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Guide to Halong Bay, Vietnam: How to Choose the Best Cruise

Halong Bay is a stunningly beautiful bay in Northern Vietnam where over 1,600 islands and islets rise up from the turquoise waters of the South China Sea. Most Vietnam itineraries include a trip to Halong Bay.

As you cruise through the bay in one of the famous ‘junk boats,’ you’ll pass by countless towering limestone rock formations surrounding the luxury cruise ship. The bay was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and is today one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Vietnam .

The most popular way to explore Halong Bay is to cruise on a ‘junk boat’ which is actually a liveaboard cruise ship. Most junk boats have around 15-20 cabins so the groups are more intimate than what you would normally expect from a cruise ship.

Read on to learn all about when to go, what to pack , and how to choose the right boat for your Halong Bay cruise!

Choose the Best Halong Bay Cruise: Sunset

Don’t forget to check out our web story: Guide to Halong Bay, Vietnam !

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

Complete Guide to Halong Bay

How to get to halong bay.

Halong Bay is located about 100 miles east of Hanoi . Transportation to and from the bay is often included in your Halong Bay cruise ship package. They will pick you up from your hotel at around 8:00 in the morning. The standard included transportation package is to ride in a large but comfortable and air-conditioned bus, or you can pay extra for a private car.

There is a brand new highway that has cut the travel time from Hanoi to Halong Bay down to about 2.5 hours. However, it is a toll road and some cut-rate cruise operators will choose to take the old road rather than pay the toll. This adds almost two hours to the time you’ll be sitting in a bus or car so make sure you confirm with your travel agent or cruise operator that you will be taking the new highway.

It’s also possible to travel directly between Halong Bay and  Ninh Bình which will save you some time if you’re planning on visiting both and don’t want to return to Hanoi in-between.

Note: If you book your Halong Bay cruise through Booking.com rather than through a local travel agent, make sure you read the fine print. You may need to pay an additional $25-40 USD per person for a round-trip transfer to/from Hanoi.

When to visit Halong Bay

Choose the Best Halong Bay Cruise: Local Boat

Junk boats operate year-round so you can go on a Halong Bay cruise at any time, as long as you don’t mind a little rain.

The best time to visit is from October until March when temperatures are pleasant and rainfall is light, if at all. Of course, you’ll also have to contend with more crowds during that time and should plan on booking your tour in advance .

April to September is hot and humid and experiences the highest rainfall of the year, with August being the wettest month.

How Many Nights to Spend on a Halong Bay Cruise

Choose the Best Halong Bay Cruise: Sunset

Most Halong Bay cruise itineraries will pick you up in Hanoi at around 8:00 am and get you to the boat around 12:00 pm. You’ll have lunch on the boat, enjoy a few afternoon activities, have dinner, and then you’ll depart the boat the next day around noon if you choose the 2-day/1-night option. This 2-day/1-night cruise option is the most popular way to see Halong Bay.

We opted for the 3-day/2-night Halong Bay cruise option which felt more relaxing as we had an extra night on board and didn’t feel so rushed to unpack and then repack our luggage. We also found that the day 2 activities were far less crowded and rushed so we were able to enjoy them more.

There is also a 2-night option where you’ll spend the second evening at a hotel on Cat Ba Island.

How to Choose the Best Halong Bay Cruise

Choose the Best Halong Bay Cruise: Junk Boat

Do Your Research

Many tourists opt to book their ‘junk boat’ Halong Bay cruise through the many tourist agencies around Hanoi. There are literally dozens of boat options so the tourist agencies will generally only show you their top one or two in order to keep you from getting overwhelmed (or so they say).

Local travel agents can sometimes get you better prices than what you can find online, but before entering a travel agency do some research on Booking and  TripAdvisor  to find the top-rated cruise boats. Then you can compare the rates offered by travel agents against the rates offered online.

Local tour companies are also happy to arrange tours that include both a day in Ninh Bình and an overnight cruise in Halong Bay  which can be a good option to consider if you’re short on time in Northern Vietnam.

If you’re already in Hanoi you can also ask at the reception desk of your hotel as almost all Hanoi hotels offer similar services to travel agencies.

A few things to consider when booking your Halong Bay cruise:

  • How many cabins are on the ship?
  • What is included in your package? Water and other beverages are often an extra charge.
  • What activities are listed?
  • What do the reviews say on Booking.com or Tripadvisor?

Don’t Skimp on your Halong Bay Cruise

You can save a bit of money by choosing a lower-end cruise line or by forgoing a private balcony off your room. And most of the ships do offer a similar schedule of activities so no matter what boat you pick, you’ll get to see the highlights of Halong Bay.

But if you want to really enjoy your time onboard, opt to pay a bit more for a private balcony and a nicer room with more amenities.

Our Halong Bay Cruise Recommendations

A trip to Halong Bay can be an amazing experience, but with many of the boat companies you’ll wind up feeling like you’re simply on a tourist conveyor belt. If you want to make it a true once-in-a-lifetime experience consider these options:

Best Halong Bay Cruises: Peony Cruise

Peony Cruise

Peony Cruises  only recently began sailing in October 2018, so their boats are brand new and state-of-the-art. They’ve incorporated both luxury and style into their immaculate, spacious staterooms. And to top it off, their boats operate in a different area of the bay than most of the other cruises so you’ll have a more unique itinerary with fewer crowds! Sailing with Peony Cruises is a truly amazing experience!

Check prices on Booking.com

Best Halong Bay Cruises: Athena Elegance Cruise

Athena Elegance Cruise

Athena Elegance Cruise  is a new addition to the Halong Bay cruise ships so you’ll appreciate that the furniture and appliances are free from the wear and tear of other boats. With 3 decks, 21 spacious and luxurious cabins, a rooftop sundeck, coffee lounge, bar, and sauna, you won’t even want to get off of this gorgeous ship to explore the bay!

Check Prices on Booking.com

Best Halong Bay Cruises: Era Cruises

Era Cruises

Era Cruises  is the ultimate in world-class service and style! You’ll forget that you’re even on a boat (aside from the amazing bay views from your private soaking tub). Rooms are huge and elegantly decorated, there is an onboard fitness center and spa, the food is delectable, and you’ll be treated like royalty by the amazing staff.

Best Halong Bay Cruises: La Pinta Cruise

La Pinta Cruise

La Pinta Cruise  has a mission of “safety – elegance – sophistication”, and those words really sum up what to expect from your onboard experience. They offer 16 spacious cabins but the real advantage of La Pinta is that they take a different tour route which will allow you to avoid a lot of the crowds and have a more relaxing Halong Bay experience.

What to Pack for Your Halong Bay Cruise

You’ll need your passport to travel to Halong Bay and your tour guide will ask for it during your bus ride to the area. Be sure you have it in your handbag for easy access rather than stored in your luggage under the bus.

Snacks for the Bus Ride

The bus ride to Halong Bay takes around 2.5 hours and most make one stop at a massive souvenir store. They’ll drop you off on one end and pick you up on the other 30 minutes later. The souvenir store has clean western-style toilets and sells everything from giant Buddha statues to traditional clothing, gold jewelry, and everything in-between.

Everything at these souvenir shops is outrageously expensive, especially the snacks. Think $10 USD for a bag of peanuts. If you think you might get hungry or thirsty during the bus ride, best to pack your snacks rather than wait to buy them there.

Bottled Water

Some of the higher-end boats may provide drinking water while onboard but for many, it is an extra charge. You’ll likely get a bottle on the bus and two in your cabin, but you’ll then have to pay for the rest while on board.

You’ll want to pack a swimsuit both for swimming at Ti Top Island and for kayaking around Halong Bay. Don’t worry about bringing a beach towel. Your cruise ship will provide you with one as you are getting off the boat.

Tennis Shoes with Traction

There are a few reasons that tennis shoes would come in handy during your trip to Halong Bay. You’ll climb a lot of stairs during your visit to Surprise Cave and Ti Top Island (if you choose to visit the lookout) so you’ll find that you are more comfortable in tennis shoes rather than flip flops.

The caves can also be quite slippery after heavy rainfalls, so you’ll appreciate having shoes with some traction. These hiking shoes by Merrell are lightweight, super durable, and have a breathable mesh lining to keep your feet cool.

Sun Protection

You’ll love lounging on the rooftop deck of the cruise ship, soaking in the views of the limestone pillars surrounding you. Some boats have a lot of shady areas while others are full sun. You’ll also probably spend some time kayaking in the hot midday sun. Be sure you have the proper protection for your skin and hair so you don’t get scorched.

You may also want to pack a foldable sun hat for extra protection for your face.

Waterproof Cell Phone Case

If you want to snap a few photos while kayaking around Halong Bay, you’ll want to invest in either a waterproof cellphone case or a waterproof camera. This  universal waterproof case  is inexpensive and super easy to use if you think your phone is in danger of getting splashed.

What NOT to Bring on Your Halong Bay Cruise

Choose the Best Halong Bay Cruise: Boat Ladies Selling Sundries

Every Halong Bay cruise ship includes meals during your stay, but not all include alcohol and other beverages. And while the drinks will certainly cost you more than what you’d expect in Vietnam, they generally aren’t outrageous. Expect to pay about $1 USD for water and soda, $3 USD for juice, $2.50 for beer, and $6 for wine on a moderately priced boat. The fancier the boat, the higher the drink prices of course.

While you may be tempted to bring your own alcohol on board, be aware that most of the boats charge a ‘corkage fee’ for any beverages that you don’t buy on the ship. This includes any drinks from the enterprising local ladies on tiny rowboats cruising around the bay trying to sell various sundries to cruise boat passengers.

Expect to pay an additional ‘corkage fee’ of $20 USD on wine and $1 USD on any beer or soda that you bring with you. At the end of the day, you’ll end up paying the same amount as if you just buy your drinks from the cruise ship bar.

Note: The ‘corkage fee’ doesn’t apply to water, snacks, and souvenirs so if you want to support the locals you can always buy a couple of bottles of water or some trinkets. 

Activities Around Halong Bay

Listed below are a few of the most popular activities that are generally included in junk boat tours around Halong Bay. Surprise Cave and Ti Top Island are the two most popular activities and will probably be a part of your visit regardless of how long you stay.

Morning Tai Chi

Most cruise ships offer an early morning relaxing tai chi lesson on the rooftop deck.

Sung Sot “Surprise” Cave

Choose the Best Halong Bay Cruise: Sung Sot ('Surprise') Cave

Sung Sot Cave, also known as “Surprise Cave”, is one of the most popular destinations in Halong Bay, and for good reason. You’ll start by climbing a long set of stairs where you can stop along the way for fantastic views of the bay below. And once inside the cave, you’ll follow the path that winds around the fantastic stalactites and stalagmites. It’s a massive cave that is well-lit and easy to navigate with or without a guide.

Keep in mind that Surprise Cave gets very crowded and would be difficult to access if you have any issues with mobility.

Ti Top Island

Choose the Best Halong Bay Cruise: View from Ti Top Island

Ti Top Island is another major stop along the Halong Bay cruise tour route. You’ll have time to lounge on the beach, swim in the sea, or climb to the lookout high above for the most incredible 360° views of the bay. The stairs to the top are very steep and no doubt you’ll be sweaty and out of breath by the time you reach the top.

This is another crowded spot in the bay. There is a changing area to change into your swimsuit but the toilets are squatty potties so you may want to plan ahead.

Onboard Cooking Class

A “cooking class” may be offered on your last day on the ship. Ours was a brief lesson in rolling rice paper spring rolls. So not EXACTLY cooking, but it was fun anyway.

Me Cung (Maze) Cave

Me Cung Cave has a few different chambers to explore. You’ll get to see the beautiful Maze Lake from an opening in the cave wall and you’ll get to experience the interesting acoustics as you get deeper inside.

You’ll need to either crab walk or crawl through two very small cave openings so if you have trouble with your back or knees this may be challenging. And this cave gets quite slippery after heavy rain so wear those tennis shoes!

Kayaking at Luon Cave and Lake

Choose the Best Halong Bay Cruise: Kayaking in Luon Cave and Lake

This was our favorite activity of our Halong Bay cruise tour experience. You’ll kayak through a cave and into a large lake that is surrounded by massive walls and lush vegetation on all sides. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a monkey along the banks of the lake.

Pearl Farm Visit

Choose the Best Halong Bay Cruise: Pearl Farm. By Wandering Wheatleys

This is a brief trip to a pearl farm where millions of oysters are being manipulated to create unnatural pearls and thousands of oyster shells are being cleaned every month. The tour ends in the incredibly overpriced gift shop.

Alternatives to Taking a Halong Bay Cruise

Choose the Best Halong Bay Cruise: Sunset

If everything described above seems too “touristy” for you, there are other ways to explore this part of Vietnam. You can:

  • Head straight to Cat Ba Island, stay in a hotel there, and arrange a more personalized boat trip around the bay.
  • Pass on Halong Bay and instead choose to explore the less-crowded but also incredibly beautiful Bai Tu Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay.
  • Choose a cruise company that offers an alternative route to Ha Long Bay such as  La Pinta Cruise .

We hope this post helps you to choose a Halong Bay cruise boat that is right for you!

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Guide to Halong Bay, Vietnam

About the Author:

Valerie Wheatley

Val grew up in Portland, Oregon but moved to Oahu on a whim back in 2013. She sold her house and all of her belongings and bought a one-way ticket. Since then she’s taken two around-the-world trips and has visited 60-ish countries while living out of a duffel bag. Val started documenting the Wandering Wheatleys travels back in 2013 as a way to update friends and family about her whereabouts and to relay humorous daily interactions. The only readers were her mom and her mother-in-law but that didn’t stop her! These days you’ll find Val dreaming up future trips, creating new travel content, managing a team of amazing travel enthusiasts, and chasing around her two adorable but naughty kids.

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halong bay cruise experience

Hello there, thanks for all the cruise info – we’re a couple, early 50s, adventurous, like small groups, pretty relaxed, long term travellers – with that in mind, which of the four Halong Bay cruise companies you’ve reviewed would you choose? Thank you!

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As the largest Halong Bay cruise tour operator, Orchid Cruise offers a cruise experience which combines the bay's magnificent scenery with a taste of Vietnam's rich traditional culture, while ensuring all the amenities and services discerning travellers expect. Orchid Cruise stands among the most reputable and sought after cruise operators, providing authentic cruises to affordable prices. We welcome you to Halong Bay.

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New Cabin New Look of Orchid Cruise in Halong Bay

Orchid Cruise Halong  have been refreshed in an effort to create a more elegant feel and updated appearance for guests. During Summer 2016, the interiors of all the cabins in each vessel were refurbished with new wooden floors, wooden panels, an updated set of beddings and room decorations.

The new look was officially launched in November / 2016, and incorporates the “beauty of nature inspired the new classical and traditional decoration.” Green and brown hues are meant to create a comfortable and harmonic atmosphere.

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16 of the Absolute Best Halong Bay Cruise Recommendations in 2024!

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. FIND MORE INFO IN MY DISCLAIMER.

Home » 16 of the Absolute Best Halong Bay Cruise Recommendations in 2024!

Are you looking for the best Halong Bay cruise recommendation for your next holiday in Vietnam?

Join in with thousands of happy travelers on a trip of a lifetime to Halong Bay  on the best Halong Bay tour in Vietnam !

The best way to see Halong Bay is on an overnight cruise.

There are so many Halong Bay tours to choose from, that it can be daunting to figure out which Vietnam Halong Bay cruise will be the perfect fit for you.

In order to make your planning that much easier, we have compiled a list of 15 of the best Halong Bay cruises.

But for those in a hurry here is our personal favorite cruise.

>>> Click Here to See the Best Selling Halong Bay Cruise  

Best Halong Bay Cruises & Our Halong Bay Cruise Reviews

In this Ha Long Bay cruise buying guide, we suggest you check out our comparison chart of Halong Bay's best cruises and then read our Halong Bay's best cruise review that best suit your requirements.  

10 Best Halong Bay Cruise 2024 Comparison Chart

Below is a helpful list of the top 10 Halong Bay cruise recommendations, which are mentioned in this article.

You can then read my reviews below featuring Halong Bay's best cruise in 2019.

Please scroll right to see full table on mobile.

Tips to Help you Choose the Best Cruise for Halong Bay

Let's face it!  There are SO MANY Halong cruises to choose from that it can get totally overwhelming.

To help you, I'm going to outline all the criteria that I was looking for when I chose my first Halong Bay Cruise and then I will share some recommended Halong Bay tours with you.

1. How Long Should the Cruise be?

Halong Bay Day Trip: If you are short on time, you might only be able to enjoy a day cruise on Halong Bay.

Be prepared for a hectic day if you are planning to travel from Hanoi (around 3.5 hour journey one-way).

You can find transfer info here .

Halong Bay Overnight Cruises: You can choose from either a 1 night or 2 night cruise.

The Halong Bay 2 night cruise option is the most popular as it allows you time to enjoy some activities, travel deeper into the quieter areas of the bay, as well as enjoy some down-time.

2. Traditional Halong Bay Junk Boat or Newer Boat?

halong bay cruise experience

Next question is whether you prefer to enjoy the older traditional junk boats or if you love newer and more lux boats.

The Junk Boats are gorgeous, but you need to be prepared for older style boats and smaller rooms.  

Our favorite Halong Bay Junk Boat Overnight Cruise is the Indochina Sails Cruise .

If you prefer newer boats with more luxurious spacious rooms that offer terraces and balconies, you might prefer researching a company such as Signature Royal Cruises .

3. Size of Boat and Number of Rooms on Board

Your next consideration is to look at the number of rooms on board. 

If you are young and love to party, you will most likely enjoy the larger boats with more people.  

But for most of us after relaxation, it would be wise to book a room on a smaller boat.

Our second best selling cruise, the  Aphrodite Cruise  is a nice sized boat with only 17 cabins.

For a much more intimate cruise experience, L Azalee has a 4 person boat available.

4. Included Activities

Look out for 'cheaper' boats that might come across as a bargain, but then charge an arm-and-leg for any activities.  

We prefer cruises that offer free water activities such as kayaking. 

5. Itineraries

Visit Halong Bay Pearl Farm

Most itineraries of the cruise companies are pretty much the same.  

You will typically visit a Pearl Farm, a Fishing Village, a Cave, as well as get the opportunity to climb to the top of TiTov Island and enjoy a bit of swim (typical 2-night itinerary).  

The difference in the itinerary is when a cruise company makes the effort to avoid the crowds from the other companies.

Indochina Sails might be an older style boat and rooms might be small, but we always arrived at our sights before and after the crowds.  

We were the only group exploring the Cave, we were the only ones in sight kayaking and we enjoyed TiTov island with only a small group of other travellers.

I really appreciated the fact that they went out of their way to give us a more relaxed and peaceful experience.

6. Destinations Included

Everyone knows about Halong Bay, and it is no surprise that over the years this beautiful heritage site has become pretty polluted and littered with trash.

Many travellers leave disappointed after experiencing dirty water and masses of crowds.

Look for a cruise that ventures into both Halong Bay as well as Bai Tu Long Bay.  

There are only a few cruise companies that head towards Bai Tu Long Bay, which means that this part of the Heritage Site is still pristine and much less crowded.

I know that both  Indochina Sails  as well as Bhaya Cruises  include both Bays in their itineraries, but you better book way ahead of time as they sell out very quickly!

7.  Which Cruise Company do we Personally Prefer?

I'll be honest with you, our best selling cruises by our readers are both the Pelican Cruises and the Aphrodite Cruises .

They are both great cruises, but we personally love Indochina Sails .  

The trick is to find availability on the Indochina Sails Cruise as they are typically booked out way ahead of time.

Watch our video of our time on our Indochina Sails Cruise .

>>> Check Prices and Availability for Indochina Sails.

Reviews of the 15 Best Overnight Halong Bay Cruises 

In order to make your Halong Bay cruise planning a little easier, I’m going to give you all the information I’ve collected on the top Halong Bay cruises.  

Please find below both the positives and the negatives of these popular Ha Long Bay cruises.

