Aqua of the Seas 2D1N Cruise: Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay Tour

Lan Ha Bay gives this overnight cruise a quieter counterpoint to Ha Long Bay’s famous limestone towers. You’ll kayak or swim near Tra Bau Island, sleep aboard Aqua of the Seas, then visit Hospital Cave on Cat Ba Island before returning to the marina.

I like the route’s mix of open-air time and easy onboard comforts: you get a suite cabin, four meals, and a choice of activities, not just a boat ride. I also like that kayaking and swimming are built into the plan, weather permitting, so you can get closer to the islands than you would from the deck.

The main caveat is practical: transport is not included in the stated inclusions, even though Hanoi departure packages are offered and some bookings have arranged a bus. Confirm the pickup and transfer details before paying, and remember that the listed day can change with weather or traffic.

• Two bays, one night: See Ha Long’s well-known karsts and the quieter waters of Lan Ha Bay on the same short cruise.
• A suite cabin is included: Choose Junior, Senior, or Royal, with different prices and departure options.
• Tra Bau is the active stop: Kayak and swim when conditions permit, or stay aboard and enjoy the scenery.
• Hospital Cave adds a land visit: Explore a wartime hospital built inside a natural limestone cave on Cat Ba Island.
• Meals and onboard activities are part of the fare: Expect four meals, a cooking class, sunrise Tai Chi, squid fishing, and music entertainment.
• Check transfers and extras: Hotel pickup, transport, drinks, tips, and holiday surcharges may cost extra.

Two Bays, One Overnight Cruise

Aqua of the Seas is designed for a compact taste of the bay rather than a long expedition. Over roughly 24 hours, the boat moves through Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay, with limestone islands framing lunch, the afternoon stop, and your time on deck. The route gives you two different moods: Ha Long’s iconic formations and Lan Ha’s quieter coves.

The ship is marketed as a five-star cruise, with contemporary cabins and onboard facilities. That can make a short trip feel like a proper break from the city, especially when your room has a view and you can sit on deck between activities. Still, a one-night cruise has a tight schedule. You’ll see a useful selection of places, not spend hours at each one.

Aqua of the Seas is operated by SST Travel. The cruise includes an English or Vietnamese-speaking guide, but the individual guide can vary. Coordination contacts named by people booking the trip have included Kaylee, Mikey, Mie, and Alice. Treat those as examples of staff who may help arrange a booking, not as a promise that one of them will be your guide.

Boarding at Tuan Chau Marina

The stated departure is 11:30 from Tuan Chau International Marina, No. 27, Tuan Chau, Ha Long. Arrive at least 10 minutes early. You check in, transfer to the cruise, and receive a welcome drink while the captain gives a briefing. The return is scheduled for 11:00 the next day at Tuan Chau Marina, with a tender transfer back to the port.

Allow for a busy marina and a transfer between the dock and the main vessel. The trip to the ship may involve a smaller boat, so keep your essentials handy rather than burying them in a large bag. The operator counts larger bags as two pieces, which is worth checking if you are traveling with bulky luggage.

If you choose a Hanoi departure, pin down exactly what is included before booking. The package information lists Hanoi options, and some people have had bus pickups arranged, but hotel pickup, drop-off, and transport are listed as excluded. Do not assume a Hanoi fare covers a door-to-door transfer. Ask where the vehicle leaves from, where it returns, and whether there is an extra charge.

Day One: Lunch, Limestone and Tra Bau

Lunch is served in the onboard restaurant as the cruise heads toward Lan Ha Bay. This is a good first chance to take in the views without having to rush from one stop to another. The meal is included, as is the set-menu dinner later, though drinks are extra.

The afternoon stop is Tra Bau Island, also described as Calves Head Island. Here, the plan is to kayak and swim, weather permitting. Kayaking is the most hands-on way to get close to the scenery, while swimming offers a welcome change after the journey to the bay. Bring swimwear and a change of clothes, and keep in mind that rough conditions can affect water activities.

The schedule does not specify how long you’ll spend kayaking or swimming. That matters if you prefer a slow, unhurried visit: this is a short cruise with several planned activities, not a private outing where you set the pace. You can also skip a water activity and enjoy the view from the boat, but check with the crew about what alternatives are available that day.

Back aboard, there is a snack and a sunset gathering, with the option of a traditional Vietnamese cooking class. The cooking session gives you a chance to do more than watch the scenery pass by, while the sundeck is a natural place to pause between scheduled events. The onboard program can feel lively, but it may not suit you if you want a very quiet evening. Music, karaoke, and activity announcements are part of the entertainment.

Dinner is a set menu, and the cruise also offers squid fishing and karaoke afterward. Food is one of the stronger reasons to consider the package: meals are included, and the seafood and onboard cooking receive especially warm praise. That said, the fare does not include beverages. Check drink prices before ordering, since onboard drinks can add up.

Sleeping Aboard: Cabin Choices and Comfort

The package options include Junior, Senior, and Royal Suite cabins. The listed starting prices are US$168.89 for a Junior Suite departing from Ha Long, US$193.05 for a Junior Suite departing from Hanoi, US$176.15 for a Senior Suite from Ha Long, US$200.29 for a Senior Suite from Hanoi, US$195.45 for a Royal Suite from Ha Long, and US$224.39 for a Royal Suite from Hanoi. The general tour price is also advertised from $194.25, so check the current price for your date and chosen cabin rather than relying on a single headline figure.

Pay attention to the exact room category and its features when booking. Some people have encountered changes to the boat or cabin, including a switch from a room they expected to have a private balcony. If a balcony matters to you, ask for written confirmation of the cabin type and what happens if the assigned vessel changes.

