Are you looking for the best Halong Bay cruises for families, but with so many boats you are confused as to which is the best Halong Bay cruise for family? With so many Halong Bay cruises to choose from, it can be rather overwhelming trying to decipher which is the best Halong Bay cruise with kids.
When I took my family on a Halong Bay cruise, I spend hours trying to work out which Halong Bay overnight cruise would be best for us. I spend hours reading various Halong Bay Cruise reviews, including every Halong Bay TripAdvisor review and asked various questions to people who had travelled on different boats. Even though I had been to before, a Halong Bay cruise with children is different and I wanted to ensure we all had the best Halong cruise without having to spend a small fortune.
If you’re searching for the best Halong Bay family cruise, you’re in the right place! In this guide I’m going to take you through step by step all the things you need to consider in order to choose the best Halong Bay boat tour for your family. I’ll also look at a range of other things, so you know exactly what to expect such as what you can expect in a Halong Bag cruise family cabin, things do to in Halong Bay and the general itinerary most of the Ha Long cruises follow.
This Halong Bay Cruise review also checks out a range of different types of Halong tours from the best Halong Bay cruise overnight options (whether that be a Halong Bay 2-day cruise or Halong Bay 3 day cruise) as well as Halong Bay day trip from Hanoi options. And no matter your budget I’ve got you covered. We’ll look at the best luxury Halong Bay cruise options as well as cheap Halong Bay cruise packages.
At the end of this Halong Bay tours review, I have no doubt you will be well on your way to choosing the very best Halong Bay boat tour for your family.
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. FIND MORE INFO IN MY DISCLAIMER.
Page Contents
- 1 Best Halong Bay Cruises for Families 2020 Comparison Chart
- 2 How to Choose the Best Halong Bay Cruise for Family?
- 2.1 How long should the Halong Bay Cruise with Kids be?
- 2.2 What is a typical Halong Bay Overnight Cruise itinerary?
- 2.3 What activities are usually included in a Halong Bay Cruise overnight?
- 2.4 What meals are included in Halong Bay Family Cruise?
- 2.5 What’s your budget?
- 2.6 How many cabins are on board?
- 2.7 Halong Bay Cruise Family Suite – What is the size of the room?
- 2.8 Is transportation included or extra?
- 2.9 Read other Halong Bay Cruise Reviews
- 3 Where Should you Book the Best cruise in Halong Bay with Kids?
- 4 Best Halong Bay Cruises Reviews
- 5 The Best Halong Bay Day Trip from Hanoi
- 6 Other Halong Bay Cruises
- 7 FAQ About Halong Bay
Best Halong Bay Cruises for Families 2020 Comparison Chart
If you don’t have time to read my entire article on the best Halong Bay cruise recommendations, I have complied the Halong Bay best cruise options, into this handy table. Simply browse the table for a Halong Bay Boat cruise that meets your requirements and book by clicking the link.
If you require further information on how to choose the best cruises in Halong Bay, then keep reading below for information.
| Cruise / Star Rating | No of Cabins | Family Rooms | Price Range | Get Current Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halong Apricot 3 Stars  | 28 | Yes | $$ | |
| Rosa 3 Star  | 9 | Connecting Rooms | $$ | |
| Royal Palace 4 Star  | 14 | Triple | $$ | |
| V'Spirit Classic 3 Stars  | 12 | Connecting Rooms | $$$ | |
| Image Halong 3 Star  | 13 | Yes | $$$ | |
| Paradise Grand Cruise 5 Stars  | 39 | Yes | $$$ | |
| Aphrodite 5 Stars  | 17 | Yes | $$$$ | |
| Alisa 5 Stars  | 22 | Connecting Rooms | $$$$ | |
| Glory Legend 4 Stars  | 22 | Connecting Rooms | $$$$ | |
| Pelican 5 Stars  | 28 | Connecting Rooms | $$$$ | |
| Athena 5 Stars  | 21 | Connecting Rooms | $$$$$ | |
How to Choose the Best Halong Bay Cruise for Family?