1. Pelican Cruise Halong Bay Review 

* BEST SELLER *

From $210+ p/n 

Pelican Halong Bay Cruise

This Pelican Halong Bay Cruise is by far our best selling cruise .

The combination of a 5 star luxury boat, together with the affordable price tag makes this cruise hard to resist!

The boat is an older style boat (which is why the price is so fabulous!), but the rooms are lovely, the food is yummy and the itinerary is full of included excursions and activities.

The boat is also brilliant for families, as it is one of the few boats that caters for families with their gorgeous 2 bedroom deluxe room.

Many travelers argue that Pelican Cruises is the best cruise on Halong Bay!

Pelican Halong Bay Cruise

Length: 1 or 2 Night Cruises Available

Transfer from Hanoi Included: No

Activities Included:

  • Sunrise Tai Chi Class
  • Cooking Class
  • Local rowing boat

Rooms Available: They have standard deluxe rooms, some truly beautiful suites, as well as a stunning 2 bedroom family deluxe room.

Star Rating: 5

Click the the button below to check the rates and availability:

2. Aphrodite Cruise Halong Bay Review

From $275+ p/n 

Aphrodite-Cruise-Halong-Bay_thumb

Aphrodite Cruise Halong Bay is our second most popular cruise and definately belongs on the list of best cruises in Halong Bay. This cruise also sells like hotcakes! 

It is more expensive than the Pelican Cruise, but you can often find this cruise marked down to much more affordable prices.

Aphrodite Cruises provides you with a 5 star experience and all the bells and whistles that you would expect from a luxury junk boat. It has an exceptional review rating from past travellers.

halong bay cruise experience

This cruise is one of the best Ha Long Bay cruise options if you are after a relaxed and laid-back itinerary (but probably not the best pick if you prefer to stay active with loads of activities due to the extra charges)!

Length: 1 or 2 Night Options

  • Sampan boat trip
  • Tai Chi session
  • Kayaking (at extra cost)

Rooms Available: Standard rooms, luxury rooms with balconies. triple rooms for small families and a family suite for families of 4. 

3. Bhaya Cruises Halong Bay Review

From $245+ p/n 

Bhaya Cruise Halong Bay Review

Bhaya Cruise Halong Bay offers 2-day Halong Ba y tours for travellers who wish to experience the natural wonder of this World Heritage site.

What we love about this company is that it ventures out into both Halong Bay as well as Bai Tu Long Bay (less touristy but equally beautiful - and much cleaner).

You can read more about why we recommend you choose a cruise that includes Bai Tu Long Bay here .

Not only is this cruise cheaper than Aphrodite Cruises, but the activities are all included with your room fee.

halong bay cruise experience

Bhaya Cruise Vietnam offers a variety of Halong Bhaya cruise options. These include Bhaya Classic Cruise Halong Bay, Bhaya Premium Cruise (Bhaya Classic Premium) as well as a luxury The Au Co Cruise and a private Bhaya Legend Cruise.

Length: 1 or 2 Nights

  • Morning Tai Chi
  • MasterChef Competition
  • Visit to a Fishing Village by Rowing Boat

Rooms Available: Standard deluxe rooms, rooms with balconies or terrace suite.  Rooms can accommodate 2 pax max.

Star Rating: 5 Stars

4. Signature Royal Halong Bay Cruise Review

From $615+ p/n 

Signature Royal Halong Bay Cruise

The Signature Royal Cruise is the perfect cruise for those of you after something extra special. It might just be the most luxurious Halong Bay cruise in 2019! 

True 5 star quality with rooms that offer a touch of royalty, together with ample space. These suites are to die for!!

This Halong luxury cruise is absolutely brilliant for honeymooners or couples celebrating a special occasion. It is also the best Halong Bay cruise for family travellers due to their spacious family rooms together with their baby sitting services!

Signature Royal Cruise Suite

The only negative? Not only are these beautiful rooms pretty highly priced, but you will also need to pay extra if you wish to enjoy water activities such as kayaking.

  • Kayaking, Swimming and Snorkeling Equipment (at extra cost)
  • Cooking Demonstration (bad weather only)
  • Tai Chi Session
  • Entertainment Activities and Happy Hour
  • Movie Nights, Board Games and Squid Fishing

Rooms Available: Executive rooms, beautiful suites, family connecting rooms or a family suite, rooms with terraces & jacuzzi suite.

5. Royal Palace Halong Bay Cruise Review

From $200+ p/n 

Royal Palace Cruise

If you are after a really affordable option to explore Halong Bay, then the Royal Palace Cruise is for you!  

This boat is an older style boat and some aspects of it might be in need for a bit of a refurbishment. But we often find that traditional architecture often adds to the atmosphere of a cultural experience.

The boat is great for those after an affordable option. It also has a large room that can fit families of 4.

Royal Palace Cruise Deck

We only wish that there were a few more activities and excursions included with this cruise.

Rooms Available: Deluxe rooms, suites, family rooms

Star Rating: 4 Stars

6. Silversea Halong Bay Cruise Review

From $180+ p/n 

Halong Silversea Cruise

Halong Silversea Cruises are a great super affordable option for your cruises on Halong Bay. Not only are the rooms really affordable but your activities are free and included with your room price.  

You will love the spacious rooms, the delicious food and the sunset drinks. The boat is great for couples as well as families.

Halong Silversea Cruise

  • A cooking class
  • A sunset party
  • Leisure time (karaoke, dancing, card games)
  • Squid fishing

Rooms Available: Deluxe rooms, premium rooms, suites & family rooms

Star Rating: 4.5 Stars

7. Alisa Halong Bay Cruise Review

From $500+ p/n 

Alisa Cruise Halong Bay

The Alisa Halong Bay Cruise Boat is a really popular cruise. The boat is newer than the traditional junk boats, so the rooms are lux and spacious.

The price is a bit steep, but if you are after rooms with their own balcony and really large windows, then this is the cruise for you.

The cruise includes a lot of activities and sightseeing destinations. Be prepared though for crowds as the boat tends to arrive with all the other masses of tourists.

The boat is great for couples as well as for families.

Alisa Halong Bay Cruise Room Balcony

  • Te Top Island Visit
  • Visit to a Pearl Farm
  • Visit to Suprise Cave

Rooms Available: Suites, Suites with Balconies, Family Suites & Family Connecting Rooms

8. Paradise Cruise Halong Bay Review

From $250+ p/n 

Paradise-Cruise-Halong-Bay

From the classic wooden interiors down to the touch of modern conveniences, the Paradise Cruise Halong Bay collection is already a destination in itself waiting to be discovered. A premium experience that’s incomparable to any other.

With a fleet of 7 vessels, Paradise luxury cruise Halong Bay offers 3 different cruises to explore Halong Bay.

halong bay cruise experience

These include Paradise Luxury Halong Bay Cruise , Paradise Halong Bay Elegance Cruise and Peak Paradise Halong Bay Cruise.

Whilst they are all fabulous cruises Paradise Luxury cruise is the one most loved by our readers here at Wanderlust storytellers.

halong bay cruise experience

Length: 2 Days - 3 Days

Rooms Available: Depending on the Ship, whether you choose to go on a Paradise Luxury Cruise, Paradise Elegance Cruise or Paradise Peak Cruise, the accommodation slightly varies.

Majority of the rooms can accommodate 2 adults and 1 child on additional bed, when requested. If you are travelling with a large family, you can book two rooms next to each other.

9. Indochina Sails Halong Bay Review

- EDITOR’S CHOICE - 

This is my pick for the best cruise in Halong Bay!

From $320+ p/n 

Indochina Sails Cruise to Bai Tu Long Bay takes you to a less visited and very beautiful part of Halong Bay.

The fleet of ships includes Dragon Legend Cruise, Red Dragon Junk, Dragon's Pearl Junk, Princess Junk as well as Prince Junk.

halong bay cruise experience

Indochina Junk Cruise is our top pick and the best way to see Halong Bay.

This is the cruise that we have experienced first hand and we absolutely loved every minute of it! You can read more about our Halong Bay trip with Indochina Sails here !

halong bay cruise experience

If you are after the best Halong Bay overnight cruise, best luxury cruise Halong Bay has to offer or even the best one day Halong Bay tour, then Indochina junk cruise has got you covered!

Length: 2 Day - 3 Day

Transfer from Hanoi Included: Yes

  • Visit to Pearl Farm
  • Visit to a Cave
  • Visit to a Fishing Village
  • Visit to Ti Top Island
  • Squid Fishing

Rooms Available: Indochina Halong Bay ships are predominantly designed for couples. However some of the ships accommodate 2 adults and one child in one room.

Alternatively, it is best to book two rooms next to each other, for when travelling with large families.

halong bay cruise experience

When we were on our Indochina Cruise Halong Bay, we were on a parent only getaway and we chose to stay with Indochina Sails.

Our room was very much luxurious and included all the bells and whistles! Loved it! This was the best Halong Bay Cruise ever!

10. Rosa Cruise Halong Bay Review

From $150+ p/n 

The Rosa Cruise Halong Bay proudly offers the new premier cruise experiences in Halong Bay which combines the most modern and greatest comfort.

Wishing to provide customers the best culinary and premium cruise experiences.

Rosa Cruise are proud to bring visitors the most exciting experiences in Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay with many unique destination attractions such as: Pearl Farm Village, Amazing Cave, Dark Cave and Bright Cave.

halong bay cruise experience

  • On Board Activities

Rooms Available: Perfect for couples and romantic getaways. If you are travelling as a family you can choose to book two rooms with connecting doors.

Star Rating: 3.5

11. Oasis Cruise Halong Bay Review

The Oasis Cruise Halong Bay offers you a selection of One Day Tour or Two Day Tour options. This is a great cruise to discover Halong Bay, one of the World Heritage sites.

halong bay cruise experience

Oasis Halong Bay Tour also offers a wonderful day cruise. If your time is limited, then the Oasis Bay Cruise Halong Bay is the best choice for you.

That way you can venture out a get a feel for the famous bay, relax with a cocktail or two and spend a great couple of hours with your significant other.

halong bay cruise experience

This cruise is also known for its Oasis party cruise Halong Bay and the Oasis Bay Classic Cruise Halong Bay .

  • Cooking Demonstration

Rooms Available: Varies

Star Rating: 4

12. Indochina Junk Dragon Legend Cruise Review

Venture out on a Dragon Legend Cruise Halong Bay into the beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay.

This is the less crowded of areas of Halong Bay. Here you can check out the stunning World Natural Heritage site and experience relaxation like never before.

halong bay cruise experience

Dragon Legend Halong Bay is regarded as one of the best Halong Bay luxury cruise options.

This is an experience of the highest standard and comes with tones of satisfied and happy Halong Bay cruise reviews.

halong bay cruise experience

Dragon cruise Halong Bay is one of the best value Halong Bay cruise and best Halong Bay cruise for couples.

halong bay cruise experience

  • Cave Exploring

Rooms Available: Dragon Cruise Halong Bay accommodation includes 24 luxurious and very spacious cabins. Only two of the cabins have connecting rooms for families with kids. We would strongly advise to make sure and reserve those rooms well in advance.

13. V Spirit Cruise Halong Bay Review

A day cruise with V Spirit Cruise Halong Bay is the best choice for you to experience the magnificent Halong Bay with our ‘all-in-one’ itinerary for those with a limited time schedule.

halong bay cruise experience

You will not only explore one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay, but will also have the chance to go kayaking or bamboo boat rowing, as well as visiting and interacting with people at a local fishing village.

halong bay cruise experience

Holiday with V Spirit Halong Bay is a great option for travelling with a family.

Activities Included: The V Spirit Classic Cruise Halong Bay has plenty activities on offer for all young and mature kids.

Rooms Available: V Spirit Cruise ships are perfect for all travelers, singles, couples and families.

14. L Azalee Cruise Halong Bay Review

L Azalee Cruise Halong Bay is a smaller and a more boutique Halong Bay cruise company.

halong bay cruise experience

You can choose from 3 different types of cruises, including L Azalee Classic Cruise (day tour boat, no private rooms), L Azalee Deluxe Cruise (larger couples rooms available) and the L Azalee Premium Cruise (a more private 4-person boat for a more luxurious experience).

halong bay cruise experience

Length: 1 - 3 Nights

Rooms Available: L’Azalee Deluxe Cruise has rooms suitable for couples. If you are travelling as a family or a group, you can book two or more rooms next to each other.

15. The Au Co Cruise Halong Bay Review

The Au Co Cruise Halong Bay is the first and only luxury cruise operator offering unique day cruises and overnight voyages through world-renowned Halong Bay, Cat Ba Island and the Gulf of Tonkin.

halong bay cruise experience

The Au Co Halong Bay ship features the very latest safety standards and represents Vietnamese and Oriental culture at its best.

halong bay cruise experience

Each of her 32 spaciously-designed private cabins boasts luxurious bathrooms and panoramic balconies.

halong bay cruise experience

Length: The Au Co Day Cruises or Overnight

Rooms Available: One of 32 private cabins with balconies and luxurious bathrooms. Best for couples. Alternatively book two rooms to accommodate larger families.

16. Orchid Cruises Halong Bay Review

The Orchid Cruises on Halong Bay offer a super-luxurious experience and a 5-star relaxation and treatment. 

Make sure to check out the variety of amazing cabins, including the Exclusive Suite with private terrace, so that you can take a more educate choice of which cabin to stay at.

Orchid Cruises Halong Bay

This cruise boat is perfect for either couples or families. There are plenty of choices of cabins (36 in total) sleeping two, three and even four passengers in each. 

Orchid Cruises Halong Bay Room

Length: The   Orchid Cruises offer 2-Night Stays or Overnight

Transfer from Hanoi Included: Available

  • On Board Activities & Spa

Rooms Available: One of 36 private cabins with balconies and luxurious bathrooms. Best for couples and perfect for families. There are 2 Exclusive Suites with private terraces.

The Best Halong Bay Day Tour 

Short on time and trying to find the best day cruise on Halong Bay? Find below the best company to make the most out of your short time at Halong Bay.

Alova Cruises Halong Bay Review

If you are looking for a perfect one day cruise on the Halong Bay, then Alova Cruise Halong Bay are your specialists in the area. These guys are here to indulge you with all the yummy drinks, whilst you enjoy the unforgettable cruising around the beautiful Heritage Site.

halong bay cruise experience

This cruise is ranking on many review websites as the best way to visit Halong Bay and the best Halong Bay 1 day tour.

Alova-Cruises-Halong-Bay-Dining_thumb

Length: 1 Day (Best Halong Bay Day Tour and one of the Best Halong Bay Tours for Backpackers!)

Activities included:

Rooms Available: Halong Alova Cruise is a day tour and there are no rooms available.

FAQ about Halong Bay Cruises

1. what are the best prices for halong bay cruise.

Prices for Halong Bay cruises vary greatly, and although you can get some for very cheap, more often than not you’ll get what you pay for.

This is why you will want to make sure that you take a cruise that has a great reputation, and has been proven to be safe while also providing an enjoyable experience for the whole family.

2. What to know before going for a Halong Bay cruise?

The best way to prepare yourself for the trip to Halong Bay is to check out what available Halong Bay cruises there are, how to get there, and when is the best time to go.

In this post, you will find all the necessary information and more!

3. How to choose the best cruise in Halong Bay?

Since most of the Halong Bay cruises have the same kind of events and activities, you will want to choose the cruise that is right for you and your family on other criteria besides the events.

The best way to find the most suitable cruise for you is to look into the Star Rating, Price Point and Size of the Rooms. In our reviews, you will find all the necessary information.

To check out the prices and the cruises in more detail, please click the links in the Halong Bay Cruise you like the most.

4. What is the best time to go to Halong Bay?

The best time to go to Halong Bay is in Spring ( February to April) and in autumn ( August to October).

We ventured out to Vietnam and the amazing Halong Bay in September and the weather was sunny and beautiful. The temperatures are pleasant and there is not much rain.

However, if you would like to ensure that you visit Halong Bay in the lowest rain season, then you should book your adventure between March and April.

5. Which airport is closest to Halong Bay?

The closest airport to Halong Bay is the Hai Phong Airport.

6. What is the best way to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi?

One of the best ways of how to get to Halong Bay is by bus. You can take a Mini Bus from Gia Lam (Hanoi) to Bai Chay ( Ha Long ) which will cost about $ 6 USD and it will take around 4-5 hours.

We have a full post on how to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay which you can read here .

7. Is it safe to go to Vietnam?

Vietnam is a very safe country to travel in.

Although it is an extremely safe country for holidaymakers, you can expect some degree of hustling by the shop or street vendors.

This is a usual way of sales in the area and it is especially noticeable in large cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, and Nha Trang.

We have traveled throughout the country with ease and we have never felt in danger or otherwise uncomfortable. You can read our full guide on what you should know before traveling to Vietnam here .

8. Can you swim in Halong Bay?

You can definitely swim in Halong Bay, however, the water in the main parts of the bay is pretty polluted.

We did enjoy kayaking and swimming in the clear water of Bai Tu Long Bay (only some cruise boats go here so the water is less polluted – check the reviews above to find a cruise company that ventures into this area).

We also swam in the beach off one of the islands in the bay. The water was definitely murkier there, but it might be due to the rainy weather we had.

9. What is there to do in Halong Bay?

There are loads of things to do in Halong Bay . From caves to explore, kayaking to try out, swimming and hiking. You can also visit a floating fishing village as well as a pearl farm.

We loved climbing up millions of stairs to get a lookout over the area as well.

The cruises also offer classes such as squid fishing, cooking, tai chi and more.

Tip: Check out the best places to travel in Vietnam here.

Photo of author

Andrzej Ejmont

13 thoughts on “16 of the absolute best halong bay cruise recommendations in 2024”.

Hi. Nice article. Just one correction. The closest airport to Halong Bay is Hai Phong.

Thanks for the update! 🙂

Thank you so much for sharing Halong Bay. Halong is a must when traveller visit Hanoi. Overnight cruises are good but if you do not have much time so the day trip will be fine. Besides that Ninh Binh will be a good place to visit, being a local i really recommend it.

Yes, I think 2 nights is the perfect length! Ninh Binh is gorgeous too, but also quickly becoming touristy.

For the day cruise, Incredible Asia Journeys Cruise must be a good option with good reviews.

Thanks for the tip Tony 🙂

Now more and more people visit Lan Ha Bay as it is less touristic. Escape Sails Lan Ha Bay Luxury will be good as they use the expressway and Limousine bus/van so travellers have more time on the cruise and less time on bus.

Hi, Which is a goodd cruise for a family of 5 (kids 17, 15 and 11) Thanks

If you have 1 day you can take Escape Sails Luxury Cruise. If you have more than 1 day you can take Vspirit Premier or Perla Dawn Sails. They are all good cruises in Lan Ha Bay – The new trend from 2019 as it is less touristy part of Halong Bay.

We are planning on taking a cruise next February and were thinking of choosing a cruise boat that goes to Bai Tu Long Bay as we have read that it is just as beautiful and interesting as Halong Bay and is less crowded. When I wrote to the cruise company they said that the Bai Tu Long Bay route is now considered to be the more crowded route and they are now directing customers to their Halong Bay route. Have anyone else heard this?

Halong Bay Cruise is the best option for vacation. I like the beauty of Vietnam. It looks so peaceful; everyone must consider this option, especially the rates are very affordable for a two days trip. Anyone, please guide me regarding the starting destination of the next trip and how to reserve a room? Thanks!

Amazing! Thank you for your share. Unluckily, Most of cruises @ Halong now are getting in big trouble due to Covid :((

Yes, it is really heart breaking to see a lot of businesses on pause these days.

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Emperor Cruises ®  Experience Every Moment.

Halong Bay  is one of Vietnam’s most stunning attrations –  there is no way to describe Halong Bay other than as purely breathtaking. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and natural wonder of the world, the bay features thousands of limestone islands and cliffs emerging from the turquoise sea.

