full value for you. Even when you travel on a budget, I think that this was a healthy and worthwhile splurge! Glad that you enjoyed this trip. Excellent.
Thank you, Robert. We are happy that we decided to spend the money, it is something that we have wanted to do for a long time now. We appreciate the continued support! Cheers!🍻
I can't believe how expensive Ha Long Bay cruises have gotten. I've taken two and that was back when the only boats in the bay were traditional, brown wooden boats, much smaller and only held maybe 10 guests. For $60 you got a pick up and return to your hotel, a 3-day cruise, kayaking, all excursions (except biking on Cat Ba Island), and all food and drinks (except alcohol) included. Definitely going in winter is the best option for the most clear skies and views. It can be much colder, but the views are usually clear (no fog). Great video. Can't wait to to get your impressions of Hoi An! Spend at least one night at the Hoi An Beach Resort (riverside NOT ocean side).
The biggest cost is all the food! We wouldn't even be hungry before the next meal! It was a lot of fun and we definitely recommended. December and January are probably the best times to although we have heard that region is unpredictable. Overall, great trip and worth the money. We are in Hoi An now! Thank you for watching and commenting! Cheers 🍻
Great cruise treat, ànd four beers for the price of two, gotta love that😊. Halong Bay cruise added to my ever-growing travel list. Might need to ditch those caves on the third day, though, after all the awesome hiking, biking and kayaking. Thanks for sharing all your fun and informative videos. Happy Trails👍
We did the same with Rosy Cruise last week, very long tender ride from wharf to the ship, we got done on a bottle of wine from sampan seller.. we paid $600 AUD for overnite stay but with VIP transfers included... they say its two days one night but really works out after transfers and tender rides, two half days and a night...
We think that doing the 2 night is really the best option. Like you say, by the time you arrive and get settled in the day is half over and you are leaving late morning the next day. We did have a great time and would recommend doing it. Thank you for watching and commenting. Cheers 🍻
We have done this trip about three times now, two budget options and a expensive one and I will say I would go the expensive one every time given the choice.
When we did Ha Long Bay a few years ago, we just opted to do a day trip on one of the smaller ferry type of boats. Still got to do the kayaking, visit some floating villages, swimming and all that...but it was only $29 per person for a full day. Definitely a good deal for those looking to do Ha Long Day on a budget! The ship you were on looked super nice though. Maybe we'd try something like that at some point. 🤓
It is great that they have the day trip option. Allowing those that need to be more budget to still enjoy the amazing scenery. Staying a few days on the bay is so great though if it's possible. As always, thanks for watching 😊
A splurge once in while is OK and you two certainly deserve it! Thanks for sharing, looks like a really good deal for all that you got. How far in advance did you need to book the cruise?
What wonderful video! Great editing, cinematography, and music…. So enjoyable! The cruise and excursions were an amazing deal! It wound have been worth double the price! By the way, did the price include tips? what is the tipping etiquette?
Thank you so much. We really appreciate the feedback and are so happy to hear you enjoyed it 😊. Tipping was done by leaving money in a jar in the dining room on both the main boat and the day trip boat. Being that was the only jars we saw I'm assuming the money was split between staff.
Vietnam was on my bucket list for a while, i crossed it off the list a couple of years ago as i thought i have seen Indonesia, similar enough. This video put it back on the list for me . Thank you 🤗🤗🤗🤗
We would definitely keep Vietnam on your list. We are loving both Da Nang and Hoi An. The two days we spent in Hanoi were much more than we expected as well. Vietnam is underrated! Hopefully you make it here soon! Thank you for watching and safe travels. Cheers 🍻
Hello Brian & Carrie 😍 Looks like amazing experience at least you can say you did in style lol. I would love to plan Ha Long Bay Cruise at some stage. The food looked delicious. I would spend the money for luxury you have to spoil yourself now an again. Thank you for sharing. 😊
It was a wonderful experience that we are so happy we had the opportunity to do. You are exactly right, sometimes you need to spoil yourselves and this was one of those times! Thanks so much for watching 😊
I also made a Mon Cheri Cruise last month and that is an unforgettable trip. I highly recommend Vietnam Escape Tours, this travel agency is dedicated and helpful, would suggest everyone connect with Tony and opt for his package tours. Love Halong and Tony’s team.
Hi Guys, I loved the video of your Ha Long Bay Cruise and, given what was included, thought that it was a good value for the money. I loved the part when Brian bought the beer from the woman in the boat and how she used the fishing net to deliver the beer and take your money. What did surprise me was how touristy the place was. I would give the caves a miss, but I loved the kayaking. So far, I prefer Vietnam to Thailand and am eager to see where you go next. Keep up the excellent work!
It really has become a popular destination in Vietnam. We imagine that once tourism is back at full capacity it gets even more so. We are heading back to Thailand next week so it will be fun to compare the two. We may even do a video on which we like better. Thank you for always commenting!! We really appreciated the support! Cheers!!🍻
The misty views were so dreamy, and beautiful choice of music! Just seeing that cave on screen really gave me anxiety (claustrophobia!!) but as a hiker I was really drawn to the green path! Would just walking around be an option while the crazy/brave folks were in the dungeon? 😁 Really enjoyed this, and hadn’t ever considered it before. PS When I was in college, all the Mississippi boys called it co-beer 😉
Claustrophobia was a thought that crossed my mind - but once you were in the cave there was really only one path. For those that prefer wide open spaces, im sure staying out in the greens space would be an option . Happy you enjoyed the video ☺️
That sounds like a great idea! We are loving Vietnam and looking forward to getting back to Southern Thailand next week. Thank you for watching and supporting us! Cheers 🍻
Tried to search through the comments to see if anyone else asked, so pardon if repeat question. What time of year did you go? What were the meals like on the day boat you took? Did the meals feel high quality/foodie-like? Planning on going over Thanksgiving break with our three young kids.
