Aqua Of The Seas Cruise Lan Ha Bay 3 Days 2 Nights

Itinerary, day by day

Day 1: HANOI – TUAN CHAU MARINA – LAN HA BAY – TRA BAU

Morning Pick-up from your hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter by Aqua limousine bus — nineteen reclining seats, air conditioning, about two and a half hours to Tuan Chau International Marina on the Hanoi – Hai Phong and Ha Long expressways with one comfort stop.

Late morning You are met at the Aqua guest lounge at the marina. Luggage and check-in are handled for you and a tender runs you out to the ship a little before midday.

Midday Welcome drink and safety briefing while the cabin is readied, then lunch as the ship clears the harbour and works in among the limestone towers — close to two thousand of them, inscribed by UNESCO in 1994 and extended across the Cat Ba archipelago in September 2023.

Mid-afternoon The ship anchors at Tra Bau in the heart of Lan Ha Bay, a sheltered inlet where the water is clear enough to see the bottom in the shallows. The kayaks go in here and you can swim straight off the ship; neither is compulsory.

Sundown A cooking demonstration of Vietnamese dishes with the head chef, the sunset party on the top deck, then dinner in the restaurant. Afterwards the bar is open, there is karaoke, and the crew set up a lamp and a line off the stern for squid. Overnight at anchor in Lan Ha Bay.

Day 2: VIET HAI VILLAGE – TAI KEO ISLETS – BA TRAI DAO

After breakfast You transfer to the day boat for a full day in the southern part of Lan Ha Bay. Take what you need for the day; you are away from the ship until mid-afternoon.

Morning Viet Hai, a village inside the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve reached through a gap in the hills. It is five kilometres from the landing to the village — bicycles are provided, and electric buggies are there for anyone who would rather not cycle. Water buffalo, vegetable plots and a handful of houses; the place is farmed rather than staged.

Lunch Vietnamese, served back on the day boat.

Afternoon Kayaking around the Tai Keo islets and a fishing hamlet, or swimming at Ba Trai Dao, the Three Peach beach, which is only above water at certain tides.

About four o’clock Back aboard the ship for the sunset party, with dinner in the restaurant that evening. Second night at anchor.

Day 3: TRUNG TRANG CAVE – TUAN CHAU MARINA – HANOI

First light Tai chi on the sundeck for anyone who wants it, then a light breakfast in the restaurant.

Morning A tender across to Cat Ba Island and a short bus ride up to Trung Trang Cave, which cuts right through a hill inside Cat Ba National Park — some three hundred metres of passage, stalactites and stalagmites throughout, and a steady cool draught. The floor is level but wet in places and the roof is low in two or three spots.

Late morning Back aboard, settle any bar account and leave the luggage outside the cabin door for the crew. Brunch is served as the ship works her way back towards Tuan Chau.

Midday Disembark at Tuan Chau International Marina, where the limousine bus is waiting for the run back to Hanoi.

What's included

Included

Not included

Age pricing

Rates are the starting point for a private quote and move with season, hotel choice and party size. Nothing is charged on this site. Send an inquiry and a designer confirms the exact figure in writing.

Frequently asked questions

• How much is a cabin on Aqua Of The Seas for 3 days 2 nights?

  From US$290 per person sharing a Junior Suite Balcony in low season (1 May to 30 September) and US$339 in high season (1 October to 30 April). A King or Queen Suite is US$416 to US$465, and the President Suite VIP US$754 to US$996. A cabin to yourself starts at US$473. The fare covers the return limousine-bus transfer from the Hanoi Old Quarter, two nights in the cabin, all seven meals, the full day on the day boat in southern Lan Ha Bay, kayaking, the English-speaking cruise guide and every bay fee and tax.

• What does the second night add?

  The whole of day two. One-night cruises run out to an anchorage and come straight back the next morning. Here the middle day is spent on a day boat in southern Lan Ha Bay: Viet Hai village inside the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve, kayaking around the Tai Keo islets and a fishing hamlet, and swimming at Ba Trai Dao. You also get a second sunset and a second dinner on board.

• How is Aqua Of The Seas different from the other Aqua ships?

  It is one of the two largest at 32 cabins, it works the Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba route, and it carries a gym, a spa and a children’s play room as well as the pool and jacuzzi. Aqua Luxury is the same size but adds a lift between decks and a mini-golf green; Aqua Legend is smaller at 21 cabins and quieter.

• Is this cruise good for families?

  It is the easiest ship in the group for a family. Every cabin has a private balcony, there is a play room for children on board, and the pool, the jacuzzi and the sundeck are all in use through the afternoon. Tell us the ages of the children when you enquire and we will confirm what the ship can hold in one cabin, as the number of extra beds is limited.

• Which bay does the ship cruise?

  It sails from Tuan Chau International Marina out through Ha Long Bay and anchors in Lan Ha Bay, the Cat Ba end of the same UNESCO site, where there are far fewer boats than in the main Ha Long channel. The overnight anchorage is Tra Bau, a sheltered inlet where you can swim off the ship.

• How do we get from Hanoi to the ship?

  An Aqua limousine bus collects you from the Hanoi Old Quarter in the morning and runs to Tuan Chau International Marina in about two and a half hours on the expressway, with one comfort stop. The return runs the same way after brunch on day two. The transfer is in the fare; if your hotel is outside the Old Quarter, tell us and we will confirm the pick-up point.

• What is included and what is not?

  Included: the return transfer, one night in the cabin category you choose, four meals on board, the welcome drink, the sunset party, the cooking demonstration, morning tai chi, kayaking, squid fishing, wifi, the English-speaking cruise guide, and all bay fees and taxes. Not included: drinks of any kind, the spa, the Vietnam visa, personal insurance, tips for the crew and driver, and the gala or holiday surcharges listed on this page.

• Are there extra charges on certain dates?

  Yes. US$117 per person over 24 and 31 December for the gala dinners the ship makes compulsory on those nights, and US$49 per person over 30 April, 1 May, 2 September and the first three days of Tet. We state these in writing in your quote before you commit.

• Can we bring children?

  Yes. Children are charged on the age scale shown on this page, as a share of the adult fare in the same cabin and season. Cabins take a limited number of extra beds, so tell us the ages when you enquire. A child taking a seat on the limousine bus is charged for the transfer.

• Is kayaking compulsory, and can we swim?

  Neither is compulsory. The kayaks go in the water at Tra Bau in the afternoon and you can swim straight off the ship there. If you would rather stay dry, the sundeck, the pool and the bar are open. Kayaking and swimming are the first things dropped if the sea gets up.

• Is there wifi, and will my phone work?

  There is wifi on board, but the limestone blocks the satellite signal for much of the route and the connection comes and goes. Plan on being out of contact for stretches of the itinerary.

• What happens if a typhoon stops the boats?

  Ha Long is a working port under a harbourmaster who can suspend departures when the weather turns, usually between July and October. If it happens we work the options with the cruise line — a change of date, a different ship, or a refund of what the line releases — and confirm the outcome to you in writing.

• How do we book and pay?

  Send an enquiry and we confirm the cabin and the price in writing within 24 hours. Nothing is charged on this website. To hold the booking we take a 30% deposit by bank transfer or card, with the balance due at least 14 days before you arrive.