Cruises / 3 Days / 2 Nights
Bai Tu Long Bay · 4-star · Overnight cruise
3 Days, 2 Nights in Bai Tu Long Bay
3 Days / 2 Nights
Bai Tu Long Bay3 Days / 2 Nights aboard the Swan Cruise.
Swan Cruise is a friendly, good-value ship on the peaceful Bai Tu Long route. 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 a quiet island beach and Thien Canh Son 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.
Where you'll stay aboard.
How your 3 days / 2 nights unfolds.
What makes it special.
The bay
A 4-star ship on the Bai Tu Long route, with a night at anchor under the stars.
The cabins
Cabins open onto private balconies with floor-to-ceiling bay views over the limestone islands.
The stops
The route takes in Thien Canh Son Cave and a quiet island beach along the way.
Value
A good-value ship suited to couples and families who want the bay at an unhurried pace.
Every grade aboard Swan Cruise, side by side.
| Cabin | Size | Beds | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Cabin | 18m² | 1 Double/Twin | 1st floor · Ocean-view window |
| Suite Cabin | Double/Twin | 18-22m² · 1st & 2nd floor · Ocean view | |
| Suite Balcony Cabin | 28m² | Twin/Double | 2nd floor · Private balcony · Jacuzzi bathtub |
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.
3 days, 2 nights
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
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 Swan 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 Swan 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.
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 3 cabin grades aboard Swan Cruise: Deluxe Cabin, Suite Cabin and Suite Balcony Cabin. Sizes run from 18m² to 28m². The full table of sizes, beds and outlook is on this page.
Swan 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 (Bai Chay). Boarding starts around 08:00-08:45. 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 Swan 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 ›