Ha Long Bay’s emerald waters and majestic limestone islands have earned it the UNESCO World Heritage status, making it one of the most iconic places to visit in Vietnam. While there are many day tours to experience this scenic landscape, the most popular is the cruise. But is the Ha Long Bay cruise worth the hype?
I spent two days onboard a Ha Long Bay cruise, and this is what I have to say about the entire experience — I loved it! I recommend everybody visiting Hanoi to spare a couple of days and enjoy the luxuries of a cruise on a budget with the Ha Long Bay cruise.
Before I reveal more about my adventure, here’s all you need to know about the Ha Long Bay cruise: booking, choosing the right cruise, and the itineraries, prices and other crucial details.
How to choose the right Ha Long Bay cruise?
An overwhelming number of Ha Long Bay cruises available online make it a bit confusing to choose. There are different routes to consider and numerous types of cruise ships to think of.
- Route 1: Cho Da Islet-Trong Mai Islet-Thein Cung Grotto-Ba Hang Cave
- Route 2: Tiptop Island-Sung Sot Cave-Trinh Nu Cave
- Route 3: Cua Van Floating Cultural Center-Ang Du Islet-Ba Ham Lake-Ba Men Temple
- Route 4: Ecological Zone Tung Ang Cong Do-Hon Xep Park-Cap La Cave-Vong Vieng-Co Cave
- New Route: Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay
Each route offers a mix of cave exploration, island-hopping and watersports. I picked the new route as the cruise ship I liked was taking that route. I booked the Peony Cruise, the two-day and one-night itinerary that takes you to Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay.
There are umpteen (can’t count how many) cruises available in Ha Long Bay. However, here are some mention-worthy ones:
- Luxury: Stellar of the Seas Cruise, Emperor Cruises Legacy Ha Long, Ambassador Cruise and Orchard Cruises.
- Deluxe: Mon Cheri Cruise, Peony Cruises, V’Spirit Cruises, Venus Halong Cruises and Era Cruises Halong.
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How to book a Ha Long Bay cruise?
This was the first time I had ever booked a cruise in my life, and here’s how I went about the process.
Popular travel booking sites like Booking.com and Agoda offer several cruises. However, these listings appear along with hotels in the area. It is crucial to read every listing to differentiate between booking a normal hotel and a cruise. You can filter the cruises by selecting the property type to make it easier.
I booked my cruise on Agoda because it was cheaper than Booking.com and other websites. You can always choose what works best for you.
Before booking the cruise, decide on the type of cruise you want, and the number of days you wish to spend on board. Since I only wanted to spend two days and one night, I selected the preferred dates and booked the cruise like I would book any hotel. Cruises are available for two, three, or four days; the websites won’t let you book for longer.
I paid VND 6,863,984.44 (approximately HKD 2,180) for a two-day and one-night Peony cruise; I picked a Deluxe room with a balcony.
Book your stay at Peony Cruises via Booking.com
Ha Long Bay cruises can cost between VND 5,841,736 and 11,683,472 (approximately HKD 1,854-3,710). It can also be less or more than this range, depending on the amenities and ambience each cruise offers. Websites like Klook, GetYourGuide, HaLongbayCruises.com and HaLongBayTours.com also offer cruise booking options.
If you don’t wish to book online, several travel agents in Hanoi’s Old Quarters can help you. One of my solo travelling friends booked the Ha Long Bay cruise through the hostel (Mad Monkey) she was staying at. You can easily book this experience in plenty of ways.
Halong Bay Cruise duration: Two, three or four-day itinerary?
Most cruise operators offer a similar itinerary, taking you through a series of activities and tourist attractions on a fixed schedule. The only difference is the kind of boat/ship and route you choose to gain this experience.
There are only three types of cruise itineraries offered in Ha Long Bay: two days and one night, three days and two nights, and four days and three nights. You will find more cruises with the two-day and one-night and the three-day and two-night itineraries, as this is enough time to appreciate all the beauty.
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Best time to visit Ha Long Bay
The best time to visit Ha Long Bay is from September to November, and April to May. The pleasant weather, clear skies and sunshine offer the ideal climate to enjoy the cruise.
I went on a cruise in August during the monsoon in Vietnam. However, the experience was not as bad as I expected it to be. The day I checked in on the cruise, I easily went kayaking and swimming in the ocean, as well as lounging around on the open deck. However, it started drizzling by nightfall, and by midnight, it was pouring along with thunder and lightning. The next morning, it continued to rain, but all the cruise activities went about as usual.
Book your stay at Stellar of the Seas via Booking.com
What happened on my Ha Long Bay cruise?
