Is one night in Halong Bay enough? That depends on your expectations—and more importantly, the weather. We spent one unforgettable night cruising through the limestone karsts of Halong Bay aboard the Paradise Elegance cruise, and we’re here to tell you all about it (not sponsored!)
Was it expensive? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely—if the weather cooperates. But even in gray weather, Halong Bay’s emerald waters and dramatic limestone islands are breathtaking.
If you’re planning a quick yet luxurious getaway in Vietnam, here’s your complete guide to booking, getting there, and experiencing a 2-day, 1-night Halong Bay cruise the right way. Just keep in mind: It’s not really 2 full days on the boat as we checked in around 12:00 PM and disembarked around 10:30 AM the next day.
We spent one month in Vietnam so check out some of our other blogs about Hanoi, Sapa, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Phong Nha, Nha Trang, and Saigon (coming soon)!
Curious about other destinations on our journey? Check out our blogs on Laos, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand or the Philippines!
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no additional cost to you!
TLDR 🫣
Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking natural wonders, and cruising through it aboard the luxurious Paradise Elegance made for an unforgettable, indulgent experience—even with moody weather!
Itinerary
Day 1:
-Depart Hanoi in a luxury van with meals and refreshments included.
-Check-in to the Paradise Elegance around 12:00 PM (rose petals and all!).
-Lunch on board followed by a visit to Ti Top Island (hike to the viewpoint).
-Bamboo boat ride through Luon Cave (a serene highlight!).
-Relaxation time in your cabin and bathtub with ocean views.
-Spring roll making class. Ryan wins.
-Gourmet set-course dinner with live music (surf & turf and medium-rare steak perfection).
-Optional night squid fishing—Ryan caught a "giant" squid!
Day 2:
-Optional sunrise Tai Chi on deck (we slept in!).
-Light pre-breakfast on your private balcony.
-Visit to Sung Sot Cave—massive and stunning!
-Buffet breakfast back on board.
-Disembark around 10:30 AM, have another lunch (but on land) and return to Hanoi.
Pro Tips:
-Book early (especially in high season) and use travel credits or points if you have them—this is a splurge worth hacking!
-Pack light and be camera-ready—you won’t want to miss snapping photos of the scenery, food, or your squid-fishing triumph.
-Avoid overbooking your schedule post-cruise—you’ll return to Hanoi in the afternoon, slightly tired but very satisfied.
Top Awards:
- Best Experiences: Bamboo boat ride through Luon Cave & that incredible spring roll + surf & turf dinner combo.
- Best e-SIM: Airalo (You can use our referral code “CELINA4205” to save $4.50 CAD OFF your first purchase).
How to Book a Halong Bay Cruise
There are countless cruises in Halong Bay, ranging from budget backpacker boats to floating five-star hotels. We opted for comfort and quality with the 5-star Paradise Elegance cruise—a modern, well-reviewed vessel known for its premium service.
We booked directly through Hotels.com and used one of our most expensive night credits (~$300 CAD in credit) to offset some of the costs, making it an easy and satisfying redemption. Be sure to book early, especially during peak season (October to April), as rooms sell out quickly. We booked ours about 7 days in advance. When booking the hotel night, keep in mind that this includes all excursions and meals, but not tips! Also, it doesn’t include transportation from Hanoi to Halong Bay, which is where the cruise will start and end.
Getting to Halong Bay from Hanoi
After confirming our cruise, we contacted Paradise Elegance directly and requested transportation from Hanoi to Halong Bay and back. It was seamless. The round-trip service included a luxurious van, complete with reclining chairs, complimentary refreshments, and even hot meals upon arrival in their private lounge—making the pre-cruise experience as stress-free as the cruise itself. The price was approximately $100 CAD total.
The drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay took around 2.5 to 3 hours. A bit long, but definitely worth as you’re traveling in comfort!
About the Cruise – Paradise Elegance: Rooms, Activities & Food
So why did we choose Paradise? We did extensive research and a lot of the reviews for other ships favoured either the boat itself or the food, but not both! We wanted both – a luxurious ship with excellent food!
The Paradise Elegance cruise is modern, intimate, and beautifully designed. With 31 luxury cabins across four categories, you can expect stylish décor, ocean-facing layouts, and private balconies in every room.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the room types:
-Captain’s View Terrace Suite (35m²) – A panoramic 180-degree view and high-end detailing.
-Elegance Balcony Suite (35m²) – Our choice! Spacious, second-floor suite with a private balcony and elegant finish.
–Executive Balcony Cabin (25m²) – Chic and functional with a second-floor view and outdoor seating.
–Deluxe Balcony Cabin (25m²) – Located on the first floor with Queen bed and a cozy balcony.
All rooms are equipped with large glass windows, plush beds, and modern bathrooms—if you opt for the elegance balcony suite (or above), it comes with a bathtub overlooking the bay.
