Swan and Signature are both overnight cruises sold by Ava Travel, a Hanoi travel agency, both on Bai Tu Long Bay. Below is everything that differs between them, taken from the same booking pages you would book on: price in each season, cabins, ship size and the timed day 1 programme. Signature here is Signature Halong Cruise, the 12-cabin wooden ship on Bai Tu Long Bay, not Ambassador Signature on Lan Ha Bay.
Ava Travel prices per person, two adults sharing a cabin, taken from Ava Travel’s live booking pages on 15 October 2026.
from $135 per person, Oct to Apr
See Swan prices and dates
from $140 per person, Oct to Apr, $127 May to Sep
See Signature prices and datesThe short answer
- Price: close to the same in peak season, October to April: $135 on Swan, $140 on Signature.
- From May to September the cheapest cabins are $135 on Swan and $127 on Signature.
- Route: both sail Bai Tu Long Bay.
- Ship size: Signature is the smaller ship with 12 cabins; Swan has 18.
- Cabin size: the entry cabin on Signature is 32 sqm, on Swan 18 sqm.
- Families: Signature has 2 cabin types for three or more guests, Swan has 1.
- 3 days 2 nights: both offer it, from $260 on Swan and $262 on Signature per person.
- Stops: Swan visits Vung Vieng floating fishing village by bamboo boat or kayak on day 1 and Thien Canh Son Cave on day 2. Signature anchors around Cong Do on day 1 and also visits Thien Canh Son Cave on day 2.
- Boat: Signature is a wooden ship with 12 cabins; Swan is a larger ship with 18. Both board at Halong International Cruise Port and both are sold by Ava Travel, so you can compare them on the same booking pages.
Side by side
| Swan | Signature | |
|---|---|---|
| Bay | Bai Tu Long Bay | Bai Tu Long Bay |
| Star rating | 4-Star Premium | 4-Star Premium |
| Departs from | Halong International Port | Halong International Port |
| Cabins on board | 18 | 12 |
| Cabin types | 4 | 4 |
| Cabin sizes | 18 to 28 sqm | 32 to 45 sqm |
| Every cabin has a balcony | Not all | Not all |
| Cabins for 3 or more | Family Connecting Door (4pax) | Exclusive Family Suite, Elite Family Suite |
| 2 days 1 night, Oct to Apr | from $135 | from $140 |
| 2 days 1 night, May to Sep | from $135 | from $127 |
| 3 days 2 nights | from $260 | from $262 |
| Day 1 route | Halong International Port – Bai Tu Long Bay – Vung Vieng | Halong International Port – Bai Tu Long Bay – Cong Do |
| Day 2 route | Thien Canh Son Cave – Halong International Port | Thien Canh Son Cave and back to Hanoi |
Which one should you book?
- You travel as three or more in one cabin: Signature has more family cabin types.
- You want more room in the cheapest cabin: Signature.
- You prefer fewer guests on board: Signature.
If none of these tips it either way, book on dates: pick your day and compare both on the cabin table. We answer on WhatsApp within an hour.
Cabins and prices
Swan cabins
| Cabin | Size | Guests | May to Sep | Oct to Apr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deluxe | 18 sqm | 2 | $135 | $135 |
| Family Connecting Door (4pax) | 25 sqm | 4 | $131 | $131 |
| Suite Balcony | 28 sqm | 2 | $160 | $160 |
| Suite | 18 sqm | 2 | $145 | $145 |
Cabins for 3 or more show the price per person with the cabin full.
Signature cabins
| Cabin | Size | Guests | May to Sep | Oct to Apr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Suite | – | 2 | $127 | $140 |
| Senior Suite | – | 2 | $140 | $150 |
| Exclusive Family Suite | 32 sqm | 4 | $131 | $135 |
| Elite Family Suite | 45 sqm | 4 | $179 | $183 |
Cabins for 3 or more show the price per person with the cabin full.
Day 1 on board
Swan, day 1
- 07:50 – 08:15Pick-up at your Hanoi Old Quarter hotel if you add the transfer.
- 12:30Arrive at Halong International Cruise Port, where the captain registers the trip, and tender to the boat. Welcome drink, safety briefing and cabin check-in.
- 13:30Seafood and Vietnamese lunch as the boat cruises towards Bai Tu Long Bay.
- 15:00Vung Vieng floating fishing village by bamboo sampan or kayak, then free time on the sundeck or a swim.
- 17:00The boat moves to its overnight anchorage.
- 17:30Vietnamese cooking demonstration and sunset drinks on deck.
- 19:15Vietnamese set dinner.
- 21:00Films, music, board games or squid fishing.
Signature
The timed programme is on the Signature page.
Questions
Which is cheaper, Swan or Signature?
Swan. In peak season, October to April, it starts at $135 per person against $140 for Signature. From May to September the cheapest cabins are $135 on Swan and $127 on Signature. Prices are per person with two sharing a cabin.
Do Swan and Signature sail the same bay?
Yes, both sail Bai Tu Long Bay.
Can I book Swan or Signature for 3 days 2 nights?
Yes, both. Swan from $260 and Signature from $262 per person.
Which is better for families, Swan or Signature?
Signature has 2 cabin types for three or more guests (Exclusive Family Suite, Elite Family Suite); Swan has 1.
Compare more: all cruises with prices · 2 day cruises. Star ratings are the class each operator sells the ship as. Payment is taken online at checkout; we confirm the cabin and hotel pickup within one hour.