Halong Bay sits off Vietnam’s northeastern coast, 165km from the capital, Hanoi, and it has incredibly serene emerald waters that are home to multiple small limestone islands covered by rainforest. It is a popular spot for boat tours, both day trips and overnight cruises, cave exploration, booze cruises, and kayaking and no trip to Vietnam would be complete without visiting it.

The name translates into “where the dragon descends”, and according to the local legend, the bay’s islands were formed when a dragon charged from the mountains towards to the coast, its tail carving out valleys and crevasses, until the dragon hit the water, flooding the area and leaving nothing but the peaks visible.

Halong Bay is understandably popular, but if you want to come here alone without other tourists, be sure to book our private charter boat to sail where you want, cruising on your own itinerary deep into the bay, exploring the caves and grottoes, heading over to Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay, trekking in Cat Ba National Park, rock climbing, kayaking, and watching some of the most amazing sunsets that you’ll ever set eyes on.

bai tu long Bay

halong bay cruise experience

Adjacent, smaller and quieter, for many its untouched beauty surpasses that of Halong Bay. Bai Tu Long means ‘the place where the dragon children descended’.

Rich in biodiversity, with a pristine environment and blessed with a marvelous landscape, the bay is dominated by thousands of limestone karsts and islets which rise out of the waters of the bay. It is dotted with floating villages, unspoiled beaches, caves and grottoes and tiny coves where you can hide to unwind and be a Robinson Crusoe for the day.

Very few boats can reach the Cong Dam area, with the Da Xep geological park at its heart, home to some of the most spectacular rock formations in the bay, as it is located a long way from the mainland. It also has an abundant marine ecosystem with coral and colourful fishes which can be enjoyed by snorkelers.

Most of the islands are uninhabited and are home to delightful flora and fauna and empty, white-sand beaches from which you can go swimming and snorkeling. Cong Do, Tra San, Vung Dang, and Cong Dam are just a few of the places where you can see the most beautiful scenery, kayak through tranquil lagoons and discover the coastal marine ecosystem.

Private charter cruises take you deep into Bai Tu Long Bay to Ngoc Vung, Quan Lan, Cong Dong, and Cong Tay islands where mother nature is at her best. You will understand why some of the scenes from the films ‘Indochine’ and the Vertical Ray of the Sun, were filmed here in this evocative landscape.

Bai Tu Long Bay is hauntingly beautiful and spiritually enriching. The fishing village looks most intense during dawn and dusk, but it is a place to be captured at any time of day.

halong bay cruise experience

Travel Guide To Halong

When Is The Best Time to Visit?

Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay can be visited all year round. The best time to visit is September to April. Expect hot weather and some tropical rain in the summer from May to August, but the sun and blue skies reappear after the rain before a magical sunset and the moon rising high into the night sky. Be a King for a night with us on board Emperor Cruises where our team ensures you enjoy every experience whatever the weather conditions.

How to Get There?

Self-drive car hire is not available for short-term visitors to Vietnam so most travelers to Halong Bay usually book a cruise package, which includes a private car with chauffeur driver or shuttle bus (3,5 hours). Helicopter or seaplane transfers are also available to the bay from Hanoi (1hour).

To ensure total comfort on your journey from Hanoi, we offer a daily limousine transfer service for pick-up and drop-off services from your hotel in Hanoi or Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong City (upon request).

Where is it?

The best way to appreciate this magical scenery is from our Emperor Cruises, cruising between karst cliffs which loom up like fairytale castles, complete with rocky spires and hidden caves.

Our cruises operate in Bai Tu Long Bay on a daily basis and Halong Bay on a 2- night program and, whether you choose the day trip or overnight option, we ensure your experiences are exclusive, all inclusive, intimate, memorable and safe.

What are the cruising options?

In Bai Tu Long Bay we operate one-day cruises, two-day cruises and the option of cruising both Bai Tu Long Bay and Halong Bay in a three-day program . Party cruises and private charters are available upon request.

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As the largest Halong Bay cruise tour operator, Jasmine Cruise offers a cruise experience which combines the bay's magnificent scenery with a taste of Vietnam's rich traditional culture, while ensuring all the amenities and services discerning travellers expect. Jasmine Cruise stands among the most reputable and sought after cruise operators, providing authentic cruises to affordable prices. We welcome you to Halong Bay.

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Looking for halong bay cruise reviews, "a relaxation cruise indeed", "fantastic sights", "truly a wonderful experience", jasmine cruise videos, new cabin new look of bhaya classic in halong bay.

Bhaya Classic boats I, II, III and IV have been refreshed in an effort to create a more elegant feel and updated appearance for guests. During Summer 2015, the interiors of all the cabins in each vessel were refurbished with new wooden floors, wooden panels, an updated set of beddings and room decorations.

The new look was officially revealed in September 2015, and incorporates the “beauty of nature inspired the new classical and traditional decoration.” Green and brown hues are meant to create a comfortable and harmonic atmosphere.

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Guide to Halong Bay Cruises in Vietnam & Our Cruise with The Au Co

Last updated: June 12, 2022 - Written by Jessica Norah 80 Comments

Halong Bay is considered one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Vietnam, and a Halong Bay cruise is a must-do on many travelers’ lists. Imagine an emerald bay peppered with about 2,000 tiny vegetation-topped islands which feature numerous caves, lagoons, coves, and coral reefs.

This breathtaking UNESCO heritage site has recently received the honor of being named one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the world and is not surprisingly one of the most popular attractions in Vietnam.

Most visitors need little convincing to visit, but the array of cruise options can be daunting as hundreds of boats ply across the waters of Halong Bay each day. Cruises range widely in price and companies offer a variety of cruise lengths, itineraries, amenities, and activities. We’ll share our tips on how to choose a Halong Bay cruise, answer common questions about Halong Bay cruises, and review our own recent Halong Bay cruise with The Au Co.

Halong Bay Cruises Vietnam Au Co Cruises

Table of Contents:

A Few Facts about Halong Bay

  • Halong Bay is located east of Vietnam’s capital city Hanoi. It takes about 3.5 to 4 hours by car to get from Halong Bay from Hanoi or the Noi Boi airport (outside Hanoi). If you are using a transfer service , you’ll likely stop for a 15 to 30 minute break along the way. The closer but smaller Cat Bi International Airport is located about 1.5 hours drive from the main Halong Bay docks.  

Note that there are several different ports in and around Halong Bay where cruise ships may dock. While most cruises leave from the Bai Chay port or the Tuan Chau port, some also leave from the Hon Gai or Cai Lan ports around Halong. Some also leave from Haiphong (a city 26 miles / 43 km southwest). In our case, our cruise left from the dock on Tuan Chau island. Knowing this information is only necessary if you are arranging your own transportation. 

Legend has it that Halong Bay was created by a great dragon from the mountains and the name Halong translates to “where the dragon descends into the sea”. Scientists, however, suggest that the landscape was formed through tectonics and water erosion. Halong Bay is considered a notable example of a karst landscape formed by the dissolution of limestone in the area that occurred over millions of years.

As tourism continues to increase in Halong Bay, so have the regulations to try to ensure safety and prevent overcrowding and destruction of the bay. After some disastrous incidents, such as the sinking of one tourist boat in 2011, a number of regulations were enacted in regards to Halong Bay cruise boats that has hopefully led to increased safety. Stricter regulations also mean less flexibility for cruise operators as to where they can go and where they can anchor. Cruise boats can only anchor in certain areas and must anchor near other boats at night for safety reasons. Boats must also have white paint on them, supposedly so they could easily be seen but this doesn’t work very well in foggy conditions.

Choosing a Halong Bay Cruise Company 

Halong Bay Cruise Vietnam The Au Co Cruises Review

How much should I budget for a cruise?

If you want to splurge on one activity during your time in Vietnam, I would recommend that you consider doing it on a Halong Bay cruise. Most cruise packages include transfers to and from Hanoi and you can get really cheap cruises beginning at a rock-bottom jaw-dropping $30 per person to do an afternoon cruise around the bay and going upwards to $400 per person/day for a luxury overnight cruise.

You do not need to book with a luxury operator to have a nice cruise, but if you book at the budget level it is hard to know what to expect in terms of service, food, safety, and accommodations. The budget tours are often booked through travel agents who place people with different tour operators and boats in order to adequately fill up as many spaces as possible, so you really may not have a good idea of what things will be like until you get aboard.

Our recommendation would be to try to budget for a mid-range operator with good online and/or word-of-mouth reviews and you should be able to get a good day cruise starting at about $70/person or an overnight cruise starting at around $120 to $150 per person. If you shop around and check promotions, you may find even better rates as most cruise companies are anxious to fill their boats and offer good last-minute deals.

Don’t fret if this sounds like more than you can spend, just find a cruse with good reviews, book at a price you can afford, and then go knowing you’ll still be seeing the same beautiful bay without any of the bells and whistles.

On the other hand, if you are looking for excellent food and service, check out the luxury cruises and expect to spend a little more. The activities and sites are often the same between the mid-range and luxury operators, but the food, service, and staff-to-passenger ratio often improves.

Do I have to book an organized tour in advance to take a cruise?

No, but it is the most convenient way. You can also make your own way to Bai Chay (a.k.a. Halong City) by bus and then arrange a cab or bus to the Bai Chay harbor and book a boat to tour Halong Bay or take you to Cat Ba Island.

You can stop at the Halong Bay Tourist Information Centre at Bai Chay dock for information and then negotiate a price with companies at the dock. You’ll likely wind up as a daytrippper on another cruise for a budget price, but you will likely have to pay extra for any onboard services such as meals, drinks, activities, etc.

If you are not interested in any of the extras, this can be a great budget idea, but if you do want some of the extras you may end up paying more for them than if you joined a budget cruise.  Note that although you may get a good price, you will have little control over the cruise and its amenities. I would check with recent backpacker-friendly websites or guidebooks on the best way to do this.

If you are only interested in going to Cat Ba island, you can just book a regular ferry. Ferries leave on a regular schedule which varies by the season. You can then stay at Cat Ba island for as long as you wish. You can get ferries from Halong City or via Haiphong.

Are there private boat tours at Halong Bay?

Yes, private boat charters are also possible for those with money who are not interested in cruising with a fixed cruise tour itinerary or a group of strangers. While expensive, this can actually be a reasonable option for those traveling as a family or larger group and you may be able to customize an itinerary.

Note that the company will likely still have to get an itinerary approved in advance so not a good last-minute option if you want a customized trip. Many of the larger mid-range and luxury tour operators offer private tour options.

How much time should I spend at Halong Bay?

You’ll want to spend at least a few hours on the boat cruising the bay if you are just going for the day. Anything less than 3 hours and you won’t really have much time to enjoy the boat and the scenery.

Also you’ll want to factor in the amount of time it will take you to get to the port where your boat will leave. So for instance if your boat leaves from Halong Bai Chay port, it will be 4 hours of traveling each way if you are coming from Hanoi. If your boat is leaving from Haiphong, it is 2 hours each way. So it may feel a bit disappointing to spend more time in the shuttle van or bus than on a boat. 

If it is within your budget, I would strongly recommend choosing an overnight cruise as things become much quieter and less crowded in the evenings and it is nice to have more time to move around the boat and engage in more activities. We also greatly enjoyed being able to witness both sunset and sunrise from the boat.

Let’s put it this way, those who just do a day trip often wish they had spent at least one night and those who spend one night, often wish they could have spent two, etc. You’re unlikely to regret spending an extra day or night here, so I would choose the tour that best fits your budget and schedule.

Note that it is often a good value to do a 3 day/2 night trip compared to a 2 day/1 night trip as even though it costs a bit more, the cost per day is often less. Also pay attention to the amount of time spent on the cruise as a 2 day/1 night cruise itinerary may only account for 24 hours or less of time!

Best times of the year to cruise Halong Bay?

Tours operate all year long, but the best months are generally considered between October and May, with October, November, March, and April considered ideal. The summer months can be hot and rainy and winter months can be cold with strong winds. It is also good to avoid busy major holidays such as Tet.

During any visit, it is best to check the weather forecast before scheduling and ask about the company’s weather cancellation policy (will cost be refunded? will you be rescheduled for the next available tour?) before booking a tour.

I’ve heard that there is a lot of pollution and trash in Halong Bay, is this true?

We personally did not witness much trash in the bay during our recent visit in April. However, we have heard that trash and pollution is a serious issue in the area, stemming from the tourism industry as well as the fishing industry and inhabitants of the floating villages.

Do your part to protect this beautiful area by refraining from throwing anything into the water, disposing of rubbish appropriately on the boat and while visiting caves and islands, and supporting cruise companies that promote sustainable and responsible tourism in the bay. Responsible and eco-friendly tourism is still a growing concept in Vietnam but it is increasing.

Some Halong Bay cruises mention Cat Ba Island, Gulf of Tonkin, Bai Tui Long Bay, and/or Lan Ha Bay. Are these places worth visiting as well ?

The Gulf of Tonkin is the full area stretching from China to Vietnam and includes three bays: Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Lan Ha Bay. Cat Ba Island is the largest island in the bay and is well-recognized for its biodiversity and about half of the island is protected as a national park. Many Halong Bay tours stop here for trekking, biking, birdwatching, kayaking, and other adventure activities and some cruises stay overnight here at one of the island’s hotels.

Bai Tu Long Bay is located east of Halong Bay and includes numerous islands and a national park and is often referred to as a less-visited Halong Bay. Lan Ha Bay to the south of Halong Bay is even less visited than Bai Tu Long Bay and also offers great natural beauty as well as more beaches than the other bays.

Most of the budget tours and day cruises stay within Halong Bay as it requires more time and fuel to venture further, but many of the mid-range and luxury cruises offer the chance to explore further afield. Don’t expect to be the only boat in any of the bays, (at night boats must stay within eyesight of other boats for safety), but it is nice to get away a bit from the crowds.

We visited all three bays and all are quite beautiful. The biggest advantage is that you’re more likely to have the opportunity to find less crowded beaches and coves for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking if you venture outside Halong Bay.

What things should I take into consideration?

This is a matter of preference of course, but the factors that were most important to us were length of the cruise, itinerary, cost, activities included/available, number of passengers, quality of food, commitment to responsible travel, safety record, and quality of overnight accommodations.

A t a minimum, find out specifically what all is covered in the cruise price (meals, activities, gear, cave tours, park fees), and if there are any additional costs that you will need to pay (e.g., optional activities, drinks, cave entrance fees. kayak rentals).

If you are staying overnight as part of your cruise, you might also want to ask about whether the boat also accepts daytrippers which might indicate the boat may be crowded during the day. During overnight cruises, you’ll either sleep overnight on the boat or the company will arrange accommodations elsewhere such as at a hotel on Cat Ba Island.

Almost all cruises stop to tour at least one cave and one fishing village, and some make stops at beaches, pearl farms, Cat Ba Island, and other attractions.

For those wanting to party or meet up with backpackers or singles, choose budget and midrange cruises as most of the cruisers on the luxury cruises are traveling as couples or families and tend to be older.

If you or anyone in your group has any physical mobility issues, I would make sure that you talk about potential issues before booking.

What Halong Bay Cruise companies should I consider?

There are dozens of cruise companies that own boats in Halong Bay and hundreds of travel agencies that will gladly sell you tickets to cruise Halong Bay. Personally we have only used The Au Co (owned by the same company as Bhaya Cruises), but the list below reflects companies and agencies we considered as well as companies that have received good reviews from reputable sources and fellow travelers.

This is by no means an exhaustive list as new companies seem to be popping up all the time and we definitely recommend checking out recent reviews before booking. Most of the below fall in the mid-range to luxury range in terms of price as budget cruises often come with mixed reviews. We have also included day tours of Halong Bay for those looking for a shorter tour.

1 Day Halong Bay Boat Tours

  • Dragonfly Cruise – popular day tours of Halong Bay
  • Vietnam OpenTour – a popular value tour of Halong Bay
  • Journey Vietnam – a more luxury focused one day Halong bay cruise

2 Day Halong Bay Boat Cruises

  • Rosa Cruise – well reviewed mid-range 2 day cruise
  • Rosa Boutique Cruise – high end boutique 2 day cruise
  • Mon Chéri Cruise – 5 star luxury 2 day cruise
  • Ultimate Halong Bay – a 2 day cruise that includes a seaplane trip

3 Day Halong Bay Boat Cruises

  • Rosa Boutique Cruise – luxury 3-day cruise
  • The Au Co – 3 day luxury cruise (the company we used)
  • Dino Tours – 3-day Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island cruise

There are of course many more options to choose from, you can see a list of Halong bay tours of various durations and comfort levels on GetYourGuide here and Viator here .

**If you have recommendations (or complaints) of cruise lines or travel agencies based on your own personal experiences booking a Halong Bay cruise, leave us a note in the comments.

Transfers from Halong Bay

Many cruises include a shuttle or car transfer to and from Halong Bay as part of the price. However, this is not always the case, especially for those wanting to do day tours. So definitely something you will want to check when making your cruise booking.

If you need to book a transfer, here are some options for transfers to consider.

Hanoi to Halong Bay Transfers

  • A 1 way transfer between Hanoi and Halong Bay via luxury car
  • A shared shuttle transfer between Hanoi and Halong Bay

Hai Phong Airport to Halong Bay Transfers

  • A private car transfer for up to seven from Hai Phong Airport to Halong Bay

Where to Stay Overnight near Halong Bay

If you want to spend the night near Halong Bay, there are a lot of options within the nearby city of Ha Long . Options include hostels , guesthouses ,  apartments , and hotels . You can then easily take a short taxi ride or transfer to the port for your boat tour departure.

If you plan to overnight near Hai Phong, you can see lodging options here .

Most pre-booked cruises include round-trip transport from Hanoi (or Hai Phong) and there are thousands of accommodation options in Hanoi . We stayed at the Metropole Legend in Hanoi before and after our cruise and can highly recommend it if you are looking for a nice historic hotel.

Our Cruise of Halong Bay with The Au Co

After doing some research on Halong Bay cruises, this cruise by The Au Co stood out to us for three main reasons: 1) the 3 day/2 night cruise itinerary included all three of the main bays of the Gulf of Tonkin and a visit to Cat Ba Island, 2) the luxurious nature of the food, service, and accommodations, and 3) the company’s stated commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism.

Launched in 2012, this sister company to Bhaya Cruises offers 3 day/2 night cruises on two vessels, each accommodating a maximum of 66 passengers. We contacted The Au Co to see if they were interested in having us review one of their cruises and they happily agreed. 

Day 1 of our Halong Bay Cruise with The Au Co

We were picked up from our hotel in Hanoi, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi , around 8:00am. The drive took about 3.5 hours with a brief 15-minute restroom/shopping stop along the way at the Hong Ngoc center which is a traditional arts factory and warehouse that employs local disabled people.

Once we reached the Tuan Chau port where all the Bhaya and The Au Co cruises depart, we were checked-in, given bracelets, and led into a building where we were offered water and soft drinks while we waited to board. We waited about 15 minutes and then were welcomed by staff onto the boat.

The boarding ceremony included flags, traditional drums, and a yummy fruity pineapple welcome drink. We found our room where our luggage had already been delivered and were very delighted to be staying in one of the Long Quan suites, which was very lovely.

Halong Bay Cruise Vietnam The Au Co Cruises Review

We soon had to head back upstairs for a quick safety briefing followed by lunch. We sat with an older couple who also happened to be from California and enjoyed their company and the five-course meal. All the meals on board follow a five elements (wood, earth, water, fire, metal) theme.

During lunch, the cruise director Maria introduced herself and some of the cruise staff members and then went over the day’s itinerary. It was odd to discover from our tablemates that they had actually signed up for a 2 day/1 night cruise with Bhaya Cruises but had been upgraded to this cruise so that there could be more passengers for more social interaction. Approximately 20 of the passengers (there were about 32 of us) were actually only on board for 1 evening.

Halong Bay Cruise Vietnam The Au Co Cruises Review

The first stop on our cruise was a guided tour of Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave on Bo Hon island. We all got onto one of the two smaller boats and then arrived on the island and got into line to visit the cave. As with all the activities on the itinerary, our entrance ticket was included in the price of our cruise.

