Ha Long Bay: Discovering Vietnam’s Iconic Natural Wonder on the Luxury Peony Cruise
Ha Long Bay: Discovering Vietnam’s Iconic Natural Wonder on the Luxury Peony Cruise
Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped with rainforests. A cruise through this natural wonder offers a unique opportunity to explore hidden caves, pristine beaches, and floating fishing villages. Whether you’re seeking tranquility on the sundeck, indulging in fresh seafood meals, or kayaking through serene waters, Ha Long Bay cruises provide an immersive experience amidst breathtaking scenery. Cruising through Halong Bay is a must for travelers looking to uncover the beauty and serenity of Vietnam’s coastal marvel.
There are many different tour groups to choose from and generally speaking, their tours offer roughly the same itinerary and activities as each other. You will most likely base your choice on your budget as this is the largest difference between many of the tour options. If you’re looking for high luxury very budget, this will also affect if you choose 3 days and 2 nights or perhaps a 2 day and 1 night cruise. Personally this was a bucket list experience I have wanted to do for a few years. Therefore, we budgeted specifically to have a luxury 3 day and 2 night cruise to make sure we didn’t feel rushed. We chose Peony cruises which are not the top of the line but are still in the “luxury cruise” category. We think it’s the perfect compromise of the two factors.
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When to Visit Ha Long Bay
The best time to visit Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, is during the dry season, which typically spans from October to April. During these months, the weather is generally pleasant with clear skies and mild temperatures, making it ideal for cruising and outdoor activities. November to March is considered the peak season. This time offers cooler temperatures and lower humidity levels, which enhance the enjoyment of exploring the bay’s limestone formations and pristine waters. Travelers can avoid the occasional rainfall and higher humidity of the summer months by planning their visit during the dry season, ensuring a memorable experience amidst Ha Long Bay’s breathtaking scenery and tranquil waters. We visited in May and had some rain but overall the weather was quite enjoyable.
Transportation to Ha Long Bay
Arriving for your cruise can sometimes be the most stressful part of the trip. However, Peony cruises did make this part much easier fly handling all the arrangements. There are no airports next to Ha Long Bay so you will need to fly into Hanoi first. It is best to spend at least 1 night in the city so that you can be there for the pick up time which is generally early morning. We spent 3 days in Hanoi before embarking on our journey and we suggest not skipping time in the city as there is so much to offer! The cruise company arranges the transportation to and from the city to the bay. They provide a private but shared van with AC, water and wifi. The trip is roughly 2.5 hours depending on traffic.
They also make a pitstop about halfway through at a rest area that has some local vendors and restrooms. They will bring you to the office check point in the marina to check in before taking a small transfer boat to the larger cruise ship. We waited roughly an hour at the office area. They have complimentary water and tea. One thing to note is we were picked up at 8 am but did not arrive on the main boat until 13:10. It is a bit of a travel day.
Accommodation on Peony
There are a few options to choose from room wise for the Peony Cruises. Again, which room type you want will depend on the budget you have but the top deck rooms are more expensive despite the rooms being the exact same as the ones on the lower deck.
Peony Exclusive Suite
Peony Exclusive Suite Cabins are situated on the second floor which rooms are the most luxurious and utmost charming on Peony Cruises. Only Two Peony Exclusive Suite Cabins are available on board which special cabins are the largest rooms as 45m2 including a private sun lounge and lounge chairs on the private balcony. The utmost view of Lan Ha Bay – Ha Long Bay and its own luxury cabins facilities are the most valuable marks of these special cabins. The plus point of cabins are handmade wooden decoration which curved by the skillful and professional Vietnamese artisans. Room is 45 msq and houses 3 people.
Family Premium Deluxe Cabin With Balcony
Family Premium Deluxe Cabins are located on the second floor with private balcony where rooms combine flexibility of 01 Double Deluxe Cabin and 01 Twin Deluxe Cabin. This room has the connecting door which is the most convenience for family group. Family Premium Deluxe Cabins are perfectly designed with luxury and elegance. Room is 50 msq and can house 5 people.
