Top 1 Ha Long-Lan Ha Bay Luxury 5 Star Cruises & Balcony Cabin

Originally we selected the 2d1n Bai Tu Long trip as this is more quiet, and hence we felt a better choice for our honeymoon. However, in the evening before our cruise we got a Whatsapp message this was no longer possible due to paint smells on the boat (..?) and they changed us to Ha Long. We had no choice but to accept it due to the timeframe and felt really disappointed even though it was mentioned to be an upgrade; we were nót looking forward to these crowds. The boat itself, the crew, friendliness, attention to detail: all 10/10 experience. Also we were there somewhat earlier than other crowds which helped experience in a good way. The transfer great too, the stop for the driver we understand but it is at a pearl farm (1 big shop) with all other boats as well. But like we expected: this is overcrowded. If you are looking for a cruise and not have too many specific wishes on where to go, you're in great hands with this operator. However, if you really want something specific, be aware this might change very last-minute (so far 2/2 experiences were changed over Whatsapp the night before)

We paid £267 for one night on La Casta Cruise. Then an additional $20 return transfer fee per person to and from Hanoi. The transfer mini bus to be fair was very nice and comfortable. However this is when it goes downhill… The transfer: The mini bus was arranged to pick us up between 8/8:30am in the morning from Hanoi and then it got earlier to 7:45 and then suddenly on the morning it was 7:35. We were ok with this as we could sleep on the mini bus. The bus driver needed to stop to ‘rest his health’ at a huge tourist trap stopover where lots of other tourist mini buses stop. The drinks, and food and souvenirs here are very expensive, for example a bag of M&Ms were 50,000 VND compared to 10,000 normally in other shops. So we had to spend 30 mins here and then drive the last 10 mins to get to the port, where we then waited another 1 hour for the transfer boat. Therefore a total of 1.5 hours of waiting around. The way back was the same, we stopped off at another tourist trap stopover for 30 mins to give tourists time to look around their shop. Terrible, please just get me back to Hanoi. I understand if it literally is for a toilet break but I do not need a 30 min wander around an overpriced souvenir shop. The cruise itself: we were placed in cabin 201 which is ground floor at the back right by the engine motor. When the cruise is on the move we cannot sit on the balcony we paid for because of the engine fumes. The engine was also incredibly loud so me and my partner had to shout to one another in the room to hear each other. Food on cruise: lunch and dinner was delish, and then other food was very greasy. Staff: in general, the staff were super friendly and helpful. When we complained about our room, the manager said she could come to our room when the boat stopped moving to see if it smells of engine fumes, obviously it’s not going to smell or make much noise when static…it’s when it’s moving that caused a big issue for us. All the other rooms were full so she offered us a free drink at dinner, which does not compensate for this experience. She also mentioned that the cruise would only start moving at 8:30am the next morning but we were woken at 6:50am from the cruise moving. Another small incident was that we were expected to pay for extra drinks (fine) in the middle of eating (not fine), so I needed to put down my cutlery and handle cash in answer to ‘you pay me now’. Activities: kayaking, cooking class and tai chi was offered. We did the kayaking which didn’t have enough kayaks for the number of participants so some people had to wait on a cold dark beach whilst others kayaked! Overall, whilst the scenery was amazing, we wish we paid less for a cheaper room / cruise and just spent more time on the deck, which is what we had to do anyway, our balcony was practically useless when the boat was moving! And I wouldn’t spend money on their transfer again, could get a private taxi for around the same price without having to pick others up, and stop at tourist traps.

The Cruise looks exactly like the pictures. Everything was very organized and the staff absolutely amazing. The manager, Mai, would be reason enough to go on the cruise. However, next time I would go on a two night Cruise. One night ends up being less than 24h in the cruise itself and gets tiring considering the trip to the pier.

We were under the impression seeing photos that cave tour is part of it. But its not. We were highly dissapointed. Water is chargaeble on board. Please bring your own. They only give 1 small bottle complimentary per person.

I initially booked a LanHa Bay, 2 days 1 night cruise (5 rooms) but subsequently cancelled and booked a Halong Bay at a higher price. 2 weeks prior departure, I was being informed that they made a mistake and was not able to put us in Halong Bay cruise and that they have no choice but to put us back in Lanha Bay cruise, at a loss to us. But the experience on board was excellent, all the staff on board were friendly and helpful and customer service oriented.