Sung Sot is one of the most popular large caves in Halong Bay so expect to have to wait in line for a bit and for it to be quite crowded. There were about 100 stone steps to enter the grotto so likely not accessible for those with physical mobility issues. One of the cruise staff served as our guide and was quite good at providing information although it was often difficult to hear if we weren’t close to him because of the size and acoustics of the cave.

The cave was really spectacular with its large size, formation by water dissolving the limestone, and the many interestingly shaped stalactites and stalagmites. While we spent about 30 minutes inside the cave, you really need to sort of file through at a slow moving pace as tour group after tour group moves through the cave one after another. Inside the cave, there is a clearly laid out path for visitors and there is both some natural light as well as strategically placed colored artificial lights.

We heard some of the visitors being disappointed as it was so crowded and some voiced concerns about the environmental impact of allowing such large numbers of people into the cave. A beautiful but highly touristed cave.

Halong Bay Cruise Vietnam The Au Co Cruises Review

After getting back on board The Au Co boat, we changed into swimwear and then had the option to either kayak or be taken by one of the smaller boats to visit the nearby Soi Sim beach. Ethan and I opted to kayak and we enjoyed a short kayak ride to the beach and were very excited once we spotted several monkeys playing in the trees near the beach.

The monkeys did not pose well for my photos but we spent quite a bit of time trying to coordinate the picture taking while trying to keep the kayak from crashing into the rocks and trees. Ethan swam and played football with other guests while I hung around the beach and watched the monkeys. We spent about an hour on the beach before kayaking back to the boat to get ready for a spring roll cooking demonstration (including a fun contest among guests), happy hour (buy one, get one free drinks) and then dinner.

Halong Bay Cruise Vietnam The Au Co Cruises Review

After dinner, things really got quiet as some guests mingled around the Lan Ha bar, others headed to their rooms or the private hot tub (all guests got a free 30 minutes), and others tried their hand at squid fishing. For the squid fishing, lights are shined into the water and you use a pole to try to catch them. We did not catch any squid the first night and decided that we wanted to relax with a movie in our room before going to sleep.

We had read in the Information binder in our room that DVD players and a “large selection of DVDs” were available to borrow on the boat. So we headed to the desk and requested a DVD player and DVDs. At first, there was confusion but then the DVD players were located; however, only a handful of music CDS and two DVDs (one being a children’s movie, one being episodes of the Golden Girls) were offered to us so we returned to our room without a movie.

I got to take a bath (yes, the suite cabins have a bathtub!) and Ethan took a shower and then we quickly fell asleep. We did not notice the generator or any engine noises and slept very well.

Day 2 of our Halong Bay Cruise with The Au Co

We decided to sleep in and not join the 6:30am tai chi class on the sundeck like most of the other guests, but we did make it upstairs to the 7:00 breakfast buffet. The breakfast buffets both mornings consisted of fruits, yogurt, hot rice and noodle dishes, meats, breads, etc. Then we all got on the smaller boats again to visit the Vung Vieng fishing village. Vung Vieng consists of over 50 residences and over 200 people who make their living through fishing and tourism.

There are currently four such residential fishing villages in Halong Bay and many of the people living here are descendants of the members of the fishing communities who have inhabited the area for hundreds and even thousands of years. Today, the villages receive aid from the government as well as additional money from tourism in addition to their fishing incomes to help support and educate their families.

Once out of the boats, we arrived at a larger floating structure and were split into groups of four people. Each group then got into a traditional row boat and we got to take a relaxing ride paddling around the Vung Vieng fishing village, getting close to the limestone islands, and seeing the everyday lives of the village’s residents.

After about an hour in the row boats, we returned back to our ship and those passenger’s who were only onboard for the 2 day/1 night tour had to pack and leave as another boat came to pick them up to take them back to the dock. More than half the passengers left and it was kind of sad to see them go as you could tell that most were quite envious that the rest of us got to stay aboard for another day of activities.

Halong Bay Cruise Vietnam The Au Co Cruises Review

After the other guests were gone, the rest of us met the cruise director, Maria, to learn more about The Au Co company and then took a brief tour of the Captain’s Bridge and the Engine Room. We got to see how the boat is steered and operated, meet the captain, and even go down into the hot engine room. Next came another five-course lunch and then we headed to our cabins to get changed for our visit to Cat Ba Island. 

Halong Bay Cruise Vietnam The Au Co Cruises Review

We were now cruising through Lan Ha Bay as we approached Cat Ba Island. Ethan had been expecting us to arrive in a busy little tourist town on Cat Ba Island, such as Cat Ba City, but instead Viet Hai village is a small village that has been isolated from the main parts of the island. While increasingly visited by tourists, our group was the only tourists on the island during our visit.

We arrived onshore at a little dock where a small shop provided us with bicycles. We had the option to ride a bike, walk, or get on the back of a local motorbike for an extra $5. Ethan and I both opted for biking and it was a scenic bike ride to The Au Co organic farm. The Au Co has developed an organic farm in Viet Hai Village to help support the local people and to supply fresh vegetables and fruit to be used on the cruises.

The trouble was that I am not an avid biker and my helmet was not the best fit. So after reaching the organic farm, I decided I wanted to do a motorbike and even though this was inconvenient, The Au Co staff quickly arranged for a motorbike to meet us and take me the rest of the way.

Later at the next stop another woman would request the same thing as although the bike ride is not strenuous, it might be difficult for those who are not used to biking. At the end of the biking route is a little shaded picnic area where we were given a few minutes to rest and then the choice to either visit the local town school and other public buildings or go on a trek into the jungle and visit a cave.

We all opted for the cave trek and followed the cruise director Maria into the jungle. The relatively short trek was scenic and not very difficult, but not appropriate for those who have physical mobility issues. The staff were very good at leading, pointing out places to avoid, and providing helping hands when needed along the trek. We didn’t see the endangered Cat Ba langur (rarely sighted), but we did see goats, horses, bats, spiders, water buffalo, and birds along the way.

Once we all made it back by bike or motorbike to the pier, we got back on the boat and had the option to relax in our cabins or spend time kayaking and swimming in Viet Hai Lagoon. Ethan and I did some more kayaking and then Ethan did some swimming while I took a bath and read in the cabin until dinner.

Halong Bay Cruise Vietnam The Au Co Cruises Review

Since it was our last dinner, the staff prepared a barbeque buffet dinner outdoors. There were three tables full of fruits, salads, grilled seafood, meat, and vegetables, and desserts. It was nice being able to eat outdoors. There were also lots of elaborately carved fruit decorations placed around the tables.

After dinner, the Happy Hour was extended and there was also squid fishing again on the main deck. Ethan and I tried this again and Ethan finally caught himself a little squid. I was not so lucky but happy at least one of us was successful. One of the staff members helped him take it off the hook and return it to the sea.

Then we decided to book our 30-minutes of free Jacuzzi time and had the outdoor Jacuzzi to ourselves for half an hour which felt nice in the cool air after a long day. Spa services were also available for a fee but we did not take advantage of any of these during our cruise. We were tired from a very active day and slept well again in the suite. 

Halong Bay Cruise Vietnam The Au Co Cruises Review

Day 3 of our Halong Bay Cruise with The Au Co

We decided to try to get up and join the tai chi session this morning. We were only a few minutes late to the 7:00am session and it was nice to take in the beautiful views from the sundeck as we cruised back through Halong Bay and the port. During tai chi, Ethan was chosen by the instructor to help demonstrate many of the moves and so he got to be a very active participant.

After the tai chi session, we headed down to the breakfast buffet and then back to our rooms to pack our bags. We also spent some time on our cabin’s private balcony just taking in the scenery. We placed our bags outside our rooms and headed up to the Lan Ha bar to join the traditional Vietnamese tea ceremony demonstration.

At the tea ceremony, the staff taught us about the proper way to brew and serve tea and they prepared four different types of tea and we got to sample each of them. It was nice but I wish it had been a bit longer. After the tea ceremony, it was time to say goodbye to the rest of the guests, pay our bill, and gather our belongings.

We arrived back at the Tuan Chau Pier and disembarked around 10:30. Before we disembarked, we were given the number of our arranged transfer shuttle van back to Hanoi. Our van was already there but we went inside the waiting area for a few minutes until the rest of the passengers arrived. The ride back to Hanoi was a repeat of the ride to Halong Bay except we had a little longer stopover at the Hong Ngoc center. 

Halong Bay Cruise Vietnam The Au Co Cruises Review

Overall Thoughts on our Halong Bay Cruise with The Au Co

First of all, we do agree that Halong Bay is certainly a must-see place to visit if you are going to be spending any length of time in northern Vietnam and a cruise is an ideal way to see it. We also would recommend a trip of a similar length to ours with The Au Co as a day trip or one night trip will likely leave you wishing you had spent more time in the area. Being able to have time to see Bai Tu Long Bay, Lan Han Bay, and stop at Cat Ba Island made for a very nice tour and we got the opportunity to see more of the area than those cruises that only stay in Halong Bay.

We had a very good overall experience with The Au Co; however, things were not perfect and I think that even minor things stand out when you are taking a 5-star cruise. A couple of our disappointments came from inconsistencies in what we read in the materials in our cabin about the company and what we experienced. The first was our experience of not being able to watch a movie as there were DVD players but not DVDs available, and the second was being surprised by the buffet-style breakfasts after reading in The Au Co materials that the company’s commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism meant avoiding buffets.

We were also surprised (and a bit concerned) that there was no provided way to contact a staff member after 10:00pm when the desk was no longer staffed. We were later told that one staff member is always awake and somewhere on the boat (often at the bar area), but we felt for safety reasons that there should always be a phone number passengers can call to reach a staff member for any pressing needs or emergencies.

Finally, we also heard several passengers complain about an aspect of the “Buy One Get One Free” happy hours at the bar as you had to buy two of the exact same drink to get the deal, even if the drinks were all the same price. We hope that this deal is changed so that any two drinks can be purchased for this deal. 

Now, all the somewhat nitpicky things above were well outweighed by all the positive experiences we had on the cruise. The check-in process was efficient and well-organized. Our cabin was lovely, clean, and fairly spacious considering we were on a boat. Since we were in one of the Long Quan suites, we  also had a very nice private balcony (all The Au Co cabins have a balcony) and a bathtub which I enjoyed. The meals, especially the 5-course meals, were very good and we enjoyed being well fed during the entire cruise.

We enjoyed the variety and number of activities offered during the trip and we never felt overwhelmed or bored, and everything seemed fairly well planned. Two of the activity highlights for us were probably the time spent kayaking and the trip to Cat Ba Island. During our cruise, there were more staff members aboard than passengers so an excellent staff-to-passenger ratio! Staff members were friendly, attentive, and very helpful.

They were very willing to made adjustments to food and drinks at mealtimes based on passengers’ requests, accommodated people’s physical limitations and fears during activities, were very watchful during the Cat Ba Island hike to make sure people did not stumble or fall, and generally tried to anticipate guests’ needs and problems. One great example was after I decided I did not want to bike any further on Cat Ba Island, the cruise director quickly sought out a local motorbike rider for me. This was done without complaint or displayed annoyance by the staff even though it caused a few minute delay and someone would need to return the bike. This happened again with another passenger later on the same bike ride and again it was handled without complaint.

We also really liked that The Au Co is focused on responsible tourism, such as developing an organic farm in Viet Hai village and supporting cleanup and recycling efforts in Halong Bay. The Au Co also appears to be very focused on safety, using modern cruise equipment and keeping three times the required number of life jackets onboard. Overall, we had a wonderful Halong Bay cruise with The Au Co and would fully recommend it to someone else.

You should most definitely add Halong Bay to your bucket list, and if you want to see Halong Bay in style, I would strongly consider taking a cruise with The Au Co . We know from hearing from other travelers’ Halong Bay cruise experiences, that a cruise with The Au Co is well and above many of the other cruises being offered. While more expensive, a luxury Halong Bay cruise is a worthwhile splurge if you have the opportunity.

Halong Bay Cruise Vietnam The Au Co Cruises Review

Have you been to Halong Bay? Any questions about our experience or recommendations based on your own Halong Bay cruise? As always, we love hearing from you!

A guide to Halong Bay cruises from getting there, to choosing a cruise company, and choosing a cruise itinerary. Also provide full details and photos of our own 3 day Halong Bay cruise!

**Disclaimer: We received a discounted cruise and a complimentary upgrade and transfer in order to review the The Au Co cruise and its services; however, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions.**

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Nikki Agarwal Post author

May 13, 2022 at 11:00 am

Is your cruise service is active. I want to book a room in cruise for 1 night 2 days on 13 and 14th June. Waiting for your reply.

Regards, Nikki Agarwal

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

May 14, 2022 at 9:28 am

If you are wanting to book a Halong Bay cruise, you would need to do so directly with the company as we do not work for any of the cruise company but are travel writers. You can find Au Co crises here so you can check to see if they have any cruises for your dates, but you can find lots of other cruise options here and can search by date.

Hope that helps and let us know if you have further questions!

Best, Jessica

Ameena Post author

October 19, 2021 at 9:16 pm

It was great to find your blog about Halong Bay; nice pictures & helpful tips! This is really useful. Hope that you will provide us with the more interesting articles about this beautiful country. Thank you so much!!

October 20, 2021 at 5:00 am

Glad you enjoyed it and just let us know if you have any questions if you are planning a Halong Bay boat cruise!

Alex Post author

December 17, 2018 at 2:22 pm

Hi, Are there any cruises that pick and drop to hotels in Bai Chay? We are going to stay in Bai Chay for a week, are looking for a 2D 1N or 3D 2N cruise and some other day trips.

December 17, 2018 at 4:56 pm

As you know Bãi Cháy, along with Hong Gai, are sometimes referred to as Halong City and the vast majority of cruises leave from one of the Halong ports (e.g., Bai Chay, Tuan Chaun, Cai Lai, or Hon Gai port) so you will already be near most of the departure points. Most cruises include a transfer in the price from Hanoi or Haiphong. I don’t know of any that specifically say they pick up in Bãi Cháy as most people staying there arrange their own transport locally, but I think you could easily arrange this before or after booking with a cruise company so you get picked up and dropped off from your hotel in Bai Chay.

I would just be sure to book a cruise that leaves from a dock around you in Ha Long. But even if the company is not able to pick you up, you can easily arrange your own inexpensive transfer once you are there. You may be able to even walk depending on where you lodging is located in relation to the dock.

As for day tours, most set tours don’t start from the Halong area, but I’d recommend getting into contact with Footprint . The company is Vietnam-based and one we did day tours with and really liked. Most tours are private and I am sure they would be able to let you know what might be available to arrange from where you are staying. They can arrange trekking, cultural, food, and lots of other types of trips. Just let them know where you are staying in Bai Chay and the kinds of things you would like to do and see what they recommend.

Hope this helps, and hope you have a wonderful time in Vietnam!

Loi nguyen Post author

November 27, 2018 at 2:07 am

3 weeks ago I had a 2 days 1 night tour with Sunlight cruise in Cat Ba.

Our tour guide was: Doan Quang The He was very prepared and he did the best he could do to make ous happy. We were with a small group of 6 persons on a beautiful big wooden boot. The food was amazing (fresh seafood). Extra thank you Doan Quang The for helping me with the bus and ferry (1 day later)!! He was helping everyone with all our questions.

November 27, 2018 at 6:17 am

Hi Loi, Thanks so much for taking the time to leave feedback about your great cruise to Cat Ba! Sounds like this was a private Halong Bay cruise? Happy to hear you had such a great trip and a particularly wonderful guide! Best, Jessica

Lee Jackson Post author

November 21, 2018 at 3:39 am

This article contains a lot of informative details about choosing a Halong Bay cruise! Thanks for sharing your experience of your Au Co cruise in Vietnam, it has been very helpful.

November 21, 2018 at 5:15 am

Hi Lee, You are very welcome, and let us know if you have any questions in choosing a Halong Bay cruise that is best for you! Best, Jessica

Leila Post author

April 21, 2018 at 11:01 am

Hello. Many thanks for these tips and your experiences about Halong Bay cruises in Vietnam 🙂 Great article.

April 22, 2018 at 12:23 am

Hi Leila, Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. Just let us know if you have any questions about booking a Halong Bay cruise and wishing you a wonderful trip to Vietnam! Best, Jessica

Sylvia Post author

December 9, 2017 at 12:41 am

Excellent write up about your Halong Bay cruises. I absolutely love this website. Would you recommend coming from Hanoi or staying around the Halong area before and after the cruise?

December 9, 2017 at 11:04 am

Hi Sylvia, It really depends on what you prefer to do, your budget, and your time. We personally stayed in Hanoi and took an early transfer to Halong Bay, but this is a 3.5 to 4 hour ride or a bit longer if you do a bus. There are definitely more lodging options in Hanoi than around Bai Chay, but there are still a lot of options around Bai Chay now as well. If you have an early cruise, then staying in or near Bai Chay (a.k.a. Halong City) may make sense, especially if you are wanting to explore the area (other than just the cruise). I would book your cruise first and see what it comes with as some include transfers to and from Hanoi or add-ons for transport. Best, Jessica

Alexis Post author

February 22, 2017 at 12:16 am

Great article! It’s very informative and detailed. This is a very different view from the tourist-packed scenes we usually see on Halong Bay cruises.

February 22, 2017 at 2:25 pm

Thanks Alexis, glad you enjoyed our article on Halong Bay cruises. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

John Harris Post author

January 11, 2017 at 8:51 pm

Halong Bay is a wonderful destination for tourist as you describe! You can also see Halong Bay by air, even more beautiful and nature when sightseeing, from the top in a seaplane. Hai Au Aviation is one of the best choice at the moment with a great and professional serving service. Hai Au is also provided many other tour packages combine seaplane service and cruise.

January 12, 2017 at 2:57 am

Hi John, Thank for your recommendation about your seaplane company and I have no doubt that Halong Bay is beautiful from any angle! Best, Jessica

Tonkin Travel Vietnam Post author

December 25, 2016 at 9:51 pm

I just want to add a recommendation of a romantic dinner in a cave to make your trip perfect. 🙂 The fishing village is an interesting stop of Ha Long tour. Sadly that, it might be removed as the local authority has considering a plan of moving those villagers on shore by worry of water contamination. We are now looking for a mutual benefit solution: a sharing responsibility between travel agents like us and those fishermen to improve waste disposal efficiency. Hope to get your support (travelers).

travelcats Post author

December 26, 2016 at 5:51 am

Hello, thanks so much for letting us know and I hope that a solution can be worked out to both protect Halong Bay and allow the fishermen to stay in their traditional fishing villages in the area. Best, Jessica

starlighthalong Post author

April 22, 2016 at 3:30 am

Great information on Halong Bay cruises!! Thanks for sharing this! We also run a company called Starlight Cruises – if you want to spend your holiday with your family or friends STARLIGHT is giving you a great opportunity to make your holiday special and memorable: http://www.starlightcruiseshalong.com/

April 22, 2016 at 5:17 am

Glad you enjoyed our article on cruise options, and thanks for sending along information on your own Halong Bay cruises to our readers. Best, Jessica

Boon Kwang Post author

February 4, 2016 at 9:11 am

Hi, Could you tell me the prices for these cruises? And is Au Co considered a mid range ? Do we book at the bay or through an agent? And shall we book in advance?

