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

Amanda Luxury Cruise gives you a comfortable way to see Ha Long Bay while spending much of the trip in the quieter waters of Lan Ha Bay. The private balcony and bathtub in every cabin are the real draw, especially when karst islands slide past your window. I also like the kayaking at Tra Bau and the Dark and Bright Cave visit, which get you off the ship and close to the water.

The strongest parts are the spacious rooms, careful service, and well-organized schedule. Cruise manager Mr Alex receives special praise for his attention to timing, cleanliness, food, and crew service. The main consideration is the packed schedule: with check-in, meals, water activities, entertainment, and an early morning cave visit, this is not a lazy stay-at-sea. The cruise is also not suitable for people over 70.

Key things to know before booking

• Private comfort in every cabin: Each room has a balcony and bathtub, unusual touches at this price.
• A quieter route: The ship sails through Ha Long Bay and onward to Lan Ha Bay, including Tra Bau and Dark and Bright Cave.
• Useful Hanoi pickup: Optional transport collects you from addresses in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, with a limousine upgrade available.
• Plenty included: Lunch, dinner, breakfast, brunch, sightseeing tickets, service fees, insurance, Wi-Fi, kayaking or bamboo boating, and a foot bath are covered.
• Evening entertainment: Sunset drinks, a cooking demonstration, bamboo dancing, an ethnic fashion show, and squid fishing fill the night.
• Good for celebrations: The crew can arrange birthday, anniversary, or honeymoon room and dining decorations.

A French-style ship with practical comforts

Amanda Luxury Cruise is a 20-cabin iron ship designed with French neoclassical details and Asian decorative touches. The style aims for polished rather than informal, and the facilities are built around comfort during an overnight stay.

The useful part is not the design label. It is the private space. Every room includes a balcony and bathtub, so you can watch the limestone formations from your own cabin instead of relying only on the shared sundeck.

The Junior Suite includes a welcome drink, cold towel, tea, coffee, bottled water, daily amenities, fresh fruit, and an herbal foot bath. That is a good list for a one-night cruise, though drinks beyond the included items cost extra.

The ship also has a Four Seasons swimming pool with free access. The supplied details do not give its size or exact operating hours, so check those points before you plan your day around a swim. You will already have kayaking and swimming at Tra Bau, making the pool more of a bonus than the main reason to book.

Getting from Hanoi to Tuan Chau Marina

If you choose the Hanoi departure option, pickup runs from 7:45 to 8:30 in the morning from addresses in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. You should be in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time. The transfer goes to Tuan Chau Marina, the departure point in Ha Long City.

A limousine upgrade is available on request. This matters because the road transfer is part of the day, not just a footnote. If you are staying outside the Old Quarter, you will need to make your own way to the meeting point or confirm another arrangement before booking.

At Tuan Chau, check-in takes place in a waiting lounge between 11:00 and 11:30. A special tea service provides a civilised start while you wait. The official meeting point is No 12 Tuan Chau Port, and the cruise returns there at the end.

The schedule leaves a gap between Hanoi pickup and lunch aboard the ship. That is normal for this route, but bring water and keep your essentials handy. Your passport or citizen ID is required, and a waterproof phone bag is useful once the water activities begin.

Sailing past Finger Islet and Candle Islet

Lunch begins at 13:00 as Amanda leaves port and heads through Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. The scenery is made up of limestone towers, small islands, and open water. Finger Islet and Candle Islet are named points along the route, giving you something specific to watch for rather than a continuous blur of rock formations.

The cruise then moves toward Lan Ha Bay, often treated as the calmer extension of the better-known Ha Long route. The advantage is the sense of space around the ship. You still get the classic karst scenery, but the itinerary is designed to spend time away from the most familiar central sights.

Lunch is included, and the food is described as gourmet with fresh ingredients. Across the overnight stay, you receive four meals: Day 1 lunch and dinner, followed by Day 2 breakfast and brunch. Drinks are available on request but are not part of the standard inclusion, so keep that in mind when comparing the headline price.

