Hanoi: 2D1N Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay by Amanda Luxury Cruise

Amanda Luxury Cruise gives you a polished way to see Ha Long and Lan Ha bays without spending several nights aboard ship. The best part is the private balcony and bathtub in every cabin, so you can watch the limestone islands from your own room rather than fight for space on the sundeck.

I like the peaceful Tra Bau stop for kayaking and swimming, and I like the crew service, which includes thoughtful touches such as herbal foot baths and birthday room decorations. The main consideration is time: a two-day, one-night sailing offers a fine taste of the bay, but much of the trip follows a tight schedule and the transfer from Hanoi makes the first day long.

Key points at a glance

• Every cabin has a balcony and bathtub, a rare comfort on a one-night bay cruise.
• Tra Bau offers kayaking and swimming in a quieter part of Lan Ha Bay and was used as a filming location for Kong: Skull Island.
• Dark and Bright Cave comes early on day two, reached by bamboo boat or kayak.
• The 20-cabin ship blends French neoclassical design with Asian details, giving the public rooms a dressier feel than a basic sightseeing boat.
• Meals, sightseeing tickets, insurance, Wi-Fi, and activities are included, while drinks, massage, and personal spending cost extra.
• Hanoi Old Quarter pickup is optional, with limousine upgrades available if you want a more comfortable road transfer.

Why this one-night cruise works

Ha Long Bay is famous for its tall limestone towers rising from the sea. Lan Ha Bay offers a similar setting with a quieter feel, and this sailing links both areas in one compact trip. You spend less time changing vehicles and more time on the water, though the road journey from Hanoi still takes a meaningful part of day one.

Amanda Luxury Cruise is a 20-cabin iron ship built in a French neoclassical style with traditional Asian lines. That combination matters less for the brochure than it does once you are onboard. You get a more formal setting for meals, a wide sundeck for Tai Chi and sunset drinks, and a cabin designed for staying overnight rather than simply storing a day bag.

The price is listed at $181 per person. For that amount, you receive one night in a Junior Suite, lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast and brunch on day two, the main excursions, a cooking class, afternoon tea, Wi-Fi, service fees, sightseeing tickets, and required insurance. That is solid value if you would otherwise pay separately for hotel transport, bay excursions, meals, and a day boat.

The value drops if you do not care about having a private bathroom upgrade or balcony. In that case, a shorter day cruise may cost less and suit you better. Amanda is aimed at people who want the cruise itself to be part of the holiday, not just a boat ride between two sightseeing stops.

From Hanoi to Tuan Chau Marina

If you select the Hanoi transfer, pickup takes place from an address in Hanoi’s Old Quarter or near the Opera House. Collection is scheduled between 7:45 and 8:30 in the morning, and you should be waiting in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the stated time.

The road transfer brings you to Tuan Chau Marina, where you check in at a waiting lounge. A warm welcome and special tea help make the change from city traffic to boat travel less abrupt. The listed meeting point is No. 12 Tuan Chau Port in Ha Long City, so you can also make your own way there if you do not need the Hanoi option.

A limousine upgrade is available on request. The provided details do not specify the exact vehicle or added journey time, so check the current option before paying extra. Pickup from Hanoi is useful, but remember that your first day begins early and ends with evening activities onboard.

Lunch among the limestone islands

The ship begins its cruise at about 1 p.m., with a gourmet lunch served as Amanda moves through Ha Long Bay toward Lan Ha Bay. You pass Finger Islet, Candle Islet, and other limestone formations, with the scenery changing slowly outside the dining room and upper decks.

This is a good reason to choose an overnight sailing instead of a quick harbor trip. You get time to watch the islands from several angles, return to your cabin, and see the water after the busiest part of the day has passed. The bay is not empty, but Lan Ha Bay is presented as a quieter extension of the better-known Ha Long route.

The word gourmet should not make you expect a tasting menu. The included meals are part of the cruise package, and drinks are available on request at extra cost. Food receives strong praise in the available feedback, with particular approval for variety and choice. If you have a dietary need, ask the operator before departure, since no special menu details are provided here.

Tra Bau by kayak or from the water

At about 3:30 p.m., you reach Tra Bau for kayaking and swimming. This area is known as a filming location for Kong: Skull Island, but the practical appeal is simpler: you leave the main ship, get closer to the limestone formations, and see the bay from water level.

You can paddle through the area or swim, weather and local conditions permitting. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a waterproof phone bag, sunglasses, a hat, and shoes that can handle a wet deck. Flip-flops or sneakers are both listed as useful choices.

This is one of the most active parts of the trip, so it suits you if you want more than scenery from a railing. It may be less appealing if you have limited mobility or prefer not to transfer between the cruise ship and smaller activity boats. The operator lists the cruise as unsuitable for people over 70, which is worth taking seriously when considering the kayaking, swimming, stairs, and boat transfers.

Sunset, spring rolls, and the first evening

You return to Amanda between 5 and 6:30 p.m. This is your best window to slow down. The sundeck hosts a sunset party with a Buy 2, Get 1 Free promotion during Happy Hour, though drinks are not part of the included package.

The onboard chef also leads a Vietnamese cooking demonstration. You get to prepare traditional food such as fried spring rolls, which gives the evening a hands-on element rather than turning it into a long stretch of sitting around. Afternoon tea is included as well.

Dinner is served at 7 p.m., with the ship’s French and Asian design providing a formal backdrop. A birthday or anniversary can be marked with a special room setup, and arrangements may include decorations, a decorated dining table, cake, and a staff birthday song. These extras should be requested in advance rather than assumed.

After dinner, the schedule remains active until 11 p.m. The herbal foot bath is included and offers a welcome pause after the road transfer and water activities. Evening entertainment can include traditional bamboo dancing and an ethnic fashion show called Heritage Footsteps. You can also try squid fishing from the deck.

Massage and Sky Bar drinks cost extra. If you want a quiet night, you are free to use the cabin balcony instead. That private outdoor space is one of the strongest reasons to choose this ship. You can step away from the organized entertainment without leaving the view.

Junior Suites with room to slow down

All rooms include a private balcony and bathtub. The included cabin category is a Junior Suite, with tea, coffee, bottled water, daily amenities, fresh fruit, and a welcome drink provided.

The balcony changes how you use the boat. You can watch the karsts in the early morning, sit outside after dinner, or enjoy the scenery while soaking in the tub. The cabin also gives you a retreat if the sundeck feels crowded or the entertainment is not your style.

Cleanliness and room size receive particularly strong praise. One detailed account describes the room as spacious and neat, while another highlights the pleasure of using the bathtub with the scenery outside. These are useful details because the cabin is not just a place to sleep between excursions. For one night, it becomes your private viewing platform.

The ship has 20 cabins, which keeps the operation smaller than a large hotel-style vessel. Still, this is a scheduled cruise with shared dining, shared activities, and set departure times. Do not expect a private yacht charter.

Morning Tai Chi and Dark and Bright Cave

Day two starts at 6 a.m. with Tai Chi on the sundeck. You need to rise early, but the timing makes sense. The bay is at its calmest in the morning, and the session gives you a reason to see it before breakfast rather than sleeping through the quietest hour.

A light breakfast follows at 7 a.m. The ship continues past limestone karsts before reaching Dark and Bright Cave at about 7:15. You can explore by bamboo boat or kayak, choosing the gentler option if you want to keep your morning easy.

Dark and Bright Cave is valued for its natural rock formations and sheltered water. The visit is brief, so it is best approached as a close look at one small part of the bay, not as a long cave expedition. The bamboo boat lets you enjoy the scenery without paddling, while kayaking offers more control over your route.