February 6, 2016 at 11:12 am

Hi Boon, Au Co is considered a luxury cruise on Halong Bay. You would need to book in advance and the price would depend on the cruise. I would visit their website and you can check prices and book the cruise either by phone (number on their website) or through their online booking system on the Au Co website . Au Co Cruises is more expensive than many of the other cruises on Halong Bay, so you may want to consider a mid-range company if you are looking for something less expensive. See the several I listed in the post with links for mid-range and budget level cruises. Most will need to be booked in advance (recommended) but some can be booked at the port on arrival if there is availability. Enjoy your cruise on Halong Bay! ~ Jessica

February 6, 2016 at 8:31 pm

Thanks for the fast reply any idea is it better to book over there or through agent? i read some forum claiming that it is cheaper if we book thru agent

February 7, 2016 at 9:05 am

Hi Boon, I am not sure as we booked online directly with Au Co. My guess is you may be able to get some discount from booking through a third party agent or website. If you are flexible on the specific company and/or date, booking locally will probably give you the best deal. Good luck and feel free to come back and share your experience here to help future readers! ~ Jessica

Jasmine Hilton Post author

December 27, 2015 at 7:19 pm

Thanks for the writing. You both look fabulous. I like the tai chi session, it seems really interesting. All of customers have to join in the session or just those who want?

One more question, do you have any advice for a budget cruise in Ha Long? Thanks in advance!

December 28, 2015 at 3:27 am

Hi Jasmine, on our Au Co cruise everything was included in the price you pay for the cruise, but everything is optional for you to do (or not). So you can join the morning tai chi session, the cooking demonstrations, the biking on Cat Ba Island, the kayaking, etc. or you can opt out of any of these activities if you’d rather do something else or spend time in the spa or swimming. For instance as we noted, we only attended one of the tai chi sessions, choosing to sleep in the other morning.

I do not have any additional suggestions for a budget cruise other than those provided in the post. It appears that the article suggests that those on a budget can either arrive at the pier and purchasing a budget ticket on that day (briefly talked about in our post) or book a budget company for a bit more ahead of time such as with the White Pearl or Alova. I think that if you have the money, I would choose a company ahead of time and read reviews for it before you buy your ticket. If you are on a tight budget, then going to the pier and buying a ticket from the ticket counter can save money, but it can also take a lot more time as you won’t know when the cruise will depart. The article you found appears to be using photos they did not personally take, so it does not appear they have actually taken the tours they mention so I would do your own research on them.

Good luck and let me know if you have any more questions about our Ha Long Bay cruise! Jessica

Eoin Boult Post author

August 28, 2015 at 3:41 am

I am very happy to find this post before my trip to this beautiful place. Your post helped me a lot to plan my trip and to find a luxury Halong Bay cruise.

September 1, 2015 at 7:29 am

Great, glad this was helpful to you. Please let us know if you have any questions as you plan your trip to Halong Bay!

Sara Post author

August 8, 2015 at 8:53 am

Really very beautiful place to visit. Dreaming about a cruise tour trip to Halong Bay. Hoping for it very soon, maybe in November 2016

August 11, 2015 at 11:58 am

Hi Sara, Halong Bay is definitely a beautiful spot in Northern Vietnam. I hope you get there next year! ~Jessica

Ankey Post author

July 16, 2015 at 1:07 am

Great Blog – Au Co is the most beautiful cruise in Halong Bay. Love your pictures

July 17, 2015 at 9:17 pm

Thanks Ankey!

Becki Dang Post author

May 28, 2015 at 8:52 pm

Wow! You make me jealous. In my last trip on Halong Bay, Vietnam, I wished to enjoy a Au Co cruise. It was an amazing luxury cruise. However my budget was limited, so my family and I chose Paloma cruise. The price was about 130 USD.

Everyone should do a cruise here! It’s true when every famous Vietnam travel forum said that enjoying a cruise was the best way to explore Halong Bay.

May 28, 2015 at 8:57 pm

Great point Becki. As noted in my post, I think there are cruises that will fit almost any budget from a low-cost option for a 3-hour tour to those who have the luxury of being able to book their own private boat for a few days. Halong Bay is definitely a must-see if exploring Northern Vietnam!

Carola Buchman Post author

May 26, 2015 at 1:39 am

Halong Bay is truly the most beautiful part of Vietnam. I visited the Vietnam 2 years ago and I can tell you the cruises are amazing , one of the best memories of the entire vacation.

May 28, 2015 at 1:17 pm

Hi Carola, Indeed, it is a very beautiful place and a perfect setting for a leisurely cruise:)

Lam Lan Post author

May 12, 2015 at 9:01 pm

Or if you are traditional people, you might take the wooden style Traditional Halong bay boats Huong Hai Junks

May 13, 2015 at 2:25 am

Thanks for the tip Lam and link to your company.

LoJo Post author

February 15, 2015 at 10:15 am

Thanks for the great write up. We are taking a cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong and only have two days in Halong Bay. We have to pick between visiting Hanoi and taking an overnight cruise through Halong Bay. If you had to choose, which would you recommend?

February 16, 2015 at 1:12 pm

Hi LoJo, Glad that our post on Halong Bay cruises was helpful to you! Since it sounds like you are already visiting some big Asian cities on your trip, I would opt for the Halong Bay cruise as it is a very lovely place. If you only do a day cruise, you’ll short change time in the bay and then only have a day for Hanoi which is not really enough to fully explore the city. Note that it takes about 4 hours by bus or car to get from downtown Hanoi to the cruise docks for Halong Bay. I would choose either an overnight cruise of Halong Bay or skip the cruise and spend the 2 days exploring the city of Hanoi. Between the two, I would probably choose Halong Bay as it is so beautiful and leave Hanoi for another trip when you have more time. Have a great trip!

shirley Post author

September 7, 2016 at 9:54 pm

Looks like we are doing the same Halong Bay Cruise in Vietnam as you. Does it start and end at the same dock? Also does it take long to get off ship and into port? Thanks!!!

September 7, 2016 at 10:01 pm

Hi Shirley, Yes, the Au Co cruises are round-trip cruises and do start and begin at the same port so you will end in the same place as you begun if you need to arrange a pick-up, taxi, or park a car. I think almost all Halong Bay cruises start and end at the same place unless otherwise noted. Loading and off-loading of a cruise boat depends on its size, number of passengers, and staff organization, but it is generally pretty quick as they are not as large as the Halong Bay cruise ships are not as large as those in the oceans. Also, if you can carry your own luggage, this will generally speed things up as you will not have to wait for your luggage to be offloaded. On our cruise, I think we were off the boat within 20 minutes of docking. Enjoy your cruise in Vietnam! Best, Jessica

Pure P Post author

August 15, 2014 at 2:47 pm

Wow!! This is pretty amazing guys. Thank you for the list of cruise lines and what their services are for price, that is very helpful. Keep up the great work on this wonderful blog, it is interesting with good pictures.

August 16, 2014 at 9:33 am

We are happy that you found this useful in planning Halong Bay cruises! Just let us know if you have any questions.

Mariah Post author

July 15, 2014 at 10:26 am

This looks amazing! Your room is so nice and all the meals look great! I’ll have to show the husband…this seems like the way to experience a cruise!

July 20, 2014 at 10:49 am

Hopefully your husband agrees with you:) Feel free to ask me any questions if you do decide to plan a Halong Bay cruise.

Michele Post author

July 12, 2014 at 10:34 pm

First of all, I really like that striped dress. Jessica, you are a very fashionable traveler. This is probably one of the most informative blog posts I’ve read about Halong Bay. Most of my friends who went there were traveling as families and hired private charter junk boats. It’s nice to learn about the cruise option from you, and Au Co looks like they overall delivered a great experience. (Really, Golden Girls didn’t tempt you? Ha ha).

July 20, 2014 at 10:57 am

Thanks Michele for the sweet compliment:) Glad you found the post informative and yeah, the one disc of Golden Girls did not tempt us although I do occasionally watch a GG rerun:)

Diana Post author

July 9, 2014 at 2:11 pm

This Halong Bay cruise looks like soo much fun! 🙂

July 9, 2014 at 9:59 pm

It was a lot of fun, especially the kayaking, trekking, and water parts!

Adelina Post author

July 9, 2014 at 10:31 am

Wow what a gorgeous boat to explore the bay! Your room is beautiful and that food looks gorgeous! I’ve heard conflicting reports of visits to Halong Bay and I’m glad to hear you had a good time. Hopefully they fix up their inconsistencies, otherwise it looks like a fabulous way to relax and do some sightseeing.

July 9, 2014 at 11:03 am

It was a great cruise, would definitely recommend if you are in Vietnam. The area is so beautiful!

Rebekah Post author

July 6, 2014 at 6:19 pm

Thats amazing. You guys took some awesome photos. I think the Tai Chi lessons sound pretty awesome. I would love to learn and considering I’m in China that should be easy… I’ve never considered doing a cruise like that but it seems like a pretty cool way to see the area

July 7, 2014 at 9:33 pm

Yes, I am sure you will have lots of opportunities to take tai chi lessons in China! If you are in Halong Bay, a cruise is really the best way to see the area. Some people also do helicopter trips but I like being able to slowly glide by in a boat:)

SJ Post author

July 6, 2014 at 1:53 pm

Ohhhhh now these fancy digs are right up our alley! What glorious photos. I am so glad you took the time to include so many (along with your very detailed post) as that really made it for me.

July 7, 2014 at 9:31 pm

If you decide to take a cruise on Halong Bay, you should check out The Au Co. There were so many great photos it was hard to choose. Always love linking up!

Marissa Post author

July 6, 2014 at 11:43 am

This is a great guide with lots of useful information! I will definitely keep this in mind if I am in the area.

July 7, 2014 at 9:29 pm

Thanks Marissa!

Shikha Post author

July 6, 2014 at 10:36 am

Great post that brought back lots of nice memories for me! We went last year on the Jasmine Halong boat, which was lovely with a great restaurant, Tai Chi on the deck, lovely bar area and really comfortable rooms – the only thing was that it all got delayed for a few hours on the first day, whilst we had to get permission to sail because the weather conditions were so windy so we missed a bit of what was planned but we were relieved to have had a chance to get going at all!

Hi Shikha, glad the post brought back some lovely memories. Sounds like you also recommend the Jasmine Halong boat as well? Too bad you had some wind, but at least you still got to see the lovely bay!

Lauren Post author

July 6, 2014 at 9:39 am

Thank you for the extremely detailed, highly informative review & information! I’m definitely saving this post as I’d love to try this particular cruise company if we ever find ourselves in the area! I love that you got to visit so many places, you got to kayak and bicycle, you visited caves, saw beautiful scenery…it sounds like the perfect trip to me! And your cabin looks wonderful – a bath tub, wow! And the food! I wonder if they would accommodate a vegetarian/vegan diet? It sounds like they were pretty accommodating so perhaps!

July 7, 2014 at 9:27 pm

Hi Lauren, it was such a great cruise with so many activities. Many of the 2-day cruises offer quite a variety of activity options which is nice. And yes The Au Co can accommodate a vegetarian (and probably vegan) diet. We know this for sure as one of the other passengers was a vegetarian, but I think you just need to be very specific by what that means (e.g., no beef, pork, chicken, fish) as it is not always a familiar concept and most main dishes contain some sort of fish or meat. They also can make special children’s menus as well.

Tim Post author

July 6, 2014 at 9:12 am

WOW! Your boat looks stunning! I was there over 10 years ago, on a MUCH more basic boat! We did unfortunately see loads of trash in the water, but it was still one of the highlights of my trip to Vietnam, and I always recommend it to people 🙂

July 7, 2014 at 9:21 pm

That is sad to hear about the trash. We have heard similar reports even now, but I think we happened to go at a time when either it has been recently cleaned or perhaps the weather had cleared it out. I know some companies, such as The Au Co, organize days when the crew and any passengers clean up the bay. Hopefully responsible and sustainable tourism will continue to take hold there!

Louisa Post author

July 6, 2014 at 7:50 am

What a beautiful cruise ship and the scenery…..wow!

July 7, 2014 at 9:19 pm

A bit like being in a movie with such stunning scenery!

Bianca Post author

July 6, 2014 at 6:58 am

WOW! I am going to have to bookmark this as its been a dream for a long time to sail around Halong Bay via a cruise. Beautiful pictures!

July 7, 2014 at 9:18 pm

Thanks Bianca, I hope you get to visit here some day soon!

Mandie Post author

July 6, 2014 at 4:36 am

Very cool! I’m planning a trip to Vietnam next spring and I will definitely keep this in mind. Really well-written, comprehensive guide! 🙂

July 7, 2014 at 9:17 pm

Great, hope this is helpful and please let us know if you have any questions when trip planning. We spent about 2 weeks or so in Vietnam and loved it!

frank Post author

July 6, 2014 at 3:13 am

You convinced me within the first sentence: “2,000 tiny vegetation-topped islands”. Croatia has over 1,000 islands and I thought that was a lot! Long Quan suite looks amazing! Great tips guys for anybody planning to take a Halong Bay Cruise.

July 7, 2014 at 9:15 pm

I think there are actually about 3,000 little islands in the great Gulf of Tonkin region! You’ll have to come see for yourself if you can tear yourself away from beautiful Croatia:)

Margherita Post author

July 6, 2014 at 1:38 am

Oh my goodness, this cruise looks incredible. We have also been to Halong Bay, on a budget cruise (cost us something like 20$ a head, booked through Sinh Café) but of course it looked NOTHING like yours. That cabin is incredible, and all the food is making me so hungry! Love it!

July 6, 2014 at 7:49 pm

It was a great cruise and so beautiful. How were things with Sinh Café? We saw that the company was recommended by Lonely Plant as a budget-friendly travel agency but have seen some mixed reviews. Would love to hear more about your experience booking a Halong Bay budget cruise! Would you recommend?

Janice Post author

July 4, 2014 at 11:52 am

We’d definitely like the “luxury” version of a Halong Bay cruise too :-). The boat looks beautiful. And Halong Bay looks like a film set from a James Bond movie – but that was Phang Nga Bay in Thailand. We’d love to go…

July 5, 2014 at 6:00 pm

The Au Co cruise was really nice and would recommend. A Halong Bay cruise is a must-do if you make it to Vietnam!

Corinne Post author

July 4, 2014 at 4:53 am

Jessica, Wow! That looks like a swanky way to see Halong Bay! We skipped it last time we were there, because my daughters didn’t want to stay on a boat. Go figure! Next time, next time!

July 4, 2014 at 11:35 am

Corinne, I would highly recommend even if you don’t do a luxury cruise as the scenery here is GORGEOUS! Even Vietnamese tourists told us it was one of their favorite stops on their trip. I would also suggest staying overnight to witness the beautiful sunrises and sunsets if the sky is pretty clear – we were lucky to be there during a full moon:)

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The Crown Legend Cruises

halong bay cruise experience

Book online or call +84 325 551 553

halong bay cruise experience

Crown Legend Cruise 5* Classic

The finest luxury experience in halong bay.

Crown Legend Cruises is where Halong Bay becomes the most memorable and finest luxury experience of your lifetime. Whether it’s your first-time journey or an exciting come-back trip to the site, the sweet combination of luxurious world-class 5-star cruise and top-notch service quality brings guests a totally different Halong Bay in a cultural voyage in the UNESCO Heritage Site.

Your name Phone number Your email Itineraries Crown Legend Cruises 3 days 2 nights Crown Legend Cruises 2 days 1 night

Junior Deluxe V.I.P Suite

Enjoy the unique experience

A cruise trip with Crown Legend Cruise never gets bored with an exciting list of onboard and off-board activities in Halong Bay , where guests can immerse themselves in the less touristy area of the sea. Crown Legend Cruises brings an authentic Vietnam experience to intemational guests as they cruise in the signature destination of the country. An onboard cooking demonstration with Crown Legend’s talented Head Chef allows guests to lear interesting dining habit of local residents as well as have a quick taste of home-cooking dishes that have traveled a long way in Vietnam history. Take a quick glance into the warm and cozy tradition with the exceptional Tea Ceremony onboard of Crown Legend Cruises, where the original taste of fresh tea portraits how Vietnamese socialize and enjoy their free time.

How can one miss kayaking while cruising in Halong Bay? Revelling in the beauty of this world heritage from the water view while kayaking through the breathtaking limestones and islands. Swimming off-board in one of the white-sand beaches that haven’t been touched by human to experience nature by yourself.

halong bay cruise experience

Itineraries

Day 1: hanoi – halong bay – lunch – luon cave- titop island – sunset party- cooking demonstration – dinner – squid fishing.

7:30 – 8:30 If you book our cruise with the transportation, our guide will show up at your hotel in the Old Quarter & together we will get on the bus/limousine. After picking up everybody, we will head directly to Halong bay; among the road we will enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red river delta.

11:30 Arriving at the Crown Legend Cruise check-in lounge. You will have time to refresh yourself after the long drive from Hanoi and wait for check-in.

12:15 After taken to the Crown Legend Cruise, you will be checked-in. While enjoying welcome drinks, you will be introduced the itinerary and safety briefing by Cruise Manager.

13:00 You will have time to savor your delicious buffet lunch and enjoy the stunning views as the boat cruises towards the southeast of Halong Bay, passing the famous Fighting Roosters and Finger Islets.

14:30 – 16:00 Mingling yourself in the stunning views of the Bay and it’s dramatic limestone islets as we sail through the calm emerald waters heading to Luon Cave Take your option either exploring the cave yourself on kayak or comfortably on bamboo boat rowed by the locals.

16:00 – 17:00 Visit to Titov Island.

17:30 – 19:00 Back on board, you can enjoy sunset party with HAPPY HOUR (from 17:30 – 19:00) – buy2 get 1 free on drinks at Crown Legend Bar or Sundeck.

18:00 Join in our cooking demonstration, our chef will show you how to make our specialties (spring rolls).

19:15 Delight in the shimmering atmosphere of thousands of stars while dining with fantastic, expertly prepared dishes.

20:30 This is the perfect time to relax with karaoke or enjoy the drink at Crown Legend Bar. Besides, we provide free for squid fishing tools at reception.

22:00 Overnight on boat: clean air – conditioned rooms with private washroom.

Day 2: Tai Chi – Breakfast- Sung Sot Cave – Lunch – Hanoi

06:00 Warm up your day with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck with a breathtaking view as the sunrises on Halong Bay. Sunrise photo-hunting in the bay is once a lifetime experience; however, this activity is not mandatory. You can choose to stay in bed.

07:00 – 07:30 Light breakfast is served at the restaurant.

07:30 – 08:30 Your next stop is the magnificent Sung Sot Cave, one of the biggest caves in Ha Long Bay with beautiful stalactites. You will be surprised by the breathtaking panoramic view across the Bay once you exit the cave as well as the stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years which have taken on fascinating shapes.

08:30 – 09:30 Back on board, you settle your bill, check-out and return to Tuan Chau Island

09:45 – 10:45 Brunch is served at the restaurant while the boat heads back to the harbor.

10:45 – 11:00 Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina, return to Hanoi.

  • Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, tide levels and operating conditions without prior notice.
  • Swimming or kayaking excursions may be cancelled due to poor weather.
  • Meals on board are fusion: Vietnamese, seafood & international. Guests should advise of any special food preferences, allergies or dietary requirements at least one (01) week prior to the cruise date.
  • Advance registration is required prior to departure at least 3 days with your full name, date of birth, nationality, gender, passport number and visa expiration date for all passengers. A valid passport is required upon check-in. Otherwise, boarding may be denied by port authority.
  • Wi-Fi is available onboard free of charge. However, regular interruption is expected due to nature of internet signal at sea.
  • Two-days cruise in Crown Legend Cruise.
  • 04 meals included: Breakfast and Set-menu 2 lunches + 1 dinner
  • Complimentary mineral water onboard (01 bottle/pax/day)
  • Sightseeing fees.
  • Onboard insurance and service charges.
  • Transfers to and from Halong Bay, VISA service, Kayaking…
  • Airfare, Visa.
  • Bank charge ( for payment by credit card )
  • Beverages, spa and personal expenses.
  • All services not clearly mentioned

Day 1: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Lunch – Luon cave- Titop Island – Sunset party- Cooking demonstration – Dinner – Squid fishing

16:00 – 17:00 Hike to the top of Titov Island or Trinh Nu cave for stunning panoramic views of the Bay. After your hike, go for a refreshing swim in Halong Bay’s emerald waters or sip from a coconut in the shade.

