Ha Long Bay Cruises

Our experience of

Venus Cruise

We've hosted guests aboard the Venus and been over her ourselves. She's a big, well-run boat working Ha Long and Lan Ha, with an outdoor pool and a sundeck that guests tell us is the best seat in the house for the karsts sliding past.

The rooms are large, all with extra-wide glass and private balconies, so the views come right into the cabin. Service is professional and well organised - guests name individual crew for their care - and the days are full: bamboo boats, the Dark and Bright Caves, a cooking class, a fishing village and squid fishing, with children able to kayak straight off the boat. The food is generous and varied, strongest on the fresh seafood.

What we've found: the Venus suits families and groups who want space, a pool and a packed itinerary, on a boat that's used to looking after a crowd well.