Elite of the Seas and Orchid Premium are both overnight cruises sold by Ava Travel, a Hanoi travel agency, both on Lan Ha 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.
Ava Travel prices per person, two adults sharing a cabin, taken from Ava Travel’s live booking pages on 15 October 2026.
from $350 per person, Oct to Apr, $315 May to Sep
See Elite of the Seas prices and dates
from $375 per person, Oct to Apr
See Orchid Premium prices and datesThe short answer
- Price: Elite of the Seas is $25 cheaper per person in peak season, October to April ($350 against $375).
- From May to September the cheapest cabins are $315 on Elite of the Seas and $375 on Orchid Premium.
- Route: both sail Lan Ha Bay.
- Ship size: Orchid Premium is the smaller ship with 5 cabins; Elite of the Seas has 35.
- Cabin size: the entry cabin on Orchid Premium is 45 sqm, on Elite of the Seas 23 sqm.
- Families: Orchid Premium has 2 cabin types for three or more guests, Elite of the Seas has none.
- 3 days 2 nights: both offer it, from $630 on Elite of the Seas and $745 on Orchid Premium per person.
Side by side
| Elite of the Seas | Orchid Premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Bay | Lan Ha Bay | Lan Ha Bay |
| Star rating | 5-Star Luxury | 5-Star Luxury |
| Departs from | Tuan Chau | Tuan Chau |
| Cabins on board | 35 | 5 |
| Cabin types | 6 | 5 |
| Cabin sizes | 23 to 28 sqm | 45 to 96 sqm |
| Every cabin has a balcony | Yes | Not all |
| Cabins for 3 or more | None | Family Terrace Suite (4 pax), Family Premium Terrace Suite (4 pax) |
| 2 days 1 night, Oct to Apr | from $350 | from $375 |
| 2 days 1 night, May to Sep | from $315 | from $375 |
| 3 days 2 nights | from $630 | from $745 |
| Day 1 route | Tuan Chau – Lan Ha Bay – Ao Ech Lagoon | Tuan Chau – Lan Ha Bay – Ao Ech – Tra Bau |
| Day 2 route | Dark & Bright Cave – Tuan Chau | Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba – Tuan Chau |
Which one should you book?
- Price matters most: Elite of the Seas.
- You travel as three or more in one cabin: Orchid Premium has more family cabin types.
- You want more room in the cheapest cabin: Orchid Premium.
- You prefer fewer guests on board: Orchid Premium.
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
Elite of the Seas cabins
| Cabin | Size | Guests | May to Sep | Oct to Apr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Junior Suite | 23 sqm | 2 | $315 | $350 |
| Elite Senior Suite | 25 sqm | 2 | $410 | $450 |
| Elite Executive Suite | 25 sqm | 2 | $545 | $605 |
| Elite Junior Premium | 28 sqm | 2 | $350 | $390 |
| Elite Senior Premium | 28 sqm | 2 | $445 | $490 |
| Elite Executive Premium Suite | 25 sqm | 2 | $600 | $670 |
Orchid Premium cabins
| Cabin | Size | Guests | May to Sep | Oct to Apr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrace Suite | 45 sqm | 2 | $375 | $375 |
| Premium Terrace Suite | 48 sqm | 2 | $400 | $400 |
| Exclusive Suite | 65 sqm | 2 | $550 | $550 |
| Family Terrace Suite (4 pax) | 90 sqm | 4 | $398 | $398 |
| Family Premium Terrace Suite (4 pax) | 96 sqm | 4 | $434 | $434 |
Cabins for 3 or more show the price per person with the cabin full.
Day 1 on board
Elite of the Seas, day 1
- 08:15 – 08:35Pick-up in Hanoi Old Quarter if you add the transfer. One rest stop on the way.
- 11:15 – 11:45Check in at the pier.
- 12:00Speedboat out to the ship.
- 12:15Welcome briefing on board.
- 12:30Lunch in the restaurant.
- 14:00Cabin keys and check-in.
- 15:00 – 17:00Swim in the bay or the panoramic pool, or kayak in Ao Ech Lagoon.
- 17:30Sunset and afternoon tea by the pool.
- 18:00 – 19:00Cooking demonstration and happy hour at the poolside.
- 19:00Dinner.
Orchid Premium, day 1
- 07:50 – 08:20Orchid bus leaves Hanoi for guests who add the transfer.
- 11:00 – 11:30Check in at the Orchid lounge, Lot 32, Tuan Chau Marina, with welcome tea.
- 11:45 – 12:00Speedboat to the ship. Welcome drink and safety briefing.
- 12:45Buffet lunch as the ship cruises into Halong and Lan Ha Bay.
- 14:45Kayaking at Ao Ech.
- 16:00Cruise on to Tra Bau, where the ship anchors for the night.
- 18:00Cooking demonstration, or happy hour at the bar at sunset. Massage is available at extra cost.
- 19:15Dinner.
- 21:00Squid fishing, a film in the restaurant, or drinks at the sundeck bar.
Questions
Which is cheaper, Elite of the Seas or Orchid Premium?
Elite of the Seas. In peak season, October to April, it starts at $350 per person against $375 for Orchid Premium. From May to September the cheapest cabins are $315 on Elite of the Seas and $375 on Orchid Premium. Prices are per person with two sharing a cabin.
Do Elite of the Seas and Orchid Premium sail the same bay?
Yes, both sail Lan Ha Bay.
Can I book Elite of the Seas or Orchid Premium for 3 days 2 nights?
Yes, both. Elite of the Seas from $630 and Orchid Premium from $745 per person.
Which is better for families, Elite of the Seas or Orchid Premium?
Orchid Premium has 2 cabin types for three or more guests (Family Terrace Suite (4 pax), Family Premium Terrace Suite (4 pax)); Elite of the Seas has none.
Compare more: all cruises with prices · Lan Ha Bay 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.