Hi Rachel! We went on our Cruise in February. And the day trip meal was wonderful on the cruise we took, it was a served 5-course meal. Thanks for watching :)
It looks like it was worth the $700! Thanks for sharing your excellent video. I have to add this to my bucket list. It looks like a great cruise with good food, beverages, kayaking, pool, hot tubs, biking, and cave hiking - you did it all! The scenery was also beautiful. Cheers!
It was well worth the money considering all that was involved. We are so happy we took part in all the excursions, they were all so much fun and interesting! Thanks so much for watching 😊
I heard there are many packages to choose from. Also off season price. Some people get 300usd for 2 pax. Some higher. But generally it is a tourist trap. If you are poor like me, better stay on land. Money can be used somewhere else.
Good for you to splurge on the cruise! Looks wonderful. I saw Sammy and Tommy do the same cruise a year or so back, and thought it seemed like a good one. Nice to see your research pointed you in the same direction. When I was in Vietnam 🇻🇳 I unfortunately didn’t get up to Ha Long Bây, but want to get back to 🇻🇳 to go. As always, continued safe and happy travels! ✈️ 🌏
Thank you, John! This is a popular cruise to go on for sure. We had even contemplated not doing a video simply because so many others already have. We decided to try to put a different spin on it. 😁 Glad that you enjoyed it and thank for supporting us! Cheers 🍻
I watch your videos every week and really enjoy them. Since you’ve been in Asia I’ve noticed that Brian seems to be losing weight and has dark circles under his eyes. Maybe it’s just the heat and humidity. Hope you’re feeling well Brian. I know when I first moved to Asia it was a shock to my system and I took awhile to acclimate to the conditions.
@@BrianandCarrie glad you decided to make your video - it’s your story and experience to tell, and that we are interested in, regardless of other videos. 👍🏼🙏🏼
Thank you so much for watching! Brian has been working to take off a few pounds put on over the holidays and has been doing great. That's never easy so b he appreciates it's starting to show 😊.
Sammy and Tommy, 2Passports 1Dream (AMAZING room they booked), Flora and Note, and MomDuty all did it last year. Flora and Note booked during the weekend or holiday and were surrounded by people, so just beware that the shorter cruises or ones booked on holidays, weekends, or when school is out may not be as peaceful if kids are out of school. LOL
@@BrianandCarrie We are flying into Hanoi and securing an Airbnb for about 8days, making the trip to Halong Bay for a 3d/2nt cruise, then back to Hanoi for a couple days. It's been a bucket list; your video pushed it up, especially since we don't have anything on the books for December 🤣 Will look at Mon Cheri - you're right, there are so many choices
This sounds amazing, and a few more days in Hanoi will be perfect! We highly recommend Mon Cheri, they were wonderful the whole way from booking and throughout the cruise.
How did you get from city to city in Southeast Asia? Meaning what type of transportation. Loving your videos, can’t believe you’re new at this. Great job! 👍🏼
Hi, Izzy. We have learned a lot over the last year of RUclips!! We have been flying from city to city. The flights are inexpensive and the airports are easy to navigate. Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment!! Cheers!!🍻
Thank you for watching, Sam, you will have a great time! We had such a great experience in Vietnam we have already decided to go back for a couple weeks next year! Thank you for watching and safe travels. Cheers!!🍻
@@BrianandCarrie / I refer travel in Japan - Singapore - Europe… not in VN . Corruption communist country - At the airport you don’t give them $$$$ they will give you a hard time . Only in VN communist country .
They not honest - I don’t trust them . I bought some fruits in Biên Hòa market - South VN …. - she try to cheat me - we caught her . Taxi guy try to cheat me when I just get in his car … I told him to pull over - I got out - look for another taxi. I am from California.
*My wife and I had our Honeymoon on The Scarlet Pearl in Feb 2020 just as the big C word was becoming a household word Worldwide. Maybe that's why we got such an Awesome deal. The hotel we stayed in Hanoi was selling the package and when I hesitated on the package they quickly lowered the price to something we couldn't turn down. It also included the Limo bus ride there and back. We opted in for only one night but after spending the time we did I wish we did the 2 nights. We LOVE Vietnam the scenery is stunning. Thanks for the video it brought back alot of memories. Travel Safe and BE Well.*
We had such a great experience in Vietnam we plan on going back in 2024. This time we will be in the southern region so we can explore Cambodia as well. Thank you for commenting guys, safe travels!! Cheers!!🍻
Clearly the prices in Vietnam have gone way up. In 2014 we paind less than half of that fir a similar tour. Everything except alcohol was included, including 2 wat transportation from Hanoi. Even the 2$ beers are double the price. Still looks like fun and brings back memories.
Nice footage and breakdown! If you travel solo do you get your own single room and how much does that cost for 3 day and 2 nights? I don’t want to share with a stranger : ) Thanks for the feedback!
What month are you planning on going to south east Asia in 2024? Do you have your itinerary planned yet. We are going in Jan Feb and Mar 2024. Can’t wait to see your videos. We have been following your travels in Portugal and South East Asia so far and have planned some of our itineraries according to your recommendations. Thanks for doing videos!!!
A best of collage is a great idea, Mark! We had a great time on this cruise and really enjoyed shooting the video. Thank you for the kind words. ☺ Cheers 🍻
Isn't it beautiful there! It's such a pretty part of the world. Random question... Did you find it a little melancholy there at all or was that just me? Just a feeling I had there and couldn't understand why.
Your videos are so informative and great! Love them thank you for sharing :)!!!! I might do a day tour of Ha Long bay, is this an option instead of the over night stays? Thanks so much :)
We are so happy to hear you enjoyed it. It's comments like these that inspire us to keep doing what were doing. Yes, a day trip off halong bay is absolutely an option. It comes at a much lower price point and you still get to see the bay and do a few excursions. A great option for those that don't have the time or don't want to spend the money. Thanks for watching! Cheers 🍻
I think the problem with the day trips or even 1 night trips are that you'll be swarmed by other tourists so if you're not about that, it could ruin your trip. And definitely don't do the trips on weekends, holidays, or when school is out since the locals will swarm the boats then.
