Amanda Premier Cruise – Ha Long Bay – All Inclusive 2D1N

The Amanda Premier Cruise gives you a polished two-day introduction to Ha Long Bay, with a private balcony, a cabin bathroom, meals, Hanoi transfers, and guided stops included. The ship carries up to 50 people, but its 26 premium cabins keep the setup more intimate than a large day boat.

I like the easy package: you leave Hanoi by highway, board with a welcome drink and cold towel, and have the main transport, sightseeing fees, and activities arranged. I also like the mix of quiet bay views and hands-on moments, from Tai Chi and cooking to kayaking, swimming, and night squid fishing.

The main caution is that this is a packed 2D1N schedule, not a slow retreat. One published account also describes a strong room deodorizer and fuel smell, so anyone sensitive to odors should ask about cabin ventilation before booking.

Key points at a glance

• 26 cabins with private balconies: Every listed cabin has a sea view and private bathroom, giving you a private place to watch the bay.
• Sung Sot Cave on the second morning: This is one of Ha Long Bay’s best-known cave visits, but the early start makes comfortable shoes and prompt mornings important.
• Hanoi pickup and return included: The transfer takes about three hours each way on the highway, saving you the trouble of arranging separate transport.
• A full activity mix: Tai Chi, cooking, kayaking, swimming, cave exploring, and night squid fishing are included.
• Service is a major strength: Cruise managers and crew members named in praise include Ozil, Jenny, Andre, Rick, and William.
• The $160 price covers a lot: Meals, cabin, guide, transfers, entrances, and activities are included, while drinks, tips, and cabin upgrades cost extra.

What the $160 price really buys you

At about $160 per person, this cruise is priced as a bundled overnight outing rather than a bare boat ticket. Your fare includes an air-conditioned vehicle from Hanoi, the return trip, an English-speaking guide on the boat, a private en-suite cabin with a sea view, entrance fees, two lunches, breakfast, and dinner.

That matters because Ha Long Bay is not a simple point-to-point attraction. Once you add transport from Hanoi, a night aboard ship, meals, and several guided activities, the package becomes easier to compare with other overnight cruises. I would judge the value mainly by how much you want convenience. If you want to arrange every transfer and activity yourself, this is not the flexible option. If you want one booking to handle nearly the entire outing, the price is reasonable.

The word all inclusive needs a little care here. Alcohol, soft drinks, other beverages, tips, and personal spending are not included. Credit card payments carry a stated 3.5 percent bank tax. Senior Suite cabins cost an extra $30 per person, while Royal Suite cabins cost an extra $60 per person. A single cabin must be booked separately if you are traveling with a group but do not want to share.

For a short cruise, I would keep the standard cabin unless you place a high value on extra space. The listed standard setup already gives you a private bathroom, air conditioning, sea view, and balcony.

Boarding at Tuan Chau Marina around noon

The first day begins at about 12:00, when you board at Tuan Chau Marina. The welcome includes a cold towel and a drink before cabin check-in, a small touch that helps after the road journey from Hanoi.

The vessel then leaves the marina for its Ha Long Bay route. The ship’s steel hull, large glass windows, and private balconies are meant to make the scenery part of the accommodation rather than something you only see during an excursion.

I like this arrangement because you can choose your viewing style. Sit near the glass when the weather is poor, or step onto your balcony when the weather is pleasant. A private balcony also gives you a quiet place to read, take photos, or simply watch the limestone formations pass by without needing to find a seat on the public deck.

The exact first-day timing for each activity is not fully stated, so you should expect the cruise staff to explain the schedule after boarding. The listed program includes lunch, dinner, kayaking, swimming, cave exploring, a cooking class, and night squid fishing. Weather and operating conditions can affect the order.

Meals, afternoon tea, and the public areas

Food is a noticeable part of this cruise. The program includes two lunches, dinner, and breakfast, with an elegant afternoon tea also described as part of the onboard experience. Dinner may be served as a BBQ on the sundeck, which gives the meal a more social setting than a standard dining room.

