Last updated 10 October 2026 by the Ava Travel team in Hanoi. Prices checked on our own booking pages on 10 October 2026. Ava Travel is a Hanoi travel agency that sells every cruise in this list, so each price below is Ava Travel’s own price per person.
The short answer, using Ava Travel’s own prices: the best luxury Halong Bay cruise for most couples in 2026 is Catherine on Halong Bay, from $215 per person, with a private balcony in every cabin and the smallest cabin already 40 sqm. For the best value pick Orchid Trendy on Lan Ha Bay at $190 all year. For the top of the market, Heritage Line Ginger on Lan Ha Bay, from $430, with only 12 cabins.
We class 24 of the 96 ships Ava Travel sells as luxury or ultra-luxury. Their 2-day prices run from $178 to $430 per person. Below are the 10 we would choose, each for a different reason, with the one thing we would warn a friend about.
How to read the prices: lowest price per person for two adults sharing a cabin on a 2 day 1 night cruise, all meals on board, October to April, then May to September where it is lower. Transfer from Hanoi is extra: $35 per person return by shuttle or $165 by private car.
Quick comparison
| # | Cruise | Best for | Bay | Cabins | Balcony, every cabin | Oct-Apr (Ava Travel) | May-Sep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catherine | Couples, big cabins | Halong | 39 | Yes | $215 | $205 |
| 2 | Orchid Trendy | Best value | Lan Ha | 20 | Yes | $190 | $190 |
| 3 | Heritage Line Ginger | Top of the market | Lan Ha | 12 | Yes | $430 | $345 |
| 4 | Athena Premium | Space for the price | Halong | 41 | Yes | $195 | $195 |
| 5 | Heritage Binh Chuan | Vietnamese style | Lan Ha | 20 | Yes | $210 | $180 |
| 6 | Lyra Grandeur | Families | Lan Ha | 33 | No | $245 | $195 |
| 7 | Larissa | Quiet bay | Bai Tu Long | 28 | Yes | $197 | $197 |
| 8 | Bhaya Soul | Small luxury on Halong | Halong | 20 | Yes | $265 | $265 |
| 9 | Stellar of the Seas | Service | Lan Ha | 22 | Yes | $310 | $280 |
| 10 | Diana | Big ship facilities | Lan Ha | 56 | Yes | $178 | $178 |
1. Catherine: best for couples
From $215 per person at Ava Travel ($205 May to September). Every one of the 39 cabins has a private balcony, and cabins run from 40 to 85 sqm. It sails the classic Halong Bay route. Downside: with 39 cabins it is a larger ship; it does not feel intimate.
2. Orchid Trendy: best value
$190 per person, the same all year, one of the two lowest-priced luxury ships Ava Travel sells (the other is Diana, $178, a much bigger ship). Twenty cabins, all with a balcony, from 28 to 56 sqm, and 3 family cabins. 3 days 2 nights from $335. Downside: one price all year, so there is no saving in summer.
3. Heritage Line Ginger: the top of the market
From $430 per person at Ava Travel ($345 May to September). Only 12 cabins, all with a balcony, 37 to 50 sqm. If price is not the question, this is the most exclusive boat we sell on Lan Ha Bay. Downside: more than twice the price of most ships on this list, and the high season premium is the largest we have seen ($85).
4. Athena Premium: most space for the price
$195 per person at Ava Travel all year. The smallest cabin is 43 sqm, the largest of any entry cabin on this list, and every cabin has a balcony. Halong Bay route. Downside: 41 cabins, and we do not sell a 3-day trip on it.
5. Heritage Binh Chuan: Vietnamese style
From $210 per person at Ava Travel ($180 May to September). A 20-cabin ship decorated in a Vietnamese heritage style, all cabins with a balcony, 33 to 46 sqm, on Lan Ha Bay. 3 days from $405. Downside: a $30 gap between seasons, so it is noticeably better value in summer.
6. Lyra Grandeur: best luxury for families
From $245 per person at Ava Travel ($195 May to September). Four family cabin types, 33 cabins from 32 to 64 sqm. Downside: not every cabin has a balcony; check the cabin type before you book. See the best family cruises.
7. Larissa: luxury on the quiet bay
$197 per person all year. The only luxury ship Ava Travel sells on Bai Tu Long Bay with a balcony in every cabin, all 42 sqm. Fewer boats, and a floating village visit. It is also the only 2026 ship on Bai Tu Long Bay; see the ten new Halong Bay cruises of 2026. Downside: Bai Tu Long has very few swimming stops, and there is no 3-day option with us. See Halong Bay vs Bai Tu Long Bay.
8. Bhaya Soul: small luxury on Halong Bay
$265 per person at Ava Travel all year. Twenty cabins, all with a balcony, 30 to 80 sqm. Downside: no low season price, and on the classic route you share Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island with most other boats.
9. Stellar of the Seas: best service
From $310 per person at Ava Travel ($280 May to September). Twenty-two cabins with balconies on Lan Ha Bay, with a strong reputation for service. 3 days from $560. Downside: cabins are 28 to 32 sqm, smaller than several ships here that cost $100 less.
10. Diana: big ship facilities at a fair price
$178 per person all year, now the lowest price of any luxury ship Ava Travel sells. Fifty-six cabins, all with a balcony, 34 to 55 sqm, on Lan Ha Bay. A large ship has more deck space. 3 days from $356. Downside: 56 cabins is the most on this list; it will never feel private.