When it comes to Halong Bay with kids, there are a lot of different cruises so it can be tricky working which are the best cruises on Halong Bay. To work out the best cruise in Halong Bay for you I think you need to consider the following factors:
- How long do you want to spend on Halong Bay?
- Where in Halong Bay do you want to visit?
- What activities do you want to do and are they included?
- Are meals included in the Halong Bay tour package?
- How much money do you want to spend?
- How many cabins are on board?
- What is the size of the Halong Bay cruise family suite?
- Is transportation provided and included?
- What do other reviews say?
How long should the Halong Bay Cruise with Kids be?
In general, there are 3 main different length of Halong Bay package options. Namely:
- A Halong Bay day tour
- Halong Bay Cruise 2 days 1 night
- Halong Bay Cruise 3 days 2 nights
For the best Halong Bay experience, I totally recommend you do a Halong Bay overnight cruise, whether that be 1 night or 2. Whilst the Halong Bay 1 night cruise is the most popular, if you had more time, I think the Halong Bay 2 night cruise would be well worth it.
Previously I would never have recommended the Halong Bay one day tour, but with opening of the express way making it only a 2-hour trip, 1 day Halong Bay cruise from Hanoi is certainly possible. However just know you will only get a glimpse of the stunning bay.
What is a typical Halong Bay Overnight Cruise itinerary?
Within Halong Bay there are 3 different bays, namely Ha Long, Bai Tu Long and La Han Bay. Also in the area is the island of Cat Ba. The various Halong Bay cruises options to visit these areas, with the majority of the cruises simply visiting Ha Long Bay given it is closest to the port.
If you decide to go with the most common Halong Bay tour, which is just to Ha Long Bay, you will find that most of the boats tend to follow the same itinerary and do the same activities.
What activities are usually included in a Halong Bay Cruise overnight?
What to do in Halong Bay? Well depending what time of year you go, the activities on board usually include things such as swimming, kayaking Halong Bay, squid fishing, cooking classes, tai chi in the morning and karaoke at night. Your cruise many also include a stop to the Halong Bay caves and walks to some fantastic view points across the bay.
I’d recommend you double check that all activities are included, whilst most cruises do include everything I have seen some that charge extra for some activities.
What meals are included in Halong Bay Family Cruise?
All cruises include all meals on board and the standard of meals are first class. Every single Halong Bay cruise I have been on, the food has been absolutely fantastic! The only problem being that there is in fact so much food that I have not been able to eat it all.
Drinks are not included in most cruises and from the cruises I have been on they are quite over priced, so just be aware of this.
What’s your budget?
How much do you want to spend? Do you want a Halong luxury cruise, a budget Halong Bay cruise or somewhere in between? I have only even been on budget to mid-range cruises and found to be rather luxurious, so I can only image what the luxury Halong cruises are like!
Whilst it is possible to do cheap Halong Bay tours, I probably wouldn’t recommend it, you really want to be sure to book a cruise that has an excellent reputation and proven record for providing a safe and fantastic experience. I also don’t think it is necessary to book one of the luxury cruise, Halong Bay has either. A cruise somewhere from low to mid-range will be perfect and provide you an experience of a lifetime!
How many cabins are on board?
For me the number of cabins on board is pretty important. The more cabins on board, the more people on board and the more decks.
Just remember that you are going to be doing everything with these people on board, so if there are stacks of people it means more waiting time for activities and meals etc. Plus having more decks means the more stairs you have to go up and down to get around on the board. This can be a real pain, particularly when having children with you.
The best cruise I ever went on, was one where our cabin was on the main deck. This meant absolutely no going up and down stairs at all which was absolutely perfect.
Halong Bay Cruise Family Suite – What is the size of the room?
How big is the cabin? You don’t want to be squeezed in a room, but on the other hand you will be spending most of your time on the main deck so in my opinion it doesn’t need to be overly big either. On the Royal Palace, our room was 22 m2 and we found this huge!
Is transportation included or extra?
