Hopefully, you have clicked on this blog post because you have heard about Serenity Cruise Ha Long Bay. Either that or you are looking to book a tour around Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. Well the reason we really hope for is that you think our pictures look kind of cool๐
If you are about to leave this page, then just know this one statement about our experience in Ha Long Bay. Out of all of our friends that have taken a day tour/cruise around Ha Long Bay, they have been disappointed, mainly due to the overcrowding of the places they visited. Another reason for the disappointment was due to rubbish in and around the beaches and water nearby. Our suggestion, would be to spend a little extra and book an overnight tour, like us as we had an amazing time.
ย This post is not sponsored or affiliated with Serenity Cruiseโs, we just had an amazing time and wanted to share our experience.
*This post might contain ourย affiliate links.ย This is at no extra cost to you, but you would be doing us a solid if you did use them. It shows us yourย appreciation after we have written this amazing travel guide for you ๐*
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โ๏ธAbout Serenity Cruise
๐ฒItinerary
๐๐ปRooms
๐Getting from Hanoi to Halong Bay
๐ง๐พโโ๏ธWhat is included on the tour?
๐คOur Honest Review
About the Serenity Cruise Ha Long Bayโ๏ธ
We had heard a few negative things about Ha Long Bay, mainly to do with the sheer volume of boats and tourists in the area. We wanted to make sure, if we were spending a lot more money than usual, it was going to be worth it. So, when it came to choose a cruise we had a few requirements, luxury, good food, great itinerary and as least touristy as possible.
Obviously as backpackers we arenโt used to splashing the cash on luxury cruises. When it comes to over night cruises in Ha Long Bay, they are considerably more expensive than a day tour. After a lot of research on different cruise companies, we opted for Serenity Cruise Ha Long Bay 1-night tour.
When you consider what is included in your 2D1N Serenity Cruise Ha Long Bay tour, (free transfer, all your activities, free room upgrade if possible), we think it was great value for money. After all we hadnโt come all this way not to experience Ha Long Bay properly.
Serenity Cruises are a relatively new cruise tour compared to some of the other boat tours, this means you get the best luxury boats and facilities. Who doesnโt love a bath with an ocean view.
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Serenity Cruise Itinerary ๐ฒ
Day 1
Your days starts off nice and early if you are coming from Hanoi, around 08:30 am. The free bus transfer will pick you up and bring you to the Tuan Chau Wharf. The journey from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay takes 2 hours. If you are already in Halong Bay like us then take a grab taxi, it is a 15-minute drive from the centre of Halong. The Tuan Chau harbour is huge, so if you are making your own way there make sure you check your booking confirmation. Check for the number of the dock your boat is leaving from. Ours left from dock 16 but this can always change.
Once at the dock a small speed boat will collect you. It will take you on a 20-minute ride, passing the lime stone rocks jetting out of the ocean, until you reach where the boat is moored. Once aboard, welcome drinks complete and you have settled into your cabin, itโs time for your first activity.
Lunch ๐ฅชย
Yes eating is one of the top activities we love participating in whilst travelling, and we did plenty of it whilst on the Serenity Cruise. Here is just a taster.
Kayaking ๐ถย
Next up is another favourite activity of ours kayaking. We headed over to a small fishing village, met some of the locals and took the kayaks out to explore more of Ha Long Bay. At low tide there is a hidden lagoon you can explore, unfortunately we arrived at high tide. This meant the entrance to the lagoon, through a cave was sealed by the water.
Cooking Class ๐ฉ๐ปโ๐ณย
Safely back on the boat the next activity is a cooking class. We canโt really comment on this, we decided to make use of the bath and freshen up whilst watching the sunset from our cabin instead
Dinner ๐ฒย
A huge selection of food, the cakes were particularly good. The boat caters for all food requirements, so if you are a veggie, vegan or just fussy there is something for everyone. After dinner you have the option of spa treatments (these are at an extra cost). We both had a 30-minute massage, which in all honesty was nice. But for the price you pay compared to the main land, was not worth it.
After our treatments we headed to the bar and ended up meeting a few other English couples and ended up spending the rest of the evening on the top open deck drinking and checking out the stars.
We have written a blog post all about the Best Place To Visit In Vietnam
Itineraryย ๐ฒ
Day 2
Sunrise Tai-chi/Yoga session sundeck ๐ง๐พโโ๏ธย
Due to the amount we partied the night before, we skipped this.
Breakfast ๐ณ
Did we mention we love food? I think we went up to the buffet at least 3 times, most definitely because we were hung over. There is a huge selection of hot and cold food, with unlimited tea and coffee.
