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

Amanda Luxury Cruise gives you something many bay boats do not: a private balcony and bathtub in every cabin. The 20-cabin ship sails from Ha Long Bay toward quieter Lan Ha Bay, where limestone towers rise from the water and the pace feels calmer than a quick day trip.

I like the roomy Junior Suites and the chance to watch the scenery from your own tub. I also like the mix of active and easygoing moments, from kayaking at Tra Bau to an herbal foot bath and sunset drinks. The main drawback is the long first day, with an early Hanoi pickup and a busy schedule before dinner.

This cruise suits couples, birthday celebrants, and anyone who wants comfort without giving up outdoor activities. If you dislike fixed meal times, organized entertainment, or a two-day schedule with an early start, a shorter bay outing may fit better.

Key points to know before booking

• Every cabin has a balcony and bathtub: You do not need to pay for a higher room category to get these useful extras.
• Lan Ha Bay adds a quieter setting: The route includes Ha Long Bay sights but reaches the less crowded waters of Lan Ha Bay.
• Tra Bau combines kayaking and swimming: This is the main afternoon outdoor stop on the first day.
• Cruise manager Alex receives special praise: Service, timing, cleanliness, and organization are major strengths of the trip.
• The schedule is full but varied: Cooking, Tai Chi, cave visits, evening activities, and meals fill the short overnight stay.
• The $181 price covers most major costs: Your cabin, food, activities, sightseeing fees, service fees, insurance, and optional Hanoi shuttle are included.

Why the private balcony matters on Amanda

A bay cruise is not only about shore excursions. Much of your time passes while the ship moves between limestone formations, so having a private outdoor space changes the experience.

On Amanda, each of the 20 cabins includes a balcony and bathtub. That gives you a quiet place to sit with tea, watch the karsts pass, or enjoy the view while soaking. Several passengers specifically praise the clean, spacious Junior Suites and the chance to use the bathtub while looking out at the bay.

The ship combines French neoclassical decoration with traditional Asian details. That sounds grand on paper, but the useful point is simpler: Amanda aims for a polished hotel feel rather than a basic sleeping boat. You get a welcome drink, cold towel, in-room tea and coffee, bottled water, fresh fruit, daily amenities, and Wi-Fi.

The private balcony is especially useful during slower parts of the route. On a crowded shared deck, you may need to compete for the best view. Here, you can step outside your room for a few minutes without leaving your own space.

From Hanoi to Tuan Chau Marina

If you choose the Hanoi departure option, pickup is available from addresses in Hanoi’s Old Quarter or the Opera House area. Collection runs from 7:45 to 8:30 in the morning, and you should be ready in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time.

The road transfer takes you to Tuan Chau Marina, the departure point for the cruise. A limousine upgrade is available on request, although the standard transfer details are not specified. Airfare, airport transfers, and transport from outside the stated Hanoi pickup area are not included.

At the marina, check-in takes place in a waiting lounge. You receive a warm welcome and complimentary special tea before boarding. The formal starting point is No. 12 Tuan Chau Port in Ha Long City, and the trip ends back at the same meeting point after the return transfer boat.

This transfer arrangement works well if you are already staying in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. It is less convenient if you are arriving at the airport that morning, since airport transport is not part of the package and the pickup begins early.

Sailing past Ha Long Bay’s limestone towers

Lunch begins at 1 p.m., after Amanda starts sailing through Ha Long Bay and toward Lan Ha Bay. The route passes Finger Islet, Candle Islet, and other limestone formations rising from the water.

The scenery is the main reason to choose an overnight cruise rather than a short sightseeing ride. You have time to watch the shapes change as the boat moves, and the private balcony gives you a good viewing spot without requiring a trip to the sundeck every time.

Lan Ha Bay is presented as a quieter extension of the better-known Ha Long Bay. That does not mean you will have the water entirely to yourself, but the route is designed to give you a more peaceful setting among the karsts. One particularly appealing detail is the possibility of waking to open views with no boat directly in front of you.

