Mystical, ethereal, and breathtaking, Ha Long Bay is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Vietnam. Spread around an area of 1553 square kilometers, Ha Long Bay is home to more than 1969 islands. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the most striking thing about Ha Long Bay is the limestone rocks emerging from the emerald-green waters. These outcroppings are one of the beautiful creations of nature, which took more than 500 million years to form. Apart from these karsts, Ha Long Bay has old caves, splendid beaches, and lush green islands. The best way to explore Ha Long Bay and its offerings is going on a cruise. Here are some of the best luxury cruises Ha Long Bay.
Best Cruises in Ha Long Bay
Lasting from a few hours to a few days, a cruise here will take you around the islands and show you the best of Ha Long Bay. These cruises are a smaller version of the larger international cruises that can accommodate thousands of people. The cruises on Ha Long Bay are compact sized ships with a specific number of rooms. Apart from the brilliant sightseeing you get to do from the ship, you also get to indulge in some interesting activities both onboard and off-board.
Verdure Lotus Cruise
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Verdure Lotus is one of the best cruise lines you will find on Ha Long Bay. This cruise line has two cruises, one is the Verdure Lotus Cruise 5 Stars Luxury and Verdure Lotus Class 5 Stars. While the former has 18 cabins, the latter has 16. The body of the ship is made of stainless steel, while the cabins are made of wood, giving it an elegant design. Named after the national flower of Vietnam, Lotus, you will find the lotus motif on the interiors and exterior of the ship.
Itinerary: Verdure Lotus Cruise offers two tours: two days and one night and three days and two nights. These tours begin in Hanoi and include both Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay.
Onboard Activities: The most important activity onboard is sightseeing. You can choose to relax on the balcony of your room or on the sun deck and enjoy the gorgeous views of Ha Long Bay, including its beautiful islands and mysterious limestone mountains. Moreover, there are some onboard activities too for you to indulge in. Taking part in a Tai Chi session in the morning on the sundeck, enjoying seafood dishes and local cuisine, and indulging in squid fishing program are some of the activities to enjoy with Verdure Lotus Cruise.
Offboard Activities: You do not have to spend the entire holiday on the cruise. The ship makes stops at some of the most important and interesting spots of Ha Long Bay for your exploration. Visiting the Dark and Light Caves on a bamboo boat or kayak is one of the best things you could get to do here. Tra Bau Floating Village, Ba Trai Dao Island, Viet Hai Village, and Cat Ba Island are some of the places you will get to visit.
Hermes Cruise
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Cruise along Ha Long Bay while enjoying the panoramic views of the place with Hermes Cruise. Hermes Cruise is a luxury cruise in Vietnam that has 18 magnificent, yet cozy rooms with balconies and bay windows for you to see the views while sailing. You can opt for different types of cabins on this cruise as per your requirements. There is Junior Suite, Senior Suite, Triple Junior Suite, Triple Senior Suite, Family Junior Suite (connecting), Family Senior Suite (connecting), Family Senior Suite, Royal Suite, and President Suite. This is one of the best cruise lines that caters to almost 1000 guests every month.
Itinerary: Hermes Cruise offers two itineraries on Ha Long Bay. For a shorter trip, you can go for a 2-day trip with an overnight stay. But for a more relaxing trip, a 3-day 2-night trip would be better.
Onboard Activities: One of the highlights of Hermes Cruise is the spacious sundeck. Equipped with comfortable seating including table and chairs as well as a bar, this is the perfect place to spend time from sunrise to sundown. The Sunset Party is one of the most popular activities on this cruise. If you are not a party person, visit the sun deck early in the morning to see a spectacular sunrise and practice Tai Chi. You can also celebrate your special occasions onboard. The cruise also has a pool and a jacuzzi. You will also get to have some amazing dining experiences, comprising both Vietnamese and Western cuisines at the restaurant here. One of the things that you should not miss is the spa treatments available on Hermes Cruises.
Offboard Activities: The places you visit will depend on the itinerary you choose, although some of the places are common in both. Cave visiting, kayaking, swimming, etc., are some of the activities you will enjoy offboard. Tua Chau Port, Luon Cave, Titop Island, Dar & Bright Cave, Ba Trai Dao Beach, Me Cung Cave, and Sung Sot Cave are some of the places you will visit while on the cruise.
