Boasting a perfect mixture of luxury services, strict safety standards and a fascinating travel itinerary, Peony Cruises are a marvelous choice if you’re hoping to experience the world-famous wonders of nature in Halong Bay, Vietnam. With a unique cruising route navigating around some of the most jaw-dropping limestone mountains of Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, our 5-star cruises are guaranteed to provide you with unforgettable memories of the otherworldly Ha Long landscapes.
Inspired by the timeless beauty and cultural significance of the peony flower, Peony Cruises offer intricate design of the entire ship as well as spacious private cabins – each with panoramic views, a private balcony, a shower and a bathtub. With the number of cabins limited to 18 and a stylish onboard restaurant serving gourmet meals mixing authentic Vietnamese cuisine with international standards, Peony Cruise is relaxation at its finest.
Other than the ship itself, during the trip you will also have a chance to enjoy a range of exciting activities – both offboard and onboard! Discover the hidden caves and fishing villages strewn across the area, and kayak or swim between karst limestone outcrops to isolated lagoons and grottos; take part in a cooking class of the Vietnamese cuisine and join a Tai Chi class at sunrise!
A comfortable 2-hour limousine trip from the centre of Hanoi, Peony Cruise is that perfect cruise you’ve been looking for!
9:00-9:15: Get picked up from your hotel (in or near Hanoi Old Quarter, not included in cabin price) by Peony Cruise Limousine DCar 9 seats. Follow the newest highway connecting Hanoi and Hai Phong. Upon arrival at Dinh Vu Port, passengers will be welcomed by hospitable staff at the lounge of Peony Cruises.
12:15: After enjoying a special cup of tea, transfer by tender to Peony Cruise.
12.30: We welcome our guests onboard the Peony Cruise and then proceed with check-in – a welcome drink, cruise briefing, safety instructions and checking into your private cabin. Start the trip and explore Halong Bay – one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
13.00: Peony Cruise proceeds to Da Chong islet, where you can see a lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago. International Buffet Lunch while passing via the islets of Con Vit area. These amazing limestone karst formations rise up out of the sea in an impressive manner. This place is untouched, as not many cruise ships use the route via the Cat Ba Island – Thoi Quyt – Coc Ngoi islet – Gia Luan.
15.00: Travel to Trung Trang cave by our bus on Cat Ba island which is located in the middle of Cat Ba National Park, with Kim Giao forest around the cave. Trung Trang Valley is the largest valley on Cat Ba Island. The valley covers an area of approximately 300 hectares, has a depth of 10m to 30m and is around 15km in the middle of Cat Ba National Park. Trung Trang Cave measures 300m lengthwise through the mountains. The cave was carved by nature for more than 2000 years. The cave has many stalactites that take on various shapes and will awe all visitors.
17.00: Peony Cruise reaches the less populated Tra Bau. You will enjoy the green emerald and cool water by swimming or kayaking.
17.45: Returning to Peony Cruise, you can watch the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Onboard you may join a traditional cooking class. Our chef will instruct you in the making of some Vietnamese dishes. In the early evening the boat has its Happy Hour deal. Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see the massage services menu).
19.30: Sumptuous Candlelight Deluxe Dinner Set Menu is served. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff. This is a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting.
21.30: Enjoy the landscape of the bay at night up on the top deck. Relax whilst enjoying drinks from the bar. Try your hand at night squid fishing, watching a movie in the restaurant. Overnight on board of Peony Cruise.
23.00: End of Day One program.
06.00: Rise early to witness the bay at its very best whilst enjoying an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck; after which we serve light breakfast. Upon completing breakfast continue our journey and head out in canoes to explore the part of the bay where the Toi Sang sea cave is situated.
09.30: Visitors then return to Peony Cruise for check-out procedures.
10.00: Whilst cruising back through Halong Bay, you can enjoy a delightful brunch.
10.30: Tea Ceremony takes place at the restaurant. You will learn how to enjoy Vietnamese tea and the Vietnamese culture at this ceremony. Join Tea Ceremony with our team and have fun with us!
11.35: We return to the quay side in the south of the bay, where our visitors disembark. We bid farewell at GOT ferry as you travel back to Hanoi. We hope you have enjoyed your time with Peony Cruises and we wish you a safe onward journey across Vietnam and beyond!
