So you have decided to spend 3 days and 2 nights on Halong Bay, and now it is time to choose the best Halong Bay cruises for 2 nights! With hundreds of cruise options available, the choice can be overwhelming, especially for first-time travelers.
In this post, I will give you a recommendation of the top 3-day overnight cruise and its itinerary. Whether you want to cruise the popular Halong Bay, the peaceful Lan Ha Bay, or the off the beaten path Bai Tu Long Bay, there are options for all budgets.
Halong is one of the top tourist destinations in Vietnam, known for its breathtaking landscape with thousands of stunning karts rising above the emerald water. Taking a cruise on Halong Bay is a must when visiting Vietnam and is the best way to explore the bay.
Before getting into the details of the best 3 days and 2 nights cruise on Halong Bay, let’s look at some of my tips on how to choose the best cruises on Halong Bay.
How to Choose the Best Cruises for 2 nights on Halong Bay
Here are a few things to look at when choosing the best 2-nights cruise on Halong Bay. They include choosing the right route, choosing the best time, and choosing the cruise that suits your budget.
Choosing the right Bay: Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, or Bai Tu Long Bay
Halong Bay is the complex of three bays: Halong Bay in the center,Lan Ha Bay in the south of Halong Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay in the eastern side of Halong Bay.
Halong Bay is the most popular bay where you can find iconic attractions such as Ti Top island, Surprise Cave, and Luon Cave. Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long offer similar landscapes but are less crowded and have cleaner water compared to Halong Bay.
Bai Tu Long is the largest and the most secluded area. Lan Ha Bay is the smallest bay of three and taking cruises on this bay often offers an excursion to the interesting Cat Ba island.
If you want to avoid crowds, I recommend taking your 3 day cruise on either Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay. Just take a note that as only fewer cruises are running on the Bai Tu Long route, taking cruises on this bay is usually more expensive compared to the other two.
Choosing the Best time to explore Halong Bay
The cruises are operated all year round on Halong Bay, but the best time to visit the Bay is March to April and October to November. These are the best overall months when you can enjoy sunny weather, not too hot, not too cold. The sky is usually clear in this period, so you can fully enjoy stunning landscapes.
May to September is a great month for beaches. This time has hot and humid weather, which is ideal for swimming. Just be mindful that these months also have high risk of rains and typhoons, which can lead to cruise cancellations or delays.
Winter (from December to February) has dry and cold weather with a low chance of disruption or cancellation due to bad weather. This time has many misty days, which both can obscure visibility and create a mystical atmosphere.
Choosing the cruise company that suits your budget
Halong Bay cruises have many options for all budgets including budget, mid-range, and luxury cruise. The overnight cruise can cost somewhere from USD 120 to USD 350 per person per night. You can find a 3-star cruise for USD 100 a night, while a full luxury cruise can cost from USD 200 upward.
Most 2-nights cruises on Halong Bay include all meals, 2 breakfast, 3 lunches, and 2 dinners. You should also check if the price includes transfer between Hanoi and Halong, as well as if they are taking you on the new expressway or not. (it is cheaper taking the non-expressway).
The price is also higher on the peak season which is typically from October to April. If you are a budget conscious traveler, you can consider visiting in the off-peak season which is from May to September.
How to Travel between Hanoi and Halong Bay
You can use private transfer, limousine bus, public bus, and shuttle service from your cruise company. For first-timers, you can consider using a service from a cruise company as it takes you directly from your hotel in Hanoi old Quarter to Halong port.
Read more: Halong Bay vs Lan Ha Bay vs Bai Tu Long Bay
How to Spend 2 nights on Halong Bay Cruise
Most Halong Bay cruises for 2 nights have quite similar activities and itineraries. They will include a visit to caves, beaches (islands), and villages. You can go swimming, kayaking, squid fishing, taking a cooking class, yoga, or tai chi class on the sundeck.
If you are taking the Halong cruise route, you’ll visit famous attractions such as Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, Me Cung Cave, Titop Island, Soi Sim Island, and Cua Van floating village.
If you take a Lan Bay cruise, you can see Dark-Bright Cave, Ba Trai Dao Beach, Van Boi Beach, and Cai Beo fishing village. Some cruises will offer you to explore Viet Hai village on Cat Ba island or BBQ lunch on the beach.
If you are taking the Bai Tu Long cruise route, you’ll have a chance to visit Thien Canh Son cave, Ban Chan Beach, Cong Do, Cong Dam area, and Vung Vieng Fishing Village.
Most cruises will pick you up in Hanoi old Quarter, around 8am-9am. You will arrive at the port area in Halong Bay around 12pm. You’ll be on board and start cruising for 48 hours until checking out around 11 pm noon on the 3rd day at the port. Your cruise company will drop you in Hanoi around 3 pm.
The Best Cruises on Lan Ha Bay for 3 days and 2 nights
Peony Cruise (Budget Cruise)
Peony Cruise is one of the best 4-star cruises in Lan Ha Bay. It has cabins with a bathtub and private balconies. Rooms are ideal for couples and families. If you travel with kids, you can choose the family room on the 2nd floor that has a connecting door between a double bed and two single beds.