Thanks for continuing to make your weekly videos. Look forward to them every Saturday. Have a question that's a bit off subject. You have mentioned that you take a fire stick with you. Do you find any problem accessing programs you want to watch? Do you use a VPN? Will be heading to Spain for 4 weeks and want to take a Fire stick with me. Social!!
Great question, Vernon. We use Surfshark and have not had any problems accessing our programs. Here is the link! Thank you for watching. www.avantlink.com/click.php?tool_type=cl&merchant_id=d8e35d72-7038-46d7-9944-f64cdc64d199&website_id=07ce4335-e112-4c0a-932c-33a2e51dc93e&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsurfshark.com%2Fdeals Cheers!!🍻
Hope you love it! We really thought it was a wonderful experience. They just mentioned gratuity at the end and had a jar you could put it in. It was up to you to decide what you were comfortable with. Enjoy!!
The casting for this show was originally done on a tight budget. The actor that plays Brian was able to negotiate a sweetheart deal. But it feels like the actress that plays Carrie was able to get a “niceness” clause built in. That’s the sign of a good agent.
@@BrianandCarrie Wow, first time I’ve heard that in the north of Vietnam it’s that hot in February! Because I’ve heard that in the north (also Ha Long Bay) it’s much colder than the south
We are heading back to Thailand tomorrow!! The decision was difficult between the Action 3 and the GoPro. I really liked the magnet system on the DJI but started hearing about the video being out of focus in some situations. Since we would be using it for most of our videos, we decided not to take the chance, spend the money, and get the GoPro. As always, thank you for watching and commenting! Cheers!!🍻
Great video. Question. I have seen some videos where it was said it was over blown and talked about how much plastics material was in the water and oil from ships. Did you experience that? Thanks
Thank you! We have seen some of those same videos. Overall, we loved the experience and had a great time. We did see garbage but not like in some of the videos that are out there. It could be getting washed in from poor weather? Who knows? SE Asia does have a problem, unfortunately. ☹
What a good vlog!! My girlfriend and I are trying to find the best cruise but this one looks so good! Can you share the page where u booked the trip? Thanks a lot :)
Great question - we went in February and it was still hit-and-miss at that point. When we were leaving the area in March the weather was getting consistently nicer so that may be a good time. Thanks so much for watching ☺
Just got back from our cruise and I was watching out for the hawker boat lady but it was a different one to yours. I paid 200K for 4 beers and was so excited at having just got on the boat I forgot the No.1 rule of Vietnam - barter!! Next morning a lady was offering them at 25k each. Great trip, just watched your vid again, saw the Mon Cherie pass us at one point. Cheers to you both 🍺
I'm in Halong Bay right now on a cruise ship... Does the city come to life at night at all? Like, lots of gals looking for fun men to kick it with or not so much?
Is it worth to do 2 nights or 1 night is enough, we a couple with a 1 year old. and also if you could help from where did you book Mon Cheri cruise? Thanks in advance :)
On the last day we hiked into the caves and that would be difficult with a 1-year-old. We would say about half of the group that we boarded with on day one only stayed one night. We booked our trip directly through Mon Cheri web site. Thank you for watching and safe travels. Cheers!!
16:28. Yeah. That’s totally us. Alarm? What’s that. We aren’t setting it unless we have to. “Have to” is experienced we wouldn’t already get in the US. Awesome video! Also, your mail chimp link for the newsletter doesn’t work anymore.
Yes, we now dread alarms now that we don't do them daily. Sorry about the link, we recently needed to switch mail providers and missed a few links. Here is the link for you: brianandcarrie.myflodesk.com/newsletter
When you break it down, it’s not that bad. $350 a day per person with all those delicious meals and 3 long excursions, sounds totally worth it. Did they have any single options that were not to pricey, or do I need to find a GF. 😂 Another great video, Obrigado.
Hi, Larry! We really felt like it was worth it. The cruise cost us each about $350 for the 2 day and 3 nights. That is a lot of food! 😆 It is definitely an experience to share with someone else but you will make plenty of friends on the boat! 😁 Cheers 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie I’ve traveled solo for a lot of trips and don’t mind it at all. The issue is sometimes you wind up paying the full rate for two on various things, especially cruise related. 🙏
There are many to choose from. We just picked one that had good reviews and fit in our price range. It was above what we would typically spend but it was a bucket list item for us.
I have done that trip twice about 10 years apart and in much more basic transportation and accommodation. The first time was a marvellous but robust experience and the second a more refined but overall lesser experience due to the sheer number of other boats and tourists. It really felt like being herded like sheep and the attractions no longer really authentic. Bottom line is I would not go there again anytime soon.
We were there in mid-February. You should be ok that time of year. December and January are the two best months from what we've been told. Thank you for watching and safe travels!! ❤
Thank you for this video. We are headed on a two week trip to Vietnam soon and we are ending our vacation with a bay cruise. It's so nice to see GenX travel vloggers!
Hi, Amy! You will have a fantastic time in Vietnam. The cruise is a lot of fun and worth the price. We really appreciate you watching our channel!
Cheers 🍻
Halong Bay has been on our bucket list for years. Will finally be able to visit next year. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Great info guys!
You'll love it when you get the chance to go!!! Thanks so much for watching. Cheers 🍻
I did a 3-day, 2-night Halong Bay cruise in early November, 2022. $770 for a couple, $590 single. The tour you were on appears to have been far quieter than the one I was on! We were accompanied everywhere by 17 to 18 other tour vessels, everyone did activities at the same time each day, which meant you and hundreds of others were kayaking or crammed into a shore excursion together. Further, "cruising?" We were only actually underway when repositioning to take on new passengers or get rid of others. During the entire 3D/2N journey, I'd estimate we were moving for less than a half-hour. By all means, see Halong Bay, but do a day cruise and avoid these overpriced overnight tours.
