Halong Bay Travel Blogs

Differences among Budget, Mid-Range and Luxury Cruises in Halong Bay

As Halong Bay grows and grows in popularity, potential passengers find themselves with a frankly ridiculous number of options with which to access it. The hundreds of companies that ply the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin in the northeast of Vietnam offer three classes, but the differences between budget, mid-range and luxury cruises in Halong Bay is far from clear for the millions of tourists who visit the bay each year.[incredible_toc] Endless hours of sifting through brochures, staring at computer screens and speaking with travel agents are not unusual for tourists to Hanoi, who understandably want to be perfectly clear on the service they are receiving. For those people, the Incredible Asia Journeys blog is here to help clarify the key differences between Halong Bay’s budget, mid-range and luxury cruises.1. What is a Halong Bay Budget Cruise?Tourism in Halong Bay has done very well in offering every type of traveler a chance to see the world's wonders. For those on a tight budget, the dream of cruising around one of the most magical seascapes on earth might seem unrealistic, but several companies cater specifically to showing such tourists the wonders of Halong Bay from as little as $40 USD. Budget cruises offer the most basic service, but crucially give passengers a chance to cruise around the twice-recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site for a price that is next to nothing.V'Spirit Cruise1.1. Halong Bay Budget Cruise ItineraryOne of the main differences between cruises in Halong Bay is the route in which they sail. Budget cruises tend to have a bit of a cut-and-paste itinerary, showing their passengers the main sites of the bay in a pretty regimented fashion. This is especially the case with day tours, which have about 4 hours of cruising time and therefore have to hit each spot with military precision.Usually, budget cruises in Halong Bay will visit Titop Island, Sung Sot Cave, Vung Vieng fishing village and offer a kayaking excursion around a small area. The beauty of these places is the same, regardless of the cruise that you are sailing on, but the strict time allowances and touristic nature of the stops means that budget cruises can feel a little forced, with not much time for relaxing.1.2. Halong Bay Budget Cruise ShipYou can extend your beauty of the bay by opting for an overnight trip, be it a 1-night or 2-night tour, where much more of the bay’s beauty will open up to you. While stops will likely be ones with high volumes of tourists, you will have much more time to relax on the sundeck or in the bedroom of your budget ship. Usually, these are comprised of small but functional cabins with en suites, with a few of the fancier ships offering private balconies; all along with a practical dining room, sparsely decorated but useful sundeck and a bar with local beer, wine and a few spirits. The price difference among budget, mid-range and luxury cruises in Halong Bay is largely down to facilities on board the boat, so if the budget option sounds a little too much on the basic side, then you may want to look at the next option…Some suggestions for Budget Cruises in Halong Bay:Mila CruiseCozy Bay CruiseLa Pandora CruiseGarden Bay Legend Cruise4. What is a Halong Bay Deluxe (Mid-Range) Cruise?One of the many frustrations for tourists looking to book Halong Bay cruises is the vague terminology used by travel companies in categorising their cruises and cabins. ‘Deluxe’ in the Vietnamese tourism industry means ‘mid-range’, while inexplicably, cabins listed as ‘superior’ can actually be the most basic offerings on a ship. Amid all the confusion, mid-range cruises offer a decent 4-star service, aimed at tourists with a bit more cash to splash, but not so much that they want the most pristine service available.2.1. Halong Bay Mid-Range Cruise ItineraryThe route that mid-range cruises use is possibly the biggest difference between budget and deluxe cruises in Halong Bay. As Halong Bay becomes increasingly congested with more and more identical cruise companies wanting a slice of the action, more tourists are finding a quieter and equally breathtaking alternative in Lan Ha Bay, located just to the south. There are currently no budget cruises in Lan Ha bay unless leaving from Cat Ba Island, located about 140km from where most people book their cruises, Hanoi.Like budget cruises, mid-range cruises in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay can still visit Titop Island, Sung Sot Cave and the fishing village of Vung Vieng, but have a world of other attractions available as well. The Dark and Bright Caves, Ba Trai Dao Beach, Trong Cave and Dong Tien Lake are all popular stops for such tours who, if sailing through Lan Ha Bay, can also benefit from having the entire of Cat Ba Island available for exploration on the second day of a 3-day cruise.Sung Sot Cave2.2. Halong Bay Mid-Range Cruise ShipYou will generally have more space to roam and better facilities when making a comparison between mid-range and budget Halong Bay cruises. These ships are well-equipped to carry their passengers through Halong