Day 2: Lan Ha bay – Dark & Light Cave – Ba Trai Dao Beach – Pearl Farm – Cat Ba island

08:30 We will transfer you to a day cruise to go further into Lan Ha bay. Lan Ha bay located in the Southern of Halong bay with less touristic, tranquil zone and emerald water.

10:30 We will stop at Dark & Light Grotto in Lan Ha bay for kayaking. At here, we will have chance to get in touch with the nature. It’s such a peaceful place that you can hear yourself breathing. This is also the natural habitat for monkey, goats and seabirds. If we are lucky, we might see them at their daily basis.

11:30 We will get back on the day cruise for lunch.

12:30 We will take you to one of the most beautiful beach in Lan Ha bay: Ba Trai Dao beach. Here, you can swim among the beach and jump off the boat for an amazing experience.

14:45 Let’s cruising more into Halong Bay & Lan Ha bay, we will stop at the Pearl Farm Exhibition Center & Museum. We can all learn how mollusks naturally product a pearl & the process of creating & farming pearl in modern day.

17:25 We will be back at our cruise, you can enjoy sunset party with HAPPY HOUR (from 17:30 – 19:00) – buy2 get 1 free on drinks at Crown Legend Bar or Sundeck.

Day 3: Halong Bay – Sung Sot Cave – Hanoi

  • Three-days cruise in Ha Long Bay cruise.
  • 07 meals included: 2 Breakfast + 3 lunches + 2 dinner
  • Airfare, Visa,
  • Bank charge (for payment by credit card)

halong bay cruise experience

Junior ocean view with private balcony

halong bay cruise experience

senior ocean view with private balcony

halong bay cruise experience

VIP suite ocean view with private balcony

halong bay cruise experience

Finding Alexx

◦ Solo female travel blog

Asia , Bucket list travel , Responsible travel , Vietnam · March 23, 2020

Is Halong Bay worth it? An honest Halong Bay cruise review

Real talk: Not all destinations are as they seem on Instagram. I don’t want to burst any bubbles or ruin any bucket lists here but I’m all about sharing the misadventures as well as the adventures, so I wanted to give you an honest Halong Bay cruise review and give you some Halong Bay alternatives too. Read on to find out, is Halong Bay worth it ?

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Is Halong Bay worth it

But first, a disclaimer!

Let me prefix this by saying that everyone has different experiences when they travel somewhere. Weather can impact your enjoyment of a place, expectations can affect how you feel when you’re faced with the reality, and the people around you can make or break it.

I had many people tell me that Halong Bay was one of their life highlights, and with perfect weather and a great group of travel buddies on your boat I can totally see how this could be true.

But in the interest of showing the reality of travel rather than just the highlights, I think it’s important to share honest experiences even when they might not look like what you would normally post on social media. Sometimes there’s rubbish, sometimes it rains, sometimes a place doesn’t live up to what you were hoping for, and that’s totally okay.

Let’s all commit to sharing authentic travel experiences truthfully, rather than just the infinity pools and the cocktails, and then other travellers have a more realistic idea of what to expect when they visit for themselves.

ALSO my three weeks in Vietnam were one of my top trip highlights and it’s definitely one of my favourite countries, so one unsatisfying experience doesn’t taint a whole destination.

Halong Bay cruise review

What is Halong Bay?

Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Vietnam, and it’s probably graced your Instagram feed multiple times in the past. It’s famous for bright emerald water, an infinite number of jagged limestone karsts protruding from the ocean, and white wooden junk boats sailing around the islands. It is, in a word, otherworldly.

This tourist hot spot quickly became Vietnam’s most recognisable icon when it was picked out by UNESCO in 2000, and it sees over six million tourists a year.

How do you get from Hanoi to Halong Bay?

Most Halong Bay cruises offer a pick up and drop off service from your Hanoi hotel. If your tour doesn’t offer this service or if you want to spend extra time in Halong Bay before or after your cruise, you can choose a private driver , shared bus transfer , shared minibus or a train.

The distance between Hanoi and Halong Bay is about 170km, and a private driver will get you from A to B in three hours (not accounting for any stops). You can book a Halong Bay private transfe r on Klook from £56 for up to three people.

The best value option for getting from Hanoi to Halong Bay and back is a shared transfer, you can jump on a tourist bus from £4 or ride in style in an air-conditioned minibus from £8 .

There’s a Hanoi to Halong Bay train too and prices start at £2.50, but it’s a six or seven hour journey so I don’t think it’s worth it.

Halong Bay cruise review

About my Halong Bay cruise

There are day trips from Hanoi to Halong Bay, or overnight cruises for two, three or more days.

I opted for the three-day two-night cruise, as I liked the idea of having one full boat day without hours on a bus. This meant we managed to explore deeper into the bay on a day boat, where there were far fewer people, which made a big difference.

I booked this two-night deluxe cruise on Klook for £193 for a single room (vs £295 for two people in a double room). All of the cruises I saw have a single supplement, except for a couple which will pair you with another traveller, not necessarily the same age or gender as you.

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The boat company my trip was with was Phoenix Cruises, who have 5 stars on TripAdvisor. Overall the Phoenix team were brilliant! Hotel pick-up and drop-off were smooth and easy, our guide was hilarious and super friendly, and the staff were always eager to help.

If you’re looking for a bit of a boat party kind of vibe then consider booking a trip to Castaways Island , the private island that is run by Vietnam Backpackers Hostel.

Or if you’re feeling fancy, check out this five star luxury cruise with President Cruises.

Is Halong Bay worth it

About the Halong Bay boat

Our boat was pretty decent, there’s a huge deck with seating upstairs as well as a dining room inside. My cabin was big enough for me but two people and luggage would be a bit of a squeeze, but that’s boats for you! The boat is meant to have free WiFi but unfortunately ours was broken.

Halong Bay cruise review

You can’t get hungry on the boat, the meals were HUGE. All meals are included while you’re in the bay, and they bring out 8-10 dishes per table for you to choose from so there’s plenty there.

The food was a mix of both Vietnamese and Western food, and they can cater for dietary requirements too. Drinks are separate and cost around £1 for a soft drink, £2 for a local beer and £3-4 for a cocktail.

Our boat had 14 cabins and there was a huge variety of passengers from different countries, different backgrounds and different ages.

Unfortunately one of these passengers was racist, sexist and smoked like a chimney and hacked his lungs out publicly, despite the prevalent worries about coronavirus (this was mid-February 2020). I can normally ignore rude people but unfortunately when you’re stuck on a boat for 48 hours with someone that can be tough!

Luckily I had some pretty awesome other boatmates too. On the first night there was a bunch of five American university students who were part-way through a Semester at Sea study abroad programme, and we spent hours chatting about how to tie travel into their lives when they go back home. I’m sure one of them is reading this, so thought I better give them a shout out ????

Cruise cooking class

Why my Halong Bay experience wasn’t ideal

Unfortunately, our experience at Halong Bay was hampered a bit by some angry weather, and pollution and tourists behaving badly didn’t help.

Don’t get me wrong, the bay was still beautiful, but the fog, rain, cold weather, crowds and rubbish did mean it didn’t quite meet my expectations and I want to be completely honest about that so you know what to expect.

The weather

Obviously no one can do anything about this, but the rain, fog and cold did really impact our time on the boat. Northern Vietnam gets cold in January and February (Halong Bay’s average high in winter is only 20°C with a low of 8°C), but the rain was somewhat unusual for that time of the year.

The best time to visit Halong Bay according to locals is October to December in terms of weather, but those months also bring the biggest crowds.

The fog did look beautifully eerie, but not being able to see the vastness of the never-ending limestone islands did somewhat ruin the magic that I was expecting.

Getting wet was the real kicker though, especially on the day boat where we had no warm and dry cabins and no change of clothes. Six hours of sitting in clothes wet from kayaking and I was a shivering mess!

Halong Bay cruise deck

Halong Bay overtourism

The Halong Bay cruise (and most cruises) include a number of activities like island visits, kayaking, seeing caves and visiting oyster farms. These activities are incredibly touristy, with hoards of other travellers arriving moments after you, all lining up to climb a mountain or explore a cave with camera flashes constantly going off in your face. Boomers, am I right?

Overtourism is something I’m passionate about and it’s a topic I want to try and focus on more in my travels, so I’ll admit I’m disappointed in myself for adding to the Halong Bay problem. Not only does overtourism affect the authenticity of a destination, natural landscapes and ecosystems, it actually negatively affects tourists’ enjoyment of the destination too. So it’s literally a lose-lose situation!

Day two of the cruise, the full boat day, meant that we could take a day boat further into the bay away from the one day and overnight trips, and even the reprieve from that alone made a big difference and definitely made the two-night trip worth it.

Halong Bay cave walk

It’s also worth noting two things…

1) I am aware I, too, am a tourist. I’m totally a part of this problem too, and I wish I had read up more about the unfortunate Halong Bay overtourism before I went, which is why I’m sharing this with you guys.

And 2) My visit was mid-February at the height* of the coronavirus panic in Asia and when travel restrictions were in place, which meant what I experienced was probably 30-40% less busy than usual. I can’t imagine what a fully populated Halong Bay would be like.

*Editor’s note: I wrote this at the start of March where it seemed like mid-Feb was the height of the corona hysteria, now I’m editing this in my childhood bedroom at the end of March because I had to pause my trip and come home and self-quarantine as international borders close. The world has changed so much in three weeks!

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Tourists behaving badly

What’s worse than way too many tourists? Way too many irresponsible tourists.

The most frustrating instance of this was on one of the kayaking trips where a boat of visitors started throwing plastic-wrapped food, like packets of chips and chocolate bars, at the monkeys on the shore and laughing when they tried to eat them.

Not only is it harmful to feed wild animals, but what do they expect the monkeys to do with the rubbish? Put it in the bin? Sigh.

There were also pockets of floating rubbish all through the bay from where boats were obviously anchored the night before.

Rubbish in Halong Bay

Halong Bay seems to have a ban on single use plastic that’s enforced on the boats (no plastic water bottles or snacks) but there are still plenty of local row boats who come around with bags of chips, lollies and soft drinks, plus I’m sure many people bring their own food on board and discard the rubbish overboard without thinking.

The final verdict of my Halong Bay cruise review

Halong Bay is undeniably beautiful, and I don’t blame anyone for having it at the top of their bucket list. If you managed to see it with less people (a two or more night cruise is best for that) or if you had brilliant weather then I imagine I don’t doubt it would be a Vietnam highlight, and if you managed to get both a quiet spot and brilliant weather then you win!

But for me, taking into account the drizzly cold, the litter pockets and the hoardes of tourists, I wouldn’t say I regret Halong Bay, but I also wouldn’t say I’ve added it to my ‘best things I’ve ever seen’ list.

Halong Bay cruise review

Alternatives to Halong Bay

But wait, it’s not all doom and gloom (or rain and litter in this case)! There are a few options of places to visit to get a Halong Bay-esque experience without the crowds.

Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba Island was one destination that people raved about to me while I was planning my trip, and I wish I had the strength to overcome the Halong Bay FOMO and visit Cat Ba instead. Bad Alexx!

Cat Ba Island is actually the biggest island in Halong Bay, but it’s a destination worth visiting in its own right. From sleepy fishing villages (most in Halong Bay have been shut down by local government to ‘protect the ecosystem’ i.e. make way for more tourist boats), to thick jungle, to secluded grottoes hidden amongst the towering cliffs, Cat Ba and its own Lan Ha Bay are a brilliant escape from the Halong madness.

The good news is you can actually do a trip to both Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island if you really do want to see both. This two night adventure spends a night on the boat in Halong Bay and a night in a hotel or resort on Cat Ba Island, the best of both worlds.

Bai Tu Long Bay

A couple of people recommended Bai Tu Long Bay too, which is slightly north of Halong Bay but seemingly far from the well-trodden tourist trail. The cruises in Bai Tu Long Bay are more expensive but have smaller boats than in Halong Bay, so they’re a bit more private and exclusive. Guaranteed you’ll have less crowds and rubbish up here.

Tam Coc and Ninh Binh

Known as the ‘Halong Bay on land’, the mind-blowing landscapes of the Ninh Binh province, a couple of hours’ drive inland from Hanoi, are another of Vietnam’s hidden gems. With a similar silhouette of giant limestone karsts but with emerald rice paddies in place of turquoise waters, the views in Ninh Binh and nearby Tam Coc were definitely a trip highlight for me.

There are no junk boats but there are row boats, bicycle routes, caves to explore and mountains to climb.

Tam Coc Halong Bay alternative

If you’re planning on going, do you think you’ll keep it in your itinerary or consider one of the Halong Bay alternatives? And if you’ve been before, do you think Halong Bay is worth it or do you agree with me? Tell me in the comments!

Looking for Halong Bay cruises or Halong Bay alternatives? Check out all the day trips and overnight cruises right here on Klook .

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Read more about my 52 in 52 adventure here , see all of my blog posts from the trip here , or check out my Instagram @findingalexx to see all of my travel photos.

All the basic details from my big 52 in 52 trip:

How do you find your flights? Skyscanner ! I use the Everywhere tool to find the cheapest place to fly to each Tuesday Do you fly every week? Not every week no, once I have the destination I check trains and buses to see if there’s any other transport options aside from flying. If so, I usually book these using the Trainline app. How do you book your accommodation? I book all my hotels, hostels and apartments on either booking.com or Hostelworld . Do you have travel insurance? YES, I always travel with travel insurance and you should too. I’m insured for an annual policy with Worldcare NZ . Do you offset your carbon credits? I sure do! I always offset when I book if the airline gives me the option (Ryanair does), and I also offset all my flights using Co2nsensus.com . What luggage do you travel with? I travel with a 75cm Samsonite Cosmolite suitcase , a matching Samsonite Cosmolite 55cm cabin luggage hardcase , and a cheap laptop backpack . What camera do you use? You can see the full list of what’s in my camera bag right here . What laptop do you use? I have a super portable HP Spectre x360 13.3″ laptop, which is an absolute dream to travel with. For more FAQs about my 52 in 52 trip, see this post .

I travelled on the Halong Bay two night cruise as a guest thanks to my ongoing partnership with Klook. As always, all opinions are my own and are based on my own personal experience.

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chania harbour

June 27, 2022 at 4:59 pm

Hi, thank you for this detailed, authentic article. We’re planning to go to Northern Vietnam mid to late December and have decided to skip Halong Bay because it seems very similar to the Phi Phi islands. And with limited time, we’ve decided it would be better to visit other destinations. That said, Tam Coc is a place we are considering but I’ve read a few accounts of how over touristy it is and tourists getting inundated by vendors pushing their wares to the point of ruining the experience- did that happen to you at all?

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June 28, 2022 at 2:19 am

I didn’t have that experience in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh was a bit more intense in terms of the commercial aspect, but for me Tam Coc was quite calm and peaceful. However I was there in Feb 2020 when borders had already shut to some countries so I definitely didn’t see it at its busiest, my experience might have been more positive than if I had visited in a normal time!

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August 18, 2022 at 2:13 am

I had plans to visit bali but my flight was through Vietnam and had some layover. I got tempted and kept a four days gap and got my Vietnam VISAs to explore some of Vietnam. I also underestimated the distance between Ha Noi and HCM and hence within these four days, I planned to travel from HA Noi to Ho Chi Minh. I will enter Vietnam at HaNoi and my flight to Bali will be from HCM. So, booked a flight after spending two days in HAnoi to HCM. Sorry for boring you with a lot of info.

I have only two days in Hanoi and hence booking one night two days trip will mean zero time for exploring Hanoi. So, I will have to settle with just one day, day trip to Hanoi. That means, I will be part of the ‘Problem’ and will be able to explore only one of the crowded areas of the Hay Long bay.

I am travelling with parents and in fact, the trip is for them to visit an international location for the first time. I have been to places but they haven’t and I am joining to make them feel comfortable. They are in their 70s.

Do you think we should still include a day trip to Halong bay or are there any alternatives that you have in mind?

Can you suggest the two days itinerary? We will reach early in the morning and will have two full days with us before our flight in the morning of the third day from Hanoi to HoChiMinh city. PArents are healthy but can only walk 200-300 meters and would not want to make extreme for them as they have total 12 days trip to Vietnam and Bali.

Our budget is medium and not very luxurious!

Thank you in advance!

August 18, 2022 at 6:30 am

Hanoi is a really cool city with lots to do, but if your parents aren’t very mobile then it might be tricky as the city is definitely made for walking or motorbiking, cars are limited on where they can go.

I would suggest doing a day trip to Halong Bay like this one: https://www.klook.com/activity/44865-hana-premium-cruise-halong-bay-high-way/?aid=5164

And you can read my Vietnam itinerary for more suggestions on what to do in Hanoi for two days: https://findingalexx.com/3-week-vietnam-itinerary

HOoe this helps!

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September 23, 2022 at 5:34 pm

Just wondering how you got from Ha Long Bay to Nihn Bihn? What is the quickest and cost effective way to get there 🙂

September 24, 2022 at 12:53 pm

My Halong Bay cruise included transport to and from Hanoi, so I caught that back to Hanoi and then booked a bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh 🙂

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January 23, 2023 at 8:05 pm

Hi there: Thank you for your detailed description of the Halong Bay. We are at the point of adding to the over tourism problem. We have a specific question, namely we get into Hanoi midmorning and we have that night and the next day and night at most to spare before moving on to Da Nang. Within those time constraints, would you recommend exploring Ha Noi over a day and a half or try to forego the city in favor of the cruise. We will be traveling in late May and none of us have any mobility restrictions. Thanks in advance for your opinion

March 23, 2023 at 11:05 am

Hey! I’m so sorry for the late reply, you might have already booked but I will give you my thoughts anyway. Honestly it is totally up to your preferences, Hanoi is an amazing city with plenty to see and do in 1.5 days, and if you’re a foodie then I’d say you should do a food tour which will take up half a day of that time so then you’d want the next day to see more of the city. If you are more keen on natural landscapes and don’t mind a very hectic day of bus/boat/bus with (probably) lots and lots of other tourists then you could still do the Halong Bay day trip, I’d just suggest not having super high expectations as the chaos/amount of tourists/rushed nature might not give you the best experience if that makes sense!

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September 29, 2023 at 5:13 am

Very much appreciate your candid and detailed descriptions of your travel experiences. So helpful.

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December 29, 2023 at 1:41 pm

Hi Alex, Thank you so much for your honest assessment of Ha Long Bay. We are seriously thinking of going to Vietnam ( have been to Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos several years back) I am 68, hubby is 73 in good shape, minus the aches and pains. We will work with a high end tour operator who has an excellent reputation. You were there for three weeks and since we are coming from the east coast of the US want your opinion if not only 3 night cruise is worth it in Halong Bay or the other places you mentioned, but Vietnam in general (ie Hoi Ann, Hue, etc). We would like to combine two weeks in Vietnam with a week of a beach vacation somewhere else like southern Thailand -maybe even Palawan islands in the Philippines if not to far. Thoughts on Vietnam would be much appreciated!

January 3, 2024 at 12:34 pm

Hi Sandra! With two weeks in Vietnam you could do a few nights in Halong Bay or one of the alternatives (Bai Tu Long, Cat Ba, Lan Ha) + spend some time in Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. I’d recommend keeping your visit to 3/4 destinations in those two weeks though otherwise you’ll be spending a tonne of time on buses/in cars/planes getting from A to B. Thailand would be an easy option, just check the season to avoid heading to the wrong side during the wet season. Palawan is a little trickier because I don’t think there are direct flights from Vietnam to Puerto Princesa at the moment so I thiiiink you’d need to go via Manila which would make it a long trip. I’m not totally sure though so best to check your options on Skyscanner!

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January 21, 2024 at 5:37 pm

I’ve got lots of great ideas from your various reviews and articles. Thank you. We are pushed for time and I had initially planned 2 nights Hanoi, 1 night Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise, 1 night Tam Coc. Private transfer between places so we go point to point. I’m wondering if we slow down the pace and just go to Hanoi and Ninh Binh. I visited Halong Bay on a boat cruise over 20 years ago and found the diesel fumes and water pollution startling – and that was way back then. Was hoping Bai Tu Long might be different but I’m not sure.