When getting to Halong Bay, most cruises will offer transportation from Hanoi to Halong Bay and then from Halong Bay to Hanoi (although some charge extra for this service). If transportation isn’t included with a particular cruise, don’t necessarily cross this option off your list. I’d recommend you check out how much the cost of transportation is and consider this when deciding which is the best cruise for your family.
Read other Halong Bay Cruise Reviews
With so many cruise boats, with various star ratings my number one recommendation is to do your own research. Read the fine print prior to booking and double check everything. I also recommend you read other Halong Bay tours reviews to see what others are saying about the cruise.
When I read Halong Bay reviews (or any reviews for that matter) I always remember that people are quick to complain but not so quick to give praise. Just remember this when reading reviews and take a balanced view. I also pay attention to the more recent reviews, say in the past 6 months, as perhaps a cruise has changed ownership or standards have improved or declined in recent times.
I find TripAdvisor good for reading reviews.
Where Should you Book the Best cruise in Halong Bay with Kids?
Ok, so you have decided which is the best cruise for your family and you’re ready to make your Halong Bay booking. I recommend you book well in advance with sites like Booking.com or Agoda. The reason being is that no deposit is required and if you change your mind or find a better deal you can cancel without any penalties.
I do not recommend you make your Halong Bay Cruise booking whilst you are walking down the street in Hanoi. Chances are, the boat on offer is not full because it’s not that great. I can assure you that all the top Halong Bay cruises get booked out well in advance. If you don’t book in advance and do want to book from a street vendor in Hanoi, just ensure you have done your research and you know the boat you are booking with.
To avoid disappointment, book your cruise well in advance.
More questions about Halong Bay – scroll down to the bottom of the article.
Best Halong Bay Cruises Reviews
I have listed these cruises from budget to expensive – however please note that pricing can change depending upon time of year and was correct at the time of publishing.
Ha Long Apricot Cruises
The Apricot Halong Cruise is a fantastic mid range Halong Bay cruise offering families fantastic value for money. This cruise is also extremely well rated with many customers rating it as excellent on TripAdvisor.
The Apricot Cruise offers families fantastic rooms which can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children all within the same room, so perfect for families with young ones. For smaller families they also have triple rooms too. The family rooms are a spacious 25m2 and include fantastic views of Halong Bay via large windows, air conditioning, wardrobe, bathroom, hair dryer, robe, toiletries and slippers.
The V’Spirit Cruise is available in either a 2 Day/1 Night, 3 Day / 2 Night or a day trip. During your cruise you pass by some gorgeous areas of Halong Bay whilst enjoying amazing meals. Activities on board include kayaking, swimming at Titov Island (weather permitting), squid fishing, Tai Chi, visit Sung Sot Cave and cooking classes. For those doing the longer cruise you will also visit a Pearl Farm and have additional time for kayaking and swimming at Ba Trai Dao.
Included in this cruise are all activities, return transfers from Hanoi and all meals on board.
Star Rating: 3
Total Number of Cabins On Board: 28
TripAdvisor Rating: 95% of people rate this cruise as excellent or very good.
Cruises Available: 2 Day/1 Night, 3 Day / 2 Night or day trip
Approx Price for 2 adults & 2 Children at time of publishing: $390 AUD for 2 Day / 1 Night
Rosa Cruise
The Rosa Cruise is fairly new to Halong Bay, commencing operation in 2016, so this is a lovely modern yet traditional Vietnamese junk boat, again offering great value for money for families. With only 9 cabins, its also nice and small, perfect for the intimate experience.
On board this 3 star cruise families can stay in connecting rooms which will accommodate 2 adults and 2 children. Smaller families can stay in a triple room which has 1 double bed and 1 single bed. Rooms are a spacious 18m2 (double this for the connecting rooms) and include air conditioning, wardrobe, bathroom, hair dryer, safe, slippers and large windows for great views. Rooms also have a shared balcony.
The Rose Cruise is available in either a 2 Day/1 Night, 3 Day / 2 Night or day tour. During your cruise you pass by some gorgeous areas of Halong Bay whilst enjoying amazing meals. Activities on board include a visit to the Pearl Farm Village, swimming (weather permitting) kayaking, squid fishing, Tai Chi, visit Sung Sot Cave and cooking classes. For those doing the longer cruise you will also have additional time for swimming and kayaking in Titop Island (weather permitting).