14.00: Back to your drop-off point in Hanoi Old Quarter. End of your Halong Bay trip.
9:00-9:15: Get picked up from your hotel (in or near Hanoi Old Quarter, not included in cabin price) by Peony Cruise Limousine DCar 9 seats. Follow the newest highway connecting Hanoi and Hai Phong. Upon arrival at Dinh Vu Port, passengers will be welcomed by hospitable staff at the lounge of Peony Cruises.
12:15: After enjoying a special cup of tea, transfer by tender to Peony Cruise.
12.30: We welcome our guests onboard the Peony Cruise and then proceed with check-in – a welcome drink, cruise briefing, safety instructions and checking into your private cabin. Start the trip and explore Halong Bay – one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
13.00: Peony Cruise proceeds to Da Chong islet, where you can see a lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago. International Buffet Lunch while passing via the islets of Con Vit area. These amazing limestone karst formations rise up out of the sea in an impressive manner. This place is untouched, as not many cruise ships use the route via the Cat Ba Island – Thoi Quyt – Coc Ngoi islet – Gia Luan.
15.00: Travel to Trung Trang cave by our bus on Cat Ba island which is located in the middle of Cat Ba National Park, with Kim Giao forest around the cave. Trung Trang Valley is the largest valley on Cat Ba Island. The valley covers an area of approximately 300 hectares, has a depth of 10m to 30m and is around 15km in the middle of Cat Ba National Park. Trung Trang Cave measures 300m lengthwise through the mountains. The cave was carved by nature for more than 2000 years. The cave has many stalactites that take on various shapes and will awe all visitors.
17.00: Peony Cruise reaches the less populated Tra Bau. You will enjoy the green emerald and cool water by swimming or kayaking.
17.45: Returning to Peony Cruise, you can watch the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Onboard you may join a traditional cooking class. Our chef will instruct you in the making of some Vietnamese dishes. In the early evening the boat has its Happy Hour deal. Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see the massage services menu).
19.30: Sumptuous Candlelight Deluxe Dinner Set Menu is served. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff. This is a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting.
21.30: Enjoy the landscape of the bay at night up on the top deck. Relax whilst enjoying drinks from the bar. Try your hand at night squid fishing, watching a movie in the restaurant. Overnight on board of Peony Cruise.
23.00: End of Day One program.
06.15: The day starts early onboard Peony Cruise with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. The breakfast is served in the restaurant with a morning view of bay’s landscape, then we continue our journey.
8.30: Transfer to Peony Cruise Day Boat to visit Viet Hai village. You will take a bicycle trip along the village path and go through rain forests and dark tunnel, with a chance to enjoy the stunning scenery of rice fields on the way. Stop at the village to relax. Visit an ancient local house, made from straw, mud, bamboo… You will get to see the local life in the valley. Optional electric car service is available. Back to Peony Cruise Day Boat for visiting Lan Ha Bay. Lunch served on the day boat.
13.30: Visiting the bay, taking a free breeze at a cruising area – a trip along a path less visited. You will use your imagination to name any beautiful islands in the bay or get an interesting introduction from our professional tour guide on Peony Cruise Day Boat.
15.00: Return to Peony Cruise. Enjoying swimming in a quiet place. Then, you will join a traditional cooking class. Our chef will instruct you in the making of some Vietnamese dishes. Watch the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. In the early evening the boat has its Happy Hour deal.
19.30: Premium Deluxe Dinner is served. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff. This is a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting.
21.30: Enjoy the landscape of the bay at night up on the top deck. Relax whilst enjoying drinks from the bar. Try your hand at night squid fishing, watch a movie in the restaurant. Overnight on board in your private cabin. Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage services menu)
23.00: End of Day Two program.
06.00: Rise early to witness the bay at its very best whilst enjoying an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck; after which we serve light breakfast. Upon completing breakfast continue our journey and head out in canoes to explore the part of the bay where the Toi Sang sea cave is situated.
09.30: Visitors then return to Peony Cruise for check-out procedures.
10.00: Whilst cruising back through Halong Bay, you can enjoy a delightful brunch.
