Rita 2D1N Cruise: Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay Tour

Ha Long Bay’s limestone towers are the main event, but this two-day cruise also steers into quieter Lan Ha Bay. You get an overnight stay on the water, a bamboo boat ride at Bright Cave, and time to kayak around Tra Bau, all without trying to squeeze the bay into a single day.

I like two things here: the route combines famous Ha Long scenery with a calmer Lan Ha Bay stop, and the ship gives you a private balcony, a swimming pool, and a soundproof karaoke room to enjoy between outings. The morning Tai Chi class and Vietnamese cooking session add a little more than scenery and meals.

One point needs close attention: transport is not included in the listed package inclusions, despite the Hanoi departure option. Cabin comfort can also vary. A past stay in Junior Suite 202 was marked by engine noise and an oil smell, so I would check cabin details and transfer arrangements before paying.

• Bright Cave comes by local bamboo boat: A rower takes you through the cave to a quiet round lake ringed by cliffs and trees.
• Tra Bau is the kayaking stop: Paddle through Lan Ha Bay near the Frog Pond area, known as a filming location for King Kong.
• The ship is designed for downtime: Cabins have private balconies, and onboard facilities include a pool and soundproof karaoke lounge.
• Four meals are part of the overnight package: Expect lunch, dinner, a light breakfast, and brunch, with menus subject to seasonal changes.
• Hanoi transport needs checking: It is not listed among the inclusions, so confirm exactly what your selected package covers.
• Cabins and holiday prices differ: Junior, Senior, and Royal Suites have different listed rates, with some dates carrying an extra surcharge.

Two bays in one overnight trip

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Rita Cruise gives you two days to see the limestone formations of Ha Long Bay and the quieter waters of Lan Ha Bay. The distinction matters: Ha Long is the famous name and the dramatic introduction, while Lan Ha offers a less crowded-feeling stretch of water for activities such as kayaking around Tra Bau.

This is not a small boat expedition. Rita is promoted as a five-star cruise, with a restaurant, swimming pool, private-balcony cabins, and a soundproof karaoke lounge. Those comforts make the overnight format more appealing than a long day boat ride, particularly if you want time to sit on deck and watch the scenery rather than hurry from one stop to the next.

The cruise is a good match if you want a packaged route with meals and activities included. It is less ideal if your priority is a very quiet, highly individualized trip. The ship has entertainment facilities, and its schedule includes group activities and fixed meal times.

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Day one: boarding at Tuan Chau

Boarding is scheduled between 11:30 and noon at Rita Cruise’s Lounge, Dock 16, Tuan Chau International Marina. Arrive at least ten minutes early. The team checks you in, then transfers you by tender to the cruise ship. A welcome drink accompanies the captain’s briefing, which covers the ship and its instructions.

Lunch is served as the boat moves through Ha Long Bay. The meal is described as a Vietnamese seafood buffet or set menu, depending on the arrangement. The moving view is part of the appeal: you can eat while limestone formations pass beyond the windows, rather than stopping sightseeing to find a restaurant ashore.

The exact dishes can change with the season and ingredient availability. If you have dietary needs, raise them with the operator before departure rather than assuming the menu can be adjusted at short notice. One past trip account singled out manager Mr Black for arranging vegetarian food, a useful sign of attentive service, but it is not a guarantee that the same staff member will be aboard.

Bright Cave by bamboo boat

The afternoon visit to Bright Cave, also called Hang Toi, is one of the most distinctive parts of the route. Instead of paddling yourself through the cave, you board a bamboo boat rowed by local fishermen. The passage leads to a round lake enclosed by steep stone cliffs and lush trees.

That shift from cruise ship to small rowing boat changes the scale of the scenery. The cave and enclosed water are the focus, not speed or distance. The outing is listed as self-guided, so expect to explore without a dedicated guide narrating the stop. Swimming is also on the schedule, weather permitting.

