Cruises  /  3 Days / 2 Nights

Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay · Overnight cruise

Velar of the Sea Cruise

Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay Luxury Cruise

3 Days / 2 Nights

Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay

The Cruise

3 Days / 2 Nights aboard the Velar of the Sea Cruise.

Sail into the heart of Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay aboard Velar of the Seas - a modern 5-star cruise launched in April 2024. With just 29 spacious suites (each with a private balcony and jacuzzi), a 360-degree sky deck, and thoughtfully designed experiences on and off the boat.

Cabins & Suites

Where you'll stay aboard.

Senior Suite
42m² · Private balcony · Jacuzzi
42m² suite on the 3rd deck with ocean-view windows, a private balcony and a jacuzzi tub.
Executive Suite
52 - 55m² · Private balcony · Jacuzzi
Larger 52 - 55m² suite on the 1st & 2nd decks with the same amenities as the Senior plus more space.
Premier Suite
90m² · Private balcony · Jacuzzi
The flagship 90m² suite with a king-size or triple bed, full-frame balcony and a jacuzzi bathroom.

The Itinerary

How your 3 days / 2 nights unfolds.

Day 1
Hanoi → Tuan Chau → Lan Ha Bay → Bright Cave
08:00–08:30Pick-up from your Hanoi Old Quarter hotel and transfer to Tuan Chau by shuttle.
11:45Arrive at Tuan Chau Harbour; transfer by tender to the Velar of the Sea.
12:30Welcome aboard with guiding information and a safety briefing.
13:15Lunch as the cruise sails into the quieter Lan Ha Bay.
15:15Visit Bright Cave by bamboo boat rowed by local fishermen, a serene lake ringed by stone cliffs.
17:30–18:30Sunset party with fruit and snacks at the Velar Sky Bar, plus happy hour.
18:00Vietnamese cooking demonstration.
19:00A signature dinner; later, the bar, spa, movies or squid fishing on the rooftop deck. Overnight on board.
Day 2
Tai Chi → Viet Hai Village → Ba Trai Dao Beach
06:00Sunrise Tai Chi on the sundeck.
06:30Breakfast in the restaurant.
08:00Join a day-boat and transfer to Viet Hai, a village set deep in Cat Ba National Park.
10:00Bike along forest paths past rice fields, visit local houses and learn about village life.
12:00Back to the day-boat for lunch as it returns to Lan Ha Bay.
13:30Ba Trai Dao Beach, a quiet white-sand beach, with free time to swim or kayak.
14:45Transfer back to the Velar of the Sea.
16:30Cooking demonstration, sunset party and time on the sundeck. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 3
Tai Chi → Tra Bau Kayaking → Hanoi
06:00Tai Chi on the sundeck for early risers.
06:30–07:15Breakfast in the restaurant.
07:20–08:20Kayak the Tra Bau area and its floating village.
09:00–09:30Pack and complete check-out.
10:00Brunch on the cruise.
10:45Tender back to Tuan Chau Harbour.
11:45–12:00Shuttle back to Hanoi, arriving around 15:00–15:30. End of trip.

Highlights

What makes it special.

The suites

Twenty-nine suites

Each of the twenty-nine suites has a private balcony, a jacuzzi and a sea view, on a ship launched in April 2024.

Up on deck

Rooftop pool and sky bar

Five decks in all, with a rooftop pool, a sky bar and a sky deck that runs a full 360 degrees.

Wellness

Infinity pool, gym and spa

An infinity pool, a gym, yoga and a spa sit alongside the fine dining on board.

The numbers

Up to 100 guests

The ship carries no more than 100 guests, which keeps the decks from feeling crowded.

Cabins at a glance

Every grade aboard Velar of the Sea Cruise, side by side.

Cabin grades aboard Velar of the Sea Cruise
CabinSizeOutlook
Senior Suite42m²Private balcony · Jacuzzi
Executive Suite52-55m² · Private balcony · Jacuzzi
Premier Suite90m²Private balcony · Jacuzzi

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 ›

Similar cruises

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.

Velar of the Sea Cruise - common questions

About this boat, and about cruising the bay.

What cabin types does Velar of the Sea Cruise have?

There are 3 cabin grades aboard Velar of the Sea Cruise: Senior Suite, Executive Suite and Premier Suite. Sizes run from 42m² to 90m². The full table of sizes, beds and outlook is on this page.

Which bay does Velar of the Sea Cruise sail?

Velar of the Sea 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 Velar of the Sea Cruise depart from?

Embarkation is at Tuan Chau. Boarding starts around 08:00-08:30. 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.

Add this cruise to your trip

We'll build the Velar of the Sea 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 ›
Contact UsWhatsApp