Last updated 6 October 2026 by the Ava Travel team in Hanoi. Child prices and family cabins come from the 96 cruises Ava Travel sells, checked on 4 October 2026.
The short answer, using Ava Travel’s own prices: Halong Bay is very good with children. On the cruises Ava Travel sells, children under 4 sail free, ages 4 to 11 pay the extra bed rate and 12 and over pay the adult fare. 32 of our 96 boats have family cabins for 3 or 4, most of them on Lan Ha Bay, where the boats also stop to swim. For children under about 8, choose 2 days 1 night.
How much do children pay?
| Age | Cruise fare |
|---|---|
| 0 – 3 | Free |
| 4 – 11 | Extra bed rate, included in the price shown once you enter their ages |
| 12 and over | Adult fare |
Enter the children’s ages in the room selector on any boat page and the price updates for your exact family. The Hanoi shuttle is $35 per person return; for a family of 4 or more a private car ($165 for up to 3, $180 for up to 6) is often simpler and costs about the same.
Family cabins: which boats have them
A family cabin sleeps 3 or 4 in one room, so you do not need two cabins. Of the boats Ava Travel sells, 20 on Lan Ha Bay, 8 on Halong Bay and 4 on Bai Tu Long Bay have them. A real example from Peony (Lan Ha Bay): the Family Deluxe for 3 is $564 per cabin and for 4 is $629 per cabin from October to April ($513 and $573 from May to September), all meals included.
- Lyra Grandeur: four family cabin types, the widest choice.
- Capella: the ship with an ocean slide, popular with families.
- Orchid Trendy: three family cabins and a balcony in every cabin, $190 all year.
- Peony: family cabins for 3 and 4 at a mid-range price.
- Signature: a small wooden junk on quiet Bai Tu Long Bay with two family cabins.
Ten family boats are ranked with prices in the best Halong Bay cruises for families.
Which bay is best for children?
- Lan Ha Bay for most families: 33 of the 49 boats we sell there stop to swim, 38 include kayaking, and it has the most family cabins.
- Halong Bay if your children will enjoy a big cave: Sung Sot is on almost every Halong programme. There are steps, so a carrier is easier than a pushchair.
- Bai Tu Long Bay is calm and quiet, but only 2 of 10 boats plan a swim, so it suits older children who like the floating village more than the beach.
Best age, and 2 or 3 days?
Any age works, but children from about 5 get the most from the kayaking, the cooking class and the squid fishing. Under about 8, choose 2 days 1 night: the day is long enough with a 3-hour drive each way. Older children often enjoy the middle day of a 3 day cruise most, with cycling and a beach on Cat Ba. See 2-day vs 3-day cruises.
Practical tips for families
- Bring passports for everyone, including babies; every guest is registered before departure.
- Tell us the ages when you book, so the cabin and the price are right and the crew can prepare.
- Bring swimwear from May to October; the water is too cool for most children from December to March.
- Pack snacks and a light layer for the drive and the evening on deck.
- Use a baby carrier for caves and the Titop viewpoint path.
Frequently asked questions
Is Halong Bay safe for kids?
Yes. Licensed boats carry life jackets for every guest, and the bay is sheltered by thousands of islands. Keep children supervised on open decks, as you would on any boat.
Do babies go free on Halong Bay cruises?
Yes, on the cruises we sell children aged 0 to 3 travel free, sharing your bed.
Can a family of 4 share one cabin?
Yes, on the 32 boats with family cabins for 4. On other boats you would book two cabins.
Book a family cruise with Ava Travel
Open any boat page, enter your children’s ages and date to see the exact family price, add the Hanoi transfer and pay securely online. We confirm your cabin within one hour. Questions about ages or cabins? WhatsApp +84 904 251 545.
