Cruising Regulations

At Hercules Grand Cruise, the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of every guest are our priorities. Please read the following cruising regulations before your journey and follow the instructions provided by our cruise crew and tour guide throughout the experience.

1. Passenger Safety

For your safety, please follow all instructions provided by the Hercules Grand Cruise crew and tour guide. Guests should take reasonable care when moving around the vessel, particularly on outdoor decks, stairways, wet surfaces, and other areas where conditions may change during the cruise.

Safety procedures may vary depending on weather conditions, sea conditions, operational requirements, and instructions from the relevant local authorities.

2. Personal Belongings

Guests are responsible for their personal belongings throughout the cruise. Please keep valuables, travel documents, electronic devices, and other personal items secure and do not leave them unattended.

Hercules Grand Cruise is not responsible for personal belongings that are lost, misplaced, or left unattended unless otherwise required by applicable law.

3. Swimming, Kayaking & Water Activities

Swimming, kayaking, and other water-based activities may only take place in designated areas and must follow the safety instructions provided by the crew, tour guide, or activity staff.

Guests should use appropriate safety equipment when required and should not enter the water or participate in an activity when instructed not to do so.

Water activities such as kayaking or bamboo boat excursions are part of the experience described on our Hercules Grand Day Cruise page.

4. Onboard Conduct

All guests are expected to behave respectfully toward other passengers, crew members, and tour guides. Conduct that creates a safety risk, damages property, or significantly disturbs other guests is not permitted.

Dangerous behavior, harassment, aggressive conduct, and excessive alcohol consumption that may affect the safety or comfort of others are not permitted onboard.

Guests may be asked to stop any activity or behavior that the cruise crew reasonably considers unsafe or disruptive.

5. Alcohol & Restricted Items

Alcoholic beverages purchased or served onboard should be consumed responsibly. Guests must comply with applicable laws and crew instructions regarding alcohol consumption.

Items or activities that are prohibited by Vietnamese law, port regulations, or applicable maritime safety requirements are not permitted onboard.

6. Weather & Itinerary Changes

Ha Long Bay cruise itineraries and operating schedules may be changed, shortened, delayed, or cancelled when necessary because of weather conditions, sea conditions, safety requirements, port regulations, or instructions from the relevant local authorities.

For an overview of the planned route and activities, please see our Ha Long Bay cruise itinerary.

Where operational changes are required, Hercules Grand Cruise will make reasonable efforts to inform guests and provide the appropriate arrangements in accordance with applicable regulations and the operating conditions at the time.

7. Compliance with Crew Instructions

Guests are required to follow reasonable instructions given by the Hercules Grand Cruise crew and tour guide when those instructions relate to safety, security, vessel operations, excursions, or compliance with local regulations.

Failure to follow safety instructions or onboard regulations may result in a guest being restricted from participating in a particular activity or, where necessary for safety reasons, being asked to leave an activity or the vessel in accordance with applicable procedures and regulations.

8. Health & Activity Considerations

Guests should consider their own physical condition before participating in swimming, kayaking, hiking, cave visits, or other activities included in the cruise itinerary.

If you have a condition or circumstance that may affect your ability to participate safely, please inform the cruise team before taking part in the relevant activity.

9. Environmental Responsibility

Hercules Grand Cruise encourages all guests to help protect the natural environment of Ha Long Bay. Please dispose of waste only in designated areas, avoid damaging natural or cultural sites, and follow instructions regarding environmental protection during excursions.

10. Personal Information & Guest Communications

When you make a booking or contact Hercules Grand Cruise, certain personal information may be required to process your reservation, provide travel services, and communicate with you regarding your booking.

For information about how personal information is collected, used, and protected, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

11. Changes to These Regulations

These cruising regulations may be updated when necessary to reflect changes in operational procedures, safety requirements, port regulations, local authority instructions, or applicable law.

The latest version published on the Hercules Grand Cruise website applies to current operations, subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements.