Elite of The Seas – Unique Luxury 3 Days Cruise in Halong & Lan Ha Bay

Halong Bay looks best from the water, and this three-day cruise gives you time to see more than the usual one-night route. You sail through Lan Ha Bay, kayak at Ao Ech, cycle through Viet Hai Village, and return to a spacious cabin with a private balcony and ocean-view bathtub.

I like the room quality, especially the full ocean view, marble bathroom, and balcony. I also like the mix of quiet time and planned activity: kayaking, swimming, Tai Chi, golf, fishing, and a Cat Ba Island excursion give you plenty to do without filling every minute.

The main drawback is cost. At about $900 per person, this is a major splurge in Vietnam, and the schedule begins early each morning. Summer conditions can also mean more boats and a busier feel around popular stops.

Key points to know before booking

• Three days gives you the valuable second day: The Viet Hai Village visit is included only on the three-day, two-night program described here.
• Your cabin is part of the attraction: The Junior luxury cabin includes a private balcony, full ocean view, minibar, satellite television, air conditioning, and a marble bathroom with a bathtub.
• Service is a major strength: Staff members named in feedback include Kevin, Tau, Brian, Harry, Andrew, Amy, Tony, Peter, Tommy, Victor, Leila, and Nar.
• The schedule starts early: Sunrise golf and Tai Chi begin around 5:45 or 6:15 each morning.
• You can choose your arrival style: Round-trip limousine transport from Hanoi is available, or you can meet the cruise at Dock 24, Tuan Chau International Marina.
• The price covers most essentials: Meals, excursions, entrance fees, kayaking or bamboo boating, swimming, and the cabin are included, but drinks, tips, spa services, personal purchases, and holiday surcharges are extra.

A polished boat with time to enjoy Lan Ha Bay

Elite of the Seas is aimed at people who want Halong Bay with comfort rather than a bare-bones boat trip. The vessel has 35 rooms, and the design is contemporary, spacious, and clearly built around indoor comfort as much as outdoor views.

Your Junior cabin comes with a private balcony and full ocean view. Inside, you get multiple air-conditioning units, satellite television, a minibar, and an en-suite marble bathroom with an ocean-view bathtub. That last feature matters on a cruise where the room itself is part of the experience. You can sit in the tub, watch the limestone islands pass, and make the slower parts of the day feel worthwhile.

The boat also has a swimming pool, gym, library, board games, and a golf area. These are useful touches because the bays are beautiful but the cruise includes several stretches of sailing. You can spend part of the afternoon on deck, then retreat indoors when the heat or weather turns.

The strongest service praise centers on the crew. Names connected with especially attentive service include Kevin, Tau, Brian, Harry, Andrew, Amy, Tony, Peter, Tommy, Victor, Leila, and Nar. Brian is particularly associated with warm dining service, while Tommy is noted for personal attention and Victor for cocktails. Staffing can change, but the overall pattern is clear: personal service is a central part of what you are paying for.

The morning transfer from Hanoi to Tuan Chau

If you book the Hanoi transfer, pickup takes place between 8:00 and 8:30 in the Old Quarter or near Hanoi Opera House. The limousine uses the expressway and takes about two and a half hours, with one short rest stop.

That transfer is practical rather than scenic. You lose part of the morning to the road, but the expressway keeps the journey reasonably efficient. If you are already in Halong City, you can skip the transfer and meet the boat at Dock 24, Tuan Chau International Marina, before 11:30.

The meeting point matters. This cruise does not begin from Hanoi itself. You need to reach the marina on time, and the published schedule asks passengers using their own transport to arrive no later than 11:30. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is near public transportation, though the supplied details do not specify exact local routes.

After boarding, you receive a welcome drink before lunch. The boat then gets underway, and you have time to settle into the cabin before the afternoon activity.

Day one: kayaking at Ao Ech and your first evening onboard

The first full sailing period takes you toward Lan Ha Bay. Lunch is served at 13:00, cabin access begins around 14:00, and the first organized activity runs from roughly 15:00 to 17:30.

Kayaking takes place in the Ao Ech area. Depending on conditions and the exact operation that day, the program also offers bamboo boating or swimming. This is one of the best parts of the first afternoon because it gets you away from the boat and closer to the water and rock formations.

You should expect a group activity rather than a private paddle. The cruise can carry up to 70 people, so the scale of the outing may vary. The kayaking itself is included, as are the relevant entrance and sightseeing fees, which keeps the day simple once you are onboard.

After the excursion, you can use the pool, relax on your balcony, visit the gym, or join a board game. The ship also offers a cooking demonstration and fishing equipment during the cruise program. These activities are useful if you want more than scenery but do not want another shore excursion.

Dinner is included, and the food receives strong praise for presentation and quality. The meals are described as multi-course and varied, though the supplied details do not provide a fixed menu. Drinks are not included, so watch the bar tab if you are ordering cocktails, wine, or soft drinks throughout the sailing.

Day two: sunrise, Tai Chi, and a ride through Viet Hai Village

Day two begins early. Sunrise viewing and a golf class are scheduled from about 5:45 to 6:15, followed by Tai Chi from 6:15 to 6:35. Breakfast runs from 6:45 to 7:30.

You do not have to treat every early activity as a requirement, but the timing is worth taking seriously. If you want quiet views and cooler air, the early start is useful. If you prefer slow mornings, you can skip golf or Tai Chi and preserve your energy for the shore excursion.

The major reason to choose two nights is Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island. The village sits within Cat Ba National Park, surrounded by high mountains and forest. The cruise includes a bicycle trip there, and the ride takes about an hour.

This is a different experience from simply looking at limestone islands from a deck. You get a closer view of rural island life and the setting around Cat Ba. The cycling portion is short enough for most reasonably active people, but you should still be comfortable on a bicycle and prepared for heat. The supplied information does not specify the route difficulty, bicycle type, or whether an alternative vehicle is available, so ask the operator if those points matter to you.

After Viet Hai, the cruise returns to the ship for more time in Lan Ha Bay. This is where the three-day format earns its keep. You are not rushing from one shore stop to another. You can use the swimming pool, gym, library, or deck, or simply stay in the cabin and watch the water.

A massage is not included, but past bookings have included spa treatments arranged onboard. You pay separately for those services. The same applies to drinks and other personal purchases.

Why Lan Ha Bay adds value to a Halong Bay cruise

Halong Bay is the famous name, but the cruise also spends time in Lan Ha Bay. The two areas share the dramatic limestone formations and calm water that make this part of northern Vietnam so appealing, yet Lan Ha Bay often feels like a more open setting for kayaking and slower sailing.

The value here is not a single landmark. It is the rhythm of the trip: breakfast with a view, an excursion by small boat or bicycle, a return to a comfortable cabin, and long stretches when you can watch the islands change shape. A two-night cruise gives you more of that rhythm than a one-night stay.

You should keep expectations sensible. This is not an isolated wilderness trip. The bays are popular, and one booking includes a maximum of 70 people. At busy times, especially during summer holidays, several boats may be present around shared activity areas. The cruise itself can still feel calm, but popular viewpoints and water stops may not be empty.

Day three: one last morning on the water

The final morning follows the same early pattern, with sunrise and golf around 5:45, Tai Chi at 6:15, and breakfast from 6:45 to 7:30. There is also a final reception-area gathering before the boat begins its return.

A last morning activity is scheduled from about 7:45 to 8:45. The exact description is abbreviated in the supplied schedule, so you should confirm the final activity when you board. Afterward, a buffet is served around 9:45.

You settle personal charges around 10:45. This is when drinks, spa treatments, and other purchases are paid. Keep your receipts or check the bill carefully, especially if several people in your party have ordered items.

At about 11:00 to 11:30, a speedboat carries you back to the mainland. If you have booked the Hanoi transfer, the return vehicle leaves for the Old Quarter and is expected to arrive between 14:30 and 15:00. That timing makes a same-day evening plan in Hanoi possible, but I would avoid booking anything with a strict early start.

What the $900 price really covers

At $900 per person, this cruise is expensive by Vietnamese standards. The price makes more sense if you value comfort, staff attention, and a broad package rather than simply wanting transportation through the bay.

Included items cover the cabin, meals, welcome drink, entrance fees, kayaking or bamboo boating, swimming, the Viet Hai bicycle trip, English-speaking cruise management, Tai Chi, board games, gym access, the pool, library, cooking demonstration, and fishing and golf equipment. Round-trip limousine transfer from Hanoi is also included when that option is selected.

You receive two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners over the three-day schedule. That removes much of the usual planning hassle. You are not paying separately each time the boat stops for a scheduled activity.

The cost is harder to justify if you plan to spend most of the time in your cabin or if you only want a short bay visit. A one-night cruise or a simpler boat may suit you better. At this price, the value comes from the larger cabin, the longer route, the second night, the Viet Hai visit, and the service level.

Do not forget the extras. Beverages, tips, spa treatments, personal expenses, and holiday surcharges are excluded. Ask about the surcharge before booking if your dates fall during a Vietnamese holiday.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend Elite of the Seas for couples marking a special occasion, families who want a polished base, and small groups that value comfort after outdoor activities. The private balcony and bathtub make it particularly appealing for a celebration, while the pool, library, gym, and organized activities give groups several ways to spend their free time.

It also suits people who want a guided schedule. You do not need to arrange separate transport to Cat Ba, find a kayak operator, or plan meals. The English-speaking guide and cruise manager keep the program moving.

You may want a different option if you dislike early mornings, fixed meal times, or organized group activities. You should also think twice if $900 feels uncomfortable. A luxury cabin cannot change the fact that most of the time is spent on a shared vessel, and busy periods can bring more boats into the same bay areas.

The cruise is described as suitable for most people, and the maximum group size is 70. Specific accessibility details are not provided, so ask before booking if you have mobility requirements or need help with the bicycle, kayak, boat transfer, or marina boarding.

Booking details and cancellation terms

You can book with Hanoi pickup or make your own way to Dock 24 at Tuan Chau International Marina. The activity ends back at the meeting point, with Hanoi transfer passengers continuing by road to the Old Quarter.

The cancellation policy is strict. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least six full days before the start time. Cancellation two to six days before departure receives a 50 percent refund, while cancellation within two days receives no refund. Changes inside those same windows are not accepted, and all cutoffs use local time.

Should you book Elite of the Seas?

Book it if you want Halong and Lan Ha Bays wrapped in a comfortable, service-focused package, and if the second day matters to you. The Viet Hai cycling trip, spacious ocean-view cabin, pool, included meals, and attentive crew make the two-night format much more satisfying than a quick overnight run.

Skip it if your main goal is simply to see the bay at the lowest possible cost. The price is high, and drinks, spa services, tips, and holiday charges add more. For a special occasion, though, the private balcony, bathtub, polished meals, and chance to slow down on the water give the splurge a clear purpose.

FAQ

How long is the Elite of the Seas cruise?

The cruise lasts three days and two nights, traveling through Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay.

Is pickup from Hanoi included?

Round-trip limousine transfer from Hanoi is included when you select the Hanoi transfer option. Pickup is scheduled from the Old Quarter or Hanoi Opera House.

Where do I meet the cruise if I arrange my own transport?

You meet the boat at Dock 24, Tuan Chau International Marina, Halong City. The stated check-in deadline is before 11:30 AM.

What type of cabin is included?

The package includes a Junior luxury en-suite cabin with a private balcony and full ocean view. Facilities include air conditioning, satellite television, a minibar, and a marble bathroom with an ocean-view bathtub.

Are meals included?

Yes. The program includes two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners.

Are kayaking and the Viet Hai bicycle trip included?

Yes. Kayaking or bamboo boating, swimming, and the bicycle trip to Viet Hai Village are included, along with entrance and sightseeing fees listed in the program.

Are drinks and spa treatments included?

No. Beverages, tips, spa treatments, and other personal expenses are paid separately. Holiday surcharges are also excluded.

What is the cancellation policy?

You receive a full refund when canceling at least six full days before the start time. Canceling two to six days before departure receives a 50 percent refund. Cancellations within two days are nonrefundable.