Premium Deluxe Cabin With Balcony
These Luxurious Cabins are situated on the second floor with private balcony where lovely views of the legend bays are appeared even more beautiful in your eyes once you get into the cabins. Premium Deluxe Cabins are perfectly designed with luxury and elegance. The plus point of cabins are handmade wooden decoration which curved by the skillful and professional Vietnamese artisans. Rooms are 25 msq and house 3 people.
Family Deluxe Cabin With Balcony
Family Deluxe Cabins are located on the first floor with private balcony where rooms combine flexibility of 01 Double Deluxe Cabin and 01 Twin Deluxe Cabin. This room has the connecting door which is the most convenience for family group. Rooms are 50 msq and house 5. Images are the same as the premium but located a floor below.
Deluxe Cabin With Balcony
These Luxurious Cabins are situated on the first floor with private balcony where lovely views of the legend bays are appeared in your eyes once you get into the cabins. Rooms are 25 msq and house 3 people. Images are the same as premium but located a floor down.
Where to Eat
All of your meals are included in the price. You also are given a welcome drink of watermelon juice upon arrival and greeted with a warm tea on day 2 if you take the 3 day cruise. The first day you have lunch and dinner. Day 2 includes breakfast and dinner on the boat plus a cooking class and lunch on the day excursion boat. The last day includes breakfast and lunch. All of our food was extremely tasty and special request or preferences were taken into consideration. My husband is not a fan of seafood and they had plenty of options for him to choose from during the set meals and the buffets. Alcohol is an extra charge so be prepared to bring your own or budget extra from cocktails.
Bars on Cruise
There is a bar in the main dining area as well as up on the top deck. You can order any of the classic cocktails and they also have a few specialty drinks of their own. There is a happy hour which is split in-between two separate time windows which proceed and follow dinner time. If you wish for a drink with dinner you need to pay or grab an extra at happy hour before heading down to the dinning area. The buy one get one free is the only time I would recommend buying alcohol on the ship.
Top Activities in Ha Long Bay Cruise
DAY 1 : TUAN CHAU – HA LONG BAY – LAN HA BAY – TRA BAU
8:20 – 8:50 : A limousine bus picks the guests up at your hotel in the old quarter or at No 34 Hoa Ma, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi. (There would be an additional charge for a shuttle bus if it booked from Hanoi).
12:00 : The crew members of Peony Cruises will welcome you at No.34, Tuan Chau Marina, Quang Ninh.
Phone for receptionist at Peony Cruises’s lounge: +84 987671669 / +84 936905115.
12.30 : You will be taken aboard our support vessel and travel from the wharf via the bay to board our luxurious craft, Peony Cruises. Itinerary briefing is announced during this time.
13.00 : Welcome fresh drinks, wet towels and a special lunch will be served. You then set sail for Lan Ha Bay – A member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays. Enjoy the delicious luncheon of fresh seafood and an assortment of appetizing delicacies while cruising along Lan Ha bay with the breathtaking scenery
15:30 : Visiting Tra Bau area where has known as an area famous for its unspoiled, poetic natural beauty and attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. This is the best time for kayaking to discover the truest beauty of the limestone islands. Immerse yourself in the emerald green water of the bay or enjoy the Jacuzzi pool on the Peony Cruises.
17:30 – 18:30 : Joining the cooking demonstration to learn how to make one of the most famous Vietnamese cuisines, the spring rolls. Or reach the top deck of cruise where the guests can admire the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.
Enjoy a Happy Hour time – BUY ONE GET ONE FREE at the bar. It is an ideal time for photography enthusiasts to capture the greatest moment of sunset over Lan Ha Bay.
19.30 : Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served by the skillful chef.
21:00 – 22.00 : Relax and sip the exotic cocktails and drinks at the sky bar (with surcharge). Indulge yourself with spa service (optional) or simply relax on the top deck just
under the cover of a brightly illuminated sky. Or try to get your luck at the squid fishing on the main deck.