Our 2-Day, 1-Night Itinerary
The itinerary strikes a perfect balance between sightseeing and relaxation. Here’s how our trip unfolded:
Day 1:
12:00 PM – Boarded the Paradise Elegance. Upon arrival, they sprinkled us with rose petals and then we quickly sailed away. Immediately, we headed up to the upper deck to check out the views. Yep, it was a gloomy/rainy day, but that wasn’t going to stop us from enjoying every bit!
After checking out our rooms and the upper deck, it was Lunch time.From the moment you arrive, you are constantly fed—and we mean that in the best way. From welcome snacks at the lounge to multi-course meals on board, the food is both abundant and high quality. (Breakfast and lunch are buffets, while dinners are set courses). Just look at how comfortable Ryan is.
Every single person who worked on this cruise was 10/10. We were asked what we wanted to eat for dinner, based on the prepared dinner menu, and then got to choose what time we wanted to come back to the dining space to eat it!
Before we knew it, it was time for Activity #1! We headed to Ti Top Island for swimming (we opted not to swim as it was too cold) or a steep hike up to a spectacular viewpoint (we ended up doing this instead).
Let me warn you – this is one of the most popular tourist stops on all of the Halong Bay cruises, so be prepared for crowds!
If possible, we’d recommend trying to climb the stairs quickly and it can get so busy, you might not even have enough time to reach the top!
Next: We headed back onto our cruise ship, via a smaller boat, and sailed towards the next location/activity. Ryan and I continued to stay on the upper deck, watching the beautiful lime karsts pass by us.
Activity #2: Then, it was one of our favourite activities of the entire cruise! We stopped at Luon Cave for a serene bamboo boat ride through the caves.
After that bamboo boat ride, we hopped back onto our main cruise ship and enjoy some free time in our luxurious room. We watched the lime karsts past by us once more, taking in the beautiful landscape, but this time from our very own private balcony. I even enjoy a bath in the luxurious tub.
After about an hour of relaxation, it was time for Activity #3: a SPRING ROLL making class. Spoiler alert: Ryan is really good at this; I am not.
We enjoyed eating the fruits of our labour, but we quickly whisked away to the dining space for our set course meal. We started with a small appetizer (atlantic smoke salmon, brie cheese & garden lettuce), followed by a seafood bisque soup.
Then, we had two main courses! A creamy garlic pasta with Nha Trang Lobster Thermidor and a Filet of Australian beef. Ahh, I still drool thinking about this delicious surf & turf.
They gave us complementary drinks for celebrating a special occasion while live music played in the background. But you could tell that the best part of this entire dinner was the steak; cooked to perfection as Ryan said!
For dessert, we had a trio of chocolate cake, creme brulee, and vanilla icecream! Look at how happy Ryan was with this whole meal.
After dinner, we had the opportunity to participate in the slow-burn Activity #4: Squid Fishing off the side of the cruise ship! After hours and hours of everyone desperately trying to catch a squid, I was ready to call it a night. UNTIL….
Look at this – Ryan: the pro squid fisher! WOW – what a giant catch!
FINALLY – time to call it a night!
Day 2:
Optional Activity #5: Wake up early for Tai Chi on the deck with sunrise views. (Not for us – we enjoyed sleeping in). But, when we did wake up, a small breakfast (some would call it a “pre-breakfast” was ready) and we enjoyed it on our private balcony.
It was just a pre-breakfast, as our typical buffet in the dining area was getting prepped. In the meantime, we got ready for Activity #6: Visiting the impressive Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest and most beautiful in the bay.
I didn’t know this, but Vietnam, is home to some of the most beautiful and largest caves (more on that when we visit Phong Nha!)
Apparently, petting the turtle’s head brings good luck, so obviously, Ryan had to do it.
When we came back to the cruise ship, we enjoyed a buffet breakfast on board (we ate outside as the weather was nicer on Day 2) and snapped a few more photos of the beautiful Bay.
We left ourselves roughly 30 minutes to pack up our things and leave it in the hallways for transportation. We disembarked the ship promptly at 10:30 AM, and were driven back to that private lounge on land where they fed us another buffet lunch before driving us back to Hanoi in a luxury van!
TOTAL COST for 2 Days/1 Night on a Luxury Halong Bay Cruise (Approximate CAD for 2 people):
Paradise Cruise (1 night stay, activities, and all food): $123 (keep in mind, we used a $300 credit on hotels.com)
RT Transportation Hanoi-Halong Bay: $109
TOTAL: $232 (Roughly $116 per person, per night)
Final Thoughts
Spending one night in Halong Bay is the perfect way to soak in its natural beauty without committing to a long trip. Yes, it’s a splurge—but for us, it was worth every penny. The elegant accommodations, flawless service, incredible food, and of course, the spectacular scenery made it one of the highlights of our Vietnam journey.
Tip: If possible, check the forecast and aim for clear skies. But even if it’s overcast, Halong Bay has a mystical, ethereal charm that’s unforgettable.
If you’re considering a Halong Bay cruise, we can’t recommend Paradise Elegance enough. Whether it’s a romantic escape or a luxury treat during your travels, it’s a must-do experience in Northern Vietnam.
Leave us a comment below if you have any questions!
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