Mon Chéri Cruise 5 star: Unique 2 Days Tuan Chau – Halong bay – Lan Ha Bay

Ha Long Bay is best seen at a slower pace, and this two-day cruise gives you more time on the water than a quick day trip. You sail from Got Pier through Lan Ha Bay toward Ha Long Bay, with time for cave visits, a bamboo boat ride, kayaking, and swimming before sleeping aboard.

I like two things in particular: the chance to catch both sunset and sunrise over the bay, and the combination of active outings with a comfortable cabin and Vietnamese meals. The main consideration is the extra cost of getting to the pier from Hanoi, plus an unusual meal count in the package details that is worth confirming before you book.

• Two days on the water: More time for bay scenery and activities than a day cruise allows.
• An overnight cabin: Sleep aboard and have a chance to photograph the bay at sunset and sunrise.
• Caves by bamboo boat: A traditional boat ride offers a different way to pass through the bay’s cave scenery.
• Active options: Kayaking, swimming, and sunbathing are part of the experience.
• Vietnamese food and helpful service: Food variety and courteous staff are among the strongest reported points.
• Small group cap: The cruise allows up to 35 participants, with Hanoi transfers available for an extra charge.

A two-day view of Lan Ha and Ha Long bays

This cruise is a good fit if you want to spend meaningful time among the islands and waterways rather than treat the bay as a quick photo stop. It lasts about two days, with an overnight stay aboard Mon Chéri Cruise, and visits both Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay.

The route begins at Got Pier in Cat Hai, Hai Phong. At around noon, you board and have lunch in the cruise’s restaurant as the boat sails through the canals toward Ha Long Bay. That early stretch is part of the experience, not just a transfer between attractions: you can settle in, eat, and watch the scenery shift from the pier to open water.

The cruise is described as a five-star experience, with oceanside suites, fine dining, and onboard activities. Those comforts matter on an overnight trip, when your cabin and meals shape a large part of the day. Still, the available details do not spell out cabin categories or individual suite features, so check those specifics if room size or a particular view is important to you.

Day one: lunch, canals, and bay scenery

Your first day starts with boarding at noon at Got Pier. Lunch is served in the restaurant while the ship makes its way through Lan Ha Bay toward Ha Long Bay. There is no need to race straight into a strenuous activity, which makes this a fairly gentle start after the journey to the pier.

The stated schedule includes about 18 hours at the Lan Ha Bay stop, with admission included. That span covers a substantial part of the cruise, though the exact order and duration of individual activities are not fully laid out. The overall plan includes time for kayaking, swimming, and sunbathing, as well as cave visits around Cat Ba Island.

The bay’s limestone islands and calm channels are the main reason to choose an overnight cruise. You have time to take in the views from the water, rather than relying on a brief pass through one scenic stretch. The trade-off is that weather and sea conditions can affect outdoor activities, so keep expectations flexible if swimming or kayaking is a priority.

A traditional bamboo boat ride through caves is one of the more distinctive elements. It gives you a slower, close-to-the-water way to see cave passages, rather than viewing them only from the cruise ship. The details do not name the caves or specify how long the ride lasts, so consider it a feature of the trip, not a precisely timed excursion.

Ha Long Bay and the overnight stay

The schedule assigns about two and a half hours to Ha Long Bay for scenery. That gives you a defined stretch for taking in the islands and waterways, while the overnight cabin lets you experience the bay beyond daylight hours.

Sunset and sunrise are often the moments people hope to photograph on an overnight cruise. Here, the overnight stay makes both possible, weather permitting. If photography matters to you, bring a camera or phone you can use comfortably outdoors, and keep it handy rather than packed away in your cabin.

The cruise also includes a cooking class and squid fishing among its activities. These give the evening a more participatory feel than simply eating dinner and going to bed, though the schedule does not provide exact times or guarantee when each activity takes place. Treat them as planned onboard options and check the daily program with the crew.

Day two: a short schedule, so check the details

The second-day itinerary is described only as wonderful scenery. That signals more time among the bay views, but it does not identify a named stop, a cave, or a specific activity for the morning. If you are comparing cruises based on a precise second-day excursion, ask Mon Chéri Cruises what is scheduled for your departure date.

The overview says the cruise includes visits to caves at Cat Ba Island, but it does not assign every visit to a particular day. The overall experience combines scenic sailing with cave exploration, while the second-day outline leaves the exact sequence unclear. A quick confirmation before booking can help you understand how much time is devoted to each outing.

This is a useful distinction when weighing a two-day cruise against a longer stay. You get an overnight on the water and a range of activities, but the written schedule is not detailed enough to promise a minute-by-minute plan. If you prefer an easygoing trip with some room for the crew to adjust to conditions, that may be fine. If you want a specific hike or named cave guaranteed, ask first.

