Overnight Luxury 5 Star Alisa Cruise with Meals, Kayak or Bamboo Boat

Ha Long Bay is at its best when you have time to watch its limestone islands slip past, and this overnight Alisa Cruise gives you that time without asking you to plan every stop. You get a private cabin and meals aboard, plus a changing program of caves, islands, and bay activities, with a maximum group size of 15.

I like the built-in variety: you can spend an afternoon kayaking or seeing a pearl farm, then join a cooking session and try morning tai chi. I also like the personal service described by guests, including staff member Mr. Phong helping with gluten-free and dairy-free meals. One consideration: transfers from Hanoi cost extra, and some activities depend on weather or the day’s schedule.

Key points to know

• Two days, one night: Sleep aboard Alisa and see the bay in the evening and again in the morning.
• A small group: The tour has a maximum of 15 people, though you’ll share the ship’s dining and lounge areas.
• Activity choices: Kayaking and the pearl-farm visit are not both guaranteed, and the schedule may vary.
• Ti Top depends on conditions: Swimming is planned if the weather permits.
• Meals are included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch are part of the program. Drinks are extra.
• Hanoi transport costs more: Arrange a transfer quote in advance, or make your own way to Dock 16 at Tuan Chau Maria Island.

Two days on the bay, without the planning

This cruise is designed for you if you want Ha Long Bay to be more than a quick boat trip. You board around midday, spend the afternoon visiting bay sights, sleep on the water, and continue with a cave visit the next morning. The ship handles the route and meals, while a guide and cruise manager manage the day’s activities.

The maximum group size is 15, a useful detail for anyone who prefers a smaller tour group. The cruise itself still has shared spaces, including its restaurant, bar, and sundeck, so this is not a private-boat experience.

The package costs $133. For that price, you get an overnight cabin, meals, a guide, and the activities listed for the program. It can be good value if you want the convenience of an arranged itinerary and a night on the bay. Keep in mind that drinks and transport to and from the cruise are not included, so the total cost will be higher if you need a Hanoi transfer or buy drinks onboard.

Getting to Dock 16 before boarding

The tour information gives Ha Long Bay as the meeting point and lists an 8:30 am start, but the boarding instructions say you must be at Dock 16, Tuan Chau Maria Island, before 11:45 am. The cruise schedule then begins with a welcome drink at noon and boarding at about 12:30 pm. Because those times do not line up neatly, confirm your exact arrival instructions before setting out.

If you are coming from Hanoi, the transfer is not part of the cabin price. Contact the operator for the current quote and pickup details, and provide your hotel location if you book the transfer. If you travel independently, plan to reach the dock well before the 11:45 am cutoff rather than relying on the later boarding time.

The trip back to the harbor is scheduled for about 11:30 am on the second day, with the activity ending at 12:30 pm. Transfer times, if booked, are estimates and can vary with traffic.

Lunch, limestone islands, and your afternoon choice

After check-in, you get lunch with Vietnamese and international dishes as the boat begins cruising. That first meal gives you time to settle into the day and enjoy the bay views before the excursions begin.

The route passes several named sights, including Cua Van Floating Village, Tien Ong Cave, Trong Cave, Ho-dong Tien Cave, and Luon Cave. You may also see formations and coastal spots such as Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock, Soi Sim Beach, and Coconut Three Island. These are mainly views from the cruise route, so think of the afternoon as a moving introduction to the bay rather than a series of long visits ashore.

The program may include a visit to Ti Top Island for swimming, weather permitting. The itinerary also describes a choice between kayaking and visiting the Halong Pearl Farm Village, and says you cannot do both because there is not enough time. Since the schedule can change by day and season, confirm which options are planned for your sailing instead of assuming every listed activity will happen.

Kayaking is the more active option, giving you time on the water around the bay. The pearl-farm visit offers a closer look at how local people produce pearls. If both appeal, you may need to choose the one that matters more to you. The itinerary also gives a 4 pm time for the pearl farm, so ask the operator how that fits with the activity choice on your date.

Sunset on deck and an evening aboard

The cruise returns to Alisa in time for a sunset gathering on the Sky Bar, with juices, cocktails, red wine, and fruit listed. Drinks are not included in the tour price, so treat this as a pleasant place to unwind rather than a free drinks package.

At about 6 pm, there is a cooking session alongside happy hour, where the offer is buy two drinks and get one free. Dinner follows at around 7:30 pm. The menu is described as Vietnamese and international, with seafood mentioned in guest feedback. If you have dietary needs, contact the operator in advance and explain them clearly. Mr. Phong is specifically praised for arranging safe gluten-free and dairy-free dishes, but it is wise to confirm your requirements before you travel rather than assume every request can be met.

After dinner, the evening is yours. The schedule lists conversation at the bar, films and Vietnamese cultural films, squid fishing, and fishing from the boat. These are optional ways to pass the time, not a guarantee of a lively nightlife scene. Some people may enjoy the social atmosphere; others may prefer a quiet cabin or a few minutes on deck.

