[2D1N] Halong Amanda Cruise – Luxury Unique Cruise on Bay

Ha Long Bay is best seen from the water, and this two-day Amanda Cruise gives you a polished way to do it without stretching the trip into a third day. I like the less predictable stop at Trinh Nu Beach, where you can kayak or take a bamboo boat, and I like the mix of quiet sailing with classic activities such as tai chi, squid fishing, and a cooking demonstration. The sleek ship, private bathroom, and choice of seaview or deluxe cabins add comfort.

The main caution is that Amanda Cruise may not feel like a true five-star ship in every cabin. Some passengers praise the clean rooms, service, food, and attentive manager Dan, while one cabin near the engine room had an oil smell and poor corridor lighting. Ask about cabin location before you settle in.

Key points to know before booking

• Trinh Nu Beach adds a quieter stop: Kayaking or a bamboo boat ride gives you time away from the busiest sightseeing circuit.
• Sung Sot Cave is the main finale: Wear sneakers, since the route includes steps and climbing.
• Dan receives strong praise for personal service: Feedback also names Kevin as a guide who helped make the cruise memorable.
• Cabins vary in comfort: Seaview rooms include private bathrooms, while deluxe rooms may add a balcony and tub.
• Meals cover most of the cruise: Lunch, dinner, breakfast, and the final brunch or lunch service are part of the package, though drinks cost extra.
• The price is about $155 per person: That is reasonable for a one-night bay cruise with meals and activities, but less compelling if you expect consistent five-star facilities.

Arriving at Tuan Chau Island at 11:30

Your cruise day begins at Tuan Chau Marina, where the staff welcomes you in a waiting lounge and handles check-in. The stated start time is 11:30 a.m., with the vessel leaving around noon after a welcome drink and cold towel.

This timing matters if you are arranging your own transport. The cruise package does not include the round-trip shuttle or limousine from Hanoi to Ha Long, so you must arrange that separately or add the provider’s transfer service if available. The information supplied also names an address in Hanoi as the meeting point, while the cruise departure point is No. 12 Tuan Chau Marina. Confirm the exact pickup details before departure.

The marina itself is more of a practical launching point than a sightseeing stop. I would arrive with enough time to find the correct lounge, complete registration, and avoid a rushed boarding process. Your cruise begins once you step aboard, not at the marina.

The advertised maximum is 50 people. That makes this a group cruise rather than an intimate private sailing, but the size is still manageable for organized meals and shore visits. If you value quiet, ask how many passengers are booked and request a cabin away from machinery.

Settling into an Amanda Cruise cabin

Amanda Cruise offers en-suite seaview cabins with private bathrooms. You can also choose a deluxe cabin with a balcony and tub, and some bookings may include a higher-category Royal Suite.

That range is useful because your cabin choice changes the feel of the trip. A standard seaview cabin gives you a private place to wash, sleep, and watch the bay from the window. A balcony gives you a more personal outdoor perch, especially useful when the ship is moving through the limestone islands.

Several people praised the room size, cleanliness, and shower pressure. One especially positive booking involved a Royal Suite, with the added space making a noticeable difference. Still, do not assume every cabin offers the same experience. A serious complaint involved two rear cabins close to the engine room, where oil smells and a dark corridor caused problems.

This is the most important practical cabin advice: ask for a room away from the engine room and rear section. If you are sensitive to noise or smells, make the request before boarding. A balcony may also be worth the extra cost if you plan to spend time in the room between activities.

The ship is described as modern and stylish, but another account judged the facilities closer to three-star than five-star. That gap probably reflects differing expectations and cabin locations. Think of Amanda as a comfortable midrange-to-upscale bay cruise, not a uniformly luxurious floating hotel.

Lunch and the first afternoon on Ha Long Bay

After boarding, lunch begins at about 1 p.m. The package includes meals from the first lunch through the next day’s morning services. Food is one of Amanda’s stronger points, with lunch and brunch receiving particularly good comments.