The itinerary names Dark Cave after the Bright Cave visit, but gives no separate description of a cave excursion there. Treat Bright Cave as the clearly described cave activity, and ask the operator what the Dark Cave reference means if that detail affects your plans.

Sunset, cooking, and dinner aboard

Back on the ship, the late afternoon is set aside for a sunset party or a traditional Vietnamese cooking class. The cooking session offers a hands-on break from sightseeing, while the sunset gathering is a chance to take in the bay from the deck. The schedule does not spell out the class menu or its length, so think of it as a shipboard activity rather than a full cooking course.

Dinner is served in the restaurant, followed by free time for onboard nightlife activities. The karaoke room is a notable option because it is described as soundproof, which should help keep singing separate from cabin areas. Squid fishing and music entertainment are also listed among the included activities, though the exact timing can depend on the cruise schedule.

The ship’s swimming pool and private balconies are appealing extras, but they should not distract from the reason to book: the route through the bays. If you are weighing a higher cabin category mainly for facilities, compare the room details and price difference first.

Day two: Tai Chi and Tra Bau

The second morning starts with a Tai Chi, or Vovinam, session on the sundeck, followed by a light breakfast. This is an easy way to begin the day outdoors before the boat reaches Tra Bau. You do not need to be an experienced practitioner to join, though participation is optional.

The ship passes the Frog Pond area, associated with the filming of King Kong, before the kayaking outing around Tra Bau. The film connection is a small piece of context rather than the main reason to go. The real draw is getting close to the karsts and water in a kayak, at a pace you control.

Kayaking is included, and the cruise also lists swimming when conditions allow. Bring swimwear if you want the option, but do not count on a swim regardless of weather. Bay conditions and the captain’s schedule can alter activities, especially during the rainy and typhoon season.

After returning to the ship, you check out and have brunch as the boat heads toward the harbor. The listed return window is 11:00 to 11:30 at Tuan Chau International Marina. This makes the cruise compact, but do not plan a tight onward connection without allowing for schedule changes.

What the cabins and ship offer

The included cabin in the base Ha Long package is a Junior Suite. Each cabin is described as having a private balcony and ocean views, giving you somewhere to sit outside the shared deck areas. Cabin capacity varies by type, with a maximum of two or three people.

Senior and Royal Suites are also offered at higher prices. The supplied rates start at US$176.19 for a Ha Long Junior Suite, US$190.65 for a Ha Long Senior Suite, and US$311.35 for a Ha Long Royal Suite. Hanoi package rates start at US$200.30, US$214.79, and US$335.45 respectively. The headline price is listed as from $202.59, so compare the live price for your date and departure point rather than relying on one starting figure.

One specific cabin concern deserves attention. A past account of Junior Suite 202 described engine noise, an oil smell, and too few pillows, with no room change offered. That does not mean every cabin has the same problem, but it makes a practical case for asking about cabin location and noise before booking, particularly if you are a light sleeper.

The cruise team has also drawn praise for organization and helpful service. Names associated with past trips include guide Andy and manager Mr Black, while a booking contact named Delphine was noted for helping with questions. Staffing can change, so treat those names as examples, not promised assignments.

Meals, price, and what the fare really covers

The package includes four meal services: lunch on day one, set-menu dinner, a light breakfast, and brunch on day two. It also covers the overnight cabin, admission to attractions, an English- or Vietnamese-speaking guide, sightseeing by boat, a welcome drink, and use of facilities. Kayaking, swimming when possible, squid fishing, music entertainment, Tai Chi, and the cooking class are listed as included.

For the price, that is a useful bundle: your room, meals, bay transport, and several activities are together rather than billed one by one. The value depends on whether you will use the included activities and whether your fare covers the transfer you need. Be especially careful here, because hotel pickup and drop-off, as well as transport, are listed as excluded. A Hanoi package is priced separately, but the inclusions still say transport is not included. Confirm in writing what that package means before booking.