I would not book this cruise expecting a quiet, private yacht. It is a social group cruise with organized meals, performances, and scheduled activities. That can be a plus if you like having things to do and people around you. It may be less appealing if your ideal overnight on the bay means almost total solitude.

The ship includes cultural entertainment such as a traditional ethnic fashion show and bamboo dancing. These activities offer a brief look at performance traditions while keeping the evening lively. Night squid fishing adds another simple, distinctly bay-oriented activity, though success is not something the cruise can promise.

The food is described positively, with good choice and hygiene noted in the supplied comments. Still, the package does not specify a full menu, dietary arrangements, or the exact format of every meal. If you have dietary needs, contact Amanda Cruise Halong before paying.

Kayaking, swimming, and the outdoor schedule

Kayaking and swimming are included, and they change the pace from sitting on the ship. The value here is not just the activity itself. A kayak gives you a closer, lower view of the water and rock formations than you get from the upper decks.

The program also includes cave exploring, with Sung Sot Cave scheduled for the second morning. Luon Cave and Titop Island are named among the cruise’s excursion stops, though the supplied timing only gives a clear schedule for Sung Sot Cave. Ask the onboard guide to confirm the day’s route once you arrive.

Swimming is listed as an included activity, but the information provided does not give a specific swimming location or water conditions. I would treat it as weather dependent and bring a swimsuit, towel, and a dry bag for small belongings.

Because you have several activities in a short period, pack light but practical:

• Comfortable shoes with a good grip for the cave
• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• Sun protection for the sundeck
• A small waterproof pouch for your phone
• Any personal medicine you need during the night

You do not need to pack formal clothes for the program, although you may want one neat outfit for dinner or photographs.

Sung Sot Cave early on day two

Day two begins at 6:15 with Tai Chi on the sundeck. At 6:30, a light breakfast is served with coffee, tea, cake, and fruit. The early start is a sensible way to fit in one of the bay’s main sights before the cruise winds down, but it does mean this is not a sleep-in holiday.

At 7:30, you visit Sung Sot Cave, described as one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay. The scale is the main appeal. You are going for dramatic chambers and unusual rock formations, not a quick roadside stop.

Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably. The cave visit is a guided sightseeing stop, and the morning schedule leaves little room for a slow, unhurried pace. If you prefer to photograph every formation or stop often, stay close to the guide and watch the departure time.

The itinerary also names Titop Island and Luon Cave as part of the wider cruise program. Titop Island is generally associated with views and swimming, while Luon is associated with water-level exploration, but the supplied details do not provide exact visit times or the precise activity format. Confirm those details onboard rather than relying on a fixed personal schedule.

Cabins, balconies, and the fuel-smell concern

The ship has 26 premium cabins, each described as having a private balcony, sea view, air conditioning, and an en-suite bathroom. That gives you more privacy than an open-deck day trip and a useful retreat between scheduled activities.

The modern design uses broad glass windows to bring in daylight. For me, that is one of the more practical features, since Ha Long Bay is best enjoyed from several angles. You can watch from the bed or sitting area, from the balcony, or through the public windows when the ship is moving.

There is one important caveat. A published account describes becoming ill after encountering strong artificial deodorizer and fuel fumes, especially with the window open. This is a single negative account within an otherwise strong overall rating, but it is specific enough to take seriously if you are sensitive to smells or prone to motion sickness.

Ask whether the cabin can be changed if ventilation is a problem, and consider bringing any usual motion-sickness remedy. Do not assume that opening the window will always improve the air.

Crew service and guide support

The strongest pattern in the supplied comments is attentive service. Ozil is named as a helpful cruise manager and host, with praise for explaining the journey and keeping the mood welcoming. Jenny and Andre are also singled out for being accommodating, while Rick and William are named for creating a friendly onboard atmosphere.