10.30: Tea Ceremony takes place at the restaurant. You will learn how to enjoy Vietnamese tea and the Vietnamese culture at this ceremony. Join Tea Ceremony with our team and have fun with us!
11.35: We return to the quay side in the south of the bay, where our visitors disembark. We bid farewell at GOT ferry as you travel back to Hanoi. We hope you have enjoyed your time with Peony Cruises and we wish you a safe onward journey across Vietnam and beyond!
14.00: Back to your drop-off point in Hanoi Old Quarter. End of your Halong Bay trip.
Cancellation Policy More than 15 days prior to the check-in date: no charge. From 14 to 7 days prior to the check-in date: 50% of the total rate. Less than 7 days prior to the check in date: 100% charge. Children Policy Any child less than 5 years old stays free of charge when using existing beds. Any child from 5 to 12 years old is charged 75% of the room stay per night and per person when using existing beds. Any child 13 years old or older is charged 40% of the room stay per night and per person in an extra bed. For a family booking with children, kindly chat directly with our Cruise Specialist to get the best deals.
Yes, we can! We’re ready to pick you up from any hotel in or near Hanoi Old Quarter with our comfortable 9-seater limousine. The service is not included in your cabin price, so please get in touch with us to find out the current price for the transfer, from Hanoi or from elsewhere.
No, it isn’t. The entire trip takes around 2 hours, from the doorstep of your hotel in Hanoi to our waiting lounge in the port of Halong Bay. For your comfort, we also use the new expressway between Hanoi and Hai Phong for the majority of the transfer service.
By all means yes! It’s a perfect choice for a relaxing trip if you’re planning to come here as a couple or family.
We’re organize cruises through Halong Bay and and Lan Ha Bay. We’ll show you everything there is to see but we’ll focus on the most pristine, untouched regions out there.
No, you don’t. All cave entrance fees are included in the cruise price, so you don’t need to remember to take your change when you join us for one of our off-board excursions.
Our menu is a blend of international and Vietnamese cuisines, but don’t worry – it’s all delicious! We do our best to serve only highest-quality food on Peony Cruises.
The meals, except drinks, are included in the price. You only need to pay for the drinks or any extra food you may want to order.
Yes, we do. We strive to satisfy all special dietary needs our guest might have – vegetarian and vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free, food allergies or religious restrictions. Just kindly let us know in advance what your requirements are.
Of course, provided we have the ingredients you require. Let us know in advance and we will do our best.
No. Drinks, tips and other personal expenses are not included in our Halong Bay cruise price, so you’ll need to cover these costs separately.
Sure, just let us know in advance as space for meals at the sundeck is limited.
Definitely start with your passport! Please also remember to bring some sunblock, sunglasses and a hat, a swimming suit and some insect repellent. If you’re travelling in winter, then don’t forget to pack some warm clothes (you’ll find them very useful when you join our Tai Chi class at sunrise).
Any amount of time in Halong Bay is great, but we can definitely recommend booking a Halong Bay cruise lasting 2 nights. Your trip will feel less rushed and you’ll have more time to explore some of the more remote parts of the three bays, so do try and visit Halong Bay for 3 days.
All our staff members speak English, so you’ll have no problem communicating with us during your time on board of Peony Cruises. However, we will appreciate any Vietnamese that you can use in conversations with us!
No, you can’t. All our cabins are strictly non-smoking, thanks for your understanding!
No, you don’t! All you need to do is to show up – we’ll have everything ready for you, including all the fishing equipment you’ll need to catch some juicy squid!
No. Jumping from the ship is strictly forbidden due to our customer safety policy.
There is a jacuzzi on the board of Peony Cruise, for maximum 8 people at a time.
Our check-in time is at 11.30 a.m. We can arrange an extra boat to transfer you to Peony Cruise if you are late, but you will need to cover the extra cost for the private transfer.
Yes, full support for people with disabilities is available upon request.
Yes, we can make your honeymoon special with appropriate decoration and gifts. Oh, and congratulations!
Overall rating
4.3 / 5
based on 20 reviews
Review summary
- Cruise condition/Cleanliness
4.3 / 5
- Room comfort/Standard
4.4 / 5
- Staff Performance
4.2 / 5
-
Food/Dining
4.4 / 5
- Service Quality
4.5 / 5
- Value for money
4.1 / 5
Wonderful bay & wonderful cruise!
