We chose Paloma for it's 3day, 2nt itinerary, including BBQ on a private beach, it's price for a large cabin with private sun deck (not the cheapest, but definitely not the most expensive)and the great reviews, especially for the food....and our expectations were exceeded time and time again. The Paloma was perfect for us in every way and if you do your research you will also choose the perfect cruise for you, it might be the Paloma or it might not.

First of all we had to pay a deposit by PayPal, and had no problems. This seems to be a reliable and honest business, you can book with confidence that they will do the best they can to make sure you are happy.

Our cruise started off with weather so bad that the port was closed and the junk could not come to meet us...or move at all. We had to go off in a small boat to find the Paloma in the murky fog, uncertain whether we would ever move. But the Paloma staff looked after us beautifully. Our first day itinerary was changed because of this, but we have no complaints and it made us all the more happy that we had booked the extra night.

The second day we woke to a sunny day and our beautiful private BBQ on the beach went ahead. We had 4 great staff and crew looking after the 2 of us. We have the most wonderful memories of a very special day.

THE FOOD: We loved the food. The meals are served to your private table and you only have to share with your private group. If there are more of you, they put more on each plate. There is a lot of seafood and we were warned on the bus ride that if we wanted something special just to let our guide (Vinh) know and he would arrange alternatives. We had prawns, clams, pippis, squid, fish, scallops, chicken, pork, beef, salad, rice and fruit. The first day lunch was 9 courses of tasty wonderful treats. Dinner was just as large and just as tasty. Breakfast was more western style with coffee and juice.

EXTRAS: 2 bottles of water/day, fruit basket, greeted with hot or cold towels after each outing, spring roll cooking class, night squid fishing, white towels placed in the kayaks to keep us clean and dry, safety vests fitted for kayaking, fantastic birthday cake and flowers for my partner's 50th birthday (just let them know of your occasion) chatting with very friendly and funny staff (Kim, Twan and Vinh), photos taken of us by staff without asking.....and more.

THE ROOM: The room was immaculate, the bed was comfortable and quiet. We slept so well. Our cabin had large sliding doors and three other windows, mini bar, safety box and life jackets. The shower had plenty of hot water and good water pressure. We looked at the other rooms and they were just as lovely, but a bit smaller.

2ND DAY: Wow! and Wow! We had the best time. We were lucky enough to have the day to ourselves, while everyone headed back to port we went out in a cute day boat fully equipped with bar, dining room, sun deck and toilet. We had lunch cooked for us on our private beach then we explored and sunbathed (I had a quick dip). Then we went kayaking into a quiet lagoon and saw monkeys and later visitied a fishing village and interesting museum. Then we cruised back to the Paloma and saw a glorious sun set. When we joined the new people on the junk, we were served a different meal, because they were having the first night meal. That day we felt like millionaires, we will never forget it.

There is so much more to tell, but I will finish by saying that the staff had to deal with difficult (sometimes rude)people and did it so professionally. I have so much praise for them.

We changed our flights to fit in the 2nt cruise and we couldn't be happier, it was so worth it. If you are deciding between the suite or the 2nt option....definitiely go for the 2nts, it is very special.