That individual attention matters on a short cruise. You have only one night, so a clear explanation of meal times, activity departures, and cabin arrangements can make the trip feel organized instead of rushed.

The English-speaking guide is based on the boat, and the program includes sightseeing fees and entrance fees. You should still listen carefully to the guide’s instructions, particularly when the group is moving between the ship, cave, island, and water activities.

The maximum group size is listed as 50 people. That is not a tiny cruise, but it is also not a city-sized tour group. The 26-cabin setup may make the ship feel more manageable, while scheduled excursions can still become busy at popular sites.

Hanoi transfers and the two-day rhythm

Round-trip transport from Hanoi is included, with about three hours of highway travel each way. Pickup is offered, and the air-conditioned vehicle removes one of the more annoying parts of planning a Ha Long Bay overnight.

The tradeoff is time. A two-day cruise is really a compact overnight outing, not two full days on the water. Part of day one is used for the transfer and boarding, and day two begins early before the return journey.

I would choose this length if you have limited time in Vietnam or want a first taste of an overnight bay cruise. I would choose a longer two-night option if you want less pressure between meals, excursions, and onboard events. One supplied account specifically suggests two nights for a more relaxed pace.

This schedule suits people who prefer an organized plan. It is less suitable if you want to decide spontaneously when to eat, swim, explore, or return to your cabin.

Who should book Amanda Premier Cruise?

I think this cruise works best for couples, families, and first-time visitors who want a comfortable introduction to Ha Long Bay without managing separate reservations. The private balcony, private bathroom, meals, transfers, and activities give you a clear package with few major gaps.

It also suits people who enjoy a mix of sightseeing and entertainment. You can see a major cave, take part in water activities, join Tai Chi, try cooking, watch cultural performances, and fish for squid at night.

I would be more cautious if you dislike group schedules, react strongly to scents, or need a very quiet night. I would also compare the standard cabin with the Senior Suite or Royal Suite only if you know you want more room, since the supplements raise the total price.

Amanda Cruise Halong reports a 4.8 rating from 155 reviews, with 95 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong overall signal, but the specific smell complaint shows why a high rating should not replace practical questions about cabin ventilation.

Should you book this Ha Long Bay cruise?

Book Amanda Premier Cruise if you want a well-organized 2D1N package with Hanoi transport, a private-balcony cabin, meals, cave sightseeing, and several included activities. The service appears to be one of its best features, and named crew members such as Ozil, Jenny, Andre, Rick, and William add confidence that the onboard experience is handled by an attentive team.

Skip it, or compare it carefully with a two-night cruise, if relaxation matters more than a packed schedule. Also ask about cabin air and odor control before booking if you are sensitive to fuel or strong deodorizer.

The cancellation terms are friendly: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can lead to a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

FAQ

How long is the Amanda Premier Cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately two days and one night.

What is included in the price?

The price includes Hanoi to Ha Long Bay return transport, an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide on the boat, an en-suite sea-view cabin, entrance and sightseeing fees, breakfast, dinner, two lunches, Tai Chi, a cooking class, night squid fishing, kayaking, swimming, and cave exploring.

Is pickup from Hanoi available?

Yes. Round-trip transfer from Hanoi to Ha Long is included, with about three hours of travel on the highway in each direction.

Does each cabin have a private bathroom?

Yes. The included cabin is described as a fully equipped en-suite cabin with a sea view and private bathroom.

Does each cabin have a balcony?

The cruise is described as having 26 premium cabins with private balconies.

Which main sights are included?

The program names Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, and Luon Cave. Sung Sot Cave is scheduled for the second morning at 7:30.

Are drinks included?

Coffee, tea, cake, and fruit are included with the light breakfast. Other beverages, including alcohol and soft drinks, must be paid for separately.

Are cabin upgrades available?

Yes. A Senior Suite costs an additional $30 per person, and a Royal Suite costs an additional $60 per person.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a new date or full refund.