Included in this cruise are all activities and all meals on board. Return transfers are not included but can be arranged for you.
Star Rating: 3
Total Number of Cabins On Board: 9
TripAdvisor Rating: 95% of people rate this cruise as excellent or very good.
Cruises Available: 2 Day/1 Night, 3 Day / 2 Night or day tour.
Approx Price for 2 adults & 2 Children at time of publishing: $360 AUD for 2 Day / 1 Night
Royal Palace Cruise
We went on the Royal Palace Halong Bay cruise in December 2016 and absolutely loved it. Read our review on the Royal Palace Cruise. This 3 star cruise is better suited to smaller families as the biggest rooms can accommodate three people, or alternatively families with older children that can sleep in their own separate room.
This is another smaller boat with only 14 cabins on board. All rooms are spacious with the triple rooms being 23m2. All rooms include air conditioning, toiletries, bathroom, wardrobe, refrigerator, hair dryer, safe, robes, slippers and large windows for great views.
The Royal Palace Cruise is available in either a 2 Day/1 Night or 3 Day / 2 Night. They even have different 2 night cruises with the option of spending the second night in a bungalow on Nam Cat Island. During your cruise you pass by some gorgeous areas of Halong Bay whilst enjoying amazing meals. Activities on board include a visit to Titop Island for hiking, kayaking and swimming (weather permitting), squid fishing, Tai Chi, visit Surprise Cave and cooking classes. For those doing the longer cruise you will also visit Fairy Lake Cave, visit a fishing farm and have additional time for kayaking. If you decide to stay on Cat Ba Island, the second day is spent enjoying beach activities on the island.
Included in this cruise are all activities, return transfers and all meals on board.
Star Rating: 4
Total Number of Cabins On Board: 14
TripAdvisor Rating: 95% of people rate this cruise as excellent or very good.
Cruises Available: 2 Day/1 Night or 3 Day / 2 Night.
Approx Price for 2 adults & 2 Children at time of publishing: $402 AUD for 2 Day / 1 Night
V Spirit Classic Cruises
V Spirit is a 3 star Halong Bay Cruise which offers families excellent value for money and is the perfect choice for families looking for a mid range cruise option.
There are in fact 3 different V’Spirit Cruise boats, all boats are in the traditional Vietnamese junk boat style. The boats have either 12, 13 or 16 cabins, so it is a small boat, which is my personal preference. All boats have family rooms (which are interconnecting rooms), as well as triple rooms with the average size room being around 14m2. All rooms include air conditioning, free WiFi, bathroom, toiletries, slippers, hair dryer, TV and large windows for great views.
The V’Spirit Cruise is available in either a 2 Day/1 Night, 3 Day / 2 Night or a day trip. During your cruise you pass by some gorgeous areas of Halong Bay whilst enjoying amazing meals. Activities on board include a visit to Sung Sot Cave, swimming at Titov Island (weather permitting), squid fishing, Tai Chi, kayaking and cooking classes. For those doing the longer cruise you will also visit Fairy Cave, a Pearl Farm and have additional time for kayaking.
Included in this cruise are all activities, return transfers from Hanoi and all meals on board.
Star Rating: 3
Total Number of Cabins On Board: 13
TripAdvisor Rating: 96% of people rate this cruise as excellent or very good.
Cruises Available: 2 Day/1 Night, 3 Day / 2 Night or day trip
Approx Price for 2 adults & 2 Children at time of publishing: $520 AUD for 2 Day / 1 Night
Image Halong Cruise
The Image Halong Cruise is a 3 star cruise which offers great value for families looking for a mid range cruise option on board a traditional Vietnamese junk boat.
I love this option for families as it is a small boat with only 13 cabins on board. The boat offers 2 family suites which include a double bed and 2 singles in the same room – so perfect for families with young children. The rooms are spacious too being 28m2. For smaller families you can stay in the deluxe rooms which allow for an additional single bed. All rooms include air conditioning, bathroom, hair dryer and large windows for great views.
