Choosing the right Halong Bay cruise depends on three things: how much time you have, how much you want to spend, and whether you prefer Halong Bay’s classic karst scenery or Lan Ha Bay’s quieter waterways. This guide lets you compare Halong Bay cruises side by side — every price, route, and activity in one place — so you can book with confidence.
At a glance:
- Fleet: 4 cruises covering Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Cat Ba Island
- Duration options: 6–8 hour day cruises or 2-day/1-night overnight
- Price range: $49–$180/person (May 2026, direct booking)
- Departure: Tuan Chau Marina (Premium, Tropical, Grand) or Sun World Marina (Sea Lion)
- All day cruises are 5★ — Grand Overnight is 4★
Complete Cruise Comparison Table — Pricing & Features
Use this table to compare Halong Bay cruises — all four options operated by Cozy Vietnam Travel. Prices shown are official website rates (May 2026) per person.
| Cruise | Type | Route | Duration | From Hanoi | From Port | Departure | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cozy Bay Premium | Day Cruise | Halong Bay | 6 hours | $58 (shuttle) / $64 (limo) | $49 | Tuan Chau Marina | 5★ |
| Sea Lion Luxury | Day Cruise | Halong Bay | 6 hours | $58 (shuttle) / $64 (limo) | $49 | Sun World Marina | 5★ |
| Tropical Cruise | Day Cruise | Lan Ha Bay + Cat Ba | 8 hours | $65 (shuttle) / $72 (limo) | $58 | Tuan Chau Marina | 5★ |
| Cozy Bay Grand | Overnight 2D1N | Halong Bay | 24 hours | $148–$180 | $139–$165 | Tuan Chau Marina | 4★ |
Cozy Bay Grand — Cabin Types & Pricing Detail
The Grand overnight cruise offers three cabin categories across two decks. Prices below are per person based on double/twin occupancy. Single supplements apply.
| Cabin Type | Floor | From Halong Bay | From Hanoi (Bus) | Single Supplement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Seaview | 1st Floor | $139/person | $148/person | +$60 |
| Deluxe Private Balcony | 2nd Floor | $150/person | $165/person | +$60 |
| Premium Terrace | 2nd Floor | $165/person | $180/person | +$60 |
Holiday surcharges: +400,000 VND/person for Dec 24 & 31. +300,000 VND during Lunar New Year. +200,000 VND for Apr 30, May 1, Sep 2.
Route Comparison — Halong Bay vs Lan Ha Bay
When you compare Halong Bay cruises, the route determines what you see, how crowded it feels, and which activities are available. Three cruises sail Halong Bay; Tropical sails Lan Ha Bay and visits Cat Ba Island.
| Feature | Halong Bay Route (Premium / Sea Lion / Grand) | Lan Ha Bay Route (Tropical) |
|---|---|---|
| UNESCO Status | UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994 | Part of Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve |
| Scenery | 1,600+ limestone karsts, iconic formations | Smaller islets, hidden lagoons, less touristy |
| Crowd Level | Moderate — shared with 200+ other cruises | Low — fewer than 30 boats operate here |
| Kayaking Spots | Luon Cave (through-cave, 500m) | Dark & Bright Cave, hidden lagoons |
| Caves | Sung Sot Cave (largest in bay) | Trung Trang Cave (Cat Ba Island) |
| Swimming | Ti Top Island beach | Secluded coves, cleaner water |
| Departure | Tuan Chau (Premium/Grand) / Sun World (Sea Lion) | Tuan Chau Marina |
| Best For | First-time visitors wanting iconic views | Repeat visitors, kayakers, nature lovers |
Deeper analysis: Halong Bay vs Lan Ha Bay — Honest Comparison
Activities Included by Cruise
When you compare Halong Bay cruises side by side, the real differences show up in the extras — kayaking, swimming, cave visits, and evening activities. All included in the ticket price.
| Activity | Premium 5★ | Sea Lion 5★ | Tropical 5★ | Grand 4★ 2D1N |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seafood Lunch | ✅ Buffet | ✅ Premium Buffet | ✅ | ✅ + Dinner + Breakfast |
| Cave Visit | Sung Sot Cave | Sung Sot Cave | Trung Trang Cave | Sung Sot Cave |
| Kayaking | ✅ Luon Cave | ✅ Luon Cave | ✅ Dark & Bright Cave | ✅ Luon Cave |
| Swimming | ✅ Ti Top Island | ✅ Ti Top Island | ✅ Secluded cove | ✅ Ti Top Island |
| Jacuzzi / Pool | ❌ | ✅ Onboard Jacuzzi | ❌ | ❌ |
| Squid Fishing | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Night activity |
| Tai Chi | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Sunrise session |
| Cooking Class | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Spring roll class |
| Cat Ba Island | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Sunset on Bay | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ From sundeck |
| Hanoi Transfer | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Free Drink at Lunch | ✅ 1 soft drink/beer | ✅ 1 soft drink/beer | ✅ 1 soft drink/beer | ✅ 1 soft drink/beer |
| Welcome Drink + Sunset Party | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Detailed guides: Top 10 Things to Do | Kayaking Guide | Sung Sot Cave Guide
Which Cruise Should You Choose?
Here is a decision framework to help you compare Halong Bay cruises based on what matters most.
Best for Budget Travelers
Cozy Bay Premium 5★ — from $58/person (port pickup) or $58/person (Hanoi shuttle). Full 5-star experience at the lowest price. Sung Sot Cave, kayaking at Luon Cave, Ti Top Island. Departs from Tuan Chau Marina.
Best for Luxury Seekers
Sea Lion Luxury 5★ — from $58/person (port) or $58/person (Hanoi shuttle). Same price as Premium but with onboard Jacuzzi and premium buffet menu. Departs from Sun World Marina — newer, less crowded port.
Best for Nature Lovers & Repeat Visitors
Tropical Cruise 5★ — from $58/person (port) or $65/person (Hanoi shuttle). The only cruise sailing Lan Ha Bay and visiting Cat Ba Island. Hidden lagoons, Dark & Bright Cave kayaking. Departs from Tuan Chau Marina.
Best Overall Experience
Cozy Bay Grand 4★ 2D1N — from $139/person (Halong) or $148/person (Hanoi). Overnight cruise with sunset, squid fishing, Tai Chi, cooking class, and private cabin. Three cabin categories available. Departs from Tuan Chau Marina.
Children Policy — Comparison
Children policies differ between cruises. Check the table below before booking for families.
- WhatsApp: +84 981 886 155 / +84 985 161 359
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: cozyvietnamtravel.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I combine a day cruise and overnight cruise?
Yes. Many travelers do a Halong Bay day cruise (Premium or Sea Lion) on day one, then join the Tropical Cruise to Lan Ha Bay on day two. Combo packages with 10–15% discount available — contact us directly.
Which cruise has the smoothest ride in rough weather?
The Cozy Bay Grand overnight is the largest vessel at 45 meters LOA with the most stability. Among day cruises, Sea Lion is most stable. All cruises cancel if waves exceed 1.5 meters.
Do I need to book in advance?
Advance booking is strongly recommended during peak season (October–December). Minimum 48 hours advance required for Hanoi hotel pickup.
What is the difference between Tuan Chau Marina and Sun World Marina?
Both marinas are in Halong City, about 5km apart. Tuan Chau Marina serves Premium, Tropical, and Grand cruises. Sun World Marina is newer and less crowded, serving Sea Lion Luxury exclusively. Same transfer time from Hanoi.