The most luxurious cruises on Lan Ha Bay
The short answer for Lan Ha Bay: the most luxurious cruise Ava Travel sells there is Heritage Line Ginger, from $430 per person with only 12 cabins. Orchid Premium has the fewest cabins (5) and the largest suites (45 to 96 sqm) at $375 all year. Elite of the Seas ($350) and Stellar of the Seas ($310) are the larger ultra-luxury ships, with 35 and 22 cabins. Orchid Luxury at $240 is the lowest priced ship in the ultra-luxury class.
Lan Ha Bay has more high-end ships than the other two bays together: 13 of the 24 luxury and ultra-luxury ships we sell sail there, against 8 on Halong Bay and 3 on Bai Tu Long. Here are all 13, most expensive first.
| Ship | Class | Cabins | Cabin size | Balcony, every cabin | Oct-Apr (Ava Travel) | May-Sep | 3 days from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage Line Ginger | Ultra-luxury | 12 | 37 to 50 sqm | Yes | $430 | $345 | 1 night only |
| Orchid Premium | Ultra-luxury | 5 | 45 to 96 sqm | No | $375 | $375 | $745 |
| Elite of the Seas | Ultra-luxury | 35 | 23 to 28 sqm | Yes | $350 | $315 | $630 |
| Stellar of the Seas | Ultra-luxury | 22 | 28 to 32 sqm | Yes | $310 | $280 | $560 |
| Lyra Grandeur | Luxury | 33 | 32 to 64 sqm | No | $245 | $195 | $452 |
| Orchid Luxury | Ultra-luxury | 14 | 36 to 72 sqm | Yes | $240 | $240 | $450 |
| Harmony Boutique | Luxury | 28 | 38 to 50 sqm | Yes | $235 | $215 | $462 |
| Capella | Luxury | 30 | 32 to 57 sqm | No | $225 | $190 | $435 |
| Sea Coral | Luxury | not published | not published | No | $224 | $200 | 1 night only |
| Orchid Classic | Luxury | 14 | 36 to 72 sqm | Yes | $220 | $220 | $391 |
| Heritage Binh Chuan | Luxury | 20 | 33 to 46 sqm | Yes | $210 | $180 | $405 |
| Orchid Trendy | Luxury | 20 | 28 to 56 sqm | Yes | $190 | $190 | $335 |
| Diana | Luxury | 56 | 34 to 55 sqm | Yes | $178 | $178 | $356 |
Prices are per person for two adults sharing the cheapest cabin, all meals on board included. Orchid Classic is listed on our site as Orchid Cruise. 9 of the 13 ships have a balcony in every cabin. If you are choosing between two of them, see Orchid Premium vs Orchid Luxury, Elite of the Seas vs Orchid Premium, Capella vs Elite of the Seas and Lyra Grandeur vs Capella. For a second night on these ships, read Lan Ha Bay: 1 night or 2 nights.
Luxury ships we left out, and why
- Elite of the Seas ($350): excellent ship, but cabins are 23 to 28 sqm, the smallest of the ultra-luxury group.
- Orchid Premium ($375): very large suites, but few cabins and not all with a balcony.
- Capella ($225): a water slide and great for children, but not all cabins have a balcony.
- Dragon Legend ($220): a calm Bai Tu Long route, but no balcony cabins. See Indochina Junk cruises.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a luxury Halong Bay cruise?
On the 24 luxury and ultra-luxury ships Ava Travel sells, a 2 day 1 night cruise costs from $178 to $430 per person, two sharing, all meals included. Most are between $195 and $265. A 3-day trip is roughly 1.9 times the 2-day price.
What is the most luxurious cruise in Halong Bay?
Of the ships Ava Travel sells, Heritage Line Ginger on Lan Ha Bay is the most exclusive (12 cabins, from $430). On Halong Bay itself, Bhaya Soul ($265) and Catherine ($215) are the top choices.
What is the most luxurious cruise on Lan Ha Bay?
Heritage Line Ginger: 12 cabins, all with a balcony, from $430 per person at Ava Travel in high season and $345 from May to September. We sell it for 1 night only. For 2 nights the top choices are Orchid Premium (from $745 for 3 days) and Elite of the Seas (from $630).
How much is a luxury Lan Ha Bay cruise?
On the 13 luxury and ultra-luxury ships Ava Travel sells on Lan Ha Bay, a 2 day 1 night cruise costs from $178 to $430 per person, two sharing, and the middle price is $235. A 3 day 2 night cruise costs from $335 to $745 on the 11 ships that sell it.
Is a luxury Halong Bay cruise worth it?
For couples and special occasions, usually yes: the gap from a good mid-range boat is often only $40 to $60 per person at Ava Travel, and it buys a balcony, a larger cabin and a quieter ship. The bay and the excursions are the same.
Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay for a luxury cruise?
Lan Ha Bay has more luxury ships with balconies and more kayaking and swimming; Halong Bay has the famous caves. Seven of our ten picks sail Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long. Compare in Halong Bay vs Lan Ha Bay.
Book a luxury cruise with Ava Travel
Open any ship above to see real cabin photos and the price for your date, then pay securely online; we confirm your cabin and pickup within one hour. For the same standard on land, a tailor-made Vietnam tour can pair the cruise with 5-star hotels and a private guide. See every high-end ship on Halong Bay luxury cruises, cabins with a view in the best cruises with a balcony, or message us on WhatsApp (+84 904 251 545).