The Image Halong Cruise is available in either a 2 Day/1 Night or 3 Day / 2 Night. During your cruise you pass by some gorgeous areas of Halong Bay whilst enjoying amazing meals. Activities on board include a visit to Luon Cave, swimming at Titov Island (weather permitting), squid fishing, Tai Chi, visit Sung Sot Cave and cooking classes. For those doing the longer cruise you will also visit Vung Vieng Village and swimming and / or kayaking in Bai Tu Long Bay (weather permitting).
Included in this cruise are all activities and all meals on board. Return transfers are not included but can be arranged for you.
Star Rating: 3
Total Number of Cabins On Board: 13
TripAdvisor Rating: 90% of people rate this cruise as excellent or very good.
Cruises Available: 2 Day/1 Night or 3 Day / 2 Night
Approx Price for 2 adults & 2 Children at time of publishing: $600 AUD for 2 Day / 1 Night
Paradise Grand Cruise
Managed by Paradise Group, the pioneer and leading cruising company in Halong Bay, Paradise Grand Cruise is soon expected to have their first excursions to Lan Ha Bay, another pristine part of Halong Bay. These vessels are 5-star cruises housing five decks with the same style, capacity, service, and itinerary. If you are looking for the best Lan Ha Bay Cruise, this is surely your cruise.
Paradise Grand Cruise offers 39 well-equipped cabins divided into four categories. Among them, there are 6 couples of family cabins including either two Deluxe Balcony cabins in the main deck or two Executive Deluxe Balcony cabins in the upper deck. The two separate cabins are connected by a connecting door with at least 28 square meters each cabin. The in-room facilities include a queen bed or two sing beds that can be convertible to a double bed easily, a separate walk-in closet, air-conditioner, personal safety box, life jackets, en-suite bathroom, complimentary toiletries, cabinet, etc. Each cabin also has a private balcony with a table and two chairs where families can enjoy the bay view or feel the sea breath.
Paradise Grand Cruise is available either a 2 Day 1 Night or 3 Day 2 Night trip in Lan Ha Bay. During your cruise, you pass by some gorgeous areas of Lan Ha Bay whilst enjoying amazing meals on board. Activities onboard include kayaking in Dark & Bright Cave, swimming on Van Boi Island (weather permitting), visiting Viet Hai village, practicing Tai Chi, enjoying live music at Piano Louge and cooking class. For those doing the 2-night cruise, you will also visit Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba Island and have additional time for kayaking and swimming at Tung Thu Beach.
Included in this cruise are all activities, return transfers from Hanoi and all meals onboard (except for drinks and additional services).
Star Rating: 5
Total Number of Cabins On Board: 39
TripAdvisor Rating: 98% of people rate this cruise as excellent or very good.
Cruises Available: 2 Day/1 Night, 3 Day / 2 Night
Approx Price for 2 adults & 2 Children at the time of publishing: $680 AUD for 2 Day / 1 Night
Aphrodite Cruises
For a 4 star cruise, the Aphrodite Cruise comes with a great price tag as well as being one of the most highly rated Halong Bay cruises on TripAdvisor. With only 17 cabins it is a smaller boat so you will have a more intimate experience.
This traditional Vietnamese junk boat comes with a variety of different cabins including suites to accommodate families. Family suites are a spacious 22m2 and contain a double bed and 2 singles. Family suites are located on the lower deck and include a bath tub, air conditioning, TV, mini bar, hair dyer, bathrobe, slippers and luggage rack.
The Aphrodite Cruise is available in either a 2 Day/1 Night, 3 Day / 2 Night or a private day trip. During your cruise you pass by some gorgeous areas of Halong Bay whilst enjoying amazing meals. Activities on board include a visit to Titov Island for swimming (weather permitting) visit Luon Cave by bamboo boat, kayaking, cooking class, Tai Chi, a visit Sung Sot Cave and squid fishing. For those that take the longer cruise you will also get to explore Cua Van Fishing Village.