or Lan Ha bays, starting with a more spacious cabin, more modern en-suite and a potential balcony. You’ll find a more elegant restaurant and bar area, with a wider sundeck on the top facilitating amazing views of the passage of limestone mountains outside. Crucially, mid-range cruises usually contain a more vivid character than budget cruises through Vietnamese decoration, better quality food, and various types of boats that offer different services for different people. If you want a private cruise, that’s totally possible, as is a cruise that caters to families or honeymoon couples, all offering a mid-range price tag for an individualized service.Some suggestions of Deluxe Cruises in Halong Bay:V'Spirit CruiseLa Casta Regal CruiseAthena CruiseMila Lux CruiseErina Cruise3. What is a Halong Bay Luxury Cruise?Luckily, there is no ambiguity in the name for Halong Bay luxury cruises. Luxury means luxury, and that is exactly what you will get on these 5-star cruises, differing from mid-range and budget cruises not really by the places to which they sail, but by the services that they provide on board the ship. Obviously, such cruises are catered to people with a higher budget, or without a budget at all, providing a stylised and opulent trip for passengers to see the bay in a sophisticated setting.3.1. Halong Bay Luxury Cruise ItineraryThere isn’t much of a difference between Halong Bay’s mid-range and luxury cruise itineraries; both visit the same areas and see much of the same wonders of Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay. However, some luxury cruises do in fact have special access to some parts of the bay.Though luxury cruises mostly go to the same attractions, many of their passengers are more in the market for relaxation than activity, meaning cruises usually feature some fantastic alternatives if staying on the ship. Afternoon tea, fruit-carving demonstrations and cooking classes are some of these, while the 6-star ultra-luxury cruises may contain a gym, swimming pool, spa and even a mini-golf course in order to keep their top dollar-paying passengers happy.Perla Dawn Sails3.2. Halong Bay Luxury Cruise ShipLuxury cruises mostly present their opulence in the form of the ship with which you cruise. Aside from some of those features mentioned above, luxury cruises in Halong Bay, compared to mid-range and budget cruises, contain high-end amenities and a character born of classy, stylish, and traditional design. Cabins are very spacious, usually containing a balcony and a very modern and well-equipped en-suite. Luxury cruises are where you’ll find the floating suites of Halong Bay, complete with sofas, bookcases, hot tubs and many other features that breed an air of exclusivity. The service is also in a world of its own on these cruises. Staff will do more than facilitate your sailing, they will actively try to enhance it by offering companionship or extra, personalized services. The crew are trained to the highest levels and have a consistently friendly demeanor along with fluent English abilities; higher-end luxury cruises even have personal butlers who will tend personally to your every whim.Some suggestions of Luxury Cruises in Halong Bay:Catherine cruiseElite of the SeasCapella CruiseIndochine Premium CruiseScarlet Pearl Cruise

At Which Port do International Cruises Stop in Halong Bay?

The draw of Halong Bay has long since reached international levels, with visitors coming from the opposite side of the world to experience its picture-perfect setting. Regardless of their origin, the millions of tourists who visit Halong Bay every year find a magical destination of forested limestone spires and the exquisite caves formed within, all sitting in an emerald sea that rolls up to remote islands’ shores.[incredible_toc]For cruise passengers on many international cruise lines, Halong Bay represents a wonderful starting destination or a beautiful conclusion to tours to and from Hong Kong or Singapore. Before departing on such a cruise, many potential passengers research which port international cruises stop at in Halong Bay, in order to assess their time and distance allowances for their one day on land. For the benefit of passengers eager to explore the north of Vietnam, here is the Incredible Asia Journeys list of day trips from Halong Bay’s cruise liner port.1. Sun Group Halong International Cruise Port - Updated 2024From 3rd May 2019, Sun Group has announced the opening of the Sun Halong International Cruise Port at Bai Chay Commune in Halong City. The Sun International Port officially opened on 28th April 2019 with top-of-line facilities designed to serve the international tourists visiting Halong.The Sun International Cruise Port can hold up to 300 ships and the facilities can serve the high-speedboat, yachts and overnight cruises. It is very convenient because it is close to the Halong City, Market, restaurants and Sun World Entertainment Complex.Halong International Cruise Port2. An Introduction to Cai Lan Port, Halong BayInternational cruise passengers touch down every few days at Cai Lan port in Vietnam’s northeastern corner. The port lies in the north of Halong City, just above Halong Bay, facing onto the Cua Luc harbour