Many cabins are described as clean and comfortable, and comfortable beds are a recurring plus. A few practical snags have also come up, including a slow bathroom drain, limited hot water, and no complimentary bottled water in a room. Bring your own refillable bottle if appropriate, and check with staff about drinking water rather than assuming a bottle is included.

The evening can carry on with karaoke and music, which may be fun if you like a sociable boat. If you are a light sleeper, ask about cabin location when you book. A room near entertainment areas may be noisier, especially when music continues into the evening.

Day Two: Tai Chi and Hospital Cave

The morning starts with a Tai Chi or Vovinam lesson on the sundeck, followed by a light breakfast. It is a gentle way to begin the day, with the bay around you rather than a city street outside the window. Bring a light layer if you want to spend time on deck early.

The planned excursion is Hospital Cave on Cat Ba Island. Built inside a natural limestone cave, it served as a secret wartime hospital. The setting links the region’s striking rock formations with a specific chapter of its modern history, giving the second morning a different focus from kayaking and sea views.

This is a guided visit, so you can expect the guide to lead the group through the cave. The excursion is not a long museum visit, and the schedule can change with weather or traffic. If the cave is a major reason for booking, confirm that Hospital Cave is the planned stop for your date. It is the cave named in this itinerary.

After the cave visit, you return to the boat and check out. Brunch is served while the cruise heads back to the harbor, with arrival scheduled for 11:00. The timing makes this a convenient option if you need to return to Ha Long, but leave room in your plans for schedule changes before arranging a tight onward connection.

What the Price Includes, and What It Does Not

The fare includes one night in an Aqua of the Seas suite cabin, a sightseeing boat tour, attraction admission, an English or Vietnamese-speaking guide, WiFi, life jackets, and use of onboard facilities. You also get four meals: lunch, set-menu dinner, light breakfast, and brunch. Kayaking, swimming when conditions allow, squid fishing, music entertainment, the cooking class, and sunrise Tai Chi are included.

Not included are transport, hotel pickup and drop-off, personal expenses, tips, drinks, spa services, and holiday surcharges. These exclusions affect the real cost most if you are starting in Hanoi or plan to order drinks onboard. Compare the full trip cost, not only the cabin price, before deciding which departure option offers better value.

A holiday surcharge of VND 950,000 per person is listed for dates including New Year, Reunification and Labor Day, National Day, Christmas, Lunar New Year, and the Hung Kings’ Festival. The surcharge is payable in cash to the driver. Confirm the applicable date and payment instructions before travel, since holiday dates and schedules can vary.

For families, children aged 10 and older are charged the adult rate. One child aged 0 to 3 per two paying adults may join free when sharing a cabin with a parent, and only one child aged 0 to 9 can be accommodated per cabin sharing with a parent. An extra bed is arranged for bookings with 3, 5, 7, or 9 people, while a single cabin or single supplement may be available for solo occupancy.

Who Will Get the Most From This Cruise?

This is a good fit if you want a comfortable, organized introduction to the bay and prefer having meals and activities arranged for you. The mix of kayaking, a cave visit, deck time, and an overnight cabin gives the trip more variety than a day cruise, without requiring several nights away.

It also suits couples and families who value a private room and a full schedule. Families should check the child and cabin rules carefully, especially if more than one child is traveling. Solo travelers should confirm the single supplement, and anyone with a specific cabin requirement should get the room details in writing.

You may want another option if your priority is quiet, unscheduled time on the water. This cruise has a series of activities, announcements, and evening entertainment. It is also not ideal to book on the assumption that transport from Hanoi is automatically included. The operator’s transfer arrangements can be helpful, but the fare details need confirming.

Should You Book Aqua of the Seas?

Book it if you want a short, comfortable cruise that combines the views of Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay with water activities, a cave visit, meals, and an overnight stay. The strongest value lies in having several parts of the trip bundled together, particularly if you will make use of the kayaking, cabin, and included meals.

Before you pay, verify the departure point, Hanoi transport, exact cabin category, and any holiday surcharge. Pack swimwear, a change of clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and valid ID. If you are happy with a planned group schedule and a lively boat, this is a practical way to see two bays in two days.

FAQ

How long is the Aqua of the Seas cruise?

It is a two-day, one-night cruise. Departure is scheduled for 11:30 on the first day, with return to Tuan Chau Marina at 11:00 the next day.

Where does the cruise depart from?

The stated departure point is Tuan Chau International Marina, No. 27, Tuan Chau, Ha Long. Hanoi departure packages are also offered, but confirm the transport arrangements for your chosen package.

Is transport from Hanoi included?

Transport and hotel pickup and drop-off are listed as not included. Some Hanoi bookings have had a bus transfer arranged, so check directly what your fare covers before booking.

Which meals are included?

Four meals are included: lunch and set-menu dinner on the first day, followed by a light breakfast and brunch on the second day. Beverages are not included.

Are kayaking and swimming included?

Yes. Kayaking is included, and swimming is available if weather conditions permit. Bring swimwear and a change of clothes.

Which cave does the cruise visit?

The planned guided visit is Hospital Cave on Cat Ba Island, a former wartime hospital built inside a natural limestone cave.

What cabin types can I book?

The listed choices are Junior Suite, Senior Suite, and Royal Suite cabins. Prices vary by cabin type and whether you depart from Ha Long or Hanoi.

What should I bring?

Bring a change of clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a cap or hat, swimwear, and valid ID. Larger bags may be counted as two pieces.

Can I cancel for a refund?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least 48 hours before the activity date, using the destination’s local time. If extreme weather or another unforeseen event causes the operator to cancel, you can reschedule or request a full refund.