Included in this cruise are all activities and all meals on board. Transfers are not included but can be arranged at an additional charge. Please note that kayaking is also an additional 450,000 VND per person which is around $26 AUD.
Star Rating: 4
Total Number of Cabins On Board: 17
TripAdvisor Rating: 96% of people rate this cruise as excellent or very good.
Cruises Available: 2 Day/1 Night, 3 Day / 2 Night or private day trip
Approx Price for 2 adults & 2 Children at time of publishing: $652 AUD for 2 Day / 1 Night
Alisa Cruise
If you’re looking for a bit a luxury Halong Bay cruise at an affordable price, the Alisa Cruise is a great option. The Alisa Cruise is one of the newest boats on Halong Bay, only operating since 2017 and has one of the highest customer ratings on TripAdvisor.
This is a 5 star cruise offering a variety of different cabins including family cabins which can accommodate up to 2 adults and 2 children. This in fact an interconnecting room which is located on the third deck. This family suite is stunning including 1 queen bed and 2 singles as well as it’s very own balcony. Other room inclusions are air conditioning, wardrobe, hairdryer, safe box, sofa, slippers, bathroom, toiletries, WiFi and tea and coffee. The rooms are massive at around 40 sqm. For smaller families there is also a room which 1 queen and 1 single bed.
The Alisa Cruise is available in either a 2 Day/1 Night, 3 Day / 2 Night or day trip. During your cruise you pass by the Cua Van floating village, Tien Ong Cave, Trong Cave, the Ho Dong Tien Cave and the Luon Cave. Activities on board include kayaking, swimming (depending upon weather), visit to the Pearl Farm Village, cooking class, Tai Chi and a visit Sung Sot Cave. For those that take the longer cruise you will also get to explore Luon Cave and Cua Van Fishing Village, as well as squid fishing.
Included in this cruise are all activities and all meals on board. Transfers are not included but can be arranged at an additional charge.
Star Rating: 5
Total Number of Cabins On Board: 22
TripAdvisor Rating: 99% of people rate this cruise as excellent or very good.
Cruises Available: 2 Day/1 Night, 3 Day / 2 Night or day trip
Approx Price for 2 adults & 2 Children at time of publishing: $1203 AUD for 2 Day / 1 Night
Heading to Vietnam – check out all our other Vietnam content here.
Halong Glory Legend Cruise
For a 4 star cruise, the Halong Glory Cruise comes with a great price tag as well as being one of the most highly rated Halong Bay cruises on TripAdvisor.
This traditional Vietnamese junk boat comes with a variety of different cabins including suites to accommodate families. Family suites are in fact interconnecting rooms with a combined space of 34m2. Family suites are located on the first and second floors and include a bathroom, air conditioning, hair dyer, safe and wardrobe.
The Glory Legend Halong Cruise is available in either a 2 Day/1 Night, 3 Day / 2 Night or day trip. During your cruise you pass by some gorgeous areas of Halong Bay whilst enjoying amazing meals. Activities on board include kayaking, swimming at Ti Top Beach (depending upon weather), visit to the Tung Sau area (see the process of pearl jewel making) Village, cooking class, Tai Chi and a visit Sung Sot Cave. For those that take the longer cruise you will also get to explore Cua Van Fishing Village, Me Cung Cave as well as squid fishing.
Included in this cruise are all activities and all meals on board. Transfers are not included but can be arranged at an additional charge.
Star Rating: 4
Total Number of Cabins On Board: 22
TripAdvisor Rating: 91% of people rate this cruise as excellent or very good.
Cruises Available: 2 Day/1 Night, 3 Day / 2 Night or day trip
Approx Price for 2 adults & 2 Children at time of publishing: $802 AUD for 2 Day / 1 Night
Pelican Halong Cruise
For those who want to cruise on a traditional style Vietnamese junk boat but in style, the Pelican Halong Cruise is a great choice.
The Pelican Halong Cruise is a 5 star cruise and offers a variety of different cabins. Family cabin options include either the family deluxe ocean view rooms or the family suite ocean view rooms. Both cabins are in fact connecting cabins and include a queen bed with 2 singles as well as a private sitting area. The family rooms are also both 36m2 with the family deluxe rooms being located on the first floor and the suites being located on the second floor. Both rooms have amazing views across the bay via panorama windows.