where cruise liners anchor for the day. On a typical itinerary, cruise liners arrive at Cai Lan at about 07:00 or 08:00, leaving at some point between 20:00 and 22:00 to head back into the open sea.The large time allowance gives visitors plenty of options for day trips from Cai Lan port. Many passengers opt to stick to the immediate shoreline and enjoy some of the famous attractions of the coast for which Vietnam is known, but many search for excitement further afield in the country’s highly cultural capital, Hanoi.As with everything around Halong city, Cai Lan port is surrounded by jutting limestone karts, providing a resplendent first impression of Vietnam as international cruise passengers pull up to the shore. After passing under the Bai Chay bridge, which connects the two halves of Halong City, tourists will be left for the day on land and the chance to join an organised tour from Cai Lan port to anywhere within a few hours’ driving distance.2.1. Cai Lan Port to Halong BayOf all the things to do around Cai Lan port, the most popular is certainly to visit Halong Bay, a seascape unlike any other on Earth. The distance from Halong City’s cruise liner port to Halong Bay is a very minimal 14km and its route cuts through the western half of Halong city, with readily available taxi services at the port taking about 20 minutes to complete the journey. The destination port is Tuan Chau Harbour, from where all-day and overnight cruises to Halong Bay leave. Both private tours and group tours are available from Tuan Chau, but cruises should be booked beforehand with a reputable tour company in order to get a reliable deal, as some of the more unscrupulous practices at the harbour prey on tourists looking for a bargain.At Tuan Chau harbour, your cruise will leave into the breathtaking world of Halong Bay and take you to many of the sites available for exploration here. These include a multitude of caves with astounding rock formations within, vibrant fishing villages where families live directly on floating rafts atop the water, and a host of magnificent tree-clad islands containing white sand beaches at their bases. Tours last either 4 or 6 hours cruising in Halong Bay and can be booked with Incredible Asia Journeys here.A Halong Bay cruise is waiting for you to experienceTours will end in the late afternoon or evening time, giving you a chance to either head back to the international cruise port or explore the wonders of Halong City. Finishing your Halong Bay day trip from Cai Lan port before sunset presents the opportunity to watch the magical spectacle from atop the Sun World Ferris Wheel or, for the more active cruise passengers, from the top of Bai Tho Mountain.2.2. Cai Lan Port to Lan Ha BayJust below Halong Bay lies a seascape of similar contoured rocks and their rain-eroded facades – Lan Ha Bay. For tourists looking for a quieter alternative to the occasionally crowded Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay presents the perfect package with serene waters, quiet coves and the tranquil advantages of its indistinguishable appearance from its famous neighbour. Heading from Cai Lan port to a Lan Ha Bay daytrip is one of the less explored options for passengers on international cruises, but one that can reap a lot of benefits for those who undertake it.Once such benefit, along with the quieter waters, is an increase in cruising time. Around 7 hours is usual for a Lan Ha Bay day trip, offering one of the best options for things to do from Cai Lan port. The longer travel time of 1 hour to the departure terminal, Got harbour, means that you will get back to Halong city later, but still with plenty of time to explore before returning to your cruise liner in the evening.The magnificent scenery of Halong Bay2.3. Cai Lan Port to HanoiEspecially towards the end of an international cruise, passengers can arrive at Cai Lan Port with cruising fatigue, eager to head out for some land-based action. For this, Hanoi is well positioned, requiring a 3–3.5 hour drive from the cruise port and providing a fantastic account of Vietnamese culture, history and architecture. Customisable day trips to Hanoi from Halong’s harbour will show you the best of the capital through its beautiful attractions, starting in the Old Quarter. This is the historic and bustling centre, where street food stalls sit in front of layers of historical architecture, dating from as far back as the 6th century and spanning the dynasties and colonial rulers that have taken residence there since. Museums such as the Museum of Ethnology and Hoa Lo Prison Museum take you through the turbulent history and prosperous current state of Vietnam, while religious sites such as the Temple of Literature, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Ngoc Son Temple offer gorgeous aesthetics as well as a window into current culture.On a full-day tour of Hanoi from Cai Lan port, cruise passengers will return to their international liner with plenty of time to spare until their departure. If this sounds like an appealing option, then click here and opt to create your own tailored trip with Incredible Asia Journeys, including transport, lunch, all entry fees and a professional tour guide.