At $181 per person, the value rests heavily on what is included. You are paying for the cabin, four meals, activities, tickets, insurance, service fees, Wi-Fi, and a high level of in-room comfort. Personal spending, airfare, airport transfers, visas, and extra drinks remain outside the price.

Kayaking and swimming at Tra Bau

At 15:30, the boat reaches Tra Bau for kayaking and swimming. This is one of the best parts of the schedule because it changes the pace from scenic viewing to active exploration.

Tra Bau is connected with the filming location for Kong: Skull Island, released in 2018. That film connection may interest movie fans, but the practical appeal is simpler: you get close to the water and limestone cliffs instead of viewing them only from the ship.

You can expect to choose between kayaking and swimming in the area. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and secure footwear such as flip-flops or sneakers. A waterproof phone bag is especially useful if you want photographs without gambling with your phone.

The activity is scheduled rather than open-ended. If you prefer a quiet cruise with no wet clothes or physical activity, this part may feel like an obligation. If you want more than a view from the rail, it is a welcome break.

Sunset drinks and a hands-on cooking class

From 17:00 to 18:30, you return to the ship for rest and sunset time. The sundeck hosts a sunset party with a Buy 2, Get 1 Free happy hour offer. The discount applies to selected purchases, so ask the crew which drinks qualify before ordering.

A Vietnamese cooking demonstration follows, led by the onboard chef. You can take part in preparing traditional dishes such as fried spring rolls. This is a small activity, but it gives the evening a local food connection rather than making the cruise feel like a floating hotel.

Afternoon tea is also included. Between the tea, cooking class, sunset party, and dinner, the late afternoon is busy. You can join everything, or use the gap to sit on your balcony and enjoy the view. I would choose the balcony at least once. That private space is one of the main reasons this ship costs more than a basic overnight boat.

Dinner on deck and evening activities

Dinner is served at 19:00 on the sundeck. The setting combines French neoclassical design with Asian decorative elements, and the menu uses fresh ingredients. The dining experience is intended to feel formal without requiring you to leave the ship.

After dinner, the schedule runs until 23:00. It includes a complimentary herbal foot bath, a bamboo dance and ethnic fashion show called Heritage Footsteps, and squid fishing from the deck.

Massage and Sky Bar drinks are available for an extra charge. Since personal expenses are not included, confirm prices before using these services. The herbal foot bath, by contrast, is included and can be a pleasant way to wind down after kayaking.

The evening entertainment gives you options, but it can also make the night feel programmed. You do not need to attend every activity. A cruise like this works best when you mix the organized events with quiet time in your room, particularly if you want to hear the bay at night rather than a dance performance.

Tai Chi and Dark and Bright Cave on Day 2

The second morning starts early. Tai Chi runs from 6:00 to 7:00 on the sundeck, followed by a light breakfast at 7:00. If you want a quiet view before the ship gets active, this is the time to use it.

At 7:15, you visit Dark and Bright Cave. You can explore by bamboo boat or kayak, depending on the arrangements that day. The site is valued for its calm water, rock formations, and enclosed cave setting.

The early timing is practical. It leaves room for the final meal and return to port, but it also means you should not expect a slow morning in bed. Pack anything you need the night before, especially your phone, hat, and sunscreen.

The cave visit is a good second water activity because it differs from Tra Bau. Tra Bau gives you open-water kayaking and swimming, while Dark and Bright Cave focuses on a quieter route among the rocks. Together, they make the cruise more active and varied than a simple scenic sailing.

Brunch, farewell, and the return to port

Between 10:45 and 11:30, you eat a final brunch while the boat heads back toward port. A transfer boat returns you to the waiting area at Tuan Chau Marina between 11:00 and 11:45.

The overlapping times suggest that the exact sequence can shift slightly. Follow the crew’s instructions rather than relying only on the printed timetable. The trip ends back at the meeting point, so you can arrange your onward transport from Tuan Chau after disembarking.

