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

The quiet bay is the real luxury. Amanda Luxury Cruise gives you two days among limestone islands, with a private balcony and bathtub in every cabin. I especially like the calm Lan Ha Bay route and the well-planned mix of kayaking, cooking, Tai Chi, and evening entertainment. The main drawback is the packed schedule, with early mornings and several fixed activity times.

At $181 per person, this is a strong value if you want a polished overnight cruise rather than a simple day trip. Rooms are spacious, meals are included, and the crew has earned high praise for cleanliness, organization, and special celebrations. Keep in mind that the cruise is not suitable for people over 70, and drinks, massage, and other personal costs are extra.

Five details that shape the experience

• Every Junior Suite has a balcony and bathtub, useful for watching the karsts without leaving your room.
• Lan Ha Bay adds quieter scenery after the cruise passes through the better-known waters of Ha Long Bay.
• Tra Bau offers kayaking and swimming, with scenery associated with Kong: Skull Island.
• Birthday and honeymoon setups are available, including room decoration, a decorated dining table, cake, and staff participation.
• Hanoi Old Quarter pickup is optional, making the trip easier if you do not want to arrange transport to Tuan Chau Marina.
• A 4.6 rating from 29 reviews reflects especially strong praise for the crew, food, room cleanliness, and organization.

From Hanoi to Tuan Chau Marina

Your trip can begin with an optional morning transfer from the Hanoi Old Quarter or the Opera House. Pickup runs from about 7:45 to 8:30, and you should be ready in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time.

This transfer matters because Tuan Chau Marina is the practical gateway for the cruise. If you are staying outside the Old Quarter, transport is not automatically included, so check your selected option carefully. Limousine upgrades are available on request, but the standard transfer is the more sensible choice if you are watching the total cost.

At the marina, you check in at a waiting lounge from roughly 11:00 to 11:30. The welcome includes special tea, a small but pleasant touch after the road journey. From here, the cruise begins rather than wasting the afternoon in port.

First views of Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay

Lunch is served at about 1:00 as Amanda Luxury Cruise moves through the famous karst scenery. You pass Finger Islet, Candle Islet, and other tall limestone formations rising from the water.

The route then continues toward Lan Ha Bay, a quieter extension of the Ha Long Bay area. That change in atmosphere is one of the best reasons to choose this cruise. You still see the familiar stone towers and narrow waterways, but the setting is intended to feel less crowded and more peaceful.

Amanda is a 20-cabin iron ship built in a French neoclassical style with Asian decorative details. That design gives the shared spaces a dressed-up feel, though the real benefit is practical: the vessel is new, cabins are roomy, and the private outdoor space lets you enjoy the scenery without standing at the rail.

The cruise is marketed as five-star, but it is wise to think of that as a comfort level rather than a promise of hotel-style perfection. You receive a private cabin, several meals, onboard activities, Wi-Fi, and service fees within the price. The experience is polished, but this remains a moving boat with a fixed timetable.

Your Junior Suite, balcony, and bathtub

The included accommodation is a Junior Suite with a private balcony and bathtub. This combination is the feature I would value most. A balcony gives you a quiet place to watch the limestone formations, while a bathtub adds real comfort after kayaking or swimming.

The cabin package includes tea, coffee, bottled water, fresh fruit, daily amenities, a welcome drink, and a cold towel. The onboard herbal foot bath is also included, which is a welcome treat after a full day of activities.

Several high scores focus on the cabins being clean, spacious, and well kept. One especially useful detail is that the bathtub can be used while enjoying the scenery, at least in the sense that the room provides a view toward the bay. If you are booking for a birthday, anniversary, or honeymoon, request a special setup ahead of time. The crew has arranged decorated rooms, decorated dining tables, cakes, and birthday songs for special occasions.

The private balcony also gives you an escape from the social parts of the cruise. If the cooking class or evening show is not your style, you can sit outside with a drink and watch the bay instead.

Tra Bau kayaking and swimming

At about 3:30, the cruise reaches Tra Bau for kayaking and swimming. This is the most active part of the first day and a good reason to bring swimwear, sunscreen, a waterproof phone bag, sunglasses, a hat, and secure footwear.

Tra Bau is associated with filming for Kong: Skull Island, but the film connection is a bonus rather than the main attraction. The value is being close to the water and rock formations instead of viewing them only from the upper deck.

The activity is included, but the schedule is fairly tight. You have a set period to kayak or swim before returning to the ship, so do not expect a long independent paddle. Bring flip-flops or sneakers for moving around the boat, and use the waterproof phone bag if you plan to take pictures near the water.

If swimming is not your thing, you can simply enjoy the scenery and return to the ship for the later activities. The cruise has enough going on that you do not need to take part in every option.

Sunset, cooking, and dinner on deck

From about 5:00 to 6:30, the ship shifts into a slower rhythm. A sunset party takes place on the sundeck, with a buy-two-get-one-free promotion on selected drinks. Because drinks are not included, this is one point where your onboard bill can grow if you are not paying attention.

The Vietnamese cooking demonstration is more useful than a purely decorative show. The chef demonstrates dishes such as fried spring rolls, and you get a chance to prepare traditional food yourself. It is a short activity, but it gives the cruise some local character and breaks up the sightseeing.

Dinner begins around 7:00, served on the sundeck in a setting that combines French-style decoration with Asian touches. Fresh ingredients and a broad selection are emphasized, and food is one of the most praised parts of the experience.

The meal plan includes lunch and dinner on day one, then breakfast and brunch on day two. Drinks are available on request but are not part of the standard package. If you have dietary needs, confirm them before departure rather than waiting until dinner.