Other facilities on Peony Cruise are a swimming pool, bar, spa, and massage services. All meals are included in the price.
Popular stops of Peony Cruise include Lan Ha Bay, Tra Bau area, Viet Hai village, and Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba island. Here are the sample Itineraries for 2 nights cruise of Peony Cruise:
Day 1: Hanoi Old Quarter -> Halong -> Lan Ha Bay
Morning
8:30 – 9am: You will be picked up in your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter (if your booking includes transfers between Hanoi and Halong Bay).
12pm: Arrive Lot 34, Tuan Chau Marina, check in the cruise, and start cruising Lan Ha Bay. You’ll have your first lunch on the cruise white it passes through beautiful islets and islands.
Afternoon
The cruise will stop at Tra Bau Area where you can enjoy swimming or kayaking. After that, you return to the boat and enjoy the sunset. You can grab a drink at the bar and chill, or join a cooking class to learn how to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes.
Evening
Enjoy the delicious dinner in a romantic setting. You can relax at the top deck or try squid fishing at night.
Day 2: Explore Viet Hai Village and Cat Ba island
Morning
Wake up early to join the Tai Chi session and watch the beautiful sunrise. Enjoy breakfast with stunning views of the bay. You will be transferred to a smaller boat to get to Viet Hai village. You can cycle around the village and explore more stunning scenery and local people. Back to the cruise and have lunch.
Afternoon
The cruise will stop at a nice beach area where you can swim and kayak. Then back to cruise, enjoy the sunset and drink at the bar.
Evening
Enjoy the diner and relax. Do the same activities as the first night.
Day 3: Lan Ha Bay (Trung Trang Cave) -> Halong Port -> Ha Noi
Morning
Wake up early if you want to join Tai Chi class and watch the sunrise. Have breakfast before exploring.
The cruise will stop at Trung Trang Cave for exploration.
9:30 am: Check out and have the last meal on cruise while the ship cruises back to Tuan Chau Marina.
Afternoon
You’ll be at the Old Quarter of Hanoi.
Stellar Of The Seas (Luxury cruise)
Stellar Of The Seas is a luxury 5-star cruise that will take you to explore Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island. Stellar has a cabin with a private balcony and a jacuzzi tub. It has high-end facilities such as a wine cellar, mini-golf, a spa, and a pool.
The route of Stellar Of The Seas for 3 days and 2 nights includes Lan Ha Bay, Dark & Bright Cave, Viet Hai village, and Ao Ech area for swimming and kayaking.
Here are the detail itinerary for 2-nights cruise of Stellar Of The Seas:
Day 1: Hanoi Old Quarter -> Tuan Chau marina > Lan Ha Bay
Morning
If you book the transfer service of Stellar, the shuttle bus will pick you up in Hanoi Old Quarter Area. it will go on the new expressway, so you’ll be on the bus for only 2.5 hours.
Afternoon
12pm: Arrive at Tuan Chau marina. Check in for the cruise and enjoy lunch while cruising through the bay. It will pass famous landmarks such as Thumb islet, Con Vit islet, and Gia Luan harbor.
The cruise will head to the Dark & Bright Cave where you can explore the cave by kayaking or by bamboo boat. After the cave, return to the cruise, relax, enjoy sunset on the deck or grab a drink at the bar.
Evening
BBQ dinner at the pool area. You can participate in various activities such as games, movies, mini-golf, and squid fishing.
Day 2: Explore Lan Ha Bay: Cat Ba island and Viet Hai village
Morning
Similar to other cruises, you can wake up early for a Tai Chi session on the sundeck, then have a light breakfast with stunning views of the karts. After breakfast. The cruise will head to Ao Ech Area for kayaking. Back to cruise, have lunch, then transfer to a speed boat to explore more beautiful areas.
Afternoon
Explore Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island. You can cycle or take an electric car to enjoy the landscape and peaceful atmosphere. Next, you’ll visit a floating farm and a natural beach for swimming.
Evening
Have dinner on the main cruise. Participate in activities such as squid fishing, relaxing at the spa, or watching movies in the restaurant.
Day 3: Lan Ha Bay – Hanoi
Join the Tai Chi class, watch the sunset, and have a light breakfast. After breakfast, you can kayak at Ao Ech Area. You’ll check out at 9:30 am. Then have the last lunch around 10am.
If you book the transfer package, the Stellar’s shuttle bus will drive you back to Hanoi around 3.30pm.
Other popular Lan Ha Bay cruises for 2 nights are:
- Mon Cheri (Lan Ha – Tra Bau – Cat Ba island – Viet Hai village – Trung Trang Cave)
- Scarlet Pearl (Lan Ha Bay – Dark & Bright Cave – Ao Ech – Ba Trai Dao – Viet Hai)
- Orchid Classic (Halong Bay – Trung Trang Cave – Tra Bau area – Cat Ba island)
The Best Cruises on Halong Bay for 3 days and 2 nights
Athena Luxury Cruise
Athena is a luxury and family-friendly cruise that has 21 cabins with private balconies. This cruise will take you to Halong Bay, Ti Top Island, Luon Cave, Surprise Cave, Tung Gau Area, and Me Cung Cave.