Amanda’s small size helps here. With 20 cabins, it is not an intimate private charter, but it is more manageable than a very large ship. A small-group format is available for the organized activities.

Kayaking and swimming at Tra Bau

At about 3:30 p.m., you head to Tra Bau for kayaking and swimming. The area is known as a filming location for Kong: Skull Island, which gives the stop a bit of movie appeal, but the real attraction is the water and the surrounding rock formations.

Kayaking lets you move at your own pace and look closely at the water-level scenery. Swimming offers a more direct way to cool off, though you should bring swimwear and expect to get wet during this part of the afternoon.

Pack a waterproof phone bag, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and either flip-flops or sneakers. The boat provides the setting and activity, but you will be more comfortable if your small essentials are easy to reach.

This is one of the more active parts of the trip, so it helps to choose Amanda because you genuinely want some time off the ship. If you prefer to remain dry and watch the scenery from a deck chair, the excursion may feel less appealing.

Sunset, cooking, and dinner on deck

The ship returns around 5 p.m., leaving roughly 90 minutes for relaxation. This is a useful pause after kayaking and swimming. You can rest in your room, use the Four Seasons swimming pool, or head to the sundeck for the sunset party.

Happy Hour promotions are offered during this period, including a buy two, get one free deal. Drinks are not included in the package, so bar purchases add to your final bill. Massage and Sky Bar beverages are also optional extras.

The cooking demonstration gives the afternoon a local touch. The chef shows you how to prepare traditional dishes such as fried spring rolls, and the activity is hands-on rather than just a performance. It is a simple experience, but it helps break up the sightseeing and gives you something practical to take home.

Dinner is served at 7 p.m. on the sundeck. The menu uses fresh ingredients and reflects the ship’s blend of French-style decoration and Asian design. The included meals are lunch and dinner on the first day, followed by breakfast and brunch on the second day. Drinks are available on request and are not included unless specifically stated.

Several diners praise the range of food and the service at mealtimes. If you have a special occasion, Amanda can arrange room decorations, a decorated dining table, a cake, and a birthday song. These setups are not just a vague request to the crew, so contact the operator in advance if you want one arranged.

Evening activities after the bay goes dark

After dinner, the program continues from 8 to 11 p.m. You can enjoy a complimentary herbal foot bath, watch the Heritage Footsteps traditional bamboo dance and ethnic fashion show, or try squid fishing from the deck.

The evening entertainment gives you options rather than one compulsory show. You can participate, watch for a while, or return to your cabin and enjoy the balcony. That flexibility matters on an overnight boat, where some people want a lively evening and others simply want quiet water and an early night.

Massage and Sky Bar drinks cost extra. The herbal foot bath is included, making it the better choice if you want a relaxing treatment without another charge.

The full day does make the evening feel fairly structured. Hanoi pickup, the marina check-in, lunch, kayaking, swimming, sunset activities, cooking, and dinner all happen before the night program. You may appreciate the variety, but do not expect a slow, empty schedule.

Tai Chi and the Dark and Bright Cave

The second morning begins at 6 a.m. with Tai Chi on the sundeck. Early light over the karsts is one of the quieter moments of the trip, although the start is not for anyone hoping to sleep late.

A light breakfast follows at 7 a.m. The ship then continues toward the Dark and Bright Cave, reached at about 7:15. You can explore by bamboo boat or kayak, depending on the activity arrangement and your preference.

The cave area is valued for calm water, unusual rock formations, and a more enclosed view of the bay. The bamboo boat is the easier option if you want to sit back and take photographs. Kayaking gives you more control and a closer connection with the water.

The morning visit is brief, so keep your camera and sun protection handy. You will also want to follow the crew’s timing carefully, since the ship must return to port for brunch and the transfer back to Tuan Chau Marina.