We travel a lot, travel light and move around well (family with kids) but are definitely not boat/tour/group kinda people – we like to travel independently and hang with locals.

January 22, 2024 at 11:42 am

Hey Kate, based on your travel preferences I would say perhaps skip Bai Tu Long Bay and spend more time in Ninh Binh instead, you’ll be more likely to find authentic local experiences there. If you or the kids are particularly keen to see the limestone karst landscapes then Bai Tu Long would definitely be better than Halong Bay, but if you aren’t into boats/sightseeing then there’s probably no need to make the trip and waste a day/night.

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Halong Bay Cruises

Luxury cruises.

Immerse yourself in unparalleled luxury as you navigate the serene waters of Halong Bay. Enjoy top-tier amenities in our state-of-the-art yachts or traditional sailboats, designed for the discerning traveler. From sumptuous onboard dining to relaxing spa treatments, every aspect of your cruise is crafted to provide an opulent experience.

  • Elegant accommodations with plush amenities.
  • Private balcony/terrace for unrivaled views.
  • Onboard swimming pool and fully-equipped gym.
  • Personalized service and private transfers.
  • Diverse onboard experiences: Tai Chi, cooking classes, and mini-golf.
  • Exciting offboard excursions: kayaking, cycling, and cultural visits.
  • Paradise Elegance Cruise Halong Bay

Paradise Sails Cruise Halong Bay

Athena cruise halong bay, ambassador cruise halong bay, hermes cruise halong bay, sea stars cruise halong bay, romance & honeymoon.

Set sail on an idyllic journey tailor-made for couples and honeymooners. Our intimate sailboats and private yachts provide the perfect setting for romance. Revel in the privacy of your suite, savor intimate dinners, and soak in panoramic views—all while celebrating love and togetherness.

  • Intimate and luxurious accommodations.
  • Private jacuzzi and spa bath.
  • Exclusive balcony/terrace for each suite.
  • Personalized room service for private, candlelit dinners.
  • Tailored activities for couples: romantic kayaking, secluded beach visits.

La Regina Royal Cruise Halong Bay

Oasis bay party cruise halong bay, paradise peak cruise halong bay, glory legend cruise halong bay, rosa cruise halong bay, aclass legend cruise halong bay, family and group cruises.

Our family and group cruises are designed to create lasting memories for all ages. Engage in a variety of onboard and offboard activities, from cultural excursions to water sports, ensuring entertainment and relaxation for everyone. Spacious accommodations and family-friendly services make your journey as comfortable as it is exciting.

  • Family-friendly accommodations with adjoining rooms.
  • Kid-friendly activities.
  • Adult relaxation areas with sunbeds and spa services.
  • Onboard swimming pool for family fun.
  • Diverse activities for all ages: swimming, cave explorations, and cooking classes.

Party Boat Cruises for Young Adults: Oasis Party Boat

Join the vibrant atmosphere of the Oasis Party Boat, a luxury cruise tailored for a young crowd aged 18-40. Revel in the lively social scene with nightly funky music and dance, all while sailing through the scenic UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay​​.

  • Luxury 5-Star Cruiser: Equipped with modern amenities and luxurious accommodations.
  • Vibrant Nightlife: Onboard DJ and dance floor for partying every night.
  • Outdoor Jacuzzi & Water Trampoline: Unique features for relaxation and fun.
  • Restaurant and Well-Stocked Bar: Enjoy gourmet meals and a wide selection of drinks.
  • Social Activities: Engage in kayaking, boat jumping, and exploring hidden spots in Ha Long Bay​​.

Introduction to Halong Bay

Discover the awe-inspiring beauty of Ha Long Bay – a masterpiece crafted by nature’s hands. This magnificent seascape boasts emerald waters and towering limestone islands, each crowned with lush rainforests. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Ha Long Bay covers over 1,500 square kilometers and is home to almost 2,000 islands and islets. The mythical mist often enveloping the landscape only adds to its enchanting allure. Visitors flock here to immerse themselves in the serene tranquility, explore the mysterious caves, and escape the bustling pace of city life.

Ha Long Bay is celebrated for its stunning scenery of vertical cliffs, hidden beaches, and mystical caves. Notable attractions include Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, and the floating fishing villages.

The bay perfectly blends adventure and relaxation. Visitors can enjoy kayaking through the caves, rock climbing, or cruising amidst the islands. It’s also a popular spot for squid fishing at night and witnessing the bio-luminescent plankton.

The area around Ha Long Bay is rich in history and culture. The floating villages, local seafood cuisine, and traditional fishing techniques offer a glimpse into the life of the local community.

Ha Long Bay is a natural wonder and a haven for biodiversity. The limestone karsts and islands are home to various species of birds, monkeys, and other wildlife. The surrounding waters are rich in marine life, including many species of fish and coral. Ecotourism initiatives focus on preserving this natural beauty while allowing visitors to enjoy the bay responsibly. Engaging in eco-friendly tours and activities helps support conservation efforts and provides a sustainable way to experience the wonders of Ha Long Bay.

Must Visit Attractions

Freedom island, con vit islet, the fighting cock islet, dau go cave, thien cung cave, cua van fishing village, tien ong cave, trinh nu cave, ho dong tien cave, tung sau pearl farm, sung sot cave, titop island, bai chay beach, tuan chau marina, detailed cruise information, itineraries.

Choose from two amazing options when it comes to Halong Bay cruises – a shorter 2-day, 1-night trip or a more extensive 3-day, 2-night trip. The longer itinerary offers a more relaxed and in-depth exploration of the bay’s stunning scenery and cultural sites. A Halong Bay cruise itinerary typically offers a comprehensive journey filled with cultural, culinary, and adventurous experiences. The 3-day itinerary usually includes a mix of relaxation, exploration of caves and villages, fine dining, and activities like kayaking and Tai Chi, all while sailing through the stunning landscapes of the bay. Each day provides a blend of leisure and exploration, ensuring a memorable and immersive experience in one of Vietnam’s most iconic destinations.

Onboard Experience

Depending on the cruise type, guests can enjoy amenities ranging from spas and fitness centers to fine dining and cultural performances.

Safety and Guidelines

All cruises adhere to strict safety protocols, ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey for all guests.

Ha Long Bay Travel Guide

Best time to visit.

The best times to visit are from September to November and from March to May, offering pleasant weather and clearer skies for optimal cruising conditions​​.

13 Best Halong Bay Luxury Cruises | Explore The Wonders Of Ha Long In Style

Best halong bay cruise 3 days 2 nights in paradise, 7 natural wonders of the world: halong bay and beyond, most luxurious halong bay cruise for couples in 2024, halong bay cruise 1 night itineraries | best advice + cruise tips, how to get from hanoi to halong bay | 2023 ultimate guide, top 10 halong bay facts | unveiling the mysteries, where to stay in halong bay | 2023 ultimate guide, common asked questions.

Halong Bay is renowned for its stunning scenery, including thousands of limestone karsts and islets in various shapes and sizes. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing millions of tourists annually. The bay is home to multiple species of wildlife, with high biodiversity, including over 200 types of fish and 450 mollusk species. Approximately 1600 people live in floating fishing villages, giving visitors a glimpse into the local way of life. For adventurers, activities include kayaking, squid-fishing, Tai Chi, scuba-diving, and snorkeling​​​​​​​​.

Yes, Halong Bay is recognized as one of the New7Wonders of Nature. The bay’s stunning geological formations and natural beauty earned it this distinction, along with UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994​​​​. Read this insightful article to learn more about the 7 Natural Wonders of the World: Halong Bay and Beyond.

Typically, to immerse fully in the beauty and activities of Halong Bay, a 3-day itinerary is recommended. This allows for exploring the tranquil bays, visiting fishing villages and pearl farms, swimming and relaxing at islands like Titop Island, engaging in kayaking activities, visiting Luon Cave, and exploring the Cua Van Floating Village​​​​​​.

Yes, swimming in Halong Bay is safe and refreshing due to the calm waters, with safety measures like life jackets and monitored swimming areas. While it offers a thrilling and relaxing experience, following its safety guidelines, such as swimming in groups, avoiding swimming while intoxicated, and being aware of your swimming abilities,​​​​are important.

The best months to visit Halong Bay for good weather are March to April and September to November, when the weather is mild and pleasant and the skies are clear. The off-season months of May to September are recommended for fewer crowds and lower prices. However, note that the peak season from October to April can be busy and expensive​​.

The best party boats in Halong Bay include Oasis Bay Party Cruise: Known for a vibrant and youthful experience, offering activities like kayaking, swimming, and beach sports along with onboard activities and excursions​​.

While the party boats mentioned also offer luxurious experiences, the most luxurious cruises typically provide spacious cabins, gourmet dining, exclusive activities, and personalized services. 

  • Athena Cruise
  • Ambassador Cruise
  • Hermes Cruise

Halong Bay’s attractions range from stunning caves like Sung Sot and Thien Cung and beautiful islands such as Cat Ba and Titop to unique sites like Vung Vieng Floating Village and Bai Tho Mountain. Each offers unique experiences, from kayaking and swimming to exploring rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. Discover the Top Tourist Attractions of the Halong Bay Area here.

Halong Bay is accessible through three main airports: Cat Bi International Airport in Hai Phong, Van Don International Airport in Quang Ninh, and Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. Each offers various conveniences and connections to Halong Bay. For detailed information on these airports, including distances, services, and travel tips, you can read the full article on Halong Hub​​.

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Catherine Cruise

Catherine Cruise

  • One of the newest 5-star cruises in Halong Bay
  • Visit highlights of Halong Bay including Surprise Cave, Titop Island, Luon Cave, Cua Van Fishing Village, etc.
  • All rooms with balcony and bathtub
  • Large room area from 40 to 200 sqm
  • Spacious infinity pool

Cruise information

Rooms & rates, premier suite, royal suite, grand suite, villa president suite, about catherine cruise.

As one of the latest cruises in Halong Bay, Catherine Cruise guarantees a luxurious getaway with a myriad of exciting activities. The cruise offers all rooms with a balcony, lavish restaurants and bar, pool, and more. The itinerary with top attractions both feasts travelers’ eyes and brings lots of fun and memorable experiences.

halong bay cruise experience

+ Beautiful furnishings

+ Rooms are spacious and well equipped

+ Friendly and polite staff

- Wifi is unstable

- Attractions are crowded

Bottom Line

Experience the ultra-luxury from the newest cruise in Halong Bay - Catherine Cruise.

Itinerary & activities

All landmarks of Halong Bay are covered in 2 day/1 night and 3 day/2 night itineraries on Catherine Cruise. You will witness the largest cave in Halong Bay called Surprise Cave, the largest island with a beach and the best view from above called Titop Island, and one of the nicest caves with a unique formation called Luon Cave. For 2-night, a further and untouched part with Cua Van Fishing Village, Trong Cave, and Trinh Nu Cave will be the highlight. There are a bunch of activities including kayaking, swimming, bamboo boating, caving, cooking class, squid fishing, etc.

Cruise quality

The ship is newly built with high-quality materials, modern and environment-friendly machines and amenities to ensure a safe journey while contributing to nature conservation.

Cabin quality

39 cabins featuring 40 to 200 sqm can accommodate up to 117 guests. All cabins boast an ensuite bathroom with a shower and tub. The private balcony is fully provided to make sure all guests can enjoy the view at any time onboard. Besides, there are many other modern equipment and facilities to comfort visitors’ stay such as air conditioners, safety box, sofa, mini bar, television, etc.

Service & facilities

State-of-the-art facilities can be found onboard such as an infinity pool measuring 40 sqm, a spa and massage room, a Himalayan salt rock sauna, mini golf course, rooftop bar, and 02 karaoke rooms. Besides, all needed amenities for a comfortable stay are fully provided in the room.

Food & drink

Catherine promises a sumptuous culinary voyage with local and international cuisine. Both set menus and buffets are served with a great variety. You can also order vegetarian food or other special requirements for your diet. The bar is available indoors and on the top deck with full stocks of beer, wine, soft drinks, and different kinds of cocktails, mocktails, fresh juice, smoothies, etc.

Frequently asked questions

There are 4 room types which are Premier Suite, Royal Suite, Grand Suite, and Villa President.

No. Halal food is unavailable on Catherine Cruise.

The cruise departs at around 12:00 so you should be ready at the cruise port no later than 11:30 am. The cruise address is No. 42, Tuan Chau Marina, Halong, Quang Ninh.

Yes. All rooms can add an extra bed for the third person. However, it is surcharged and provided upon availability.

There are 4 meals for 2 day programs and 7 meals for 3 day ones.

Things to know

  • Airfares and car transfers
  • Visa arrangements
  • Massage and spa services, karaoke, Himalayan rock salt sauna
  • Beverages, tips, and personal expenses
  • All other services not clearly mentioned above
  • Welcome drink
  • Luxurious suites with en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning
  • All meals on board
  • Two bottles of water in the cabin
  • Entrance and sightseeing fees
  • In-house English-speaking tour guide
  • Sampan boat trip, kayaking, squid fishing
  • Cooking demonstration, Tai chi session
  • Swimming pool, gym, mini-golf, kids corner
  • Onboard insurance, and service charges

Child Policy:

  • Children under 5 years old: Free of charge (FOC) when sharing a cabin with 2 adults.
  • Only 1 child under 5 years old per cabin is allowed for FOC.
  • Children aged 5-11: 75% of the adult rate will be charged.
  • Children aged 12 and above: Must pay the full adult fare.

Peak Season Surcharge:

  • Christmas 24th December, New Year Eve 31st December and Lunar New Year (9, 10, 11, 12/2/2024): $45/adult and $35/child per night
  • Independence Day Sep 2, 2024: $30/adult.

Shuttle Bus (Round Trip): (If it is not included in the cruise package)

  • Shuttle bus from Hanoi to Cruise Port: $36/person (adults and children).
  • Pick-up points: Hanoi Old Quarter area.  
  • More than 30 days prior to check-in: free of charge
  • From 30 to 7 days prior to check-in: 10% of total rates
  • From 6 to 3 days prior to check-in: 50% of total rates.
  • Less than 3 days prior to check-in: 100% of total rates.
  • No-Show: 100% of total rates.  

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Halong Bay Cruises with Water Slides: A Unique and Fun Experience

Are you looking for a thrilling and unforgettable experience on your Halong Bay cruise? Do you know that there are cruises on Halong Bay, that offer water slides? Imagine sliding down into the cool emerald waters of Halong Bay, surrounded by stunning limestone karsts and breathtaking natural beauty. In this article, we will explore two cruises in Halong Bay that offer this exciting feature – Capella Cruise and Catamaran Cruise.

Waterslide on Halong Bay cruise

The Halong Bay cruise with a waterslide is a great combination of luxury and excitement. As you sail through the picturesque landscapes of Halong Bay, you can also enjoy the adrenaline rush of sliding down the waterslide… It’s an experience that will make your heart race and leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

Whether you’re traveling with family or friends, the waterslide on Halong Bay cruise is a must-try activity. It’s perfect for both kids and adults who are looking for a little extra excitement during their cruise.

The waterslide adds a whole new level of fun and adventure to your trip, making it an unforgettable experience for everyone on board.

The waterslide on Halong Bay will be set on the second floor, which make it safe for all guests. The height level is about 6 meters from the decks to the seawater.

It’s an incredible way to immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Halong Bay while enjoying an exciting experience

Capella Cruise

Capella Cruise is an overnight cruise that offers a sophisticated design blended perfectly with nature. With 30 suites featuring large glass windows and ocean-view bathtubs, Capella Cruise ensures that all visitors can enjoy the splendor of Ha Long & Lan Ha Bays in their own spaces. The cruise’s commitment to sustainable cruising is reflected in the details, with only the freshest air and water provided to guests and a limit on the waste of the ship through the use of hi-tech solutions.

Inflatable Waterslide : The highlight of Capella Cruise is the inflatable waterslide. You can slide all the way from the top deck into the waters of Lan Ha Bay. This thrilling activity is safe for all ages with support from crews, and most guests look forward to giving it a try and having a blast!

Not only waterslide, but the Capella cruise also offers you a more exciting experience with a swimming pool, jacuzzi, minigolf, Cigar & Poker club, gym, and large sundeck for sightseeing.

Water-slide-Capella-cruise

Catamaran Day Cruise: Explore Lan Ha Bay within one day.

If you’re looking to maximize your time on the water in just one day , Catamaran Day Cruise is the perfect choice. This full-day trip takes you sailing amongst the 1969 limestone karsts that scatter the emerald waters of Halong and Lan Ha Bay, offering an unforgettable experience. The luxury premium boat, staffed with a warm and welcoming crew, ensures a memorable day filled with delicious food and exciting activities.

The Catamaran Cruise offers luxurious facilities that have been artfully crafted with Vietnamese cultural symbols. These include outdoor/indoor restaurant seating, a bar/lounge, a sundeck with sunbeds, couch and table seating indoors, and even two water slides at the back of the boat.

The two waterslide offers you an exciting experience to get into the water of Lan Ha Bay. It is a fun way to entertain family, especially with children.

Catamaran cruise_ Waterslide

More Exciting Experiences on Halong Bay Cruises waiting for you.

In addition to the water slides, the cruise on Halong Bay offers other exciting experiences.

  • Kayaking : Explore the beauty of Halong Bay up close by kayaking through its calm waters. Paddle your way through hidden caves and magnificent limestone formations while immersing yourself in the breathtaking scenery.
  • Swimming: Take a refreshing dip in the emerald waters of Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay. Enjoy the coolness of the sea and the stunning surroundings as you swim in this natural paradise.
  • Bamboo Boat Rowing: Experience the tranquility of Halong Bay by taking a bamboo boat ride. Glide through the calm waters, guided by local rowers who will share stories and legends of the bay. On the bamboo boat ride, you can explore Luon Cave (Hang Luon) or Bright Cave (Hang Sang)
  • Cave Visiting: Discover the mystical formation inside the caves on islands such as Sung Sot Cave , Thien Canh Son Cave , Thien Cung Cave, Trinh Nu Cave…

Bamboo-Boat

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BOOKING INFORMATION

Venus Cruise

halong bay cruise experience

All Meals Included

halong bay cruise experience

What travelers love about Venus Cruise

  •    Style: Modern with contemporary design
  •   A luxurious 5-star cruise exploring Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay   
  •    29 grand cabins featuring a private balcony and an en-suite bathroom with a Jacuzzi bathtub
  •   Distinctive and thrilling Lan Ha Bay voyage with pristine spots: Tra Bau, Viet Hai Village, Ba Trai Dao Beach, Dark & Bright Cave  
  •   Enjoy an array of modern entertaining facilities onboard: Swimming Pool, Spa & Massage, Gym, Library, etc.
  •   Only 2.5 hours of transfer between Hanoi and Halong through the new highway  
  •   Partake in many exciting activities: kayaking, boating, visiting caves, swimming, Tai-Chi sessions, cooking demonstrations, etc.

Kate Xie

“         My family and I really enjoyed our time on the Venus Ha Long Bay cruise. The service was amazing and food was the best! Highly recommend celebrating your special occasion on this cruise. Thank you Ms Jessie for organising this memorable and incredible experience. Best Ha Long Bay Cruise - Australia Read more... Hide

Select Venus Cruise Packages with Best Offers

Venus cruise: itineraries & routes, venus cruise 2 days 1 night, venus cruise 3 days 2 nights.

  • Destinations
  • Questions & Answers

Embark on a unique voyage with Venus Cruise through the breathtaking limestone mountains of Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay . The well-designed itinerary includes stops at unspoiled beaches and natural areas that are only reachable by small boats. Savor sumptuous local seafood, swim in the cool green waters, and kayak through natural caves and tunnels. As dusk draws in, visitors may unwind on the sundeck beneath the stars or socialize over cocktails. Planned to be launched in late December 2023, Venus Cruise promises a truly memorable experience amidst the heritage bay of northern Vietnam .

...

