Capella Cruise

Before our trip, we came across various opinions about the Ha Long Bay adventure, debating its value. For us, it truly stood out as a memorable part of our journey. We stayed in a cozy Sky suite on the third floor. The food was decent, though I leaned towards the buffets over the set menus. The crew provided outstanding service, and most of our excursions were enjoyable. Visiting the village was particularly rewarding, while the cave didn’t quite meet expectations. It was disheartening to witness the amount of plastic in such a stunning location, though this was not a reflection on the boat itself. I would wholeheartedly suggest this experience to others.

Our brief one-night adventure on the Capella cruise left us wishing for a longer stay! We coordinated our transport with Capella Cruise from Hanoi; the vehicle was roomy, but sharing it with passengers from other cruise boats meant there was a lot of luggage. Upon reaching Capella lounge, check-in was swift, and we soon boarded a smaller vessel for a 45-minute ride to the main ship. The journey felt short, thanks to the breathtaking scenery of Halong Bay. It’s essential to highlight how welcoming, attentive, and caring the staff were throughout our visit. Their assistance truly enhanced our experience! Announcements were made well in advance, clear and understandable to all. Upon stepping onto the ship, we felt truly valued. Our room was spacious, featuring a balcony that offered stunning views of Halong Bay’s waters. The ship itself was luxurious and spacious, allowing for privacy despite the number of guests. The meals, both breakfast and lunch, were delicious, featuring a good range of quality dishes. We even tried jellyfish salad for the first time. Happy hour was a delight with enjoyable cocktails. We took part in a nem rolling competition during a cooking class, where the instructor (whose name escapes me) was hilarious, ensuring everyone had a fantastic time. The set-menu dinner was generally good, with an outstanding soup. One minor point of criticism is the early timing of the morning activity at 6:45 am. While we understand the reasoning, a later option or choice of activities would be appreciated. The weather was lovely, albeit a bit chilly, which made jumping into the water a challenge, as it was below 20 degrees. Overall, it was a remarkable stay with wonderful people and an incredible cruise! We are grateful for this unforgettable moment. One of the finest cruises available!

From May 4th to 6th, 2025, we enjoyed a 2-night journey on Capella. We stayed in the Sky Family suite with my elderly parents and sister. This was my second experience with Capella, having first sailed with them in December 2023 alongside my wife and children. The experience has only improved since our initial visit! Capella truly excels in offering a luxurious cruise adventure paired with exceptional, personalized service. Remarkably, most of the crew we encountered were familiar faces from our previous trip, indicating a low staff turnover which undoubtedly contributes to the high standard of service. A special mention to GIN for his attentive care towards my sister, who has mobility challenges. He personally assisted our family during the excursion to Viet Hai village. GIN is soon transitioning to the company’s new venture, the Lyra Grandeur Collection, which promises to be an even more grand and opulent version of Capella! The dining was outstanding. Much appreciation to Restaurant Manager Timmy for accommodating our specific dietary needs. Every meal was thoughtfully prepared, with dinners featuring multiple courses and exquisite presentation—truly Michelin star quality! A big thank you to the chef! All the staff were delightful—Tom, the cruise manager, Telly in the restaurant, and many others! The accommodations are spacious, elegantly designed, and offer a high level of comfort. Twice-daily turndown service adds a touch of luxury. Excursions are meticulously planned, scheduled early to avoid the crowds. The afternoon water activities are a highlight—kayaking, water slides, the Infiniti pool, and jacuzzi. We highly recommend Capella and the soon-to-launch Lyra Grandeur for an exclusive experience in Halong Bay and LAN Ha Bay.

The service and crew on the Capella cruise were outstanding, and we opted for a room with a terrace that was simply fantastic. Halong Bay’s beauty is remarkable—personal preferences vary, but if you’re someone who appreciates stunning landscapes and nature, it’s a must-see destination! There were a few areas that could be improved. Our room had an issue with fruit flies, which might be common on cruises in this region. As a vegetarian, I was grateful for the staff’s attention to my dietary needs. However, they served such large portions to accommodate my diet that it resulted in significant food waste. Lastly, the cruise is extremely family-oriented. As a couple, this was not quite what we were looking for, so it’s something to consider. There were many children on board!

This review shares my thoughts on the Capella cruise, but I also want to highlight a few things about Halong Bay itself. The cruise experience was truly exceptional, with outstanding and abundant food options. The staff were incredibly attentive, and their ability to remember every guest’s name was impressive. I appreciated the mix of buffet and set menu, along with a delightful blend of European and Asian dishes. Rest assured, you won’t go hungry! Drinks are priced higher than on the mainland, with Prosecco costing as much as £40 a bottle, but there is a flexible happy hour deal. I tried the Mai Tai cocktail, which was quite good. The boat’s decor was lovely, offering many spots to relax. The staff were attentive to my husband’s dietary needs, consistently mentioning it from the booking process through to our meals, which was quite reassuring. The vessel is in excellent shape, and I’d say it’s a more affordable option among luxury cruises. We stayed in a sky suite on the third floor, and there’s news of a larger Capella II boat on the way. Breakfast starts fairly early, but aside from fixed lunch and dinner times, there’s some flexibility. The schedule might seem full, but you can choose your level of participation. A big thank you to the staff who made our 2-night, 3-day adventure so delightful: Tracy, Hann, Andrew, Tom, Lucy, Alex, and Timmy. Even during the busy 50-year reunification celebrations, the boat never felt overcrowded, and the top deck was surprisingly peaceful—especially on the second day when we had it all to ourselves for hours!

