Embarking on the emerald waters of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site adorned with breathtaking karst formations, is an experience that promises unparalleled beauty and tranquility. As one of the most renowned and picturesque destinations globally, Halong Bay offers a unique blend of natural wonders and cultural significance. Amidst the thousands of limestone islands, both grand and petite, lies the perfect setting for an unforgettable cruise adventure.

In this article, we’ll be giving you some of the top 10 best Halong Bay cruises that promise not only opulent accommodations but also a gateway to explore the rich tapestry of this mesmerizing bay.

How to Choose the Best Halong Bay Cruise

There are so many different cruise companies, so how do you choose the best one for you? Well, by doing research. And by asking yourself a bunch of questions. Are you on a tight budget? Or do you want to indulge in luxury services and pamper yourself a bit?

The prices for the top 10 best Halong Bay cruises depend on the included services, the time of year, the duration of your trip, and the quality of the cruise. On average, prices for overnight cruises can range from $100 to $500 or more per person. Luxury cruises with higher-end accommodations, services, and facilities may be even more expensive, especially if you're staying longer, sometimes double the price. The prices typically include cabin accommodation, main meals on the cruise, a guide, sightseeing tickets, and activities according to the itinerary. 

Currently, cruises usually fall into two main groups: Wooden-hulled cruises and Steel-hulled cruises. Wooden-hulled cruises typically have fewer than 16 rooms; each room is about 15 square meters with a bathroom and toilet inside. Steel-hulled cruises have 16 rooms or more with spacious rooms and more modern amenities. Steel-hulled cruises are more luxurious and more expensive than wooden-hulled cruises.

What Is the Best Month to Visit Halong Bay?

Peak season: October to March is when Ha Long welcomes the highest number of international guests, so the prices during this period are usually much higher. Vietnamese people tend not to visit Halong Bay this time of year, though, because of the high prices and cold weather. 

Low season: April to September is the period with fewer international tourists. However, it is a golden time for Vietnamese tourists to explore Halong Bay on a cruise, as the weather is more favorable for sea trips, and tour prices are much cheaper (usually around 10-30% cheaper compared to peak season).

The ideal time for your trip should be from March to May or slightly later, from August to October, when it’s dry and cool.

Best Halong Bay Cruises

Paradise Luxury Cruise (5 stars)

Paradise Luxury Cruise has the exterior of a traditional wooden boat with modern and luxurious interiors and is considered one of the top 10 best cruises in Halong Bay. In addition to the beautiful views of Halong Bay, the cruise offers 17 rooms, elegant cafés, restaurants, a jacuzzi, a sauna, and massage services. The 5-star Paradise Cruise stands out in terms of class compared to other cruises. With such luxury, the price of this cruise is always a significant consideration. For those traveling between May and September, the prices are usually much lower than from October to April.

Stellar of the Seas Cruise (5 stars)

Stella of the Seas, one of Halong Bay's most luxurious cruises, offers an unforgettable stay, with 22 fully equipped luxurious rooms and upscale restaurants, a panoramic bar, a wine and cigar cellar, a golf club, a four-season swimming pool, a spa, a children's playground...

This 5-star Halong Bay cruise also offers the opportunity to experience sea diving, explore fascinating caves, or participate in kayak racing right on the bay.

Emeraude Cruise (5 stars)

The Emeraude Cruise is the only cruise in Halong Bay managed and operated by a French company, so the architecture is influenced by the French. As the first steel-hulled cruise in Halong Bay, it is designed in the style of a Western steamship, with three floors and 37 luxurious cabins, capable of housing 74 passengers with luxurious services, such as massages, kayaking, taichi classes, and cooking classes.

Starlight Cruise (5 stars)

The Starlight Cruise is a remarkable luxury cruise in Halong Bay. This elegant and unique cruise among luxury cruises in Halong Bay offers world-class accommodation on the waters of Halong Bay.

The Starlight cruise features 32 luxuriously designed and decorated spacious rooms with all the amenities of a 5-star hotel on the sea. The restaurant, library, spa, wine cellar, and sun deck are meticulously cared for, emphasizing elegance and class.

