Elite of The Seas – Unique Luxury 3 Days Cruise in Halong & Lan Ha Bay

Elite of The Seas turns a Halong Bay visit into a floating resort stay, with 35 spacious cabins, private balconies, marble bathrooms, and ocean-view bathtubs. The best parts are the quiet scenery of Lan Ha Bay and the care from staff such as Kevin, Brian, Tony, Peter, and Tommy.

I like the mix of soft luxury and active outings: kayak or swim one afternoon, then cycle through Viet Hai Village the next day. I also like that meals, excursions, entrance fees, and Hanoi transfers can be bundled into one booking. The main drawback is price: at $900 per person, this is a special-occasion splurge, not a casual overnight trip.

Key points to know

• Two nights on a 35-room luxury ship: Your Junior cabin includes a private balcony, full ocean view, minibar, satellite TV, multiple air-conditioning units, and a marble bathroom.
• Lan Ha Bay receives the most attention: The cruise includes kayaking or bamboo boating, swimming, cave visits, and time in a natural lagoon.
• Day two reaches Viet Hai Village: You cycle on Cat Ba Island through a village surrounded by jungle and high mountains.
• The schedule starts early: Sunrise activities begin around 5:45 a.m., with golf and Tai Chi before breakfast.
• The service is a major part of the value: Staff members named in the supplied material include Kevin, Tau, Harry, Andrew, Amy, Brian, Tony, Peter, Tommy, Victor, Leila, and Nar.
• Plan for extra spending: Drinks, tips, spa services, personal purchases, and holiday surcharges are not included.

Why two nights make a difference in Lan Ha Bay

A one-night Halong Bay cruise can feel rushed. Elite of The Seas gives you three days and two nights, so the ship has time to reach Lan Ha Bay and include a full second-day program at Viet Hai Village.

That extra night matters most if you want more than a boat ride and a few photographs. You get an afternoon on the water, a full day of shore activities, and a final morning before returning to the mainland. The pace is still organized, but you are not packing every major outing into a single day.

Lan Ha Bay is the quieter side of this route. You will see limestone islands rising from the sea, calm water, beaches, caves, and sheltered areas suited to kayaking and swimming. The scenery is the reason to choose this cruise, but the ship itself is also part of the attraction.

Elite of The Seas has 35 rooms and is designed around a contemporary luxury feel. Your Junior cabin includes a private balcony and full ocean views, along with a minibar, satellite television, several air-conditioning units, and an en-suite marble bathroom. The ocean-view bathtub is a particularly nice feature for a slow evening in your cabin.

The ship also has a swimming pool, gym, library, board games, and space for Tai Chi and golf practice. That gives you options when you do not want another organized excursion. Still, the exact cabin layout and facilities can vary by room category, so check the room selected during booking.

Day one: From Hanoi to kayaking at Ao Ech

If you book the Hanoi transfer, pickup takes place in the Old Quarter or near the Hanoi Opera House between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. The limousine travels by expressway and takes about two and a half hours, with one short rest stop.

That transfer is useful if you are staying in central Hanoi and want door-to-door handling. It also makes the $900 price easier to assess, since transport is included when you select the Hanoi option. If you are already in Halong City, you can skip the road transfer and arrive independently at dock 24, Tuan Chau International Marina, before 11:30 a.m.

After check-in around 12:45 p.m., lunch is served in the restaurant. You receive your cabin key at about 2:00 p.m., giving you time to settle in before the first activity.

The afternoon program runs from approximately 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. At Ao Ech, you can kayak, or you may use a bamboo boat option. The area is suited to a close look at the water and limestone formations rather than simply watching them from the upper deck.

Swimming is also included in the program. Bring a swimsuit in your day bag instead of burying it in your luggage. You may also want sandals with a secure strap, a hat, sunscreen, and a dry bag for a phone or camera.

The first evening includes dinner and time on board. Cooking demonstrations, fishing equipment, board games, the pool, and the library provide quieter alternatives after the excursion. Beverages are extra, and personal expenses such as spa treatments are also separate, so keep track of charges during the cruise.

Day two: Sunrise, Tai Chi, golf, and Viet Hai Village

Day two begins early. Sunrise viewing runs from 5:45 to 6:15 a.m., with a golf class at the ship’s golf course. Tai Chi follows from 6:15 to 6:35 a.m., then breakfast runs from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m.

This schedule will suit early risers who like to start the day outdoors. It will be less appealing if you treat a luxury cruise as a chance to sleep late. You can choose how much to join, but the timetable makes clear that the most active part of the day starts before sunrise.

After breakfast, you have some free time before the shore program. That pause helps balance the early start. You can relax in the cabin, use the pool or gym, sit on your balcony, or enjoy the shared areas before heading to Cat Ba Island.

Viet Hai Village is the key reason to choose the three-day version instead of the shorter cruise. The village sits within Cat Ba National Park, surrounded by jungle and high mountain ranges. The included activity is a bicycle ride to the village, giving you a closer connection to the island than a quick boat stop would provide.

The cycling component is not just a photo stop. It gives the day a change of rhythm, moving you from open water to an inland setting. If you prefer less exertion, ask the cruise team about the practical arrangements before setting out, since the supplied details do not explain alternative transport or route difficulty.

The day also includes meals on board and time for other activities. The package lists kayaking or bamboo boating, swimming, fishing equipment, and golf equipment among the included features. Massage and spa services are not part of the advertised inclusions, although some parties have chosen to pay for massages during the cruise.