Food, cabins, and service quality

The strongest part of the Amanda experience is the combination of cabin comfort and crew service. Cleanliness, organization, food, and staff attitude receive repeated praise, with cruise manager Alex singled out for attentive handling of the trip.

The Junior Suite includes the features most people care about on a bay cruise: a private balcony, a bathtub, clean space, bottled water, tea and coffee, fruit, and daily amenities. The bathtub is more than decoration if you plan to spend time in the room. It gives you another way to enjoy the view when the weather or your energy makes a deck activity less attractive.

Meals are included at the main points in the schedule, and the food selection is described as varied. Dietary details are not provided, so you should ask the operator directly about special meal needs before booking.

The Four Seasons swimming pool is available at no extra charge. The supplied information does not give its size or exact location, so think of it as a useful onboard amenity rather than the central feature of the trip. The bay excursions, balcony, and sundeck remain the main attractions.

Is $181 good value?

At $181 per person, the package includes a one-night Junior Suite, four meals, welcome service, selected drinks and in-room items, kayaking or bamboo boating, the cooking class, afternoon tea, Wi-Fi, sightseeing tickets, service fees, and required insurance.

That is a strong package if you value a private room with both a balcony and bathtub. You are also paying for the time saved by combining transport, accommodation, meals, and activities in one booking.

The price does not cover personal spending, optional drinks, massage, Sky Bar purchases, airfare, airport transfers, or visa costs. These extras are easy to control if you stick to the included program, but bar service and special arrangements can increase the final amount.

The real value depends on how you like to travel. I would consider it good value for a couple wanting a comfortable overnight experience and for anyone celebrating a birthday or anniversary. A budget-focused visitor who only wants to see the bay may find a day trip cheaper, while losing the private cabin and evening on the water.

Who should choose this cruise?

I would choose Amanda if you want the bay experience to feel like a short hotel stay rather than a simple boat ride. The private balcony, bathtub, fresh fruit, foot bath, pool, and room setup options make it particularly suitable for couples.

It also works for active visitors who want kayaking, swimming, and cave exploration built into a comfortable schedule. The cooking class and cultural show add variety without taking over the trip.

Families and older passengers should check the physical demands carefully. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people over 70, and the schedule includes early starts, boat transfers, kayaking, and swimming. The cruise offers quieter alternatives, but the age restriction still matters.

English and Vietnamese are available, and a small-group format can be selected. If personal space and polished service matter more to you than an entirely independent schedule, this is a sensible choice.

The final call on Amanda Luxury Cruise

Book Amanda if you want a polished overnight bay cruise with a private balcony and bathtub, plus enough activities to keep the two days interesting. The strongest reasons are the comfortable rooms, attentive crew, varied meals, and the quieter Lan Ha Bay section of the route.

Think twice if you want a slow, unstructured escape, cannot manage an early Hanoi pickup, or dislike paying extra for drinks and massage. For everyone else, $181 buys a well-organized package with the major costs already covered, and the 2D1N format gives you far more time on the water than a quick day outing.

FAQ

How long is the Amanda Luxury Cruise experience?

The experience lasts two days and one night, with the cruise portion beginning at Tuan Chau Marina and ending back at the same meeting point.

Is Hanoi pickup included?

Optional pickup is available from addresses in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and the Opera House area for the Hanoi departure option. You should be ready in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup.

Where does the cruise start?

The meeting point is No. 12 Tuan Chau Port in Ha Long City. Check-in takes place at Tuan Chau Marina.

What type of cabin is included?

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

Are meals included?

Yes. Lunch and dinner are included on day one, followed by breakfast and brunch on day two.

Is kayaking included?

Kayaking or bamboo boating is included, with activities offered at Tra Bau and at the Dark and Bright Cave area.

Are drinks included?

A welcome drink is included, along with in-room tea, coffee, bottled water, and other listed cabin amenities. Additional drinks can be requested at extra cost.

Is the cooking class included?

Yes. The cooking activity is included and may feature traditional dishes such as fried spring rolls.

What languages are available?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

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