Lily 3D2N Cruise: Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay Tour

Ha Long Bay’s limestone islands are best seen from the water, and this three-day cruise gives you time to enjoy them without rushing back to shore each afternoon. You’ll visit caves and beaches, take a day boat into Lan Ha Bay, and sleep aboard near the bay’s famous karsts.

I like two things in particular: the mix of active stops and easy deck time, and the chance to see both Ha Long and Lan Ha bays on one trip. Meals are included, and the crew’s friendly service is a strong part of the experience.

One thing to plan around: the boat may feel older than the word luxurious suggests, and the departure and transfer details need checking, especially if you choose a Hanoi package. The schedule can also change with weather and traffic.

At a glance

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• Two nights on the bay: You’ll stay aboard in a Deluxe cabin, with a Premium Deluxe option also offered.
• A varied route: Day one features Luon Cave or the Pearl Farm area and Ti Top Island; later stops include Trinh Nu Cave, Ba Trai Dao beach, and Sung Sot Cave.
• Lan Ha Bay by day boat: A separate boat takes you kayaking and to the Ba Trai Dao area, which gives the middle day a different feel from the main cruise.
• Meals are included, drinks are not: Expect meals listed for each day, but budget extra for beverages, tips, and personal purchases.
• Friendly crew, possible boat changes: Attentive service and good meals are recurring strengths, though a vessel transfer can happen.
• Check your exact price and transport: Cabin type and departure point affect the cost, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the stated inclusions.

👉 See our pick of the 2 Best Airport Transfers In Ha Long

Two nights make the bay feel less like a day trip

A day tour gives you a taste of Ha Long Bay. Three days and two nights let you stay among its islands into the evening and return to the water the next morning. You’ll have time for a sunset on deck, a morning Tai Chi or meditation session, and quieter stretches between the headline stops.

Lily Cruise is described as a four-star yacht with classic European lines and Vietnamese styling. The experience is built around that comfortable onboard setting: restaurant meals, a sundeck, cabins, and facilities for the two-night stay. Keep expectations measured, though. One account described the boat as older, even while praising the crew, food, and overall trip. The staff, rather than a brand-new vessel, may be what makes the stay feel comfortable.

The route combines the best-known sights of Ha Long Bay with a day in Lan Ha Bay. That variety is useful if you don’t want to spend all three days repeating the same kind of stop. It also means the schedule has moving parts, so weather and traffic can affect the order or timing.

Day one: Ti Top Island, Luon Cave, and sunset

The listed departure is at 11:45 from Lily Cruise’s check-in lounge at Lot 15, Tuan Chau International Marina. Arrive 15 minutes early. After boarding, you’ll have a welcome drink, a safety briefing, and an introduction to the plan before lunch as the ship heads toward the southeast of Ha Long Bay.

Your first excursion is to Luon Cave or the Pearl Farm area, by bamboo boat or kayak. The choice gives you a chance to see the surrounding rock formations from close to the water. Kayaking is the more active option; a bamboo boat is an easier way to take in the scenery. The precise stop may depend on the day’s arrangements.

Next comes Ti Top Island, where you can swim or hike to a viewpoint. The climb is the choice if you want a broad view over the bay, while a swim offers a cooler break after time on the boat. These are different ways to use the stop, so bring clothes suitable for getting wet if you plan to swim.

Back aboard, the afternoon gives way to sunset and happy hour on the sundeck. Dinner is served in the restaurant, followed by optional activities such as squid fishing or karaoke, or simply time outside with a drink. Beverages are not included, so check prices onboard if you plan to order cocktails or other drinks.

Day two: kayaking, a beach, and a cooking class

The second morning begins with Tai Chi, called Vovinam in the schedule, on the sundeck, followed by a light breakfast. You then transfer to a day boat for the route toward Trinh Nu Cave and Lan Ha Bay. That change of vessel lets you spend the day farther from the main cruise boat, though it adds a transfer to the day’s routine.

At Trinh Nu Cave, you’ll kayak to explore the area. The schedule then takes you to Ba Trai Dao, part of Lan Ha Bay, for lunch and time at the beach. The draw here is a pause from sightseeing: crystal-clear water and white sand are the setting described for the stop. Beach conditions and swimming time can vary, so think of it as a welcome chance to unwind rather than a guaranteed long beach day.

Later, you visit a Pearl Farm to learn about pearl cultivation, then return to Lily Cruise for sunset and happy hour. A Vietnamese cooking class is also planned. These onboard activities add a cultural and practical element to the day, though they share time with the return journey and evening meal.

Dinner is followed by another open evening, with squid fishing, karaoke, or time on the sundeck among the options. There is food in abundance at dinner, according to the available feedback, so arrive hungry but don’t feel obliged to clear every plate. If you prefer a quieter evening, the deck offers an alternative to the livelier activities.

Day three: Sung Sot Cave before the harbor

The last morning includes meditation on the sundeck and a light breakfast, followed by a visit to Sung Sot Cave, one of Ha Long Bay’s notable cave stops. The tour description calls it impressive, but it doesn’t specify how long you’ll spend inside or the route through it. Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably, and follow the guide’s instructions.

