Doria Cruise

The Cruise

3 Days / 2 Nights aboard the Doria Cruise.

Doria Cruise is a polished ship that crosses from Ha Long into the calmer Lan Ha Bay. Cabins open onto private balconies, so the karst scenery is with you from the moment you wake, and the days are kept unhurried: kayak or swim in the afternoon, learn to roll spring rolls before dinner, then watch the light fade from the sundeck.

You cruise among the limestone islands with time for Ba Trai Dao beach and the Light and Dark Cave, and a night at anchor under the stars. When we plan a trip we match you to the right cabin and the right number of nights, arrange the transfers from Hanoi, and fold the cruise into a wider Vietnam itinerary. As private planners, we carefully craft each trip around you, choosing every cruise on how well it suits your dates and the rest of your route.

Cabins & Suites

Where you'll stay aboard.

Junior Suite Cabin

30m² · 1st floor · 1 Double or 2 Single beds · Private balcony · Bathtub

30m² suite on the 1st floor with a private balcony and bathtub, and a choice of 1 double or 2 single beds.

Senior Suite Cabin

30m² · 2nd floor · 1 Double or 2 Single beds · Private balcony · Bathtub

30m² suite on the 2nd floor with a private balcony and bathtub, and a choice of 1 double or 2 single beds.

Triple Suite Cabin

30m² · 1st or 2nd floor · 1 Double & 1 Single bed · Private balcony · Bathtub

30m² suite on the 1st or 2nd floor with a private balcony and bathtub, with 1 double and 1 single bed - ideal for three guests.

VIP Suite

50m² · 2nd & 3rd floor · 1 King bed · Private balcony · Bathtub

Expansive 50m² VIP suite spanning the 2nd and 3rd floors with a king bed, private balcony and bathtub.

Family Suite Cabin

60m² · 1st or 2nd floor · 1 Double & 2 Single beds · Private balcony · Bathtub

60m² family suite on the 1st or 2nd floor with 1 double and 2 single beds, a private balcony and bathtub - built for families.

The Itinerary

How your 3 days / 2 nights unfolds.

Day 1

Hanoi → Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay

08:00-08:45Pick-up from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and the drive to the coast.

11:30-11:45Check in at the harbour and transfer out to the ship.

12:30Welcome briefing over a drink.

13:00Lunch in the dining room as the ship sails into Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay.

15:00Swim, sunbathe or kayak among the islands with your guide.

16:00Visit Ba Trai Dao beach.

17:30Sunset gathering on the sundeck with snacks.

18:00Cooking demonstration: traditional Vietnamese spring rolls.

19:15Dinner.

21:00Cocktails at the bar or squid fishing off the deck.

Day 2

Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay → a floating pearl farm

06:00Sunrise and Tai Chi on the sundeck.

06:30Light breakfast.

08:30Set out by day boat to explore deeper into the bay.

10:00Visit a floating pearl farm.

12:00Lunch with bay views.

13:15Kayaking and a swim stop at Ba Trai Dao beach.

16:00Return to the ship.

17:30Sunset gathering on the sundeck.

18:00Cooking demonstration.

19:15Dinner.

Day 3

Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay → Hanoi

06:00Sunrise, then Tai Chi on the sundeck.

06:30Light breakfast.

07:30Morning visit to the Light and Dark Cave by tender or kayak.

08:30Back aboard to pack.

09:15Check out and settle any bills.

09:30Brunch as the ship returns towards port.

10:45Tender to the harbour.

11:30Depart for Hanoi.

15:00-15:30Arrive back in Hanoi.

Highlights

What makes it special.

Where it sails

Ha Long into Lan Ha

The ship crosses from Ha Long into the calmer Lan Ha Bay, with a night at anchor among the islands.

The cabins

Private balconies throughout

Cabins open onto private balconies with floor-to-ceiling bay views, on a 5-star ship kept at an unhurried pace.

Ashore and afloat

Cave and beach stops

Time is set aside for Ba Trai Dao beach and the Light and Dark Cave along the way.