EDIT: I was on Mon Cheri as well. Price difference probably due to included round-trip transit from Old District Hanoi.
I can see how it could get way busier during certain times of years, and the crowds would take some of the relaxed feel from it. We had a fantastic time and we were cruising through the islands a fair portion of time, especially on the 2nd day of our trip which was wonderful. I agree, a must see but everyone may have a different idea how they want to see it. Thanks for watching! Cheers 🍻
Awesome, very happy you guys treated yourselves and had so much fun. And as always, thanks for bringing us along! 😎
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks so much for watching ☺️
This was 100% worth it!!! We felt the exact same way as y'all. Glad you guys got to fully experience the caves while kayaking & didn't smack your head at any point in the Trung Trang Cave (or at least from what we could see in the video lol). Can't wait to see your Da Nang videos!!!
We had such a great time! The kayaking was definitely a highlight. We looking forward to seeing your Chaing Mai videos! 😉
@@BrianandCarrie We're posting twice this week in order to get them rolling out! We're just a bittttt behind🤣
Nice!! We can't wait!!
@@ProbablyLostii8
Half day cruise is fine for me.
Great video- really enjoyed that. So inexpensive for everything you got really. Thanks so much for sharing. Hope you get to 20k soon 🙏
Thank you, Karen! We went over 20k!! 🥳
My wife and I also did the Halong Bay cruise. it was cloudy too, the two days we were there. We really enjoyed the experience and the cruise crew were good. What I wish this video showed is how absolutely packed the harbor and inner islands are with other tour boats. It's like rush hour in some places. I think that will affect the distance and length of cruise others will choose, if they knew this in advance. You will never really feel alone on a Halong Bay cruise.
Very true! We suspect that it will get much busier as tourism gets back to what it was pre-covid. Thank you for watching!
Cheers 🍻
And they like to use their horns.. just like on the roads... 😉
You made the comment about a couple days break from having to think. I can really appreciate this. We spent last year traveling Spain and eastern Europe and the planning gets tiresome. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful we could do it but I think we we leave on our next trip in a few weeks I need to throw in some all included activities here and there. A resort in southern Turkey or a cruise etc. Something where we just go and they say do this or that and here's your food etc.
It really is a thing to get burned out of always being in planning mode. It felt great to have some one else do it for us, if even only for a few days. Thanks for watching!
It'll be great when Chat GBT starts booking the best flights, train tickets, bus tickets, Airbnbs, and the rest of our travel plans.😜
WOW what a beautiful get away. So happy you two experienced this place. THANKS so much for filming and sharing with us. It is incredibly difficult to produce such a great video. You two are the BEST!
Thank you, Darryl for the kind words and for taking the time to watch our channel! We really appreciate it!
Cheers 🍻
It just wouldn’t be another Saturday nightshift at work without the Brian and Carrie show! Fantastic as usual you two, thanks for bringing it to us! Cheers 🍻
Thanks again El Ricko! Hopefully you are watching on the clock and not during your break!! 😁
Cheers 🍻
We did this years ago on a boat that was not as fancy as yours, good food, and same beautiful scenery. So there are cheaper options.
What an awesome video! Glad Brian got some 🍻. Thanks for sharing . Dan & Marj
Haha, Brian loves it's 🍻. Thanks for watching. Cheers!!
almost to 20k! Treat yo self! Looks like a blast.. glad you guys did it!! Love you!
So close! Love you Kodie!! ❤❤
Very glad to see that the title was a bit of a misnomer and you felt that the cruise was a full value for you. Even when you travel on a budget, I think that this was a healthy and worthwhile splurge! Glad that you enjoyed this trip. Excellent.
Thank you, Robert. We are happy that we decided to spend the money, it is something that we have wanted to do for a long time now. We appreciate the continued support!
Cheers!🍻
I can't believe how expensive Ha Long Bay cruises have gotten. I've taken two and that was back when the only boats in the bay were traditional, brown wooden boats, much smaller and only held maybe 10 guests. For $60 you got a pick up and return to your hotel, a 3-day cruise, kayaking, all excursions (except biking on Cat Ba Island), and all food and drinks (except alcohol) included. Definitely going in winter is the best option for the most clear skies and views. It can be much colder, but the views are usually clear (no fog). Great video. Can't wait to to get your impressions of Hoi An! Spend at least one night at the Hoi An Beach Resort (riverside NOT ocean side).
The biggest cost is all the food! We wouldn't even be hungry before the next meal! It was a lot of fun and we definitely recommended. December and January are probably the best times to although we have heard that region is unpredictable. Overall, great trip and worth the money. We are in Hoi An now! Thank you for watching and commenting!
Cheers 🍻
Great cruise treat, ànd four beers for the price of two, gotta love that😊. Halong Bay cruise added to my ever-growing travel list. Might need to ditch those caves on the third day, though, after all the awesome hiking, biking and kayaking. Thanks for sharing all your fun and informative videos. Happy Trails👍
We did the same with Rosy Cruise last week, very long tender ride from wharf to the ship, we got done on a bottle of wine from sampan seller.. we paid $600 AUD for overnite stay but with VIP transfers included... they say its two days one night but really works out after transfers and tender rides, two half days and a night...
We think that doing the 2 night is really the best option. Like you say, by the time you arrive and get settled in the day is half over and you are leaving late morning the next day. We did have a great time and would recommend doing it. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Cheers 🍻
We have done this trip about three times now, two budget options and a expensive one and I will say I would go the expensive one every time given the choice.
Agreed!! We loved being pampered for a few days. If someone can afford the option when going, it's well worth it. Thanks for watching!