You return to the cruise boat to check out of your cabin, then have lunch onboard as the vessel heads back toward the harbor. The scheduled return is 11:00 at Tuan Chau International Marina. That timing makes the cruise a fairly full three-day outing, but leave some flexibility in your plans after disembarking in case the schedule shifts.

Service and boat changes: what to keep in mind

Friendly, helpful staff are one of the clearest strengths of this trip. The crew has been praised for taking care of cabins, meals, and activities, and the guides have been described as responsible. No guide names are provided, so you can’t request a particular guide in advance.

A boat change is possible. Some sailings have involved transfers to another vessel, including an upgrade, and the transition was handled well. That is reassuring, but it’s still worth confirming the cruise name and cabin arrangement with the operator before you travel. If you’re told about a change, ask which vessel you’ll board and whether your booked cabin category remains the same.

The feedback is not uniformly about luxury. One account found the vessel a little old, and another found group travel uncomfortable. If a newer boat or a private setting is your priority, compare alternatives before booking. If you value a warm crew, included meals, and a full route through both bays, Lily Cruise may be a better fit.

What the price covers, and what it doesn’t

The package options supplied range from US$265.49 to US$301.69, depending on cabin and departure point, while the experience is also advertised from $305.29. Because those figures differ, confirm the live total and the exact package before paying. Options include Deluxe Ocean View and Premium Deluxe Ocean View cabins, departing from Ha Long or Hanoi.

The stated package includes two nights in a Deluxe cabin on the first floor, meals listed for the trip, an English- or Vietnamese-speaking guide, attraction admission, sightseeing by boat, a life jacket, Wi-Fi, and use of onboard facilities. A Premium Deluxe cabin is offered as a separate package option. Check that your selected cabin category matches what you expect, since the included-cabin description refers to Deluxe.

Drinks, tips, personal expenses, and hotel pickup and drop-off are excluded. A Hanoi departure option is available, but pickup and drop-off are still listed as excluded, so ask exactly where the Hanoi departure begins and what transport, if any, is included. Don’t assume the advertised Hanoi option means a hotel transfer.

Holiday surcharges need special attention. The stated terms give different amounts and date ranges in two places, including charges for Tet, Christmas, New Year, and other holidays. Confirm the amount for your travel date with the operator before departure, and be ready to pay any applicable charge in cash onsite.

Taken as a package, the value comes from having two nights of accommodation, meals, guide service, and several excursions bundled together. It’s less appealing if you expect drinks and transfers to be included, or if you’re comparing solely on the age and polish of the boat.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This trip suits you if you want a fuller bay experience than a single overnight allows, and you’re happy to mix guided outings with downtime aboard. It’s particularly appealing if you want to kayak, swim, see a cave, and spend a night or two on the water without arranging each stop yourself.

It can also work well for families, but the child rules are specific. One child aged 0 to 4 per two paying adults can travel free while sharing a cabin; each cabin is limited to one child aged 0 to 10, and an adult ticket is required for children aged 11 and up. Each paying adult can bring only one child. Extra beds are arranged for odd-numbered party sizes such as three or five, and a single cabin or single supplement may be needed for solo occupancy.

The cruise is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible, and pets are not permitted. Larger bags are considered two pieces, so pack with the cabin and transfer arrangements in mind.

Should you book Lily Cruise?

Book it if you want two nights on the bay, a broad set of stops, and the chance to see Ha Long and Lan Ha bays in one trip. The crew’s attentive service and generous meals help make the package worthwhile, while the cave visits, island viewpoint, kayaking, and beach time give the three days a good range.

Look elsewhere if a consistently new vessel, a quiet private experience, or included transfers and drinks matter most. Before you commit, confirm the total price, cabin type, departure point, holiday surcharge, and any transport from Hanoi. Those details will tell you whether this particular sailing matches the experience you have in mind.

FAQ

Where does Lily Cruise depart from?

The departure point is Lily Cruise’s check-in lounge, Lot 15, Tuan Chau International Marina, Tuan Chau, Quang Ninh. The listed departure time is 11:45, and you should arrive 15 minutes early.

What is included in the cruise price?

The stated inclusions are two nights in a Deluxe cabin on the first floor, meals listed for the trip, an English- or Vietnamese-speaking guide, admission to attractions, sightseeing by boat, a life jacket, Wi-Fi, and use of onboard facilities.

Are drinks and hotel transfers included?

No. Beverages and hotel pickup and drop-off are listed as excluded. A Hanoi departure package is offered, so confirm its exact departure and transport arrangements before booking.

What activities are planned during the three days?

The plan includes Luon Cave or the Pearl Farm area by bamboo boat or kayak, Ti Top Island, Trinh Nu Cave, Ba Trai Dao beach, a Pearl Farm visit, a Vietnamese cooking class, and Sung Sot Cave. Swimming, hiking, Tai Chi, meditation, and optional onboard activities are also listed.

Can children join the cruise?

Yes. One child aged 0 to 4 per two paying adults can travel free while sharing a cabin. Children aged 11 and up pay the adult rate, and an adult ticket is required for each additional child beyond the stated limit.

Are holiday surcharges charged?

A holiday surcharge may apply, but the stated terms give different amounts and date ranges. Confirm the applicable charge for your travel date with the operator before departure.