Food, service, and what is included

Food is a notable part of the appeal. One specific strength associated with the cruise is a varied selection of Vietnamese dishes, and the reported service is courteous and helpful. That combination can make meals feel like part of the trip, rather than just a practical pause between activities.

Meals are included according to the itinerary, along with bottled water, taxes and fees, a guide, local guide services, activities, and overnight accommodation. Drinks are excluded, so budget extra if you want beverages beyond the included bottled water.

There is one detail to clarify: the inclusions list three lunches, two breakfasts, and two dinners, even though the experience is described as a two-day, one-night cruise. That meal tally may reflect the operator’s package wording, but it is not self-explanatory for a two-day trip. Confirm exactly which meals are served on your sailing before you set your food budget or plan around meals ashore.

Is $195 a fair price?

At $195 per person, the cruise bundles an overnight stay, meals, guided services, and activities into one trip. That can be good value if you want a cabin on the bay and several ways to experience the scenery, rather than paying separately for transport, lodging, and day excursions. The value also rests on how much you enjoy the onboard setting, since you spend a large share of the trip on the vessel.

Hanoi transfers are not included. Limousine transfers from a hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter cost $20 per person each way, adding $40 per person for a round trip. Include that in your comparison with other cruises: a lower headline fare may not be cheaper once transport is added.

The cruise offers group discounts, but the discount amount and terms are not specified. It is also booked, on average, about 63 days in advance, a useful sign that you should look early if your dates are fixed. The stated rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 2,422 ratings, with 99% recommending the experience. Those figures are encouraging, though they cannot tell you whether the cabin, schedule, or pace suits your own preferences.

Getting to the pier and packing sensibly

The meeting point is at Got Pier, Cat Hai, Hai Phong, rather than in central Hanoi. The tour’s general location is listed as Hanoi, but the actual boarding point is the pier, so plan the ground transfer before you travel. The offered limousine transfer from the Old Quarter costs $20 per person one way; if you arrange your own transport, confirm the pier location and arrival time with the operator.

Bring the passport details required at booking: each participant’s full name, passport number, expiry date, and country of issue. Pack within the stated limit of one suitcase and one carry-on bag per person. Oversized items such as bikes, golf clubs, or surfboards may be restricted, so ask the operator before bringing them.

Smart casual is the stated dress code. Since the trip includes outdoor activities such as swimming and kayaking, pack clothing that suits those plans as well as something appropriate for the dining room. The cruise has a maximum group size of 35, which helps set expectations: it is not a private boat, but it is not an unlimited crowd either.

Who should choose this cruise?

I would consider this cruise if you want an overnight on the bay, enjoy a mix of active and relaxed time, and value meals and accommodation bundled into the fare. It suits couples and small groups looking for scenery, a cabin, and several ways to spend time outdoors. Families may also be able to join, but children must be accompanied by an adult, and the child rate applies only when sharing with two paying adults.

It may be less suitable if you need a fully specified daily schedule, want Hanoi transport included in the price, or have bulky luggage. The second-day plan is vague, and the meal tally should be checked. Those are manageable questions, but they are worth settling before payment.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least six full days before the experience begins. Cancellations made two to six full days ahead receive a 50% refund; cancellations less than two full days before departure are nonrefundable. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book Mon Chéri Cruise?

Book it if the main draw is spending a night among the islands, with time for bay scenery, cave visits, a bamboo boat ride, and a mix of water-based activities. The reported strengths of varied Vietnamese food and courteous service add to the appeal, while the $195 price includes accommodation, meals, and activities.

Before paying, confirm the second-day schedule and the precise meals included, then add the Hanoi transfer cost if you need it. If those details work for your plans, this is a strong choice for seeing Lan Ha and Ha Long bays at a more relaxed pace than a day cruise permits.

FAQ

How long is the Mon Chéri Cruise?

The experience lasts approximately two days and includes an overnight stay aboard the cruise.

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from Got Pier in Cat Hai, Hai Phong.

Is transport from Hanoi included?

No. Limousine transfers from a hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter cost $20 per person each way.

What activities are included?

The cruise includes activities such as kayaking, swimming, sunbathing, cave visits, a traditional bamboo boat ride, a cooking class, and squid fishing.

Are meals included?

Meals are included, but drinks are not. The package details list three lunches, two breakfasts, and two dinners, so confirm the exact meal schedule with the operator.

What is the group size?

The cruise has a maximum of 35 participants.

What should I wear?

The stated dress code is smart casual.

What luggage can I bring?

Each participant may bring one suitcase and one carry-on bag. Restrictions may apply to oversized or extra luggage, so check with the operator before travel.

What information is needed at booking?

You must provide each participant’s passport name, number, expiry date, and country of issue.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

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