Who it suits

Couples and families

Suited to couples and families who want the bay slowly, with kayaking, swimming and a cooking demonstration filling the day.

Cabins at a glance

Every grade aboard Doria Cruise, side by side.

Cabin grades aboard Doria Cruise
Cabin	Size	Beds	Outlook
Junior Suite Cabin	30m²	1 Double or 2 Single beds	1st floor · Private balcony · Bathtub
Senior Suite Cabin	30m²	1 Double or 2 Single beds	2nd floor · Private balcony · Bathtub
Triple Suite Cabin	30m²	1 Double & 1 Single bed	1st or 2nd floor · Private balcony · Bathtub
VIP Suite	50m²	1 King bed	2nd & 3rd floor · Private balcony · Bathtub
Family Suite Cabin	60m²	1 Double & 2 Single beds	1st or 2nd floor · Private balcony · Bathtub

How long aboard

Two days or three, on this boat.

2 days, 1 night

The classic cruise

An afternoon and evening on the water, a night at anchor and a morning sail out. The length most travellers choose.

See the 2 Days / 1 Night itinerary ›

3 days, 2 nights

The unhurried sailing

Day two is when the fleets disperse and you reach the further coves - the bay at its most peaceful.

This is the itinerary on this page

Not sure yet

Read the comparison

We wrote a longer piece on how the two lengths actually differ once you are on the water.

One night or two ›

Our experience of

We've hosted guests aboard the Doria and been over her ourselves. She carries a lot of staff for her size, close to one crew member for every guest or two, and it shows - service is attentive without hovering, and the crew handle English, French, Chinese and Korean between them.

She's well furnished and genuinely comfortable, with balcony views over Lan Ha, and she was among the first on the bay to add a swimming pool and a soundproof karaoke lounge, so there's more to do on board than most. Days bring the caves, a cooking class and kayaking, and the kitchen turns out good food and handles dietary requests without fuss.

What we've found: the Doria suits guests who want polished, personal service and a bit extra on board - a pool, karaoke, space - on the quieter Lan Ha side. Guests tend to recommend the three-day itinerary.

Similar cruises

Other boats on the same water, same length of trip.

Alisa Premier Cruise

Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay · 3 Days / 2 Nights

A deeper three-day voyage into the quieter, secluded corners of the bay.

View cruise ›

Aqua Luxury Cruise

Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay · 3 Days / 2 Nights

New-Generation Boutique Luxury in Lan Ha Bay

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Aqua of the Sea Cruise

Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay · 3 Days / 2 Nights

Three unhurried days across Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay's finest corners.

View cruise ›

See every boat on our Ha Long Bay cruises, or narrow by length: 2 days, 1 night and 3 days, 2 nights.

Doria Cruise - common questions

About this boat, and about cruising the bay.

What cabin types does Doria Cruise have?

There are 5 cabin grades aboard Doria Cruise: Junior Suite Cabin, Senior Suite Cabin, Triple Suite Cabin, VIP Suite and Family Suite Cabin. Sizes run from 30m² to 60m². The full table of sizes, beds and outlook is on this page.

Which bay does Doria Cruise sail?

Doria Cruise sails Ha Long & Lan Ha 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.

Where does Doria Cruise depart from?

Embarkation is at Tuan Chau Marina, Ha Long. Boarding starts around 08:00-08:45. The hour-by-hour itinerary above gives the timings for the day.

Is the 2 Days / 1 Night or the 3 Days / 2 Nights better on this boat?

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.

How do I get to the boat from Hanoi?

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.

What is included in the price?

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.

What happens if the weather stops the boat sailing?

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.

Can children come along?

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.

Can the kitchen handle dietary requirements?

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.

When is the best time of year to sail?

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.

Doria Cruise

The Cruise

Cabins & Suites

The Itinerary

Highlights

Ha Long into Lan Ha

Private balconies throughout

Cave and beach stops

Couples and families

Cabins at a glance

How long aboard

The classic cruise

The unhurried sailing

Read the comparison

Doria Cruise

Similar cruises

Doria Cruise - common questions

Add this cruise to your trip