Welcome back!! I am so excited to tell you all about our trip to Southeast Asia! We spent a couple of weeks in Vietnam with two of our close friends, Afton and Adam. Then, Seth and I ventured off to Thailand for some quality time as a couple (and with elephants, of course)!

A Halong Bay cruise is one of the special experiences we did plan in advance, with most of the trip left to spontaneity. Compared to $1 beers and $3 taxi rides in Hanoi, this cruise is a splurge.

Let’s discuss our experience so you can decide if a Halong Bay cruise is worth it for you! I have included a short video at the end for those who prefer a visual story. As always, my opinions are of my own.

ABOUT HALONG BAY

Halong Bay in northeastern Vietnam is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reasons. Composed of limestone islets and islands (nearly 2,000) towering from the emerald waters, it truly feels like stepping into a different world!

The most popular way to explore Halong Bay is by cruise. This is what we did, and I highly recommend it for the most immersive experience. If you don’t have the time or budget for overnight cruises, there are day trip options available as well.

What’s more, Halong Bay offers activities such as kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling. Visitors can also explore beaches, caves, pearl farms, and floating villages. While you have probably seen iconic social media photos of Halong Bay, it’s the peaceful atmosphere that truly provides a depth unable to be captured by a camera.

OUR HALONG BAY CRUISE EXPERIENCE

We booked a 2-day, 1-night cruise that started with pickup in Hanoi early on Day 1. We were impressed with the luxurious transfer, and the 2.5-hour car ride was beautiful!

Once we arrived at the cruise port, we waited in the lounge with welcome drinks and cool towels. Our luggage was handled for us every step of the way. We eventually hopped on a 45-minute tender boat ride to the cruise ship, where friendly staff members welcomed us with drinks while tossing rose petals! It was really cute!

The first thing we did was settle into our cabins and head to lunch. It was elegant for a buffet style, with Asian and Western food options. We were surprised by the cost of alcoholic drinks on the cruise. Based on past cruising, we kind of expected drinks to be included given the price point of this cruise. There was a happy hour though! Hooray!

The rest of our first day involved relaxing, exploring the gorgeous ship layout, kayaking, and lounging around the pool and hot tub! My favorite part was kayaking the emerald waters beneath the beautiful, towering limestone karsts! Additionally, there were also a poker room, karaoke room, and gym on the ship.

Before dinner, we had a blast participating in the cooking class. It turned into a spring roll competition, and Afton was the champion! The staff members were so funny and engaging. We laughed so much that this became a highlight of the entire day!

We finally got dressed for dinner, which featured a fixed menu. It was much more elevated than lunch. Talk about a surreal feeling to be floating in Vietnam, eating flaming food (literally) to the sounds of John Denver and Britney Spears being played on the erhu. It goes without saying that the dinner vibes were awesome! We passed on the night fishing activity and enjoyed the cozy cabin for the rest of the night. The beds were extremely comfortable. I also loved the large balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows. We didn’t miss an inch of the magnificent landscape passing by!

Seth woke up early on the morning of Day 2 for the cave exploration tour. I slept in until we met our friends for a tasty breakfast. We headed back to the mainland shortly after, with another comfortable transfer back to Hanoi waiting for us. Each journey to and from Hanoi included one break at giant rest stops that offered a crazy variety of food, snacks, and souvenirs!

HOW WE BOOKED OUR HALONG BAY CRUISE

We booked a Capella Cruise with Halong Bay Tours, and they were amazing to work with! They helped select the best cruise for our dates and needs. The logistics were also planned for us, from hotel door pick-up to hotel door drop-off in a limousine bus. The transfers turned out to be flawless!

The staff of Capella Cruise went above and beyond to welcome us during our stay. We are all used to the service of Disney Cruises (if you know, you know), so our expectations may be unfairly high. With that said, the Capella Cruise staff members were genuinely kind and attentive without being overbearing.

Wondering about luggage storage or transfer? Halong Bay Tours offers luggage storage, but I have an alternative suggestion for lighter, easier travel days in the tips section below!

One note about our transfer that may not be favored by everybody is a scheduled stop at a pearl shop on the way to the cruise port. There are restrooms and a lounge on site, but you are escorted through the shop of eager salespeople. This is not unique to the cruise we booked and seems to be pretty standard for many of them. While most were ready to go fairly quickly, I definitely bought a few unique pieces as souvenirs.

IS A HALONG BAY CRUISE WORTH IT?

If you read this in its entirety, I don’t think you will be shocked that I say—YES! A Halong Bay cruise is worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime for travelers to Vietnam who appreciate natural beauty over thrill-seeking.

Like most novel experiences, I do think expectation management is important, especially as a foreigner in this beautiful country. Many Halong Bay cruises can feel touristy compared to other adventures in Vietnam. Seth certainly felt this way, even though he had a good time!

What may be lacking in amenities such as casinos or alcohol packages is more than made up for in untouched natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. Seeing Halong Bay is unique compared to other excursions in the nearly 30 countries I have visited so far.

TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR CRUISE

Remember the luggage tip I teased earlier? Well… staying at the same hotel before and after your Halong Bay cruise lets you store your large luggage securely! Even if you don’t plan to return for a stay, nicer hotels will often hold your bags in storage. We left the majority of our belongings with the hotel at checkout, and they were safely waiting for us when we arrived again for check-in. We just took an overnight bag for the cruise, making our travel easier and lighter.

Prices are higher during peak seasons, typically from October to April, but the weather is also better and more predictable (especially October-November and March- April).

If experiencing sunrise and sunset are important to you, booking at least one night on a Halong Bay cruise is a must!

Reviews of Halong Bay sometimes complain of nearby ships instead of complete isolation. I found the lights of ships in the distance very beautiful at night and never crowded! However, choosing a longer itinerary often means more seclusion since the ship can cruise further distances.

Book at least one to two months in advance, especially during peak season. Quality cruises will sell out!

Pack light jackets for cooler nights, and sea-sickness medications if you are prone to motion sickness. See this blog for pharmacist and doctor recommended medications to pack for traveling!

Investing in higher-end cruises can significantly enhance your overall experience. The cheapest ships tend to be more touristy and may offer low quality food and activities, overcrowded boats, and nickel-and-diming on board. You deserve the extra space and comfort, too!

FINAL THOUGHTS

To wrap up, we had a fun experience on our Halong Bay cruise. I hope sharing this has helped you decide whether you would like to add it to your Vietnam itinerary!

Next, I will work on posting our Vietnam and Thailand itinerary, hotel stays, favorite activities, and all the wonderful aspects of this life-changing trip! I also haven’t forgotten about Peru and Machu Picchu!

Thank you for joining my travels!

-Amanda K.🩷

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