The menu leans partly Western. That worked well for some people, but one account found dinner too Western for their taste. If you want strongly Vietnamese meals at every sitting, ask about the menu when booking. Drinks, personal expenses, tips, and spa treatments are not included, so your final bill will rise if you order regularly from the bar.

The first sailing gives you the main pleasure of a Ha Long Bay cruise: watching the limestone formations shift around you while someone else handles the route. You are not simply ticking off viewpoints from a road. The boat becomes your base, restaurant, and resting place for the next day.

The schedule includes a sunset party, a cooking demonstration, squid fishing, and time to enjoy the ship. These activities are simple rather than highly specialized, but they give the cruise a pleasant rhythm. You can join the group program or spend quiet time on deck with the bay around you.

Trinh Nu Beach, kayaking, and bamboo boats

The most appealing part of the route is the visit to Trinh Nu Beach and Trinh Nu Cave. This stop gives the cruise a little more character than an itinerary built only around the best-known cave and harbor points.

At Trinh Nu Beach, you can choose kayaking or a bamboo boat ride. Kayaking gives you control over your pace and a closer view of the water and rock walls. The bamboo boat is easier if you would rather sit back and let someone else do the paddling.

The activity is weather dependent in practical terms, even though no formal weather policy is provided. Bring clothing that can handle splashes, and keep phones and cameras protected. You should also expect the usual group timing: the ship must collect everyone before moving on.

Trinh Nu Cave offers another chance to see the bay from close range. The available details do not specify the length or difficulty of this visit, so do not treat it as a major expedition. Its value is in breaking up the sailing day with a shore-based stop that feels different from the large cave visit on day two.

Evening activities, dinner, and sleeping aboard

The evening program includes a sunset gathering, dinner, and squid fishing. These are classic overnight-cruise activities, and they work best if you see them as pleasant options rather than mandatory entertainment.

The sunset party gives you a reason to be on deck before dinner. Squid fishing adds a small hands-on activity after dark, though catches are never guaranteed by the tour details. If you prefer a quiet night, the private cabin and shared deck let you step away from the group.

Service is a strong part of the Amanda experience. Dan, the manager, is repeatedly singled out for attention to individual needs, and Kevin is also named as a guide who helped create a memorable trip. Another account praised Dan and the wider crew for being warm and helpful, with special attention given to families.

That personal service may be the ship’s best feature. The physical boat may not satisfy someone expecting new five-star hardware, but a responsive manager can make meals, cabin requests, and activity changes much easier. Ask for Dan or the onboard manager if a problem comes up rather than waiting until the cruise ends.

Cocktail promotions may be available onboard, but they are not part of the stated package. One person enjoyed a three-for-two cocktail offer throughout the evening. Treat this as a possible onboard deal, not a guaranteed inclusion.

Tai chi and the early morning schedule

Day two starts early, with tai chi at 6:30 a.m. A light breakfast is scheduled from 6:30 to 7:00. The early start is typical for a bay cruise, but it may feel brisk if you stayed up for squid fishing.

The morning class is less about perfect technique than about getting outside while the water is calm and the light is gentle. You can join in or simply use the time to take in the views. The light breakfast helps bridge the gap before the main sightseeing stop.

At about 7:30, the boat heads to Sung Sot Cave. Put on sneakers. The instructions specifically recommend them because the cave visit involves climbing, and sandals will be less comfortable on the steps.

Sung Sot Cave and the final morning

Sung Sot, also called Surprise Cave, is described as one of Ha Long Bay’s most beautiful and popular caves. Its name refers to the amazed feeling it is meant to create, and the visit is built around large chambers, rock formations, and a managed walking route.

This is the busiest-feeling part of the trip in spirit, since it is a headline attraction rather than a quieter bay stop. The reward is scale and spectacle. The tradeoff is that you should expect stairs, a set route, and a more structured visit than kayaking at Trinh Nu Beach.

The scheduled cave visit lasts about 30 minutes in the supplied timing. That is enough for a brisk look, but not a long, unhurried exploration. Wear shoes with a firm sole, carry water, and avoid bringing more than you need for the climb.