A few things to be aware of: This and many similar cruises allow you to book for one or two nights, resulting in limited sailing. The boat seems to travel between just three points: a swimming stop, an overnight stop, and the cruise’s starting point (not at Tuan Chau harbor). The journey from the harbor to the main cruise boat takes about 45 minutes by tender boat. While the itinerary might suggest extensive sailing around Halong Bay, it primarily involves day trips aboard smaller boats. This wasn’t a problem for us, but it depends on your preferences. The same core schedule is followed every day, with excursions organized from the main boat based on your stay duration. We opted for the 2-night, 3-day cruise, which I recommend, as the 1-night, 2-day option might feel rushed given the midday arrival and 10:30 am departure. One must address the trash issue in Halong Bay. It’s not directly related to Capella, but it’s worth mentioning. We visited in late April/early May at the onset of high season, and I hope conditions improve as the seas calm and less debris enters the bay. Unfortunately, the bay’s open connection to the sea means trash, including bamboo remnants from past storms, gets washed in. We assisted the staff in cleaning up some litter at a swimming stop, though it seemed they thought we shouldn’t have. Still, as tourists, I felt it was our duty to help. Many of our group opted not to swim due to the debris. While there are many pristine areas, it’s disheartening to see trash on the smaller beaches. More efforts should be made to preserve this stunning region. Weather is crucial to the experience. During our spring visit, mornings were cloudy, but the skies cleared by afternoon. To fully appreciate the bay’s beauty, clear skies and sunshine are essential, so plan your visit for high season if possible. In conclusion, the main attraction of a Halong Bay cruise is the cruise itself rather than the bay. Some cruises may offer more sailing, but they tend to be of a lower tier than Capella. Halong Bay is breathtaking when sunlit, but the littering issue is unfortunate. Despite this, we had an amazing time with Capella, and the staff were truly outstanding.

This experience was completely worth it! The Cappella crew exceeded all expectations. The ship was stunning, contemporary, and spotless. Even with some rain, the day excursions were fantastic. We particularly enjoyed afternoon swims, where the crew joined in the excitement, making use of the big slide and canoes. The food was incredible throughout the journey, and they were exceptional in handling allergies, remembering our needs without any reminders. I wholeheartedly recommend this company to anyone looking to enjoy Ha Long Bay while having a fun yet relaxing adventure. I suggest staying for at least two nights to truly savor the experience; we found ourselves wishing we had booked three nights instead of two.

I embarked on the 2-night, 3-day cruise in March 2025 and absolutely adored every moment. Typically, I’m not one for cruises, and I had my doubts due to online discussions suggesting the bay was overcrowded and overrated. I’m thrilled we ignored that advice. Halong Bay is nothing short of enchanting; photos simply can’t capture its true essence. It’s breathtakingly beautiful. Although there were other vessels, the bay didn’t feel overcrowded to me. In fact, seeing the boats illuminated on the water at night was quite charming. The Capella was outstanding—spotlessly clean with giant, cozy beds and expansive windows throughout. Each room had a delightful private balcony, alongside numerous communal areas with plush lounge chairs and sweeping views. I traveled with a friend who was in an Oasis Suite on the first level, whereas I stayed in a Sky Suite on the third. Both accommodations were superb, with the primary distinction being the bathrooms. Mine was spacious with a separate soaking tub and shower, while hers was somewhat smaller with a combined tub and shower. She noted some noise from karaoke and engine sounds below, but it didn’t bother her. If you’re sensitive to noise, you might prefer a higher floor. My room was peaceful. The food was enjoyable, with buffet-style breakfast and lunch offering plenty of choices. Dinner was set, but they readily catered to special dietary needs—I have a shellfish allergy, which they accommodated effortlessly. A highlight for us was the dinner entertainment: a musician playing pop hits from the likes of Britney and the Backstreet Boys on traditional Vietnamese instruments. It may sound unusual, but it was utterly charming—perhaps we were so relaxed that we couldn’t help but enjoy it. The crew was remarkable—friendly, attentive, well-organized, and simply wonderful. We felt incredibly well taken care of. This cruise was a standout experience of our trip, and I highly endorse it.

The cuisine was outstanding, and the chef prepared unique vegan meals just for us. The staff on board were incredible, friendly, and warm-hearted. The vessel was spotless and well-maintained, offering a range of activities to enjoy.

From the moment we stepped onto the ship, it was an incredible journey. The cabins were wonderful, each featuring a private balcony with seating to enjoy the view as the scenery passed by. The crew was incredibly accommodating and friendly. There was an impressive array of activities available, including a cooking class, tai chi, squid fishing, a slippery slide into the sea, kayaking, exploring caves, and a tea-making ceremony, among others. Our evening was delightful, with our group seated together. Most meals were buffet-style, offering an abundance of delicious food. We truly loved every moment of this experience.