We booked through our hotel with Go Asia Travel (Alova Gold Cruise) of Halong Bay and we were not disappointed  Finding it tricky to decide how much or how little to spend I think we chose wisely and had a two day one night trip although some on our cruise stayed on for an additional night. From our hotel pick up with our v professional guide, Kim everything went smoothly and we arrived by the harbor around 12:15 after departing just after 8:00 including a 30 minute rest break. The Bus was pretty new and spacious for the number of guests which made it comfortable  Getting on the boat was quick and hassle free and shortly after checking in we were served a fantastic lunch buffet – lots of coice – meat, veg and seafood and much better than what to expect of Vietnamese mass catering. In general this was the case throughout the trip. The room was pretty good with hot water and AC too!! The layout of the boat meant there was adequate space and it never felt crowded. The bar was busy at night making it an ideal time to swap stories with fellow travelers and served by a great bar man who really knew how to make (and decorate) his drinks – Cocktails were highly recommended!! The activities – an hours kayaking and a trip to the caves the following morning were well run and not as crazy busy and as touristy as I had expected – a pleasant surprise. I’d definitely recommend the company and guide Kim to family and friends when visiting and may even look to book their services in future as the do tours of Sapa and other areas – Well Done!!