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Halong Bay Cruise: Useful tips & Which one to choose

Last update 3 June 2024
Have you ever spent a night on a cruise in one of the most beautiful bays in the world? Sailing on emerald waters among countless limestone mountains and enjoying the splendid sunset: this is the enchantment that a cruise on Halong Bay brings. To help you choose a cruise more easily, here is a list of the top 10 cruises in Halong Bay 2024 compiled by us. You will quickly find the highlights of each cruise, prices, and reviews. Planning a trip to Halong Bay has never been so easy.

Have you ever spent a night on a cruise in one of the most beautiful bays in the world? Sailing on emerald waters among countless limestone mountains and enjoying the splendid sunset: this is the enchantment that a cruise on Halong Bay brings. To help you choose a cruise more easily, here is a list of the top 10 cruises in Halong Bay 2024 compiled by Asiatica Travel. You will quickly find the highlights of each cruise, prices, and reviews. Planning a trip to Halong Bay has never been so easy.

1. Types of Cruises in Halong Bay

1.1. Day Cruise in Halong Bay

The first option is a good choice for those who want to enjoy Halong Bay with limited time. You can book a variety of day trips depending on your desired starting point.

1.2. 2-Day and 1-Night Cruise in Halong Bay

Halong Travel Guide

A 2-day and 1-night cruise is ideal for relaxing and fully enjoying the extraordinary scenery. It's an opportunity to immerse yourself in the magic of Halong at all times, day and night. Starting the day with a wonderful sunrise over the open sea and engaging in various activities is a true pleasure. The 2-day and 1-night Halong cruise is suitable for most tourists.

1.3. 3-Day and 2-Night or 4-Day and 3-Night Cruises in Halong Bay

Longer itineraries are recommended for those who want to rest and explore the more remote corners of the bay, such as the 3-day and 2-night and 4-day and 3-night cruises. In this case, you move between the cruise and a small boat for various activities and spend the night on the cruise.

2. Decide Exactly Where You Want to Visit

If Halong is the first name that comes to mind, the site actually consists of three adjacent bays, with Halong being the largest, followed by Bai Tu Long and Lan Ha. The bays share numerous limestone islands and islets. There are also beautiful beaches, small coves, and especially spectacular caves. Halong Bay, always a star, today resembles a gigantic shipyard with hundreds of cruises passing through year-round. It is not the best idea for those seeking a break from the crowd.

Not far from these bays, Cat Ba Island is a great option for a sunny vacation that combines relaxation and exploration. Wonderful beaches, breathtaking cliffs, and biodiversity-rich national parks make it an oasis of purity.

3. Always Check What's Included

Halong Travel Guide

Almost all tours include some services, food, activities, and entertainment... except for drinks. Therefore, it is good to remember to check the available free offers.

It's important to read the detailed program because it varies between cruises. Also, in some cases, the transfer from Hanoi to the Halong cruise is not supported by the travel agency.

Some typical activities on Halong Bay cruises include:

  • Visiting a pearl farm
  • Visiting a fishing village
  • Swimming
  • Rowing
  • Exploring one or more caves
  • Tai Chi classes
  • Cooking classes
  • Squid fishing
  • Biking (on Cat Ba Island)
  • Halong Bay floating village

4. Choose a Cruise with the Right Capacity

In Halong Bay, there are cruises from 2 cabins to 6 cabins for couples, families, and groups of friends looking for a more private and friendly cruise. On the other hand, larger cruises with 20-30 cabins are luxury cruises. Depending on your preferences, choose a cruise based on your desires.

5. 5-Star Cruises in Halong Bay

5.1. Ambassador Cruise

Halong Travel Guide

The first on the list of the top 10 cruises in Halong Bay 2024 is the Ambassador Cruise. It is the largest 5-star overnight cruise in Halong Bay and is designed like a hotel on the bay with luxurious white as the main color. It consists of 5 extremely modern main floors with a length of up to 96 m2 and a width of up to 13.2 m2. The Ambassador Cruise has 46 beautiful cabins, a double 360-degree Sundeck covering the entire bay, a luxury restaurant, an outdoor Jacuzzi, 2 bars, and a spa.

In addition to the excellent services mentioned above, visitors who choose to stay on the Ambassador Cruise can participate in extremely interesting alternating activities such as night squid fishing, Tai Chi every morning, lobster buffets, barbecues, or watching entertainment movies.

5.2. Violet Cruise

Violet Cruise has a small and delicate design. This cruise focuses on the quality of service rather than the number of customers. Violet has a total of 6 sleeping cabins. It is divided into two main categories of rooms, Junior Suite and Imperial Suite. All have in common spacious spaces and private balconies.

The cruise offers many services and amenities such as a gym, spa, sauna, water bar, library, 5-star restaurant, souvenir shop,...

Finally, it is impossible not to mention the roof of the Violet cruise. This place is equipped with many deck chairs, an outdoor coffee area,... to help customers sip drinks and watch Halong Bay with a panoramic view. This deck also has a Sky Bar with an extremely varied menu of juices, cocktails, champagne…

In addition to the comfortable on-board services, Violet Cruise also designs many interesting entertainment programs at the destinations. These include visits to ancient fishing villages, exploring caves by kayak, swimming at famous beaches, or having fun, eating, and drinking with a "beach party"...