By late morning, the ship serves a final brunch as it returns toward port. A transfer boat brings you back to the waiting area at Tuan Chau Marina between 11 and 11:45. The cruise then ends at the marina, so plan any onward travel with this return window in mind.

Food, service, and the small details

The strongest part of the onboard service is its attention to comfort. You receive a cold towel, welcome drink, fresh fruit, bottled water, in-room tea and coffee, daily amenities, and the herbal foot bath. None of these makes the bay scenery better, but together they make a one-night stay feel more finished.

Service also receives unusually warm praise. Cruise manager Alex is singled out for being especially helpful, while the wider crew is described as efficient, professional, clean, and well organized. That matters on a short sailing, where a late meal, unclear transfer, or poor cabin service can take up a large share of the trip.

The cruise can also handle celebrations. A birthday setup described for one sailing included room decoration, a decorated table, cake, and a birthday song from the crew. If you are booking for an anniversary or honeymoon, provide the occasion details before departure so the team has time to prepare.

English and Vietnamese are the listed guide languages. Wi-Fi is included, but signal strength on a bay cruise can vary, so I would not plan to work online continuously. Use the internet for basic messages and enjoy the balcony for the rest.

What to pack and what costs extra

Pack lightly. Your useful items are:

• Swimwear and sunscreen
• A waterproof phone bag
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Flip-flops or sneakers
• A valid passport or citizen ID

Drinks are not included, and massage, Sky Bar purchases, personal expenses, airfare, airport transfers, visa costs, and anything not specifically listed must be paid separately. The basic cruise package does include the main meals, kayaking or bamboo boat activities, cooking class, afternoon tea, Wi-Fi, sightseeing tickets, service fees, and insurance.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is helpful if your Hanoi plans are still moving around.

Who should book Amanda Luxury Cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want a comfortable overnight stay, a private balcony, and a bathtub without moving between several hotels. It also suits couples celebrating a birthday, honeymoon, or anniversary, thanks to the available room and dining arrangements.

It is a good match for first-time visitors who want Ha Long and Lan Ha bays in one trip. You get scenic cruising, two water-based sightseeing stops, meals, light entertainment, and Hanoi transfer options in a single package.

I would look elsewhere if your priority is a completely private boat, a very slow schedule, or a long stay in one bay. The itinerary starts early, includes several fixed times, and asks you to share the cruise facilities. The operator also says it is not suitable for people over 70, so anyone with mobility concerns should check the activity demands before booking.

Should you book it?

Book Amanda Luxury Cruise if the private balcony and bathtub matter to you, and if $181 fits your budget for a compact overnight trip. The included meals, excursions, transport option, and strong service record make the price reasonable, especially for a couple or special occasion.

Choose it with realistic expectations. You are buying a polished one-night introduction to Ha Long and Lan Ha bays, not an isolated sailing expedition. For most people who want comfort, organized sightseeing, and a little time on the water, that is a sensible trade.

FAQ

How long is the Amanda Luxury Cruise experience?

The cruise lasts two days and one night. The listed duration is shown as 8 hours to 2 days, depending on the selected option and transfer arrangement.

Is pickup from Hanoi included?

Pickup is available from any address in Hanoi’s Old Quarter for the Hanoi departure option. You should be ready in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup. A limousine upgrade can be requested.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

The meeting point is No. 12 Tuan Chau Port in Ha Long City. The activity finishes back at the meeting point after the transfer boat returns from the cruise.

What type of cabin is included?

The package includes one night in a Junior Suite. Every room has a private balcony and private bathtub.

Which meals are included?

Day one includes lunch and dinner. Day two includes breakfast and brunch. Drinks are available on request and are not included in the listed package.

Are kayaking and bamboo boat trips included?

Yes. The package includes kayaking or bamboo boating at the Dark and Bright Caves, as well as kayaking at Tra Bau. The itinerary also includes sightseeing tickets and required insurance.

What languages are available, and who can join?

The available guide languages are English and Vietnamese. Small-group arrangements are available. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people over 70 years old.