The cabins include air conditioning, wardrobe, hairdryer, safe box, sofa and bathroom. For smaller families there is also a room which 1 queen and 1 single bed.
The Pelican Halong Cruise is available in either a 2 Day/1 Night, 3 Day / 2 Night or day trip. During your cruise you pass by some gorgeous areas of Halong Bay whilst enjoying amazing meals. Activities on board include kayaking, swimming at Ti Top Beach (depending upon weather), visit to the Tung Sau area (see the process of pearl jewel making) Village, cooking class, Tai Chi and a visit Sung Sot Cave. For those that take the longer cruise you will also get to explore Cua Van Fishing Village, Me Cung Cave as well as squid fishing.
Included in this cruise are all activities and all meals on board. Transfers are not included but can be arranged at an additional charge.
Star Rating: 4
Total Number of Cabins On Board: 28
TripAdvisor Rating: 90% of people rate this cruise as excellent or very good.
Cruises Available: 2 Day/1 Night, 3 Day / 2 Night or day trip
Approx Price for 2 adults & 2 Children at time of publishing: $1039 AUD for 2 Day / 1 Night
Halong Athena Cruise
The Athena Cruise is a luxurious cruise a price tag to match. However if you are wanting to relax in the finest of surroundings during your Halong Bay cruise, this may just be the cruise for you.
With only 21 cabins on board, you can be assured of a more intimate experience. For families you can relax in the Grand Suite which is interconnecting rooms. Together these rooms contain 1 large bed and 2 singles across 46 m2. For smaller families there is also the triple suite which has 1 large bed and 1 single. All rooms contain private balcony’s with outdoor furniture so you’ll have your very own space to soak up the beauty of Halong Bay. Other room inclusions include air conditioning, TV, bathroom, safe, sitting area, wardrobe, hair dyer, robes, slippers, toiletries and tea and coffee making facilities.
The Athena Cruise is available in either a 2 Day/1 Night, 3 Day / 2 Night or a day trip. During your cruise you pass by some gorgeous areas of Halong Bay whilst enjoying amazing meals. Activities on board include a visit to Dark and Bright Cave by row boat, kayaking, swimming (weather permitting) cooking classes, Tai Chi and visit Surprise Cave.
Included in this cruise are all activities, return transfers from Hanoi and all meals on board.
Star Rating: 5
Total Number of Cabins On Board: 21
TripAdvisor Rating: 97% of people rate this cruise as excellent or very good.
Cruises Available: 2 Day/1 Night, 3 Day / 2 Night or day trip
Approx Price for 2 adults & 2 Children at time of publishing: $997 AUD for 2 Day / 1 Night
The Best Halong Bay Day Trip from Hanoi
Without a doubt the best way to see Halong Bay is with a Halong Bay overnight tour. However, if you are super short on time and only have a day, with the new expressway opening, it is possible to do a Halong Bay day cruise.
Below are some of the best Halong Bay day tours.
Phoenix Cruiser Halong Bay
Spend around 4 hours cruising Halong Bay on board the Halong Phoenix Cruiser, a 4-star boat. During this day trip you will have the opportunity to explore the Ba Hong floating village, go kayaking and see the Thein Cung Cave.
Onboard the Halong Phoenix cruise you will enjoy a delicious lunch which is included in the tour price, as is return transfers from Hanoi.
Prices for this Halong Bay day tour from Hanoi start at $67.89 AUD per adult and $52.05 AUD per child (ages 4-9).
The Halong Phoenix Cruiser also have 2 night and 1-night cruise options; however they do not have family rooms hence why they don’t appear above.
Dragonfly Cruise
On the Dragonfly Halong Bay 1 day tour, you will explore the Bay on board a traditional wooden junk boat over a period of around 4 hours. During your time in Halong Bay you will have opportunity to see the beauty of the bay, as well visit the Thien Cung Cave and kayak.