When we did Ha Long Bay a few years ago, we just opted to do a day trip on one of the smaller ferry type of boats. Still got to do the kayaking, visit some floating villages, swimming and all that...but it was only $29 per person for a full day. Definitely a good deal for those looking to do Ha Long Day on a budget! The ship you were on looked super nice though. Maybe we'd try something like that at some point. 🤓
It is great that they have the day trip option. Allowing those that need to be more budget to still enjoy the amazing scenery. Staying a few days on the bay is so great though if it's possible. As always, thanks for watching 😊
That price was the total amount that we spent. So, per couple. We break it all down for you in the video.
Cheers!!🍻
the day trip is morre like $50 now
@@Jagutt2 That's still quite good, given what it is. I imagine a lot of prices have changed since the pandemic.
A splurge once in while is OK and you two certainly deserve it! Thanks for sharing, looks like a really good deal for all that you got. How far in advance did you need to book the cruise?
Thank you for sharing your experience, it’s quite informative and I enjoyed watching it. May I ask what month was this trip?
Hi, Ana! This was three weeks ago, in the middle of February. Thank you for watching and commenting, we really appreciate the support.
Cheers!!🍻
Looks like an awesome experience. 100% worth it. Not too long, plenty to do and see. Great food. I would splurge and take this mini cruise for sure.
Agreed, well worth it and the two nights was a perfect length. Thanks so much for watching 😊
Great video as always! Thank you!
Thanks for watching! Cheers 🍻
What wonderful video! Great editing, cinematography, and music…. So enjoyable! The cruise and excursions were an amazing deal! It wound have been worth double the price!
By the way, did the price include tips? what is the tipping etiquette?
Thank you so much. We really appreciate the feedback and are so happy to hear you enjoyed it 😊. Tipping was done by leaving money in a jar in the dining room on both the main boat and the day trip boat. Being that was the only jars we saw I'm assuming the money was split between staff.
Vietnam was on my bucket list for a while, i crossed it off the list a couple of years ago as i thought i have seen Indonesia, similar enough. This video put it back on the list for me . Thank you 🤗🤗🤗🤗
We would definitely keep Vietnam on your list. We are loving both Da Nang and Hoi An. The two days we spent in Hanoi were much more than we expected as well. Vietnam is underrated! Hopefully you make it here soon! Thank you for watching and safe travels.
Cheers 🍻
Hello Brian & Carrie 😍 Looks like amazing experience at least you can say you did in style lol. I would love to plan Ha Long Bay Cruise at some stage. The food looked delicious. I would spend the money for luxury you have to spoil yourself now an again. Thank you for sharing. 😊
It was a wonderful experience that we are so happy we had the opportunity to do. You are exactly right, sometimes you need to spoil yourselves and this was one of those times! Thanks so much for watching 😊
Great video. Heading to Northern Vietnam soon and your content was super helpful! Thx!
Thank you, Valerie! Safe and happy travels!! 😊
This was so helpful!! We head there tomorrow and it’s great to know what to expect. Kind of wish you were on our cruise too. You’re both so fun.
Hi Luisa! So happy to hear you found it helpful. Have a great time on your cruise, it's such a wonderful experience 😊
Another great video and always good for a laugh!
Thank you for watching, Thomas! 😁 Cheers 🍻
I also made a Mon Cheri Cruise last month and that is an unforgettable trip. I highly recommend Vietnam Escape Tours, this travel agency is dedicated and helpful, would suggest everyone connect with Tony and opt for his package tours.
Love Halong and Tony’s team.
Hi from Saranda, Albania! Watching this is so relaxing; it's like a yoga class!
Love that! Thanks so much for watching ☺️. Btw, one of the best views we've ever had was from our Airbnb in Sarande.
Hi Guys,
I loved the video of your Ha Long Bay Cruise and, given what was included, thought that it was a good value for the money. I loved the part when Brian bought the beer from the woman in the boat and how she used the fishing net to deliver the beer and take your money. What did surprise me was how touristy the place was. I would give the caves a miss, but I loved the kayaking. So far, I prefer Vietnam to Thailand and am eager to see where you go next. Keep up the excellent work!
It really has become a popular destination in Vietnam. We imagine that once tourism is back at full capacity it gets even more so. We are heading back to Thailand next week so it will be fun to compare the two. We may even do a video on which we like better. Thank you for always commenting!! We really appreciated the support!
Cheers!!🍻
The misty views were so dreamy, and beautiful choice of music! Just seeing that cave on screen really gave me anxiety (claustrophobia!!) but as a hiker I was really drawn to the green path! Would just walking around be an option while the crazy/brave folks were in the dungeon? 😁 Really enjoyed this, and hadn’t ever considered it before. PS When I was in college, all the Mississippi boys called it co-beer 😉
Claustrophobia was a thought that crossed my mind - but once you were in the cave there was really only one path. For those that prefer wide open spaces, im sure staying out in the greens space would be an option . Happy you enjoyed the video ☺️
Looks amazing. Looking for a couple month excursion to Vietnam and Thailand once our youngest heads to college.
That sounds like a great idea! We are loving Vietnam and looking forward to getting back to Southern Thailand next week. Thank you for watching and supporting us!
Cheers 🍻
The boat looked amazing. Great trip too.
It really was! Thanks for watching ☺️
Tried to search through the comments to see if anyone else asked, so pardon if repeat question. What time of year did you go? What were the meals like on the day boat you took? Did the meals feel high quality/foodie-like? Planning on going over Thanksgiving break with our three young kids.
Hi Rachel! We went on our Cruise in February. And the day trip meal was wonderful on the cruise we took, it was a served 5-course meal. Thanks for watching :)
It looks like it was worth the $700! Thanks for sharing your excellent video. I have to add this to my bucket list. It looks like a great cruise with good food, beverages, kayaking, pool, hot tubs, biking, and cave hiking - you did it all! The scenery was also beautiful. Cheers!
