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

The best reason to choose Amanda Luxury Cruise is simple: you get a private balcony and bathtub in every cabin while sailing through Ha Long and the quieter Lan Ha Bay. That turns scenic cruising into something you can enjoy at your own pace, with a cup of tea on the balcony or a soak as limestone islands slide past.

I like the 20-cabin size, which keeps the ship more personal than a huge floating hotel. I also like the mix of kayaking, a cooking lesson, Tai Chi, deck dining, and evening entertainment. The main consideration is the early start and long transfer from Hanoi, plus the age restriction: this trip is not suitable for people over 70.

Key points at a glance

• Private comfort in every room: Each Junior Suite includes a balcony, bathtub, tea, coffee, bottled water, fresh fruit, and daily amenities.
• Two bays in one trip: You sail through famous Ha Long Bay and the quieter Lan Ha Bay, with views of Finger Islet, Candle Islet, and limestone karsts.
• Active afternoon at Tra Bau: Kayaking and swimming take place in an area associated with Kong: Skull Island.
• A full evening onboard: Sunset drinks, a cooking demonstration, dinner on deck, a foot bath, cultural performances, and squid fishing fill the night.
• Useful Hanoi connection: Optional pickup is available from addresses in Hanoi’s Old Quarter or the Opera House.
• Strong value at $181: The price covers one night, four meals, activities, tickets, service fees, insurance, and Wi-Fi, though drinks and personal spending cost extra.

Why the private balcony matters on a Ha Long Bay cruise

Ha Long Bay is often presented through group excursions and busy sightseeing stops. Amanda Luxury Cruise gives you another way to experience it. You still follow a planned schedule, but your room provides a quiet place to watch the karsts without standing on a crowded viewing deck.

The ship has 20 cabins and uses French neoclassical decoration with Asian touches. That description may sound grand, but the practical benefit is clear: the vessel is designed to feel like a small luxury hotel rather than a basic overnight boat.

Every room has a private balcony and bathtub. The balcony is useful throughout the trip, not just for photographs. You can sit outside after lunch, watch the bay at sunset, or enjoy the morning views before breakfast. The bathtub adds a rare bit of comfort on a short cruise, especially after kayaking or swimming.

Your Junior Suite also includes a welcome drink, cold towel, in-room tea and coffee, bottled water, fresh fruit, and daily amenities. Wi-Fi is included, though the main reason to book this trip is to look away from your phone for a while.

From Hanoi’s Old Quarter to Tuan Chau Marina

If you choose the Hanoi departure option, pickup takes place between 7:45 and 8:30 in the morning. The service collects you from an address in the Old Quarter or near the Opera House, and you should be ready in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the assigned time.

The transfer takes you to Tuan Chau Marina in Ha Long City. You complete check-in at a waiting lounge between 11:00 and 11:30, with special tea served as you wait. A limousine upgrade is available on request, but it is not included in the base price.

You can also meet the ship directly at No. 12 Tuan Chau Port. This option may suit you if you are already staying in Ha Long City or arranging your own transport. The trip ends back at the same meeting point after the return transfer boat.

The timing is worth noting. You leave Hanoi early, wait briefly at the marina, then board around lunchtime. This is not a casual late-morning outing. It is a full two-day commitment, and the road transfer is part of the experience.

Lunch beside Finger Islet and Candle Islet

At 1:00 p.m., lunch begins as Amanda Luxury Cruise sails through Ha Long Bay and into Lan Ha Bay. The route passes Finger Islet, Candle Islet, and many limestone formations rising from the water.

The scenery is the star here. The rock formations change shape as the boat moves, and the slower pace gives you time to appreciate the scale of the bay. Lan Ha Bay is often a good choice for people who want the famous limestone scenery with a quieter feel.

Lunch is included, and dinner, breakfast, and brunch are also covered. Drinks are available on request but are not part of the package, so check the bill before ordering several rounds at the bar.

I like that the first meal happens after boarding rather than before the main sailing. You can settle into your cabin, explore the ship, and start the scenic part of the trip without rushing through an early meal.

Kayaking and swimming at Tra Bau

At about 3:30 p.m., the ship stops at Tra Bau for kayaking and swimming. This is one of the most active parts of the trip and a welcome change from sitting on deck.

Tra Bau is associated with the filming of Kong: Skull Island in 2018. You do not need to be a film fan to appreciate the setting. The attraction is the quiet water, steep limestone surroundings, and chance to get closer to the rock formations than you can from the main ship.

Kayaking gives you the most freedom, while swimming offers a simple way to cool off. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a waterproof phone bag. Flip-flops or sneakers are practical for moving between the ship, transfer boat, and activity area.

This stop may not suit you if you prefer a completely sedentary cruise. It is also worth keeping in mind that water activities depend on the schedule and operating conditions. The supplied program presents kayaking and swimming as planned activities, but exact time in the water can vary.

Sunset drinks and a Vietnamese cooking lesson

From 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., you return to the ship for free time. The sundeck hosts a sunset party with a Buy 2, Get 1 Free happy-hour offer. Since alcoholic drinks and other beverages are extra, the promotion may help if you plan to order more than one.

The cooking demonstration is a more useful inclusion. The chef teaches you how to prepare traditional dishes such as fried spring rolls. It is a hands-on activity, not just a performance, and gives you something practical to remember after the cruise.

You can use this hour in different ways. Sit on the sundeck, take photographs, rest in your cabin, join the cooking lesson, or order a drink. The schedule gives you choices instead of filling every minute with a formal group activity.

Dinner on the sundeck, then a busy evening

Dinner begins at 7:00 p.m. on the sundeck. The setting combines French neoclassical decoration with Asian design, and the menu uses fresh ingredients.