DAY 2 : LAN HA BAY – VIET HAI VILLAGE – THREE PEACHES AREA
6:00 : Begin the day full of energy with the Tai Chi session and enjoy the sunrise over the bay.
6:45 – 7.15 : Breakfast is served at the restaurant.
8:00 – 8:30 : Guests are transferred to a day trip boat and set sail for the further Lan Ha Bay. Or you are free to relax on cruise if you do not like to move for a day trip.
10:30 – 11:00 : After reaching Viet Hai jetty, the guest will have the option to cycle or ride on an e-cart to Viet Hai village through the tropical rainforest canopy and towering limestone mountains, also surrounded by the green. You learn about the villager’s daily life and how people built and lived in the bamboo thatched houses. The earthen walls are made of straw and mud covered with trellis, forming walls to block rain and wind.
12:15 – 13:30 :
Return to the day trip boat and enjoy lunch at the restaurant while the boat is cruising to the kayaking and swimming spot.
13:30 : Explore the secluded and quiet lagoon by kayaks or having a swim off the boat is a great fun.
16:30 : Head back to the Peony Cruises to relax. Have a soak in the Jacuzzi pool. Enjoy the music and your favorite drinks by the pool.
17:30 – 18:30 : Enjoy “happy hour” on the deck and BUY ONE GET ONE FREE. Watch the sunset falling on the bay.
Attend the cooking demonstration to learn the different type of the Vietnamese spring rolls (same as the day before).
19:30 : Dinner is served at the Peony Cruises ‘s restaurant.
21:00 – 22:00 : Enjoy the nightlife of the bay from the deck. Immerse yourself in music. Taste some cocktail at the bar. Otherwise, you can go for the squid fishing with the sailors or simply relax in the room and watch Ha Long Bay from the balcony.
DAY 3 : LAN HA BAY – CAT BA ISLAND – TUAN CHAU
6:00 : Begin the day full of energy with the Tai Chi session and enjoy the sun just rising up beyond the horizon.
6:45 – 7:15 Breakfast is served while cruising back to Gia Luan jetty. (Breakfast time maybe adjust and follow the real itinerary)
7:30 – 9:00 : You will join the tour of Cat Ba World Biosphere by transshipment. It takes 30 minutes to transfer from Gia Luan to Trung Trang – one of the most impressive caves in Cat Ba island, Vietnam. The limestone cave has thousands of talactites in various shapes, offering geological values with a typical cave ecosystem.
9:30 : Return to the main boat from the cave and the guests will do the cabin check out. Luggage is placed outside of the cabin.
Lunch is served at the restaurant. Settle the bar bill by the desk at the restaurant (if any)
10:30 – 11:00 : Disembark the Peony Cruises and transferred back to Block #34, Big Bay group terminal, Tuan Chau Marina. Relax and wait for the luggage. Brunch is served at the restaurant. Settle the bar bill by the desk at the restaurant (if any)
11:30 – 12:00 : The guests are ready at Tuan Chau Marina.
Additonal Information
One major thing to know is that wifi is basically non-existent on the boat. You may get an occasionally connection but overall there was extremely poor and sporadic connection if any at all. For those who need to work, I recommend getting an e-SIM (read below) before you arrive and one that can support hotspot if you will need to use your laptop.
If you are celebrating a special occasion let them know. They had an incredible surprise for us as it was part pf our honeymoon tour and the decorated the room as well as a very special dinner celebration! The second night there was a birthday celebration, so whatever the occasion is let them know.
MORE ON VIETNAM?
If you’re interested in staying longer and exploring the bustling city of Hanoi, then make sure you check out our guide to the city! As the bustling capital of Vietnam, Hanoi offers travelers a rich tapestry of cultural landmarks, a food and coffee culture and unique experiences!
Hanoi, Vietnam: Discovering Local Delights of the Bustling City
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