5.3. Emperor Cruise

Halong Travel Guide

The Emperor Cruise Halong is designed with a harmonious combination of the quintessence of ancient architecture, making the cruise both traditional of ancient feudal times and modern features of today. The interior of the cruise is made of wood with warm colors, creating a cozy and elegant feeling.

The cruise is new and individually designed in a traditional classic style and is spread over three floors and includes 2 restaurants, a lobby bar, a children's club, a small library, a coffee shop, and a wellness room with sauna and gym. There are 10 luxurious cabins with private bathrooms, ocean views, or private balconies.

5.4. Paradise Peak Cruise

Halong Travel Guide

On the list of the top 10 cruises in Halong Bay 2024, Paradise Peak Cruise cannot be missed. This cruise is a sophisticated combination of classic style with a high-quality wooden hull and a cruise equipped with modern comforts according to international standards. The three categories of rooms include Junior Suite, Superior Suite, and Premium Suite, with private balconies, hot tubs, numerous personalized in-room services, and butler service.

On board, there are many luxury services such as a spa, gym, library, and bar. The restaurant specializes in serving high-end dishes with fresh, clean, and locally sourced food.

6. 4-Star Cruises in Halong Bay

6.1. Essence Grand Cruise

Halong Travel Guide

Essence Grand Cruise is one of the largest and most modern cruise ships in Halong Bay: up to 110 meters long, with a main deck area of nearly 2,000 m2. Boarding Essence Grand, you will feel the luxury, sophistication, and modernity of a high-end luxury resort.

The cruise has a diverse system of entertainment areas and function rooms, including: 05 Spa + sauna + steam rooms; sky bar, pool bar, cigar club, poker club, conference room, meeting room, 02 karaoke rooms, billiards + foosball club, 3D golf practice field, library, and kid club...

6.2. Paradise Grand Cruise

Halong Travel Guide

Paradise Grand Cruise includes 39 luxurious and elegantly designed cabins, each room has a private balcony overlooking the spacious bay.

The cruise is equipped with a super-wide deck, up to 450 m2, which is the ideal place to watch the brilliant sunrise and sunset on the bay. On board, there are also a series of other interesting activities such as tai chi lessons, cooking classes, Happy Hour, afternoon tea, singing, squid fishing, and movie watching in the evening.

6.3. Indochine Premium Cruise

Halong Travel Guide

The architecture of Indochine Premium Cruise features traditional Vietnamese beauty combined with the elegance of ancient France. The scientific arrangement of spaces, along with large windows, brings natural light into the interior space. Visitors have a private space to rest and can admire the beautiful scenery and enjoy the sun and sea breeze.

The design of the Indochine Premium cruise includes 4 floors with 37 cabins equipped with many integrated services. In addition to modern onboard services, such as a golf practice field, wine and cigar cellar, pool, and bar; Indochine Premium also stands out for the largest double sundeck: 01 sundeck of 250 m2 and 01 sundeck of 1100 m2, which is an ideal location to organize parties and events. During the stay, visitors can experience, rest, and visit Halong Bay. Currently, there are many new cruises operating in Halong Bay, but Indochine Premium Cruise is always rated by tourists as one of the best cruises in Halong Bay.

6.4. Athena Royal Cruise

Halong Travel Guide

Athena Cruise is designed and built with a combination of iron, steel, and wood, creating harmony in architecture, both traditional and modern. The ship has 21 spacious cabins with luxurious amenities including private bathrooms, large terraces, luxurious dining rooms, lobby bar, spa services, massages, navigation, and exciting entertainment games.

7. 3-Star Cruises in Halong Bay

7.1. Renea Cruise

Halong Travel Guide

Renea Cruise is designed in wood in a classic and traditional style. The exterior is covered with a layer of modern and delicate white paint, further enhancing its magnificence. Each room of the cruise uses wooden materials with deep tones, making the space cozy.

In addition to providing a perfect space, the Renea Ha Long cruise offers visitors a paradise vacation with extremely interesting services. Visitors can freely enjoy and participate in countless exciting activities. First is the restaurant, where visitors can comfortably enjoy delicious dishes with a very varied menu of Vietnamese specialties and Asian-European cuisine.

The sundeck area of the cruise is also an ideal place for entertainment; you can enjoy a spacious area with sun loungers, tables, and chairs for dining and relaxing comfortably.

7.2. Victory Cruise

Halong Travel Guide

The last name mentioned in the list of the top 10 cruises in Halong Bay 2024 is Victory Cruise. Inspired by the traditional beauty and characteristics of ancient Halong Bay cruises, Victory Cruise is a realistic image that recreates the legendary beauty of the past with an oriental style.

Victory Cruise is designed and built using traditional wooden materials with modern equipment and decoration style in each cabin.

Additionally, the cruise also offers many other convenient services and experiential activities, such as a luxury restaurant with a varied menu, spa, bar, karaoke area, cooking classes, morning tai chi lessons, kayaking, and night squid fishing.


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