Nighttime entertainment and the quietest hours

After dinner, the schedule remains active until about 11:00. You can enjoy a complimentary herbal foot bath, squid fishing, a bamboo dance, and an ethnic fashion show called Heritage Footsteps.

This mix will appeal to you if you like an organized evening with several choices. It may feel like too much if you hoped for a completely quiet night. The private balcony helps solve that problem. You can join the entertainment for a while, then retreat to your room and listen to the water.

Massage and Sky Bar drinks cost extra. Personal spending is not included, so carry a payment method and ask about prices before ordering services. The ship also offers Wi-Fi, although a connection on a moving cruise should not be treated as your main way to work or stream video.

Tai Chi, Dark and Bright Cave, and brunch

Day two begins early, from 6:00 to 7:00, with Tai Chi on the sundeck. The early start is worth noting. This is not a sleep-late holiday, but the quiet morning light and still water are among the better parts of an overnight bay cruise.

A light breakfast follows at about 7:00. At 7:15, you visit Dark and Bright Cave by bamboo boat or kayak. The choice gives you two different ways to see the area. A bamboo boat requires less effort, while kayaking gives you more control over your position and pace.

The cave area is known for its rock formations and calm surroundings. Since the visit comes early, the schedule helps you make the most of the cooler part of the morning. Still, the timing means you should pack what you need the night before. Your phone, sunscreen, hat, and footwear should be easy to reach.

Brunch is served from about 10:45 to 11:30 as the ship returns toward port. A transfer boat brings you back to the waiting area at Tuan Chau Marina between 11:00 and 11:45, bringing the cruise to an end.

What $181 includes, and what it does not

At $181 per person, Amanda is not the cheapest way to see the bay. It is also not simply a boat ride with a bed. The price covers a one-night Junior Suite, private balcony, private bathtub, four meals, welcome service, fresh fruit, foot bath, kayaking or bamboo boating, cooking class, afternoon tea, Wi-Fi, sightseeing tickets, service fees, and required insurance.

That package gives you a clear value advantage if you would otherwise pay separately for a comfortable hotel, meals, transportation, and activities. The private balcony and bathtub are unusual at this price level, especially for an overnight cruise.

You still need to budget for personal expenses, drinks, massage, Sky Bar purchases, airfare, airport transfers, visa costs, and anything not listed in the inclusions. Hanoi pickup is available only with the departure option that includes it, so do not assume every booking includes transport from your hotel.

The strongest value comes when you use the ship’s facilities and activities. If you plan to skip kayaking, cooking, Tai Chi, and the evening program, a simpler cruise may suit you better.

Service, cleanliness, and special occasions

The crew receives the most consistent praise. Reports highlight good timing, clean rooms, organized operations, and a helpful attitude. Cruise manager Mr. Alex is singled out for warm, capable service.

That matters on a two-day cruise because the schedule has many moving parts. Transfers, check-in, meals, activities, and the return boat all need to work together. The crew’s organization appears to be one of the reasons the trip feels easy rather than confusing.

Special occasions are another strong point. For a birthday, the team has decorated the room, prepared an elegant dining table, supplied a cake, and sung for the guest. If you are celebrating, provide the details before the trip and confirm exactly what is included or charged separately.

The service is formal enough for a special occasion, but the activities keep the trip from feeling stiff. You can dress up for dinner, then spend the next morning in sportswear for kayaking.

Who should book Amanda Luxury Cruise

I would recommend this cruise if you want:

• A polished overnight stay instead of a long day trip
• A private balcony and bathtub without moving into the highest price range
• A mix of nature, food, light activity, and evening entertainment
• Optional Hanoi Old Quarter transportation
• A special-occasion setting for a birthday, anniversary, or honeymoon
• A quieter route through Lan Ha Bay as part of a Ha Long Bay visit

I would think twice if you want a slow, unstructured boat journey. The itinerary begins early, includes several set activities, and keeps the ship moving. It is also not suitable for people over 70, according to the activity information.

The cruise works best for couples, first-time visitors to the bay, and small groups who want comfort without arranging every detail themselves. Families and friends may also enjoy it, but anyone seeking long stretches of solitude should plan to use the private balcony as their personal retreat.

Should you book this two-day cruise?

Yes, if your priorities are comfort, scenery, and a well-organized overnight schedule. The private balcony and bathtub make the cabin more than a place to sleep, while the kayaking, cave visit, cooking class, and Tai Chi provide enough variety for a short stay.

At $181, the value is strongest when you compare it with the full package rather than the room alone. Check the pickup option, confirm any dietary or celebration requests, and set aside money for drinks and optional services.

I would book Amanda Luxury Cruise for a first visit to Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay, especially for a couple or anyone marking a special occasion. I would choose another style of trip only if you prefer a quieter boat, a later morning, or a less structured timetable.

FAQ

How long is the Amanda Luxury Cruise trip?

The trip lasts two days and one night, with the cruise activities beginning after check-in at Tuan Chau Marina and ending back at the marina.

Is Hanoi pickup included?

Optional pickup is available from addresses in Hanoi’s Old Quarter or the Opera House, depending on the selected departure option. You should be ready in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup.

Where does the cruise start and end?

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

What type of room is included?

The package includes one night in a Junior Suite with a private balcony and private bathtub.

Which meals are included?

Day one includes lunch and dinner. Day two includes breakfast and brunch. Drinks are available on request and are not included in the standard package.

Are kayaking and bamboo boating included?

Kayaking or bamboo boating is included for the Dark and Bright Cave visit. Kayaking and swimming are also scheduled in the Tra Bau area.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and Vietnamese.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a waterproof phone bag, sunglasses, a hat, flip-flops or sneakers, and a valid passport or citizen ID.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The booking also offers a reserve-now-and-pay-later option.