It was well worth the money considering all that was involved. We are so happy we took part in all the excursions, they were all so much fun and interesting! Thanks so much for watching 😊
So nice to be there the day of beautiful clear water and nice weather. Thanks for sharing From Galveston Texas. Support
We had a great time! Da Nang and Hoi An were amazing as well!! Thank you for watching!
Cheers!!🍻
Love It!
We had a great time and recommend doing it if you have a chance! Thank you for watching and safe travels!
Cheers 🍻
Seems you guys are enjoying Asia, doing new activities each day. Lucky.
Thanks for sharing. Your Video is very good. Both of you speak very clear and pleasant.
Thank you so much for the kind words, we very much appreciate the support! ❤
I enjoy your videos for the same reason! You’re both articulate and enunciate well. Makes for easier watching than some others 😅
I heard there are many packages to choose from. Also off season price. Some people get 300usd for 2 pax. Some higher. But generally it is a tourist trap. If you are poor like me, better stay on land. Money can be used somewhere else.
There may be off-season prices and lower packages offered. We saved up and splurged. Thank you for watching.
Cheers 🍻
Good for you to splurge on the cruise! Looks wonderful. I saw Sammy and Tommy do the same cruise a year or so back, and thought it seemed like a good one. Nice to see your research pointed you in the same direction. When I was in Vietnam 🇻🇳 I unfortunately didn’t get up to Ha Long Bây, but want to get back to 🇻🇳 to go. As always, continued safe and happy travels! ✈️ 🌏
Thank you, John! This is a popular cruise to go on for sure. We had even contemplated not doing a video simply because so many others already have. We decided to try to put a different spin on it. 😁 Glad that you enjoyed it and thank for supporting us!
Cheers 🍻
I watch your videos every week and really enjoy them. Since you’ve been in Asia I’ve noticed that Brian seems to be losing weight and has dark circles under his eyes. Maybe it’s just the heat and humidity. Hope you’re feeling well Brian. I know when I first moved to Asia it was a shock to my system and I took awhile to acclimate to the conditions.
@@BrianandCarrie glad you decided to make your video - it’s your story and experience to tell, and that we are interested in, regardless of other videos. 👍🏼🙏🏼
Thank you so much for watching! Brian has been working to take off a few pounds put on over the holidays and has been doing great. That's never easy so b he appreciates it's starting to show 😊.
Sammy and Tommy, 2Passports 1Dream (AMAZING room they booked), Flora and Note, and MomDuty all did it last year. Flora and Note booked during the weekend or holiday and were surrounded by people, so just beware that the shorter cruises or ones booked on holidays, weekends, or when school is out may not be as peaceful if kids are out of school. LOL
Wow that looked like a must!
It was wonderful, thanks so much for watching! Cheers 🍻
Thank you for sharing this adventure!
Thank you for watching!!
And... just like that, we're booking a trip in December! Another wonderful video. Thank you!
How exciting! Where are you heading?
@@BrianandCarrie We are flying into Hanoi and securing an Airbnb for about 8days, making the trip to Halong Bay for a 3d/2nt cruise, then back to Hanoi for a couple days.
It's been a bucket list; your video pushed it up, especially since we don't have anything on the books for December 🤣
Will look at Mon Cheri - you're right, there are so many choices
This sounds amazing, and a few more days in Hanoi will be perfect! We highly recommend Mon Cheri, they were wonderful the whole way from booking and throughout the cruise.
How did you get from city to city in Southeast Asia? Meaning what type of transportation.
Loving your videos, can’t believe you’re new at this. Great job! 👍🏼
Hi, Izzy. We have learned a lot over the last year of RUclips!! We have been flying from city to city. The flights are inexpensive and the airports are easy to navigate. Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment!!
Cheers!!🍻
let's come to Raja Ampat Island, Indonesia, which is even more beautiful, sir
Hello, thank you for sharing your adventures with us. You both did a great job on your videos. I love all the places you visited. ❤❤
Thank you so much for watching and the kind words ❤
@@BrianandCarrie of course, you two are very nice couple traveling together around the world. ❤️
Heading on this cruise in a couple of weeks time, same 2 night cruise it’s been great to have a preview of what to expect thanks for the video
Thank you for watching, Sam, you will have a great time! We had such a great experience in Vietnam we have already decided to go back for a couple weeks next year! Thank you for watching and safe travels.
Cheers!!🍻
@@BrianandCarrie / I refer travel in Japan - Singapore -
Europe…
not in VN .
Corruption communist country -
At the airport you don’t give them $$$$ they will give you a hard time .
Only in VN communist country .
We had a wonderful time in Vietnam and nobody gave us a hard time. We spent a month moving around and the people were very gracious.
looks like a great cruise! did you see mostly couples on the boat or are there any solo travelers as well?
On our cruise there was three solo ladies that I knew of...
There were plenty of couples but we also had a few solo travelers as well. Thanks for watching ☺️
If you want to know how the Vietnamese won the war, look at how they improvise to win.
Exhibit A - the beer lady with the net....
Very true. And by selling me 2 extra beers rather then give me change! Genius!!! 😆
Cheers 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie I wOuld call it smart sss. Don’t think of long tern profit
@@BrianandCarrie / she smart - keep your $ - return with 2 more beers -
What a trick .
They not honest - I don’t trust them .
I bought some fruits in Biên Hòa market - South VN …. - she try to cheat me - we caught her .
Taxi guy try to cheat me when I just get in his car … I told him to pull over - I got out - look for another taxi.
I am from California.
great video keep up the good work thanks
Thanks for watching, we appreciate the support 😊!
What month did you go please??
We were there in February. Thank you for watching.