If you are connecting to Hanoi, leave room for the return road journey. The cruise itself ends at the marina, not at your hotel, unless a separate transfer arrangement applies. Airport transfers are not included.

Service, cleanliness, and special occasions

The most praised part of the experience is the crew. Mr Alex, identified as the cruise manager, receives particular credit for keeping the trip organized and for looking after passengers. Clean rooms, timely service, varied food, and professional staff are repeated strengths.

That matters on a short cruise. With only one night aboard, poor timing or slow service would consume a large part of the experience. Good coordination helps you fit in the water activities, meals, cave visit, and evening program without constant confusion.

The crew can also arrange special room setups for birthdays, anniversaries, and honeymoons. Possible touches include room decoration, a decorated dining table, a cake, and a birthday song. These arrangements should be confirmed ahead of time, especially if the celebration is the main reason for booking.

The cruise receives a 4.6 rating from 29 reviews, which points to a generally strong experience but is not a guarantee that every departure will feel identical. Weather, water conditions, and operating schedules can affect outdoor activities.

Who gets the best value from $181

At $181 per person, Amanda is not the cheapest way to see Ha Long Bay. It offers better value for someone who wants an overnight cruise with private facilities rather than a basic cabin and a short list of included activities.

I think the price makes the most sense for:

• Couples who want a private balcony and bathtub
• First-time visitors who prefer a planned two-day route
• People celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or honeymoon
• Visitors who want both Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay
• Anyone who values organized meals and activities
• Small groups looking for a more polished cruise setting

The price is less attractive if you only want a quick scenic ride, dislike fixed meal times, or plan to spend most of your stay off the ship. You are paying for the room and onboard service as much as for the scenery.

The cruise is not suitable for people over 70, according to the activity conditions. The itinerary also includes kayaking, swimming, early Tai Chi, and an early cave visit, so consider your comfort with those activities before booking.

What to pack and what to confirm

Pack light, but include the items that make the water activities easier:

• Swimwear and sunscreen
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Waterproof phone bag
• Flip-flops or sneakers
• Passport or citizen ID

You receive tea, coffee, bottled water, fresh fruit, and daily amenities in the room. Drinks beyond those provisions cost extra. Massage and Sky Bar purchases also cost extra.

Confirm the pickup point if you are not staying in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Also check the current starting time, the Hanoi transfer option, and any special celebration arrangements before paying. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and reserve-now, pay-later booking is offered.

Should you book Amanda Luxury Cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable 2D1N Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay trip with a private balcony, private bathtub, organized activities, and attentive service. The strongest reasons are the well-equipped Junior Suites, the mix of kayaking and cave visits, and the crew’s care with special occasions.

Skip it if you want complete freedom, a very quiet schedule, or the lowest possible price. The program begins early, includes several set activities, and adds costs for some drinks and services. For couples and first-time visitors who want comfort without giving up time on the water, the $181 package offers a solid balance.

FAQ

Where does Amanda Luxury Cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from No 12 Tuan Chau Port in Ha Long City. Hanoi Old Quarter pickup is available with the Hanoi departure option.

Is Hanoi hotel pickup included?

Pickup is available from addresses in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. You should be ready in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. A limousine upgrade is available on request.

What is included in the overnight stay?

You receive a one-night Junior Suite with a private balcony and bathtub, welcome drink, cold towel, tea, coffee, bottled water, daily amenities, fresh fruit, and an herbal foot bath.

Which meals are included?

Day 1 includes lunch and dinner. Day 2 includes breakfast and brunch. Drinks are available on request and may cost extra.

Are kayaking and cave visits included?

Yes. The program includes kayaking or bamboo boating at Dark and Bright Cave, plus kayaking and swimming at Tra Bau. Sightseeing tickets, service fees, and required insurance are also included.

Can I cancel the booking?

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