Drinks beyond the welcome drink, spa services, tips, gratuities, and personal expenses are extra. Holiday surcharges may also apply. The stated dates include Tet in February 2026, Hung Kings’ Festival on April 26, Reunification and Labor Day from April 30 to May 3, National Day on September 2, Christmas, and New Year. A separate surcharge note lists VND 1,500,000 per person for several holiday periods, including dates in 2026 and 2027. Since the date lists vary, confirm the applicable amount for your sailing and be prepared to pay it on site.

Transport and weather deserve a closer look

The marina departure is at Tuan Chau in Ha Long, not central Hanoi. Although Hanoi is offered as a package selection, transport is not included in the stated inclusions. Do not assume hotel pickup simply because the trip is sold with a Hanoi option. Ask whether that rate includes a transfer, where the pickup is, and what the return arrangement covers.

This is worth checking because one past return journey involved an hour of collecting other passengers at a distant location and a 30-minute stop at a sales-oriented rest area. The drive back to Hanoi took about three and a half hours, roughly half an hour longer than the trip out. If you are arranging your own ride, factor in that possible delay and avoid a close connection.

Rain and typhoon conditions can affect whether overnight cruises receive approval from the Ha Long Bay Management Authority. If the cruise is suspended for safety, the operator says it will seek a suitable alternative when possible. A day cruise or return to Hanoi may be offered, and the stated refund calculation deducts the value of services already used. This is not a reason to avoid the trip, but it is a reason to keep your next day flexible.

Who will get the most from Rita Cruise?

I would consider this cruise if you want a comfortable first visit to the bay, appreciate having meals and activities organized, and want both a bamboo boat ride and kayaking in a two-day trip. The balcony cabin, pool, and onboard entertainment help fill the hours between shore excursions.

It also suits couples or small groups who prefer an overnight cabin to returning to shore the same day. Families should check the child rules carefully: children aged eight and older pay the adult rate, while one child aged zero to three can stay free per room. An additional charge applies for a second young child in the same room.

Choose another option if you need guaranteed quiet in your cabin, dislike fixed group schedules, or want transport fully settled without follow-up. The ship is well-equipped, but cabin noise and return-transfer delays are real considerations. For a better chance of a restful night, ask about the location of your Junior Suite before confirming.

Should you book this two-day cruise?

Rita Cruise makes sense when you want a comfortable overnight base, a mix of Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay, and several included activities without organizing each stop yourself. Its strongest draws are the Bright Cave bamboo boat ride, Tra Bau kayaking, and the chance to wake up on the water.

I would book only after confirming the transfer, cabin location, and any holiday surcharge. If those details line up with your needs, the package offers a practical balance of scenery, onboard comfort, and time outdoors. If reliable transport or a quiet room is your top priority, get clear answers first or compare another cruise.

FAQ

Where does Rita Cruise depart from?

It departs from Rita Cruise’s Lounge, Dock 16, at Tuan Chau International Marina in Ha Long. Arrive at least ten minutes before the departure time.

Is transportation from Hanoi included?

Transport is listed as excluded, even though Hanoi package options are available. Confirm directly what the Hanoi option includes before booking.

What activities are included?

The package lists a bamboo boat trip at Bright Cave, kayaking, swimming when weather permits, squid fishing, music entertainment, a cooking class, and a morning Tai Chi session.

What meals are provided?

The package includes lunch, a set-menu dinner, a light breakfast, and brunch. Menus can change with the season and ingredient availability.

What cabin comes with the base package?

The base Ha Long package includes one night in a Junior Suite cabin. Senior and Royal Suite options are available at higher listed prices.

Can children join the cruise?

Children aged eight and older pay the adult rate. One child aged zero to three can stay free per room, while a second child in the same room incurs an extra charge.

What happens if bad weather stops the overnight cruise?

The supplier will arrange the most suitable solution possible if safety rules suspend the cruise. The stated refund applies only to unused services, and deductions may apply if an alternative trip or transfer has already been used.