Cheers!🍻
*My wife and I had our Honeymoon on The Scarlet Pearl in Feb 2020 just as the big C word was becoming a household word Worldwide. Maybe that's why we got such an Awesome deal. The hotel we stayed in Hanoi was selling the package and when I hesitated on the package they quickly lowered the price to something we couldn't turn down. It also included the Limo bus ride there and back. We opted in for only one night but after spending the time we did I wish we did the 2 nights. We LOVE Vietnam the scenery is stunning. Thanks for the video it brought back alot of memories. Travel Safe and BE Well.*
We had such a great experience in Vietnam we plan on going back in 2024. This time we will be in the southern region so we can explore Cambodia as well. Thank you for commenting guys, safe travels!!
Cheers!!🍻
Clearly the prices in Vietnam have gone way up. In 2014 we paind less than half of that fir a similar tour. Everything except alcohol was included, including 2 wat transportation from Hanoi. Even the 2$ beers are double the price. Still looks like fun and brings back memories.
Our video coming out this weekend is our cost breakdown of the month that we spent in Vietnam. Thank you for watching!!
Cheers!!🍻
Nice footage and breakdown! If you travel solo do you get your own single room and how much does that cost for 3 day and 2 nights? I don’t want to share with a stranger : ) Thanks for the feedback!
We each paid $350, David. That is the cost that you would pay for your own room. Thank you for watching.
Cheers!!🍻
What month are you planning on going to south east Asia in 2024? Do you have your itinerary planned yet. We are going in Jan Feb and Mar 2024. Can’t wait to see your videos. We have been following your travels in Portugal and South East Asia so far and have planned some of our itineraries according to your recommendations. Thanks for doing videos!!!
We had a change of plans and won't be going back in 2024. We do look forward to returning, hopefully in 2025. Safe travels 😊
Thanks for sharing. I am doing this in a couple of months
Thank you for watching and safe travels!!
Great shot of Carrie @ 4:31.
She looks beautiful and she's having a great time. You should put that in your "best of" collage.
A best of collage is a great idea, Mark! We had a great time on this cruise and really enjoyed shooting the video. Thank you for the kind words. ☺
Cheers 🍻
Isn't it beautiful there! It's such a pretty part of the world. Random question... Did you find it a little melancholy there at all or was that just me? Just a feeling I had there and couldn't understand why.
Hi Robert, thanks so much for watching 😊. We found it to be incredibly peaceful and such a great experience. Highly recommend.
Oh my! I love this!
Thank you, Michael! We had a great time!!
Fantastic. Became a fan of you guys!
Thank you so much for watching :) Cheers 🍻
Looks beautiful, how are the bugs?
We didn't experience any bugs!! 🙂
Your videos are so informative and great! Love them thank you for sharing :)!!!!
I might do a day tour of Ha Long bay, is this an option instead of the over night stays?
Thanks so much :)
We are so happy to hear you enjoyed it. It's comments like these that inspire us to keep doing what were doing. Yes, a day trip off halong bay is absolutely an option. It comes at a much lower price point and you still get to see the bay and do a few excursions. A great option for those that don't have the time or don't want to spend the money. Thanks for watching! Cheers 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie Amazing thanks so much for the information!! You guys are awesome can't wait to see more of your videos :)!!!
I think the problem with the day trips or even 1 night trips are that you'll be swarmed by other tourists so if you're not about that, it could ruin your trip. And definitely don't do the trips on weekends, holidays, or when school is out since the locals will swarm the boats then.
@@doodahgurlie Good to know!! thank you so much for this info
Thanks for continuing to make your weekly videos. Look forward to them every Saturday.
Have a question that's a bit off subject.
You have mentioned that you take a fire stick with you. Do you find any problem accessing programs you want to watch? Do you use a VPN?
Will be heading to Spain for 4 weeks and want to take a Fire stick with me.
Social!!
Great question, Vernon. We use Surfshark and have not had any problems accessing our programs. Here is the link!
Thank you for watching.
www.avantlink.com/click.php?tool_type=cl&merchant_id=d8e35d72-7038-46d7-9944-f64cdc64d199&website_id=07ce4335-e112-4c0a-932c-33a2e51dc93e&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsurfshark.com%2Fdeals
Cheers!!🍻
Thanks
I will check it out
Really appreciate the update on the e-visa situation...
Glad that we could help, Mike. Thank you for watching.
Cheers!!🍻
It would be nice to know WHEN you had this trip. We are planning and are curious about the month when this happened. Nice trip!
We were there in the month of February. It was perfect temperature with a few clouds. Thank you for watching!! 😊
Booking 3 Day/2 Night on Mon Cheri next year - thanks to your video! May I ask, what was expected/norm gratuity?
Hope you love it! We really thought it was a wonderful experience. They just mentioned gratuity at the end and had a jar you could put it in. It was up to you to decide what you were comfortable with. Enjoy!!
What a great experience we’ll worth the money! 5:32
It was a wonderful experience and one we won't forget.
Thankfully there weren't any bats in those caves, Brian loves to joke 🤣
"She's smarter than I am."
We knew that already.
Ha! You got me!! 🤣🤣
Cheers 🍻 🍻
The casting for this show was originally done on a tight budget. The actor that plays Brian was able to negotiate a sweetheart deal. But it feels like the actress that plays Carrie was able to get a “niceness” clause built in. That’s the sign of a good agent.
I only have to be good at one thing Purdue! Negotiating a great deal is it! 🤣
As always, thanks for watching and commenting!!
Cheers 🍻
Fabulous, thank you for sharing this, such great music as well.
Loved the adventure!
We had a great time!! Thank you for watching!! 😊
Hey what time of the year did you go? I'm asking because I'm wondering if it's also worth it going in January/February...
We were there in February. Good time of year to go!
@@BrianandCarrie Really? Isn’t it too cold to take a swim for example? How warm/cold was it?
It's hot in SE Asia that time of year. 80 to 90 plus degrees.