Everything about Peony Cruises is excellent! The service and the smiling staff, the delicious food they serve, my deluxe room – oh, and there’s also that bay you can see when you look out of the your (panoramic) window! I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything else. If you haven’t been to Ha Long yet, then Peony Cruises is the way to do it!
Chrissy Amber
Australia
June 15, 2020
Single
3 Days 2 Nights on January 18, 2020
A great, great trip!
Peony Cruise is the best! It wasn’t my first time in Halong Bay, so I could clearly see what a fantastic job they do on this luxury ship. You really feel welcome with them, from the very moment you arrive. I had a great time participating in all the on-board activities – I found myself to be a decent cook and to my great surprise, not so bad at Tai Chi at all!Definitely worth your time and money, by all means book with Peony Cruises!
Phil Walsh
Ireland
February 29, 2020
Single
2 Days 1 Night on February 4, 2020
3 days and 2 nights in heaven!
We went to Halong Bay with Peony Cruises and we couldn’t be happier about it! The bay is really worth all the hype, even though it does get a little crowded. Still, it’s one of those places you have to see in your life, no doubt about it.As for the ship, Peony is just wonderful! It looks really luxurious, the food is amazing and the staff treat you with a lot of kindness. And as for our room – we treated ourselves with an exclusive suite for this trip – it’s absolutely wonderful! A marvelous experience!
Gabriella and Javier Reyes
Spain
February 15, 2020
Couple
3 Days 2 Nights on January 9, 2020
Just wonderful!
If you’re looking for a professional cruising company, then let me tell you that Peony Cruises certainly deliver! Everything they do during your stay with them & all the services are carefully arranged so that you can have a wonderful time (we really appreciated this after so many poor-quality experiences when travelling around Asia). Peony Cruise is just awesome, we all had a great, great time with them. Oh, and don’t miss out on all the off-board activities with them, they were very good too!
Bjørn Kristiansen
Norway
February 4, 2020
Group
2 Days 1 Night on February 1, 2020
A fantastic way to see THE BAY
Hey Peony Cruise, thanks so much for one of the highlights of our Vietnam trip! We will certainly always remember this as a truly wonderful cruise, with wonderful service. We tried all the activities available for us, both on-board and off-board, and they were all great and professionally organized. Thanks for everything and a big recommendation from a crazy traveller couple from Poland!
Paweł and Andżela Surmiak
Poland
January 31, 2020
Couple
3 Days 2 Nights on January 14, 2020
A blissful cruise in Ha Long
Just a few words to say that my trip with Peony Cruises exceeded my expectations – by some distance! I found the whole experience thoroughly relaxing and can recommend it to anyone.My only regret is that I hadn’t booked the 3-day option (opted for just 2 days instead). Will have to go back one day, I guess!
Richard Ball
United Kingdom
January 24, 2020
Single
2 Days 1 Night on January 13, 2020
Spectacular
A well-organized cruising experience, with all the boxes ticked to the perfection. We were really pleased how everything about Peony Cruise is so hassle-free and enjoyable, so your role out there is basically just to sip that drink and watch that amazing sunset, from your own balcony of course. Would go with the same company if I could go there again. Peony Cruises, you rock!!!
Bill and Wendy Dexter
United States
January 18, 2020
Family
2 Days 1 Night on December 30, 2019
Perfect bonding trip for our family
The trip with Peony Cruises was amazing, excellent accommodation and gorgeous surroundings. The staff was very helpful and the food was a treat in itself! Our family had a wonderful time thanks to the well thought out itinerary. Will highly recommend Peony Cruise. We just wished we had spent 2 nights instead of just one.
Erin Roseby
Australia
December 21, 2019
Family
2 Days 1 Night on December 5, 2019
Hope to be back soon!
Kudos to the staff of Peony Cruises for always making sure all our needs were attended to. They were very friendly and spoke good English. The entire ship, from the bow to the stern, was very clean. The food was really good, especially the Vietnamese dishes. And of course, our private cabin was awesome, gave us the best views of Halong Bay, even while taking a bath!