Here are the Athena Cruise’s itinerary for 3 days:
Day 1: Hanoi – Halong Bay -Surprise Cave – Titop island
In the morning, You’ll get picked up in Hanoi Old Quarter if you book a transfer with the cruise company. Otherwise you can use a private car or public bus to get to Halong International Cruise Port.
You’ll be checked in around 12pm, have lunch while the cruise moves to Halong Bay. In the afternoon, the cruise will stop at Sung Sot Cave and Titov Island for exploration, swimming and hiking.
You can watch the sunset in the late afternoon, and join a cooking class. Dinner is served around 7pm, followed by activities such as Squid fishing, relaxing at your room, or watching movies.
Day 2: Halong Bay – Tung Sau area – Me Cung Cave
You can join the Tai Chi session on the upper deck if you can wake up early. Then have a Light breakfast and head to Tung Sau Area for kayaking. After the excursion, back to the cruise for lunch.
In the afternoon, the cruise will stop at Me Cung Cave. then back to the cruise for Happy hour program sunset watching, or cooking class.
Enjoy last dinner in the evening and activities such as massage, watching films, or squid fishing.
Day 3: Luon Cave- Halong Bay – Hanoi
Like any other morning, you can join the Tai Chi session, have light breakfast, and head to explore Luon Cave by a bamboo boat or kayak. After Luon Cave, back to the cruise, have the last brunch on board while the cruise moves back to the harbor.
Paradise Elegance Cruise
Paradise Cruise is a luxury cruise that will take you to Halong Bay, Ti Top Island, Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, Tien Ong Cave, and Cua Van Fishing Village. It has cabins and suites that have a private balcony and bathtub.
Here are the detail 3 days itinerary in Halong Bay of Paradise Cruise:
Day 1: Hanoi – Tuan Chau Pier – Titop island – Luon Cave
In the morning, The shuttle bus will pick you up at the old Quarter around 8-9am if you book an additional transfer with Paradise Elegance Cruise. You’ll arrive at the pier in Tuan Chau around 12pm, check in, and have lunch.
In the afternoon, The cruise will stop at Titop Island where you can enjoy the beach or climb to its top for stunning views. After that, it will head to Luon Cave where you can kayak or take a sampan boat to explore.
Back to the cruise, you can watch the sunset at the deck, enjoy the cocktail, and join a cooking class. Dinner on the cruise around 7pm. You can participate in activities such as watching movies, squid fishing, or just relax in your cabin.
Day 2: Explore Tien Van Cave and Cua Van Fishing Village
Wake up early for a Tai Chi session then have a light breakfast. After that you’ll have an excursion to Tien Ong Cave. Return to the cruise to have lunch, then visit Cua Van floating village in the afternoon. In the evening, you have another delicious dinner, and enjoy some night’s activities such as fishing.
Day 3: Surprise Cave – Halong Bay – Hanoi Old Quarter
You can join Tai Chi lessons in the morning, as well as enjoy stunning sunset and light breakfast on the deck. The cruise will stop at Sung Sot Cave around 8am. After that you will have brunch while cruising along Halong Bay through Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, Ga Choi Islet
It will be at Tuan Chau harbor around 10am, then check out to get back to Hanoi. The shuttle bus will drop you around 3.30pm and finish your 48 hours on cruise.
Hermes Cruise
Hermes cruise will take you to Halong Bay, Ti Top Island, Sung Sot Cave, Trinh Nu Cave, Me Cung Cave, and Luon Cave. It has activities such as swimming, cooking class, kayaking, climbing, Tai Chi, and Squid Fishing.
The Best Cruise on Bai Tu Long Bay for 3 days and 2 nights
Dragon Legend Cruise
Dragon Legend is a 5-star cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay. It will take you to famous areas in Bai Tu Long including Vung Vieng fishing village, Cap La island, Cong Dam area, Cong Do area and Thien Canh Son.
Swan Cruise
Swan Cruise is a three-star cruise that will take you off the beaten path of Halong Bay called Bai Tu Long Bay. It will depart at Halong International Cruise Port and will take you to Cong Do area, Cap la island, Trinh Nu Cave, and Thien Canh Son Cave.
You can also look at Renea Cruise and Lily Cruise if you want to explore Bai Tu Long Bay.
See more:
- How Many Days in Halong Bay is Enough?
- Best Time to visit Halong Bay
- Where to Stay in Halong Bay
- Halong Bay Day Cruise Vs Overnight Cruise
- Best 2 Days 1 nights Halong Bay Cruise Itinerary
- Best Halong Bay Day Trips from Hanoi
These are my recommendations for a 3 days 2 night cruise on Halong Bay. I hope you will have great cruise experience on this world heritage site.