With Starlight, "luxury" is built from many aspects: modern facilities, hospitality, professionalism on board, exquisite dining service, not to mention the helpful and friendly staff.

Peony Cruise (5 stars)

Owned by the Big Bay Group, Peony Cruise is one of the largest overnight cruises in Halong Bay. The cruise offers the opportunity to experience Lan Ha Bay and explore its pristine natural beauty.

The cruise features 20 elegant cabins with large windows and private balcony areas, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the bay. The hot tub, dry sauna, gym and spa also add to its charms.

The 2 Days 1 Night and 3 Days 2 Nights itineraries to explore Lan Ha Bay are incredibly enticing, including activities like kayaking in Ao Ech, swimming at Tra Bau Beach, visiting Ba Trai Dao Beach and Trung Trang Cave, and exploring the Viet Hai fishing village, etc.

Era Cruise (5 stars)

Era—a luxury cruise in Lan Ha Bay is guaranteed to bring you a high-end service on the bay.

When stepping onto the cruise, guests will experience an elegant and sophisticated space, combined with top-notch services. In addition, with its unique itinerary, the cruise will take the group to beautiful beaches and pristine landscapes with thousands of different-sized islands, such as Ba Trai Dao Beach, Ba Ham Lake, Sang-Toi Caves, Viet Hai Fishing Village, etc.

La Pinta Cruise (5 stars)

La Pinta is a renowned 5-star cruise brand with two ships featuring 16 and 18 cabins on both Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Equipped with the world's finest interior furnishings and professional staff, La Pinta promises to deliver astonishing service quality and unforgettable experiences. From the balcony of each luxurious cabin, you can have a full enchanting view of the sunrise and sunset. La Pinta also offers the opportunity to explore pristine beaches, visit Sung Sot Cave—one of the most beautiful caves in Lan Ha Bay—and engage in outdoor activities such as swimming, kayaking in the bay, and night squid fishing.

Calypso Cruise (4 stars)

As a 4-star cruise on Halong Bay, the Calypso Cruise is smaller and cozier with just 12 rooms but rather perfect for those who want to escape from the crowd and seek to enjoy the tranquil beauty of Halong Bay. With luxurious interiors, well-equipped bedrooms, and impeccable services, spending a night on the Calypso Cruise not only provides you with a unique perception of Halong Bay but also fascinating activities such as karaoke, night fishing, squid fishing, and kayaking.

Paloma Cruise (4 stars)

The Paloma Cruise has an elegant exterior and a spacious modern sundeck. This Halong Bay Cruise features 20 cabins, a bar, two expansive playgrounds, a restaurant, and a premium spa. The Paloma Cruise, along with the professional staff of 20 members, provides you with comfort, warmth, and convenience as if you were in your own beloved home during the days of exploring the heritage of Halong Bay.

Aclass Legend Cruise (3 stars)

Aclass Legend Cruise is one of the most beautiful 3-star cruises in Halong Bay, designed with an elegant white wooden exterior and featuring three large sails. Aclass Legend Cruise is suitable for families or small groups. The cruise is well-designed for organizing intimate gatherings for families, birthdays, honeymoons, or wedding anniversaries.

The Aclass Legend Cruise has a total of 14 luxurious cabins, furnished with traditional bamboo materials, creating a warm, classic, and luxurious atmosphere.

This Ha Long Cruise departs from Tuan Chau Port, taking guests to explore famous destinations in Ha Long, such as Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, Cua Van Fishing Village, Luon Cave, Soi Sim Island, and more. Other activities include participating in a cooking class on the cruise, squid fishing or karaoke, watching the sunrise over the bay, joining a Tai Chi class, etc.

Conclusion

Well, there you go! As we mentioned, there are a bunch of cruises to choose from, and these are just a few of the most famous ones to get you started. We also recommend doing more research and checking out the reviews on TripAdvisor to pick the one that resonates for you! 

=> Best overnight cruise in Halong Bay