Best Halong Bay Cruises: Which to Choose

Looking for the best Halong Bay Cruises?

Doing a cruise to Halong Bay is the experience of a lifetime. After my own experiences traveling to Ha Long Bay, I’ve narrowed down the list to the best Ha Long Bay cruises.

Traveling to a UNESCO World Heritage site like Ha Long Bay is a travel experience truly unlike any other. This full guide will let you in on the best overnight, luxury, and day cruises to Ha Long Bay. From the limestone karsts to the incredible biodiversity in Vietnam, my list of the best Ha Long Bay cruises is here to help you enhance your experience in Vietnam.

Don’t have time to read the whole article?
I recommend the
Halong Bay Elite Cruise
an overnight Ha Long Bay Cruise
with a perfect ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating!

🏅Top 3 Picks: Best Ha Long Bay Cruises

#1 TOP Pick

Halong Bay Elite Cruise

✔️ 2-day Ha Long Bay cruise
✔️ Visit to the caves
+ all meals, kayaking and more!
✔️ Easy pick up from Hanoi


STAR RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 Days, 1 Night | ✅ BOOK NOW

Discover the beauty of Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay with a 2-day, 1-night cruise on Elite of the Seas. You’ll enjoy activities like free kayaking, sea swimming, and a cooking demonstration, along with the best hospitality in Vietnam. The journey aboard includes luxury amenities, fine dining (included), and excursions to scenic spots, making an unforgettable adventure in Vietnam.

This tour is recommended by 100% of travelers!

Best experience in Vietnam. Our experience was exceptional—10/10! The service was outstanding. It turned out to be a delightful surprise—the Lan Ha bay is pristine with emerald waters, offering a private oasis experience due to the limited number of cruises. The cruise itself is fantastic, everything is impeccably clean and new, and the swimming pool is stunning. We have no complaints whatsoever. It was truly our best experience in Vietnam! A lesson learned from Vietnam: always seek out the best service available—it will elevate your experience beyond expectations! — Mariana (See more reviews)

#2 Best Ha Long Bay Cruise

#2 Choice

Halong Bay Overnight
Luxury Cruise

✔️ Ha Long Bay overnight cruise
✔️ Extra activities + all meals
✔️ Fast pick up from Hanoi

STAR RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 Days, 1 Night | ✅ BOOK NOW

Embark on an unforgettable journey from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay with this Halong Bay cruise! This overnight luxury cruise to Halong Bay has a perfectly curated 2-day itinerary. Experience the beauty of Luon Cave and Titov Island, eat fresh Vietnamese cuisine, and unwind with activities like Tai Chi and cave exploration. Perfect for those seeking a blend of relaxation and adventure!

#3 Best Ha Long Bay Cruise

#3 Choice

2 Day Halong Bay Adventure Cruise

✔️ Ha Long Bay overnight cruise
✔️ All meals included
+ no sightseeing fees
✔️ Pick up from Hanoi

STAR RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 Days, 1 Night | ✅ BOOK NOW

Explore the stunning Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay on one of the best overnight Halong Bay cruises featuring 12 en-suite cabins, sky bars, and luxury dining areas. Enjoy kayaking, swimming in crystal-clear waters, and savoring Vietnamese cuisine with fresh seafood. Convenient transfers from Hanoi are included on this cruise!

2-night Halong Bay Cruises

If you’re looking for a longer-term adventure, you should definitely take a 2 night Halong Bay cruise! This gives you more time to do extra activities, enjoy Halong Bay, and enjoy your cruise. Here’s a look at the best 2-night Halong Bay cruise:

Best 2-night Halong Bay Cruise

#1 TOP PICK

2 Night Halong Bay + Cat Ba

✔️ Luxury en-suite cabin
✔️ All meals + extra excursions to Cat Ba island + local village
✔️ Free private pickup

STAR RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 Days, 2 Nights | ✅ BOOK NOW

Experience the stunning beauty of Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay on this 2 night Halong Bay cruise! It’s 3 days of adventure with kayaking, swimming, and sunset parties. Discover cool spots like Luon Cave and Trung Trang Cave. Eat the best Vietnamese food, and try activities like Tai Chi and biking in Viet Hai Village! This cruise is an incredible value to experience some of the most amazing memories you’ll make in Vietnam.

This tour is recommended by 100% of travelers!

Paradise on the water. Highly recommend! Great service, great outings all while being on a amazing ship that is smack dab in one of the most beautiful places in the world! — Jason F. (See more reviews)

Best Overnight Cruises to Ha Long Bay

After taking my own cruise to Halong Bay, I’ve picked these cruises as the best overnight cruises to Halong Bay. Taking an overnight cruise is the best way to see Halong Bay! An overnight cruise to Halong Bay gives you a chance to relax and wake up to the sparkling waters of the bay.