@@BrianandCarrie Wow, first time I’ve heard that in the north of Vietnam it’s that hot in February! Because I’ve heard that in the north (also Ha Long Bay) it’s much colder than the south
Hi Guys, I plan to buy an action camera and would like to know why you chose the GoPro over the less expensive DJI?
Also are you back in Thailand? Safe travels!
We are heading back to Thailand tomorrow!! The decision was difficult between the Action 3 and the GoPro. I really liked the magnet system on the DJI but started hearing about the video being out of focus in some situations. Since we would be using it for most of our videos, we decided not to take the chance, spend the money, and get the GoPro. As always, thank you for watching and commenting!
Cheers!!🍻
Nice editing guys -
Thank you, Robert!
Great video. Question. I have seen some videos where it was said it was over blown and talked about how much plastics material was in the water and oil from ships. Did you experience that?
Thanks
Thank you! We have seen some of those same videos. Overall, we loved the experience and had a great time. We did see garbage but not like in some of the videos that are out there. It could be getting washed in from poor weather? Who knows? SE Asia does have a problem, unfortunately. ☹
Its $9 on the island where i live so a complete steal for me .
What a good vlog!! My girlfriend and I are trying to find the best cruise but this one looks so good! Can you share the page where u booked the trip? Thanks a lot :)
We booked our trip through the Mon Cheri website. We had a great time and highly recommend it. Safe travels!
Cheers!!🍻
What is the best time of year to do this cruise? This looks really nice.
Great question - we went in February and it was still hit-and-miss at that point. When we were leaving the area in March the weather was getting consistently nicer so that may be a good time. Thanks so much for watching ☺
Just got back from our cruise and I was watching out for the hawker boat lady but it was a different one to yours. I paid 200K for 4 beers and was so excited at having just got on the boat I forgot the No.1 rule of Vietnam - barter!! Next morning a lady was offering them at 25k each. Great trip, just watched your vid again, saw the Mon Cherie pass us at one point. Cheers to you both 🍺
Thank you and cheers to you as well!🍻
Yeah, that last cave is a no go! 😅
It was pretty tight but we managed! 😁 Thank you for watching and commenting!!
Cheers 🍻
I'm in Halong Bay right now on a cruise ship... Does the city come to life at night at all? Like, lots of gals looking for fun men to kick it with or not so much?
We wouldn't know. We didn't stay in town.
The biggest cruise I’ve done was on Mekong Delta with a small boat 😁 but this cruise you had very luxury
Yes, this was quite the luxury cruise. We loved it 😍
love the video
Thank you! We had a really fun time with this one. We enjoy what we do but Halong Bay was really a lot of fun.
Cheers!!🍻
You two are adorable! Loved watching this video.
Thank you so much for watching!! 😊😉
You 2 are a lovely couple ❤
Do you find that the obsession with the cost diminishes the experience on the whole?
We are budget travelers so we need to be cautious of what we spend. It has not diminished our travel experience. Thank you for watching.
Cheers 🍻
Brian's French is impressive.
Isn't it though...we should head there next so he can give it a try with the locals 🤣
Are there a lot of mosquitos?
Not that we noticed.
Oh yeah. TOTALLY worth it!
Absolutely! Thanks for watching Julie!
Cheers 🍻
Is it worth to do 2 nights or 1 night is enough, we a couple with a 1 year old. and also if you could help from where did you book Mon Cheri cruise? Thanks in advance :)
On the last day we hiked into the caves and that would be difficult with a 1-year-old. We would say about half of the group that we boarded with on day one only stayed one night. We booked our trip directly through Mon Cheri web site. Thank you for watching and safe travels.
Cheers!!
16:28. Yeah. That’s totally us. Alarm? What’s that. We aren’t setting it unless we have to. “Have to” is experienced we wouldn’t already get in the US. Awesome video! Also, your mail chimp link for the newsletter doesn’t work anymore.
Yes, we now dread alarms now that we don't do them daily. Sorry about the link, we recently needed to switch mail providers and missed a few links. Here is the link for you: brianandcarrie.myflodesk.com/newsletter
@@BrianandCarrie awesome!
When you break it down, it’s not that bad. $350 a day per person with all those delicious meals and 3 long excursions, sounds totally worth it. Did they have any single options that were not to pricey, or do I need to find a GF. 😂
Another great video, Obrigado.
Hi, Larry! We really felt like it was worth it. The cruise cost us each about $350 for the 2 day and 3 nights. That is a lot of food! 😆 It is definitely an experience to share with someone else but you will make plenty of friends on the boat! 😁
Cheers 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie I’ve traveled solo for a lot of trips and don’t mind it at all. The issue is sometimes you wind up paying the full rate for two on various things, especially cruise related. 🙏
What made you guys decide to go on Mon Cheri cruise?
There are many to choose from. We just picked one that had good reviews and fit in our price range. It was above what we would typically spend but it was a bucket list item for us.
I have done that trip twice about 10 years apart and in much more basic transportation and accommodation. The first time was a marvellous but robust experience and the second a more refined but overall lesser experience due to the sheer number of other boats and tourists. It really felt like being herded like sheep and the attractions no longer really authentic.
Bottom line is I would not go there again anytime soon.
Thank you for sharing.
Cheers!!🍻
Did you say what month you went ? We just booked this company for November and hoping that’s ok 😅
We were there in mid-February. You should be ok that time of year. December and January are the two best months from what we've been told. Thank you for watching and safe travels!! ❤
Ah ok! Originally we thought about Feb but then changed to November. Thank you for info !
Hi, Was there squid fishing? I can't see the itinerary clearly
Yes, there was squid fishing.
Great thanks! Did you get to try?
We choose not to but plenty of people were doing it.
Awesome
The right words are, it's included in the price, not free
No, some things are just free.
Can I ask who you booked through? Your cost was significantly less than what I'm seeing.
We booked directly through the Mon Cheri website.