After the cave, you return to the ship for check-out around 9:30. The cruise then returns to Tuan Chau Marina, where the two-day program ends. If you are not using the cruise transfer service, you finish at the marina and arrange your onward transport yourself.

What the $155 price really buys you

At about $155 per person, Amanda Cruise sits in the broad middle of Ha Long Bay’s overnight market. The cost includes a one-night cruise, an en-suite seaview cabin, meals, entrance fees, and scheduled activities. You are paying for the convenience of having transport on the bay, food, a bed, and sightseeing in one package.

The value is strongest if you want an easy introduction to Ha Long Bay and do not want to organize separate cave tickets, boats, and meals. The Trinh Nu Beach stop also gives the route a little variety beyond the standard headline attraction.

The value is weaker if your main goal is a genuinely luxurious ship. The Royal Suite and deluxe balcony categories may feel more special, but the reports of older equipment and an engine-room cabin mean you should keep your expectations measured. Drinks, tips, spa services, and Hanoi transfers add to the base price.

Group discounts may improve the deal for families or larger parties. Ask exactly what cabin category the discount covers, since a lower price can matter less if it puts you in an undesirable location.

Who should choose this cruise

I would consider Amanda Cruise for a first Ha Long Bay visit, a couple wanting one comfortable night on the water, or a family that values a clear schedule and included meals. The mix of a balcony-cabin upgrade, kayaking, bamboo boating, tai chi, cave sightseeing, and onboard activities gives you plenty to do without packing every hour.

It can also suit you if attentive staff matter more than the newest ship fittings. Dan’s hands-on management and the crew’s warm service are repeated strengths, especially for families who need help during a busy group itinerary.

I would be more cautious if you are seeking consistent five-star standards, a quiet boutique cruise, or highly regional Vietnamese cuisine. Ask about the exact cabin, dinner menu, transfer arrangements, and current ship condition before paying. The complaint about engine oil and corridor lighting is too specific to ignore, even if it does not describe every room.

The cancellation terms are strict close to departure. Cancel at least six full days ahead for a full refund, two to six days ahead for a 50 percent refund, and less than two days ahead for no refund. Any timing is based on local time.

FAQ

Where does the Amanda Cruise start?

The cruise departs from No. 12 Tuan Chau Marina in Ha Long City. The stated cruise check-in time is 11:30 a.m., with boarding and departure following after the welcome drink and cold towel.

Is transport from Hanoi included?

No. The round-trip shuttle bus or limousine transfer between Hanoi and Ha Long is not included in the stated price. Confirm the pickup point and transfer arrangements before departure, since the supplied information also names a Hanoi address.

What meals are included?

The package includes lunch, dinner, breakfast, and additional lunch or brunch service during the two-day cruise. Drinks are not included.

What activities are included?

Activities include kayaking or a bamboo boat ride at Trinh Nu Beach, visits to Trinh Nu Cave and Sung Sot Cave, tai chi, a cooking demonstration, squid fishing, and a sunset party.

Are private bathrooms included?

Yes. The standard accommodation is a fully equipped en-suite seaview cabin with a private bathroom. Deluxe cabins may add a balcony and tub.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel at least six full days before the start time for a full refund. Cancellation two to six full days before the start time receives a 50 percent refund, while cancellation less than two full days before the start time is nonrefundable.

Should you book Amanda Cruise?

Book it if you want a practical two-day Ha Long Bay introduction with meals, a private bathroom, a mix of famous and quieter stops, and staff who appear to take personal service seriously. The Trinh Nu Beach kayaking option and the Sung Sot Cave visit give the short itinerary a good balance.

Before paying, request a cabin away from the engine room and confirm the Hanoi transfer. If you expect flawless five-star hardware, Amanda may disappoint. If you want a well-organized overnight cruise at roughly $155 per person and can accept some variation in cabin quality, it offers a fair way to see the bay.