Meeting Cozy Bay Grand at Tuan Chau Marina instead of riding our bus from Hanoi saves $9 per person on a Deluxe Seaview cabin and $15 on the two upper-deck cabins. That rarely pays for a hotel on its own. What a night in Ha Long buys you is a slow morning instead of a 7:45 AM pickup, and for some trips that is worth far more than the fare difference.
The Two Ways to Join the Ship
From our price table, per person in a double or twin cabin:
| Cabin | Depart from Tuan Chau | With Hanoi bus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Seaview, 1st floor | $139 | $148 | $9 |
| Deluxe with private balcony, 2nd floor | $150 | $165 | $15 |
| Premium with terrace, 2nd floor | $165 | $180 | $15 |
Single occupancy runs $199 / $210 / $225 from Tuan Chau and $208 / $225 / $240 with the bus. The Tuan Chau price covers everything on board (meals, the cooking class, entrance fees) but not the round trip to Hanoi.
What the Bus Morning Looks Like
On the published timetable, the Hanoi bus collects Cozy Bay Grand guests between 7:45 and 8:30 AM at our Old Quarter meeting points, stops once for 20–30 minutes on the expressway, and reaches the Cozy Bay Grand Cruise Lounge at Tuan Chau Marina for check-in between 11:45 AM and 12:30 PM. It is a comfortable ride, but it is still four hours of your first day before you see the bay.
When a Night in Ha Long Makes Sense
- You are already in the north-east. Coming from Cat Ba, Hai Phong or a Ha Long hotel stay, travelling back to Hanoi just to catch our bus makes no sense.
- You are driving. With your own car or a private driver, the Tuan Chau fare is the obvious choice; arriving the evening before avoids racing the check-in window.
- You want the morning on the water side. Waking up a short drive from the pier and walking into the lounge rested is a different start from a bus seat.
When It Doesn’t
- You are based in Hanoi and travel light. For a couple, a $9–15 saving each will not cover a hotel night, and our bus brings you back to your Hanoi hotel around 4:00 PM on day two.
- You have only two days for the whole trip. The bus is the efficient option: it turns the drive into part of the cruise.
Where to Stay Near Tuan Chau
When I checked Booking.com on 16 October 2026, its Tuan Chau search returned 132 properties and its Bai Chay search 354. Tuan Chau puts you closest to the Block 7 pier; Bai Chay has more choice and is still a short drive away. Browse hotels on Tuan Chau island or hotels in Bai Chay and keep the drive to Block 7 short.
We have not personally inspected these hotels, so check recent reviews and confirm parking if you are driving. The published check-in window at our lounge is 11:45 AM to 12:30 PM, so plan to arrive by 11:45 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly do I meet the ship? At the Cozy Bay Grand Cruise Lounge at Block 7 on Tuan Chau island, where you check in, receive a welcome drink and the cruise briefing before boarding.
How much cheaper is it to skip the Hanoi bus? $9 per person for a Deluxe Seaview cabin and $15 per person for the Deluxe balcony and Premium terrace cabins, based on double or twin sharing.
Can I join at Tuan Chau and still take the bus back to Hanoi? The two prices are set per option, so ask our team when you book if you want a one-way arrangement rather than assuming it is included.
Are there holiday surcharges? Yes: on 24 and 31 December, over Lunar New Year, and on 30 April, 1 May and 2 September.
After You Disembark
On day two the ship visits Sung Sot Cave at 7:40 AM, serves brunch while sailing back, and guests disembark at Tuan Chau between 11:15 and 11:30 AM. If you joined at Tuan Chau, you leave from there too, with the afternoon free to drive on. Planning a second day on the water? Our Halong Bay vs Lan Ha Bay guide compares the two bays.
See the full Cozy Bay Grand 2 days 1 night itinerary or book Cozy Bay Grand with the departure option that suits you.
Some links to hotel sites are affiliate links; booking through them costs you nothing extra. Prices are from our current direct-booking price table and schedules can change with weather and port instructions.