My cruise experience had a bumpy start. I had booked Peony Cruises, but a day before my trip, I got a message saying the toilet in my cabin was not working, so I couldn’t go on this cruise. The team of Peony Cruises switched me to their sister cruise, Mon Cheri. I was a bit hesitant about the situation since I had specifically chosen that cruise for its amenities and the room’s ambience.
However, all things happen for a reason! I was upgraded to the Elegance Suite cabin of Mon Cheri Cruise, and words are not enough to describe how beautiful the room was! It was at the end of the ship, with 40-metre square cabin space, a massive private balcony, and a gigantic washroom fitted with a mini-hot tub and a premium massage chair. I was very excited.
Book your stay at Mon Cheri Cruises via Booking.com
My 2-day and 1-night itinerary onboard the Mon Cheri cruise
Day 1
Pick-up from Hanoi Old Quarters: I opted for the paid pick-up/drop option offered by the cruise (a standard USD 35, VND 858,550 or HKD 272 approximately) and was picked up from my hotel at about 8:30 am. They sent a small limousine that could accommodate seven people. Other cruisers were also picked up along with me. The journey from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay is approximately 2.5-3 hours, including a 20-minute snack break along the highway.
Check-in process: I reached the Tuan Chau International Marina, and the driver dropped me at Mon Cheri’s check-in counter. The process was quick; I dropped my luggage, and the team gave me a card and asked me to wait. By noon, they called all Mon Cheri passengers to board a small boat. From the port, an hour-long boat ride took us deep into the bay to board the cruise.
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Entering the cruise: Welcome drinks and lots of cheer awaited — it was heartwarming! The staff directed us to the dining hall for a small briefing on the itinerary and assigned our rooms. They served a seafood buffet, offering oysters, crabs, prawns, sushi, and much more. After a hearty meal, I finally went to my room.
Kayaking and swimming: Around 4 pm, the cruise stopped in the Tra Bau area to kayak and swim in Lan Hay Bay. You can kayak here even if you have no prior experience. Two persons were assigned to each kayak. My kayak buddy was a first-timer, but the calm water allowed her to kayak easily through the picturesque emerald waters and get up and close to the limestone island mountains. Post that, we kayaked back to the cruise and then jumped right into the ocean. They provide life jackets, so you don’t need to worry about being a swimmer.
Snack boats and Vietnamese cooking class: At 6:30 pm, the bar opened with ‘happy hour’, offering buy-one-get-one-on alcoholic beverages. You can indulge in a beer or go for a more authentic experience. Several locals ride tiny speed boats, doing business from their boats with the cruise balconies. You can hail one of these snack boats from your balcony and purchase beer or other snacks. Mon Cheri also organised a cooking class, teaching passengers how to make Vietnamese spring rolls. I loved this class and made several like a pro.
Gourmet dinner and squid fishing: Dinner was served by 7:30 pm; it was a sit-down meal and another seafood affair followed. After squid fishing at night, we concluded our day.
Day 2
Tai Chi class and breakfast: I woke up early to prepare for a Tai Chi class on the sundeck at 6 am, followed by a light breakfast buffet.
Spelunking in Cat Ba Island: After breakfast, I headed for a tour of the Cat Ba World Biosphere with fellow cruisers. The staff directed us to a smaller boat and we jettied off to see the Trung Trang Caves in Cat Ba Island. These limestone cave formations are stunning, and require a hike up several staircases. It can be tiring, but it is worth it!
Breakfast and check-out: Once back, we were asked to check out by 9:45 am and sit for an early brunch. This meal was a decent buffet with numerous options. As I finished the food, it was time to deboard (11 am). I was back at Tuan Chau International Marina, and the limousine van took me back to Hanoi.
Travel tip: You don’t need to worry about the food on board. Usually, the cruise sends you an email with your itinerary and the vegetarian and regular menus so you can choose what works for your diet. They even customise the menu to fit your food preferences.
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(Feature image credit: Suyeon Kim/Pixabay)
Related | The Perfect 10-Day Vietnam Itinerary For Your Dream Vacation In Southeast Asia
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
A Ha Long Bay cruise can be for two days, three days or four days, but not more than that.
Swimming suit, shoes, loose and comfortable clothes and activewear is essential for the cruise, depending on your itinerary.
Yes, Ha Long Bay cruises are family-friendly.
It is not necessary to pre-book the Ha Long Bay cruise, but it is always better!
Written By
Priyaja Bakshi
Digital Writer - Growth, TravelPriyaja took her love for reading to the next level by majoring in English and minoring in Journalism ..Read More