Luxurious and Cozy Accommodations

With its 29 spacious cabins, Venus Cruise perfectly combines modern comforts with classic beauty. Every cabin is meticulously crafted to offer guests comfort and privacy. In addition to air conditioning, TV, minibar, and first-rate amenities, carefully selected furniture and elaborate decorative patterns create an elegant and comfortable atmosphere. Large windows in all cabins let in natural light, creating a spacious and airy room ambience. After a day of leisurely exploration, guests can unwind in the bathtub while gazing at the tranquil sea.

Venus Restaurant & Bar

A true culinary oasis, Venus Restaurant & Bar provides a remarkable dining experience amidst Lan Ha Bay's stunning natural splendor. The restaurant offers a diverse menu with signature Vietnamese dishes that skillfully combine Hue cuisine's flavors with palates across the globe, all created by highly skilled chefs. The seating on-site is versatile and can accommodate a wide range of parties, whether guests are looking for an intimate table for two or a larger gathering with friends and family. The restaurant also accommodates specific requests to ensure a great culinary journey to every guest.

A Well-organized Itinerary in Lan Ha Bay

Located in the southern region of the famous Halong Bay, Lan Ha is becoming a hot destination due to its breathtaking and unspoiled beauty. On the voyage with Venus Cruise, travelers will have a great chance to explore this beautiful bay, from kayaking in Tra Bau to cycling around Viet Hai Village, from swimming in Ba Trai Dao Beach to boating through Dark & Bright Cave. This luxury cruise promises an unforgettable experience in the heritage bay.

Inspiring Onboard Entertainment

Aiming to offer 6-star cruising service in Halong Bay, Venus Cruise boasts a wide range of recreational and entertaining facilities on board, such as Gym, Spa & Massage, and Library. A highlight of Venus Cruise is its large outdoor swimming pool. Situated on the first deck, this pool provides a fantastic view of the surrounding seascapes. Guest can soak up while taking in Lan Ha Bay's stunning beauty. Loungers and comfortable seating areas surround the pool, providing guests with a great place to chill, sunbathe, or just relax with a nice book. 

halong bay cruise experience

10 Best Things to Do While in Halong Bay

Famous for its limestone karsts and over two thousand islands and islets that adorn the green waters, Halong Bay is the perfect place for all types of travelers, from young people seeking a weekend escape from busy cities to families looking for an exciting cruise with engaging activities or couples on their honeymoons. In this post, we will share...

Best Halong Bay Cruise 2 Days 1 Night

For first-time cruisers to Halong Bay, selecting where to travel can be just as challenging as choosing a suitable cruise for their first voyage. There are a dozen interesting itineraries available for Halong Bay overnight cruises. In this article, we will suggest the best recommended sailing routes so that you can know what to expect and book the...

ALL INFORMATION ABOUT HALONG BAY CRUISES, LAN HA BAY CRUISES & BAI TU LONG BAY CRUISES

Proudly twice recognized as a World Heritage Site, as an iconic destination in Vietnam to both domestic and foreign tourists, Halong Bay is well-known for characteristic cruise routes that help passengers explore the mystic natural beauty of the bay through fascinating activities onboard.

Discover the most prominent attractions with Halong Bay Cruises

Although the whole area is mostly known as Halong Bay, there are in fact 3 different bays: Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Lan Ha Bay which all share a similar climate, cultural, geological, and geographical character. If you are planning a cruise trip in Halong and feel a little hesistant on choosing a cruise and a bay area, let Halong bay...

Notes for a Great Cruising Trip in Halong Bay

Halong Bay is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the north of Vietnam due to its natural beauty of thousand islands and islets floating in the middle of the sea. If you are planning a trip to Halong Bay but being overwhelmed by a lot of information and articles, the following travel guides will definitely help you plan a perfect trip...

HALONG BAY CRUISE ROUTE TREND 2023

Coming to Halong Bay, you can find it easy to see quite a lot of the hot spots within just a day or two days of touring around. There are literally thousands of limestone islands topped with rain forests and caves, many undiscovered. As different cruises cater to different spots, it is a great idea to sit down and consider which spots are most...

Halong Bay FAQs - frequently asked questions

We would like to share with you all of the questions from our customers with the hope that this information will answer your concerns pre-departure to Halong Bay. We wish that our work is useful for you that somehow contribute to your a comfortable and memorable trip in Halong Bay...

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10 Reasons To Love Capella Cruise - Best Halong Bay Cruise For Families

T he choices are plentisome (and overwhelming) when it comes to cruising Ha Long Bay. As you walk down the port in Ha Long City, and then watch further into the bay, dozens and hundreds of boats and ships of all shapes and sizes, fill up the incredible landscape. So which one should you choose when traveling with children?

We have three kids and wanted to overnight several nights on Ha Long Bay. We went with Capella Cruise and we can’t recommend them enough! Here are 10 things to know about the best Ha Long Bay cruise for families on Capella Cruise:

1- Capella Cruise Has The Only Water Slide In Ha Long Bay!

Probably not your number 1 priority when shopping for an Ha Long Bay cruise, but hey, for all it’s worth, our family loved it and its spices up the cruise! Also… if your kids see it and you’re on another ship… good luck!

2- Capella Cruise Family Rooms

The family rooms are the first reason we considered Capella Cruise, amongst the hundreds of other choices!

On most other cruise lines, you get very small cabins, and when you travel with children, they sleep on narrow beds, hard mattresses, and the beds go up in the walls during the day. On Capella Cruise, however, the Family Suite is a very large, 2-room suite, with the parental room and its gigantic bed, and a kids’ room with three individual beds. The mattresses and the bedding are the very best!

Every bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with a standalone tub over viewing the bay! The Family Suite has a built-in tub, but the view is just as fantastic! And everyone has a large balcony as well!

In the room, you will find refillable water bottles, with water stations scattered around the ship, as well as Crocs for the whole family, to wear in the cabin or around the ship.

3- Daily Water Activities

Every day after lunch, Capella Cruise anchors in a beautiful bay, surrounded by some of the most gorgeous scenery our planet has to offer.

For a few hours, you are free to kayak anywhere in the bay. Our kids absolutely loved it – they even took naps on the kayak! We spotted locals’ graves on some of the islands, purple crabs, and giant jellyfish (they don’t sting and are a sight to see)!

The use of kayaks is free and included with your cruise – you will be given a life jacket. You can also rent stand-up paddle boards if you wish.

It is during water activities that the slide is open, and you are welcome to swim in the bay as well, enjoy the pool and hot tub, or just jump off the boat, if that’s what your active kiddos prefer to do!

4- All-Inclusive Excursions

Alright – the real reason you are coming to Ha Long Bay, Vietnam and what makes a good experience, great! The excursions are all included in the price of the Capella Cruise!!

You may be very happy to just cruise along the bay and take in the scenery – however, going out and experiencing the islands is the only way to fully take it in.

Depending on the the length of your cruise, you can experience the following excursions, with guides from the ship:

  • Bicycle (or golf cart) tour on Cat Ba Island – the only inhabited island in Ha Long Bay: there you will partake in a foot fish massage, tasting of interesting local wines (think cobra wine!!), get a quick geography lesson, and cycle through gorgeous nature
  • Three Peach Beach: a quick but sweet stop over at this golden sand beach. The water, a little cold for our liking, was beautiful, and our kids preferred to build a fort on the beach instead. Love that Capella Cruise brings all towels and water bottles on board the speed boat, so you don’t have to!
  • Dry cave visit: after a quick speed boat trip, followed by a 15-minute car ride to another part of Cat Ba Island, visit this beautiful dry cave, accompanied by a guide from the ship. Dong Trung Trang is super fun, and unlike most caves, it is over ground, so the temperature is quite warm.
  • On disembarkation day, board a bamboo boat to this ocean Dark & Bright Cave, where you can hope to spot one of only 80 langur monkeys left in the world. The government is trying to bring them all to this area of Cat Ba island, to help with conserving and growing the species, as it is one of the most endangered species on the planet. Quick tip – keep an eye out for moving foliage!

5- The Food!!!

We could not believe the gastronomic journey that was Capella Cruise. As with excursion, everyone has the same first dinner, second dinner, and so on. We sailed for 3 nights and all three dinners were incredible!

Dinner is a set menu, but before embarking, you will be asked about food allergies and preferences. From there, the chef will make the necessary changes. I am allergic to oysters and was brought other seafood when oysters were on the menu. We saw several vegetarians being served a totally different menu than ours.

Typically, breakfast and lunch are buffets, though we’ve had a sit-down lunch as well.

We loved being served lunch on embarkation day, as well as breakfast + brunch on disembarkation day. So no one went hungry between leaving the ship and getting back to Hanoi.

6- Different Lengths Of Stay Every Day

This one is a bit of a hard concept to grab, especially if you are used to cruising. With Capella Cruise, your family can choose to cruise 1, 2, or 3 nights (that is, until a new ship is added to the fleet). Because Ha Long Bay is fairly small, the ship anchors in the same anchorage every night, and moves back towards the port to pick up new passengers every day.

While the ship moves back closer to Ha Long City, if you are in between two nights, you will be away on your excursion. On any given day, day 1, 2, and 3 excursions are offered, and depending on which day of YOUR cruise it is, you will partake in that program. So everyone’s Day 1 is the same, no matter the day of the week you embarked.

Here’s the schedule, to help you decide on how many night work best for your family (if you ask me, 3 nights is a must!):

1 NIGHT – lunch and water activities upon embarking the ship, then happy hour en route to the night anchorage, dinner and squid fishing. The next morning, wake up early to visit the Dark & Bright Cave, before enjoying a brunch and disembarkation around 11AM

2 NIGHTS – Embarkation day is the same as for 1-nighters, but as you wake on your first morning, you will board a speed boat to Cat Ba island and enjoy the bike (or golf cart) tour and everything that visit entails, and some beach time at Three Peach Beach. Your second day will be the Dark & Bright Cave / brunch / disembarkation.

3 NIGHTS – Adding on to the 2-night itinerary from above, on your last full day, you will board a speed boat to Cat Ba island and visit Dong Trung Trang Cave! Disembarkation days is Dark & Bright Cave / brunch / disembarkation.

At the end of each excursion, the speed boat will take you back to the anchorage near the city, when you will have lunch shortly after the new guests embark. From there awaits a daily afternoon of water activities.

7- Squid Fishing

Depending on your level of comfort with fishing, this can be a really neat thing to experience. We had never even heard of squid fishing, but squid is plentiful in Ha Long Bay and every night, sailors can fish with the crew. The squid is prepared fresh the following day and it is a very cool experience offered by Capella Cruise, where the kids are more than welcome to join!

8- Getting To Ha Long Made Easy

While we did not use the premium shuttle offered by Capella Cruise, know that it is available. It will pick you up in Hanoi city and drop you off at the cruise terminal, and take you back again after the cruise.

9- Daily Snacks and Happy Hour

Between water activities and dinner, there is about an hour of sailing. We recommend hitting the top decks for a 360-view and for free snacks.

The tropical fruits are amazing and plentiful and Capella Cruise adds some other finger food. It is best enjoyed watching the sun set on this UNESCO World Heritage Site, cocktail in hand, during the buy-2-get-1-free Happy Hour.

10- Daily Cooking Demonstrations

Every night, between Happy Hour and dinner is a cooking demonstration. A member of the crew will teach guests how to make the famous spring rolls. Sailors can partake in the class and roll their own rolls, which are later fried and enjoyed as the night falls!

A really neat Capella Cruise experience!

Best Halong Bay Cruise For Families With Kids

While I am sure other cruise lines do a fine job at hosting families, we can’t recommend Capella Cruise enough when cruising overnight with kids on Halong Bay!

The crew is incredible, the Family Room is extraordinary, and the offerings are second to none. You will love the food, the kindness of the people, the included excursions, and all of the activities on board and in the water.

We have loved our 3 nights with Capella Cruise and can’t thank them enough for hosting us. All opinions are our own.

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The post 10 Reasons To Love Capella Cruise – Best Halong Bay Cruise For Families appeared first on Frugal For Luxury .

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  1. The 10 Best Halong Bay Cruises 2024 [Reviews + Price]

    ‎Explore Halong Bay with our 80+ hand-picked cruises and set sail on an unforgettable journey through the stunning limestone karsts, emerald waters, and captivating caves of this UNESCO World Heritage site. ... Joining a cruise is the best way to experience the best that Halong bay has to offer. Cruises are divided into many categories ...

  2. Halong Bay Cruise Experience: 18 of the Best Ways to Enjoy Your Trip

    A much better way to experience Halong Bay is to choose a luxury cruise. All the Halong Hub cruise ships in the fleet are modern, regularly maintained, and aesthetically beautiful. Imagine sunbathing on the deck of an elegant 30-meter sailboat with limestone pillars gliding past. That's the best way to experience Halong Bay!

  3. Guide to Halong Bay, Vietnam: How to Choose the Best Cruise

    December 6, 2023 / By Valerie Wheatley. 2K. Halong Bay is a stunningly beautiful bay in Northern Vietnam where over 1,600 islands and islets rise up from the turquoise waters of the South China Sea. Most Vietnam itineraries include a trip to Halong Bay. As you cruise through the bay in one of the famous 'junk boats,' you'll pass by ...

  4. Orchid Cruise Halong Bay

    The weather in Halong Bay in March can fluctuate. When planning a Halong Bay cruise, it is a good idea to be informed about the weather in Halong Bay. Orchid Cruise Ha long Bay is the newest 5 stars ***** boat and Have Unique Itinerary to Bai Tu Long Bay , Lan Ha Bay ,Halong Bay. Off 35% Now.It takes 1,5 hours to Halong. 20% Deposit.

  5. 16 of the Absolute Best Halong Bay Cruise Recommendations in 2024!

    From $320+ p/n. Indochina Sails Cruise to Bai Tu Long Bay takes you to a less visited and very beautiful part of Halong Bay. The fleet of ships includes Dragon Legend Cruise, Red Dragon Junk, Dragon's Pearl Junk, Princess Junk as well as Prince Junk. Indochina Junk Cruise is our top pick and the best way to see Halong Bay.

  6. Halong Bay

    The best way to appreciate this magical scenery is from our Emperor Cruises, cruising between karst cliffs which loom up like fairytale castles, complete with rocky spires and hidden caves. Our cruises operate in Bai Tu Long Bay on a daily basis and Halong Bay on a 2- night program and, whether you choose the day trip or overnight option, we ...

  7. 27 Must-know Halong Bay Cruise Tips

    A 4-star dining room experience. The best Halong Bay cruise depends on the traveler. People who seek a budget-friendly Halong Bay cruise are better off taking a group day tour from Hanoi. On the other hand, 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star overnight cruise options exist according to your budget and how much of the bay you'd like to explore.

  8. Ha Long Jasmine Cruise

    As the largest Halong Bay cruise tour operator, Jasmine Cruise offers a cruise experience which combines the bay's magnificent scenery with a taste of Vietnam's rich traditional culture, while ensuring all the amenities and services discerning travellers expect. Jasmine Cruise stands among the most reputable and sought after cruise operators ...

  9. Guide to Halong Bay Cruises in Vietnam & Our Cruise with The Au Co

    Halong Bay is considered one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Vietnam, and a Halong Bay cruise is a must-do on many travelers' lists. Imagine an emerald bay peppered with about 2,000 tiny vegetation-topped islands which feature numerous caves, lagoons, coves, and coral reefs. This breathtaking UNESCO heritage site has recently received the honor of being named one of the New Seven ...

  10. The Crown Legend Cruises

    Crown Legend Cruises is where Halong Bay becomes the most memorable and finest luxury experience of your lifetime. Whether it's your first-time journey or an exciting come-back trip to the site, the sweet combination of luxurious world-class 5-star cruise and top-notch service quality brings guests a totally different Halong Bay in a cultural voyage in the UNESCO Heritage Site.

  11. 30+ Best Overnight Cruises in Halong Bay (With Price & Itinerary)

    Best overnight cruises in Halong bay. Two major options for overnight cruises are 2D1N and 3D2N cruises. ... Scarlet Pearl cruise offers a one-of-a-kind cruise experience on Lan Ha bay and Cat Ba island. It is a nightlife-friendly cruise that you will have plenty of time relaxing in the sleeping area.

  12. Is Halong Bay worth it? An honest Halong Bay cruise review

    Bai Tu Long Bay. A couple of people recommended Bai Tu Long Bay too, which is slightly north of Halong Bay but seemingly far from the well-trodden tourist trail. The cruises in Bai Tu Long Bay are more expensive but have smaller boats than in Halong Bay, so they're a bit more private and exclusive. Guaranteed you'll have less crowds and ...

  13. Halong bay cruise: an international brand

    Our Halong bay cruise offers directly best rates with longest route to must-see destinations in Halong bay. Experience luxury level of service that go beyond every expectation. About us; Difference; Attraction; Cruises. Honeymoon; Family cruise; 08-cabin cruise; 14-cabin cruise; Routes.

  14. Halong Bay Cruises

    Choose from two amazing options when it comes to Halong Bay cruises - a shorter 2-day, 1-night trip or a more extensive 3-day, 2-night trip. The longer itinerary offers a more relaxed and in-depth exploration of the bay's stunning scenery and cultural sites. A Halong Bay cruise itinerary typically offers a comprehensive journey filled with ...

  15. Morning Halong Bay Cruise Tour: A Majestic Experience

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    ‎Experience breathtaking beauty of Halong bay with Catherine Cruise. View the latest photos, reviews, 2-day and 3-day cruise itineraries, and prices. (+84) 987 246 600 ... As one of the latest cruises in Halong Bay, Catherine Cruise guarantees a luxurious getaway with a myriad of exciting activities. The cruise offers all rooms with a balcony ...

  17. Hera Cruises

    Hera Cruises is the only company offering high-end customizable activities and things to do to ensure an unforgettable Halong Bay adventure. When you are ready to experience Halong Bay's many treasures and attractions, our ship delivers you to a reserved area for interacting with local fishers or viewing a museum model of native artifacts.

  18. Halong Bay Cruises with Water Slides: A Unique and Fun Experience

    The waterslide adds a whole new level of fun and adventure to your trip, making it an unforgettable experience for everyone on board. The waterslide on Halong Bay will be set on the second floor, which make it safe for all guests. The height level is about 6 meters from the decks to the seawater. It's an incredible way to immerse yourself in ...

  19. Venus Cruise Halong Bay: Big Saving Up 40% & Best Price Guarantee

    FREE PUBLIC JACUZZI/ MINI POOL. 4. SPECIAL EXPERIENCE: NIGHT SQUID FISHING ON HALONG BAY. 5. BEST VALUE OFFERS - SAVING UP TO 15%. 6. FREE KAYAKING SERVICES (value $15/pax) 2 Days » Venus Cruise 2 Days 1 Night. Check Room Rates.

  20. 10 Reasons To Love Capella Cruise

    A really neat Capella Cruise experience! Best Halong Bay Cruise For Families With Kids. While I am sure other cruise lines do a fine job at hosting families, we can't recommend Capella Cruise ...

  21. Electrostal History and Art Museum

    Tortuga Island Anhinga Trail Le Bois de Boulogne TRM - Thika Road Mall Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Allami Operahaz) Museu de la Xocolata Trenitalia Frecciarossa Alligator Alley Old Arcade Small-group Milan Highlights e-Bike Tour SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown Walking Tour in New York Sri Lanka Tour, Kandy to Ella by Tuk-tuk and Train Nordnes Walking Tour: Bergen's History & Charming ...

  22. THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Elektrostal

    1. Electrostal History and Art Museum. 2. Statue of Lenin. 3. Park of Culture and Leisure. 4. Museum and Exhibition Center. 5.

  23. RESTAURANT GLOBUS, Elektrostal

    Restaurant Globus, Elektrostal: See 67 unbiased reviews of Restaurant Globus, rated 4 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #2 of 38 restaurants in Elektrostal.

  24. PEKIN, Elektrostal

    Lenina Ave., 40/8, Elektrostal 144005 Russia +7 495 120-35-45 Website + Add hours Improve this listing.