Mon Cheri Cruise
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Mon Cheri Cruise is another luxury brand sailing on Ha Long Bay. This cruise line has two ships that sail not only on Ha Long Bay but also on Lan Ha Bay. Introduced in 2018, these cruises include all the modern facilities and amenities that you would get in a luxury hotel. Mon Cheri Cruise 1 has 18 stylish and elegant cabins, while Mon Cheri Cruise 2 has 24 of the same ones. The types of cabins and suites available here are President Suite Terrace, Mon Cheri Suite Terrace, Elegance Suite Balcon Triple, Elegance Family Balcony, Elegance Connecting Door, Elegance Suite Balcony, Ocean Suite Connecting Door, Ocean Suite Balcony Triple, and Ocean Suite Balcony. The best thing is that there is a private balcony in almost all the cabins.
Itinerary: Mon Cheri Cruises also has two itineraries: one is two days and one night and the other is three days and two nights. Whichever cruise you choose, you will get to enjoy the beautiful sights of Ha Long Bay and the nearby islands.
Onboard Activities: Mon Cheri Cruises ensure that you have a relaxing, yet adventurous trip on Ha Long Bay. The cruise offers several activities but sitting on the upper deck enjoying the views of Ha Long Bay while sipping on some delicious cocktails is something to look forward to. One of the itinerary highlights is a cooking workshop onboard. The chefs onboard conduct cooking workshops where you get hands-on learning experience to cook delicious Vietnamese food. Squid fishing is another activity available on this cruise.
Offboard Activities: The Mon Cheri Cruise takes you through the different scenic routes of Ha Long Bay. But aside from this, you also get to enjoy some fun activities. Bamboo boat riding, kayaking, cave visiting, and swimming are some of the activities available offboard. You can also enjoy cycling during some of the island visits. Tra Bau, Lan Ba Bay, Trung Trang Cave, Cat Ba Island, Viet Hai Village, Tree Peaches area, etc., are some of the places included in the itinerary.
Genesis Regal
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If you wish to enjoy a royal experience while cruising along the Ha Long Bay, Genesis Regal is a cruise line you must go for. This cruise lines own a sleek and cozy ship with a French-Indochine style. All the suites on this cruise come with a private balcony and have some of the best onboard amenities. You can choose from Junior Twin Suite, Senior Twin Suite, Executive Double Suite, and Premium Double Suite. The floor to ceiling windows of the suites ensure that you enjoy the gorgeous view of Ha Long Bay even while relaxing in your bed.
Itinerary: Genesis Regal has three itineraries. There is a two-day and one-night itinerary and a three-day and two-night itinerary. Apart from this, there is also a one-day itinerary for those who do not have the time to indulge in a longer cruise trip. The one-day tour package is for six hours.
Onboard Activities: Genesis Regal is a cruise adorned with a beautiful sundeck filled with sun loungers for you to relax and take in the views. But the star attraction of the cruise is the jacuzzi. Located near one edge of the ship, the jacuzzi is a great way of relaxing while sailing through the scenic routes. At night, the jacuzzi comes alive with numerous LED lights and music. It is the perfect place to relax after a day of sightseeing and activities along with a glass of cocktail in your hand. Genesis Regal is also a great place to enjoy different types of food and drinks. The restaurant here offers a buffet with all kinds of Asian and European dishes. Then there are also spa services, where you can enjoy Vietnamese and other popular Asian style massages and beauty treatments.
Offboard Activities: The offboard activities offered by Genesis Regal are as interesting as the indoor ones. Kayaking along Ha Long Bay is something most people look forward to. This gives you the chance to explore the caves and see the limestone cliffs at a close quarter. If you are not keen on kayaking, a ride on a bamboo boat is also something you can try. Swimming in the cool waters while visiting the beaches and cycling in the picturesque villages of the island are some other activities to try here.
If you are a small group and want to enjoy a cruise without the presence of strangers, private cruises are also available for you. Some of the cruises also offer adventure water sports like snorkeling, scuba diving, coral reef exploration, spelunking, and island hopping in their itinerary. Do your research and check out the cruise reviews before you book one for yourself, to ensure that you have the best experience.