Onboard the cruise you will have a wonderful seafood lunch which is included as is return transfers to Hanoi.
This Halong Bay day tour price starts at $53.85 AUD for adults and $45.75 AUD for children (aged 4-8).
Genesis Cruise 
Whilst more expensive than the last Halong Bay one day tours, the Genesis cruise provides luxury transfers as well as visits a few different places in Halong Bay.
On board the Genesis Cruise you will spend around 4.5 hours exploring Halong Bay. To begin with you will have a delicious seafood lunch followed a visit to Sung Sot Cave. Afterwards you can join a kayaking tour to Luon Cave where you will discover a blue lake filled with marine life.
Included in this Halong Bay excursion are return transfers from Hanoi on board a luxurious bus which has free Wi-Fi and entertainment are included.
Prices start at $137.00 AUD per adult and $97.35 per child (aged 5-10).
Other Halong Bay Cruises
There are of course numerous other fantastic Halong Bay Cruises to choose from, but in this guide, I have simply focused on the best cruises for families. If you’re not necessarily after a family cruise, or perhaps your kids are older so you’re happy to have them stay in a separate cabin, here are a few other cruises you may like to consider.
FAQ About Halong Bay
Have I not answered your question about Halong Bay above? Here are a few more questions people often ask about visiting Halong Bay. If you still have a question, be sure to drop me an email.
What is Halong Bay Like?
Halong Bay is a bay which is dotted with around 1600 limestone islands and islets covering an area of approximately 1500 sqkm. The islands are clustered close together and are strikingly beautiful as the jut straight out of the emerald waters.
The area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and is one of the most popular tourist spots in all of South East Asia.
Where is Halong Bay?
Halong Bay is located approximately 144 km east of Hanoi in the Gulf of Tonkin, not too far from the Chinese border.
Getting to Halong Bay?
One of the best ways of how to get to Halong Bay is by a shuttle bus from Hanoi organised by your cruise. Thanks to the brand-new express way which has recently opened up travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay only takes just over 2 hours, as opposed to the previous 4 hours trek.
There is also Hai Phong airport close by for anyone flying in.
When is the Best Time to go to Halong Bay?
You can visit Halong Bay anytime of the year. I myself have visited in the middle of their winter as well as the middle of the Summer and whilst the experiences have been different, they have all been well worthwhile. In my view the very best time to go to Halong Bay is in the months of March through to May, when the weather is warm but not too hot.
Here is a quick overview of what you can expect on Halong Bay at different times of the year:
- Spring (January to March): It is still a little cool in January, but from February onwards the weather is getting warmer and the tourists start to come. Expect temperatures around 13-20c.
- Summer (April to June): It is hot in the summer time, but this is best weather for swimming. Tourist numbers tend to be a little down due to the hot temperatures. Except temperatures around 23-34c.
- Autumn (July to September): This is off season, so tourist numbers are down. This is also the time where there is the highest chance of storms and the most cancellations due to rough sea conditions.
- Winter time (October to December): This is the coldest time of the year and has the advantage of less tourists. Temperatures range between 17 to 21C and there is a fair bit of fog around. Far too cold for swimming.
Is Halong Bay worth it?
Whilst Vietnam is a relatively cheap country to visit, it is no doubt that a visit to Halong Bay is most likely going to be one of your biggest expenses. This in itself has many tourists asking is Halong Bay actually worth it. This question has become more frequent after many visitors have written Halong Bay off as nothing but a tourist trap.
Well in one word – YES Halong Bay is absolutely worth it!! It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited in my life. I have visited Halong Bay on multiple occasions, with the first time over a decade ago and more recently in the past few years. Whilst I have certainly noticed an increase in boats and tourists in the area, Halong Bay is certainly no less beautiful than when I first visited all those years ago.
So please don’t write Halong Bay off as a tourist trap, go check it out for yourself – I am sure you won’t regret it!
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The good news: Van Don Airport, Quang Ninh is about to be commissioned. You can use international direct flights to Quang Ninh and take the bus to Halong instead of Hanoi – Halong.