#1 TOP Pick

Halong Bay Elite
Overnight Cruise

✔️ 2-day Ha Long Bay cruise
✔️ Visit to the caves
+ all meals, kayaking and more!
✔️ Easy pick up from Hanoi

#2 Choice

Halong Bay Overnight
Luxury Cruise

✔️ Ha Long Bay luxury cruise ship
✔️ Extra activities + all meals
✔️ Fast pick up from Hanoi

#3 Choice

Halong Bay
Adventure Cruise

✔️ Ha Long Bay overnight cruise
✔️ All meals included
+ no sightseeing fees!
✔️ Pick up from Hanoi

These best overnight cruises to Halong Bay offer all meals and a fantastic experience! An overnight cruise to Halong Bay gives you unforgettable memories in one of Vietnam’s most scenic destinations.

Best Luxury Cruises to Halong Bay

There’s no place quite like Vietnam to take a luxury cruise! Here’s a top three list of the best luxury cruises to Halong Bay.

#1 TOP Pick

Halong Bay Elite
Overnight Cruise

✔️ 2-day Ha Long Bay cruise
✔️ Visit to the caves
+ all meals, kayaking and more!
✔️ Easy pick up from Hanoi

#2 Choice

Halong Bay Overnight
Luxury Cruise

✔️ Ha Long Bay luxury cruise cabin
✔️ Extra activities + all meals
✔️ Fast pick up from Hanoi

#3 Choice

Indochine Halong Bay
Overnight Luxury Cruise

✔️ Luxury cabin with a balcony
✔️ Tai Chi classes + all meals
✔️ Departure from HaLong

Taking a luxury cruise in Halong Bay is an incredible experience you definitely won’t regret. The best luxury cruises to Halong Bay offer really interesting extras such as tai chi classes, cooking classes, kayaking in the bay, and more! Additionally, when you compare cruises, it’s these little extras that will also enhance your memories in Halong Bay.

Best Halong Bay Day Cruises

If you have a limited time in Vietnam, it’s understandable to want a simple day trip to Ha Long Bay! For that reason, I’ve put together a top three list of the best Halong Bay day cruises. These cruises have easy departure and pickup options from Hanoi.

#1 TOP PICK

Halong Bay Day Cruise Tour

✔️ 1 Day cruise in Ha Long Bay
✔️ Kayaking, Swimming, hiking & Lunch + free time to explore caves
✔️ Free pickup in Hanoi Old Quarter

#2 Choice

Shore Excursion Day Cruise at Ha Long Bay

✔️ 1 Day trip to Ha Long Bay
✔️ islets and cave excursions
✔️ English speaking guide
+ Port pickup and drop-off

Taking a day trip or day cruise to Ha Long Bay is a fantastic idea especially if you have limited time in Vietnam. The best Halong Bay day cruises make transport to and from Halong Bay easy for you so you can enjoy your time visiting the beautiful Ha Long Bay!

Best Halong Bay Cruises FAQs

Me on a cruise visit to Ha Long Bay. Foggy February, but Ha Long Bay was still beautiful!

You asked, I answered! Here’s the most frequently asked questions and answers to choosing the best Halong Bay cruise:

What is the best time to visit Halong Bay?

The best time to visit Ha Long Bay is during the spring (think March to May) and autumn (September to November) months. During these times, the weather is nicer, with mild temperatures, less humidity, and clearer skies. However, if you visit Halong Bay in the other months, it’s sure to be a great experience too! My Ha Long Bay cruise experience in foggy February was nothing short of magical.

What is the best way to see Halong Bay?

The best way to see Halong Bay is through an overnight cruise. Seeing Ha long Bay this way allows you to explore the limestone islands, caves, and other activities such as kayaking! It’s a perfect way to experience Ha Long Bay.

How to choose the best Halong Bay cruise?

You can choose the best Halong Bay cruise for you by figuring out what the priorities are for your trip to Halong Bay. If you’re short on time, take one of the best Halong Bay day cruises. If you are wanting a luxury experience, there are plenty of affordable best luxury cruises to Halong Bay. For travelers with more time, it would be a great idea to choose a 2-night Halong Bay cruise so you can have extra time to explore the caves, kayaking and more.

Is Halong Bay worth visiting?

Yes, Halong Bay is worth visiting. It’s a natural wonder and a UNESCO Heritage site! Visiting Ha Long bay is a standout memory to many travelers to Vietnam. Attracting an average of 2 to 3 million tourists a year, there is no doubt that Halong Bay is worth visiting!

Wrap-Up

Whichever Halong Bay cruise you choose, it’s sure to be a great experience. Taking a cruise from Ha Long Bay is the experience of a lifetime!

With logistics already planned for you to maximize your time, these are the best Halong Bay cruises that ensure you get the best experience for your money when traveling to see Ha Long Bay.

✈️ Traveling to Vietnam?

🏛️ Are tours in Vietnam worth it?

YES Booking tours with Viator is my favorite way to book tours and experiences. By taking day trips and tours easily this way, you can see and do many things you may not have been able to otherwise.

💸 How can I find the best hotels in Vietnam?

Booking.com — I always book with Booking.com, which gives you the best rates of any booking site I’ve found. This is the perfect way to find the best hotels in Vietnam.

Want to read more about Vietnam?

Best Time to Travel to Vietnam + When NOT to go!
Is Vietnam cheap? The Actual Truth + Travel Tips
Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh: Find Out The Best Place to Go!
The Best Hanoi Vietnam Itinerary: 3 Perfect Days in Hanoi

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