A deck dinner is one of the better ways to enjoy the bay after dark. The scenery becomes quieter, and the open-air setting gives the meal a sense of place. Still, weather can affect how comfortable the sundeck feels, so having a light layer in your bag is sensible.

The evening program runs from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. It includes a complimentary herbal foot bath, traditional bamboo dancing, an ethnic fashion show called Heritage Footsteps, and squid fishing from the deck.

Massage and Sky Bar drinks are available for an additional charge. If you want an early night, you can skip the entertainment and return to your cabin. The ship’s program is active, but participation is optional.

The cultural show adds variety, though you should not expect a long historical presentation. It is a short onboard performance designed to entertain during the evening. Squid fishing is also best treated as a light activity rather than a guaranteed catch.

Tai Chi and Dark and Bright Cave on day two

The second morning starts early, with Tai Chi on the sundeck from 6:00 to 7:00 a.m. The timing may be tough after a full evening, but the quiet bay and cool morning air make this a pleasant way to wake up.

Breakfast is served at 7:00 a.m. as the boat continues through the karsts. Then, at 7:15, you visit Dark and Bright Cave.

You can explore the cave area by bamboo boat or kayak. The bamboo boat is the easier choice if you want to sit back and focus on the rock walls and calm water. Kayaking gives you a more active outing and lets you set your own pace within the group.

This stop is different from Tra Bau. Tra Bau is about open water, swimming, and the setting linked to a film. Dark and Bright Cave is about sheltered water, unusual rock shapes, and a quieter route through the karsts.

After the cave visit, you return for a final brunch between 10:45 and 11:30. A transfer boat brings you back to the waiting area at Tuan Chau Marina between 11:00 and 11:45. The program ends there, so plan any onward transport with this return window in mind.

Food, service, and special occasions

Amanda includes four meals: lunch and dinner on day one, then breakfast and brunch on day two. The food is described as varied, with several choices available at meals. If you have dietary needs, confirm them before booking because no specific dietary arrangements are provided in the details here.

The crew is a major part of the experience. The onboard team includes cruise manager Alex, and the operation is presented as organized, clean, and attentive. Birthday, anniversary, and honeymoon setups are available, including room decoration and special dining arrangements.

For a celebration, contact the operator in advance. The available setup can include a decorated room, a prepared dining table, a cake, and a song from the crew. These touches can make a one-night cruise feel more personal, but special arrangements may need to be requested before departure.

The ship also provides a complimentary herbal foot bath. It is a small feature, yet it makes sense after a day of walking around the marina, kayaking, and swimming.

Is $181 a fair price?

At $181 per person, the trip sits in the affordable luxury range for a one-night bay cruise. The value comes from what is bundled into that price: a Junior Suite with balcony and bathtub, four meals, a welcome drink, tea, coffee, bottled water, fresh fruit, Wi-Fi, activities, sightseeing tickets, service fees, and required insurance.

You still pay separately for personal expenses, drinks, massages, Sky Bar purchases, airfare, airport transfers, visa costs, and anything not specifically included. Hanoi pickup is available for the departure option, but confirm the transfer details when booking.

The private balcony and bathtub are the biggest value points. If you only care about seeing the bay, a cheaper day trip may be enough. If you want a comfortable room, an evening onboard, multiple meals, and time to enjoy the ship, the overnight format makes more sense.

The trip has an average rating of 4.6 from 29 evaluations, which supports choosing it with reasonable confidence. The most consistent strengths are room cleanliness, spacious cabins, food variety, crew attention, and smooth organization.

Who should book Amanda Luxury Cruise?

I would recommend this cruise to couples, honeymooners, birthday celebrants, and anyone who wants a polished overnight experience without a very large ship. The bathtub and balcony are especially useful for couples who want private time between activities.

It also suits first-time visitors to northern Vietnam who want Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay in one short trip. You get scenery, water activities, meals, cultural entertainment, and a Hanoi connection without arranging each part separately.

I would think twice if you dislike early mornings, long transfer days, scheduled group activities, or water-based outings. The trip is not suitable for people over 70, and the busy schedule may feel too full for anyone seeking a completely slow and silent retreat.

Book at least with the cancellation terms in mind: cancellation up to 24 hours before departure qualifies for a full refund, and reserve-now-pay-later booking is available. That flexibility is useful when your Vietnam route is still changing.

Should you book it?

Book Amanda Luxury Cruise if you want private-room comfort, a full two-day program, and a good balance of scenery and activities. The cabin balcony, bathtub, small ship, and included meals give the $181 price real value.

Choose another option if you want a cheaper daytime visit, a very quiet schedule, or complete control over transport and meals. For most couples and first-time visitors, though, this is a practical way to see both bays while enjoying the comforts of a proper overnight cruise.

FAQ

How long is the Amanda Luxury Cruise experience?

The advertised experience is a 2-day, 1-night cruise. The program begins with Hanoi pickup or arrival at Tuan Chau Marina and ends back at the marina on day two.

Is Hanoi pickup included?

Optional pickup is available from any address in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, with pickup also available from the Opera House departure area. You should be ready in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

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

What type of room is included?

The package includes a one-night stay in a Junior Suite with a private balcony and private bathtub. Every room on the 20-cabin ship includes these two features.

Which meals are included?

Day one includes lunch and dinner. Day two includes breakfast and brunch. Drinks are available on request but are not included.

Are kayaking and bamboo boating included?

Yes. Kayaking or bamboo boating at Dark and Bright Cave is included, along with kayaking and swimming at Tra Bau.

Is Wi-Fi available onboard?

Yes. Complimentary Wi-Fi is included in the package.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now-pay-later booking is also available.