This is where personal service can make a real difference. The names attached to the onboard team include Brian, described as a personal butler or waiter in the supplied material, along with Tony, Peter, Kevin, Harry, Andrew, Amy, Tommy, Victor, Leila, and Nar. Staff assignments may change, but the repeated praise for attentive service suggests that the crew is central to the experience, not a minor extra.

Day three: One last bay outing before lunch

The final morning repeats the early pattern: sunrise and golf from 5:45 to 6:15 a.m., Tai Chi until 6:35, and breakfast from 6:45 to 7:30.

A final activity runs from about 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. The supplied schedule does not spell out every detail of this outing, so you should confirm the exact activity on board. It does show that the last morning is not simply a rushed packing session.

At 9:45 a.m., you return to the restaurant for a buffet. Payment for personal expenses, including drinks and spa services, is settled around 10:45 a.m. The speedboat returns you to the mainland between 11:00 and 11:30 a.m.

If you have booked the Hanoi transfer, the return trip to the Old Quarter usually begins between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m. The cruise therefore occupies most of the day, not just the sailing hours. Avoid scheduling a tight afternoon flight or an important appointment in Hanoi.

Food, cabins, and the feel of the ship

The package includes two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners. Meals are served according to the program, with a buffet on the final morning. The food is presented as a multi-course experience, and the supplied comments repeatedly praise its quality.

You should still keep expectations practical. A cruise menu must serve many people, and dietary needs are not explained in the available information. Tell the operator about restrictions before departure rather than waiting until lunch.

The cabin is the strongest physical feature of the ship. A private balcony and full ocean view let you enjoy the bay without staying in a public viewing area. The bathtub, marble bathroom, minibar, television, and climate control give the room a polished hotel feel.

That comfort has real value after kayaking or cycling. It also matters on rainy or hazy days, when the balcony and cabin become part of your sightseeing time. The ship includes a pool, gym, library, board games, and golf equipment, so you are not dependent on excursions for entertainment.

The tradeoff is that the cruise is built around scheduled activities. Early Tai Chi, set meal times, shore excursions, and payment periods create structure. If you prefer a loose itinerary with long unplanned stops, a smaller independent boat may suit you better.

What the $900 price really buys

At $900 per person, this is expensive by Vietnam travel standards. The fair comparison is not simply the cost of a cabin. The price can include round-trip limousine transport from Hanoi, two nights on board, six main meals, kayaking or bamboo boating, swimming, Viet Hai cycling, entrance fees, a guide, cruise management, and use of listed facilities.

It also buys time. You are not making a single long day trip from Hanoi. You sleep in the bay, wake for sunrise, and have a full second day to reach Cat Ba Island. For a wedding anniversary, birthday, family milestone, or carefully planned splurge, that extra space may justify the cost.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to see Halong Bay once and return quickly to Hanoi. In that case, a shorter cruise may provide the essential scenery for less money. You also need to budget for drinks, tips, spa treatments, personal expenses, and any holiday surcharge.

The maximum group size is 70 people. That is not an intimate little yacht, even though the ship has only 35 rooms. Shared activities and meals will have a social, organized feel. Couples wanting privacy should use the cabin balcony and confirm the room category carefully.

Who should choose this cruise

I would point this cruise toward couples marking a special occasion, families who want comfort with organized activities, and first-time visitors who prefer one package covering transport, meals, excursions, and accommodation.

It also suits people who want a balance of rest and movement. You can kayak, swim, cycle, practice Tai Chi, try golf, and still return to a private cabin with a bathtub and balcony.

I would hesitate to recommend it to strict budget travelers, late sleepers, or anyone seeking a very small boat with a highly flexible route. The cost is high, the timetable begins early, and the group capacity can reach 70 people.

The cancellation terms deserve attention before paying. Cancel at least six full days before the start time for a full refund. Cancellation two to six days ahead receives 50 percent, while cancellation within two days receives no refund. Changes follow the same cutoffs, and local time controls the deadlines.

Should you book Elite of The Seas?

Book it if the cabin matters as much as the scenery, you want two nights rather than a rushed overnight, and you value strong personal service. The combination of Lan Ha Bay, Viet Hai Village, private balconies, full-board meals, and Hanoi transfers creates a polished three-day escape.

Skip it if $900 feels uncomfortable or if you want maximum independence. For the right occasion, the price buys a complete experience rather than just a boat ride. For ordinary sightseeing, it may be more luxury than you need.

FAQ

How long is the Elite of The Seas cruise?

The experience lasts approximately three days and includes two nights on board.

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at dock 24, Tuan Chau International Marina, Halong City. The listed meeting point is Aclass Cruises in Ngoc Chau, Halong, Quang Ninh.

Is transportation from Hanoi included?

Round-trip limousine transportation is included when you choose the Hanoi transfer option. Pickup is listed for the Old Quarter and Hanoi Opera House area.

What time is pickup in Hanoi?

Pickup takes place between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. The drive to Halong Bay takes about two and a half hours and includes one short stop.

Can I meet the cruise at the harbor instead?

Yes. If you do not use the transfer service, arrive independently at dock 24, Tuan Chau International Marina, before 11:30 a.m. for check-in.

What type of cabin is included?

The package includes a Junior luxury en-suite cabin with a private balcony and full ocean view. Listed features include a marble bathroom, ocean-view bathtub, minibar, satellite TV, and multiple air-conditioning units.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners. Drinks are not included.

What activities are included?

Included activities and facilities include kayaking or bamboo boating, swimming, cycling to Viet Hai Village, Tai Chi, golf equipment, fishing equipment, board games, a gym, a swimming pool, and a library.

What is not included in the price?

Beverages, tips, personal expenses, spa services, and any holiday surcharge are not included.