Cruises / 2 Days / 1 Night
Bai Tu Long Bay · 6-star · Overnight cruise
A new 6-star Indochine escape into the quiet of Bai Tu Long Bay.
2 Days / 1 Night
Bai Tu Long Bay2 Days / 1 Night aboard the Cycad Cruise.
Launched in late 2025, the Cycad is the first 6-star cruise to pioneer the quieter Bai Tu Long Bay, a steel vessel of Indochine-inspired design with warm teakwood tones, handcrafted décor and 24 luxurious cabins, most with private balconies, bathtubs and bay views. Sailing from Sunworld Harbour into the less-visited heritage waters, it offers a longer, more distinctive route than the busy Ha Long and Lan Ha lines, taking in the stalactite-filled Thien Canh Son Cave, kayaking among limestone islets, and a rooftop sundeck with a swimming pool and bar. A canapé happy hour, a fine-dining lobster dinner, complimentary traditional long dresses for photos and a mini Vietnamese music show add a rich cultural touch.
Where you'll stay aboard.
How your 2 days / 1 night unfolds.
What makes it special.
The bay
Launched in late 2025 as the first 6-star ship on the quieter Bai Tu Long route, sailing from Sunworld Harbour.
The cabins
Most of the 24 cabins have a private balcony and a bathtub, set among warm teakwood and handcrafted décor.
On the water
The route takes in the stalactite-filled cave and kayaking among limestone islets, with a rooftop pool back aboard.
Food and drink
A canapé happy hour opens the evening and a fine-dining lobster dinner follows.
Every grade aboard Cycad Cruise, side by side.
| Cabin | Beds | Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Suite | 1 Double or 2 Single beds | 32-35m² · 1st deck |
| Executive Suite | 1 Double or 2 Single beds | 32-35m² · 2nd deck |
Two days or three, on this boat.
2 days, 1 night
An afternoon and evening on the water, a night at anchor and a morning sail out. The length most travellers choose.
This is the itinerary on this page
3 days, 2 nights
Day two is when the fleets disperse and you reach the further coves - the bay at its most peaceful.
Not sure yet
We wrote a longer piece on how the two lengths actually differ once you are on the water.
Our experience of
We've hosted guests aboard the Cycad and been over her ourselves, and she's quietly become one of our favourites for Bai Tu Long Bay. She's new, and it shows - modern cabins with floor-to-ceiling glass and private balconies, and guests keep mentioning the rooms and bathrooms as a step above what they expected for the price.
The food gets specific praise, and the kitchen is genuinely good with dietary requests - vegans and vegetarians tell us they were looked after properly, not as an afterthought. The crew make an effort to learn who you are, which sets a relaxed tone, and the days are unhurried: kayaking through Vung Vieng fishing village, sunset paddles and tai chi on the sun deck as the bay wakes up. Bai Tu Long is the quiet corner, with far fewer boats than Ha Long proper.
What we've found: the Cycad is a strong-value pick for couples and families who want the scenery without the crowds, a proper cabin and a crew that looks after them.
Other boats on the same water, same length of trip.



See every boat on our Ha Long Bay cruises, or narrow by length: 2 days, 1 night and 3 days, 2 nights.
About this boat, and about cruising the bay.
There are 2 cabin grades aboard Cycad Cruise: Junior Suite and Executive Suite. The full table of sizes, beds and outlook is on this page.
Cycad Cruise sails Bai Tu Long Bay. If you are still deciding between the bays, our comparison of Ha Long, Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long sets out how they differ in traffic, scenery and how far you travel to reach them.
Embarkation is at Ha Long International Cruise Port (Sun World Harbour), Bai Chay. The hour-by-hour itinerary above gives the timings for the day.
Both run the same boat and the same cabins. The 3 days / 2 nights adds a second full day, which is when the day boats have gone and the itinerary reaches the quieter water. The 2 days / 1 night covers the headline sights and gets you back to Hanoi a day sooner.
Road transfer from Hanoi takes roughly two and a half to four hours depending on which harbour the boat uses. We arrange the transfer with the cruise as one booking, so the timings match the boarding window rather than leaving you to work them out.
Overnight cruises in Ha Long normally include the cabin, all meals on board, the guided activities in the itinerary above and the bay entrance fees. Drinks, spa treatments and the transfer are the items that vary most between boats. We confirm exactly what is and is not included for this boat in writing before you pay, because it differs by operator and by season.
Ha Long Bay closes to cruise traffic when the harbour authority says so, usually for storms. If that happens we move the date or refund the cruise - you are never held to a sailing that cannot run. Our refund policy sets out the detail.
Yes. Most boats take children of any age and price them in bands rather than as adults, and many have family cabins or connecting rooms. Tell us the ages when you enquire and we will say which boats suit and what each one charges.
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy requirements are all workable, but they need to be given at booking rather than on the day - the boat provisions before it leaves harbour and cannot restock at sea.
October to April is the settled season, with clear air and cool mornings. May to September is warmer and better for swimming, with a higher chance of a storm closing the bay. Our guide to Ha Long Bay goes into the months in more detail.
We'll build the Cycad Cruise into a complete, private Northern Vietnam itinerary, planned and run for you, with the right cabin and every transfer handled.
Get your free personalised itinerary ›