Viet Hai village ๐ด๐ฝ
After breakfast we took the speed boat to Cat Ba Island. This is where we hopped onto our bikes (pedal cycle) and complete the 30-minute ride to the Viet Hai village. We met the locals and had the opportunity to try snake wine.
Lunch ๐คย
Time for your final meal before heading back to dry land.
Arrive at Tuan Chau marina ๐ย
We got back to the Tuan Chau marina around 13:30. You free shuttle transfer will be waiting to take you from Halong Bay to Hanoi.
Whilst you are in Halong Bay, you should check out the famous Poem Mountain
Rooms on Serenity Cruise Ha Long Bay ๐๏ธ
When it comes to rooms on Serenity Cruise Halong Bay you are guaranteed the best. This is because if they can accommodate it, they will automatically give you a free upgrade. All the rooms come with their own balcony and bath with an ocean view.
When it comes to cabins, you have a choice of 4 rooms, the cheapest is the Junior Suite. We booked the Junior Suite cabin and were lucky enough to receive a free upgrade to a Senior Suite.
The only difference between the two cabins as far as we could tell is the junior suite is on a higher deck than the senior suite. Both have the same features. The senior suite is an extra $30, so save your money and go for the cheaper option.
If you are really looking for something special, then you should book the moon suite cabin or the Terrace Moon Suite. The Terrace Moon Suite is the top room and there is only one on the Serenity cruise. Complete with its only huge round bed, located on the top deck at the front of the ship and has its own sauna. You have a complete 180-degree view of Ha Long Bay right from your bed. Outside you have a larger balcony than any of the other cabins complete with your own hanging chair. Obviously the price matches the quality of the room which is high!!!.
Hanoi to Ha Long Bay ๐
When we booked our tour with Serenity, we were already staying in Ha Long Bay. However, they offer an amazing free return transfersย from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, this is all included in the price of your ticket. One a standard bus this trip would normally take around 4 hours, but Serenity use the express highway. This means you will be on the boat and into your cabin a lot sooner, exploring the wonders of Ha Long Bay.
Whats included and whats not
Included
๐Free round-trip bus ticket Hanoi โ Ha Long.
๐ Fully furnished cabin with private Ocean View Balcony.
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ English speaking guide on board.
๐ All meals on board mentioned (02 lunch, 01 dinner, 01 breakfast).
๐ฐ Complimentary 2 bottled water in each Cabin.
๐ซ Entrance and sightseeing fees.
๐จ๐ปโ๐ณ Cooking class, Taichi.
๐ถ Kayak (2 people share a kayak).
Excluded
Limousine/private transfer Hanoi <-> Ha Long (upon request).
๐ง๐ปโโSpa, Massage, Beverages, Personal expenses.
โจ Surcharge on Christmas, New Year and Lunar New year.
Tips for guide/driver/crew & All other services and items not mentioned specifically above.
For us there are two big things that you need to note and could have also made the cruise better.
Waterย you receive two bottles at the beginning of your cruise. The rest you have to buy on the boat, we didnโt know this before going on the tour. We recommend bringing a couple of big bottles in your luggage, that way you should be find for the tip. (the water is not expensive on the boat, but it is frustrating having to keep buying bottles.๐ฐ
Alcohol,ย although not hugely expensive, it is definitely more than the mainland. The selection of beers and spirits was not great either. Obviously, this isnโt going to be a issue for everyone but it was for the likes of us, we like some options. ๐ท
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Our honest Ha Long Bay Serenity Cruise review ๐คย
ย We left this review on trip adviser the next day.
Me and my partner were treated with such warmth on board, it was an incredible experience from start to finish. The room was fantastic, clean and spacious. Not to mention the bath next to the window, overlooking the amazing surroundings was the cherry on top to a great few days! The staff went above and beyond to make sure we were happy with everything. The food was impressive, me and my partner are sometimes hesitant with buffets. But the lunch offered so much tasty variety, we ate so much!!
We also did a coupleโs massage which was the perfect end to our first night on board. The activities were optional which we loved as we could spend our time doing what we wanted. We did not see one other boat!!! Would highly recommend this company to anyone who wants to feel pampered while seeing the amazing scenery around them in Ha Long Bay.
You can see all of the other reviews here on trip advisor.
How to make a booking ๐ท
If we have managed to convince you to book onto this amazing cruise around Ha Long Bay, then you can book your tour right here. Using our affiliated link not only gives you the best price but earns us a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Accommodation in Hanoi and Ha Long Bay ๐ ย
When searching for accommodation in Vietnam we use the Agoda app. You can get all the up to date prices for accommodation in Hanoi or Halong Bay here. Search for accommodation inย Hanoi andย Ha Long Bay
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