A cabin night, then tai chi and Sung Sot Cave

Your overnight accommodation is in a private cabin with its own bathroom. That makes the overnight format more comfortable than a day trip, especially if you want to see the bay in the quieter hours without packing and unpacking between hotels. The listing calls the cruise five-star, but the useful practical details are the private room, bathroom, meals, and shared onboard facilities.

The second day starts early, with tai chi on the sundeck at 6:30 am. Coffee, tea, and pastries are served, so you can watch the morning light over the bay before the main visit. If early starts are not your strong suit, remember that this activity comes soon after an overnight stay, though you can choose how to spend your time.

At about 8 am, you visit Sung Sot Cave for roughly 45 minutes. The cave is one of the trip’s main shore excursions and offers a contrast to the time spent looking out across the water. Wear shoes suitable for walking, and expect the visit to be a short, scheduled stop rather than an unhurried cave expedition.

You return to the boat around 9:40 am, check out of your cabin at 10 am, and settle any onboard bills. Brunch is scheduled for about 10:15 am, followed by arrival at the harbor around 11:30 am. That final meal is included, but drinks remain extra.

Food, service, and special diets

Meals are one of the stronger practical reasons to choose an overnight package. Lunch, dinner, breakfast, and brunch are included, which means fewer decisions and fewer meals to arrange during a tightly scheduled two-day trip. Food is described as Vietnamese and international, and seafood is a recurring favorite in the feedback.

Service is another well-praised part of the experience. Mr. Phong is named for attentive dining service and for helping people with celiac disease, gluten-free diets, and dairy-free needs. Ian is described as a friendly guide who made activities enjoyable, while Ivy and Emma are also singled out for helpful service. Staff names and roles can change, but these details suggest that the cruise team is used to helping with practical needs.

Still, tell the operator about allergies or dietary restrictions before departure. A helpful crew can make a real difference, but you should not leave a serious food requirement to chance or rely only on a note made at the table.

What the $133 fare covers, and what it does not

At $133, the fare bundles accommodation, meals, a guide, listed activities, bottled water, and taxes and handling charges. You are paying for a planned overnight experience, not just boat transport. That can be worthwhile if you value having the route, meals, and activity schedule organized for you.

The main added cost is getting to and from the cruise. Hanoi transfers are available at an additional charge, and you need to request the price and pickup instructions. Drinks are also excluded, including beverages ordered during the sunset gathering or at happy hour.

There is a strict luggage allowance of one suitcase and one carry-on bag per person. Oversized items may be restricted, so check with the operator in advance if you have bulky equipment. All participants must provide passport name, number, expiry date, and country at booking.

Confirmation is subject to availability and may take up to 48 hours. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. If poor weather causes the cruise to be canceled, you are offered another date or a full refund. The itinerary can also change because of weather, holidays, or government events.

Who should book Alisa Cruise?

This is a good fit if you want one organized night on Ha Long Bay, a private cabin, meals included, and a mix of guided stops and onboard downtime. It suits couples, families with children accompanied by an adult, and solo visitors who are comfortable sharing the ship’s common spaces with a small group.

It may not suit you if you want a fixed guarantee of every listed stop, especially kayaking, the pearl farm, and Ti Top Island. The schedule can shift, and the activity choice may mean missing one of the afternoon options. It is also less convenient if you expect transport from Hanoi to be included in the quoted $133.

I’d book it if the overnight stay and all-in-one schedule are the main draw, and I’d confirm the pickup or dock time, the day’s activity choices, and any meal requirements before paying. If you need a fully predictable itinerary or have fixed travel plans, weigh the non-refundable terms carefully.

FAQ

How long is the Alisa Cruise?

The experience lasts about two days and one night. The scheduled program begins on the first day around noon and ends at about 12:30 pm on the second day.

Where do I meet the cruise?

The meeting point is Ha Long Bay. If you are making your own way, you must be at Dock 16, Tuan Chau Maria Island, before 11:45 am.

Is transport from Hanoi included?

No. Hanoi to Ha Long Bay transport is not included in the cabin price. You can request a transfer quote and pickup instructions from the operator.

What meals are included?

The program includes lunch, dinner, breakfast, and brunch, along with meals described as Vietnamese and international. Drinks are not included.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Drinks are extra. The sunset gathering lists juices, cocktails, red wine, and fruit, and the evening schedule includes a buy-two-drinks-get-one-free offer.

Can I kayak and visit the pearl farm?

The afternoon program describes these as alternatives because there is not enough time to do both. The schedule may vary by day and season, so confirm the plan for your sailing.

Is swimming at Ti Top Island guaranteed?

No. The visit is planned if the weather permits, and the itinerary may change due to weather or other circumstances.

What is included in the cabin?

The cruise includes overnight accommodation in a cabin with a private bathroom. The listing also includes meals, a guide, activities, bottled water, and taxes and handling charges.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.