Jamie O'Connor
United Kingdom
December 1, 2019
Group
3 Days 2 Nights on November 18, 2019
Well worth our hard-earned money
Everything about Peony Cruises is amazing! Our guides spoke fluent English and had a good sense of humor. The rest of the staff were very accommodating and arranged everything we needed without any issue. It was very reassuring because they always had smiles on their faces. We did lots of activities, we had delicious food, and we had great time exchanging pleasantries with the other guests. The boat was incredibly clean and the views from our massive windows were jaw-dropping!
Earl Quinn
United Kingdom
Group
3 Days 2 Nights on November 23, 2019
The highlight of our trip in Vietnam
Our room was huge and perfect for relaxing while enjoying the glorious views of Halong Bay. The boat was not anywhere near the ‘junk’ boats they often talk about. It’s huge and luxurious! All the meals served seemed like they were prepared by a pro chef. No kidding! The cycling and kayaking were fun so I highly recommend them. The staff was commendable too and perhaps they’re the friendliest people we had the pleasure to meet in Vietnam.”
Karen Whitman
Canada
November 7, 2019
Family
2 Days 1 Night on October 17, 2019
We had a blast and we’ll be back soon!
It was a one-of-a-kind adventure that exceeded all our expectations. My fiancé and I did the 2-day / 1-night cruise and we had so much fun! I guess we’ll book a longer stay next time. Yup, we’ll be back and maybe next time it would be for our honeymoon!”
Brandon Smith
New Zealand
October 31, 2019
Couple
2 Days 1 Night on October 21, 2019
Great way to unwind amidst the beauty of nature
I had a fantastic experience and would highly recommend Peony Cruises. Mr. Hong and his staff were very hospitable and provided exceptional service. They were extremely attentive and made my stay truly special. I boarded boat #1 and it was very clean, elegant, with first-rate facilities. The views blew me away; now I know why Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s top tourist attractions.
Kerby Castaneda
Philippines
October 24, 2019
Single
2 Days 1 Night on October 8, 2019
The perfect cruise for my 34th birthday!
We went for the 2 days – 1 night cruise for my 34th birthday. The ship is new and our room was luxurious with a private balcony that gave us magnificent views of the landscape. One thing that’s really commendable is how they were generous with the food. We were always full and had to chill on the roof deck! A huge shout out to the friendly crew who made our trip really memorable and even went the extra mile to give me a birthday cake!
Christine Orozco
United States
October 3, 2019
Couple
2 Days 1 Night on September 25, 2019
A very pleasant trip, highly recommended
Wonderful experience. It was so a lot of fun. The cruise was really smooth – comfortable room, excellent service, great food. The trips were very well organized so we got to tour the attractions when there were fewer visitors(early morning cave tour). We really loved the kayaking part and sleeping in the middle of Halong Bay was a truly unique experience. Everything was just perfect.
Jeanne Olson
United States
September 20, 2019
Family
3 Days 2 Nights on September 5, 2019
Wonderful stay, couldn’t be happier!
Lovely clean boat, spacious and comfortable rooms, staff was very friendly and courteous, the food is out of this world, boat sails to the less touristy parts of Halong Bay, and the included activities were loads of fun. We couldn’t ask for more!”
Liam Wilson
Canada
September 2, 2019
Group
3 Days 2 Nights on August 19, 2019
We had a blast! Hope to be back again soon
The food was absolutely amazing and freshly cooked for each meal. There were lots of fun-filled activities including swimming, kayaking, fishing, cooking class, sightseeing, etc. The amenities were superb. A special shout out to Dinh who went out of his way to make sure it was the best experience possible.”
Paula Sanchez
Spain
August 24, 2019
Group
2 Days 1 Night on August 11, 2019
Crusing like royalty
Thanks to Mr. Hong and his crew for being so accommodating. Their attention to detail is amazing. They went above and beyond to make my stay really enjoyable. You won’t have much trouble if you take a cruise with them. Everything was great, I was traveling like royalty!
Saleha Lubis
Malaysia
August 15, 2019
Single
2 Days 1 Night on July 27, 2019
A cruise in Mother Nature’s masterpiece
A luxury van picked us up from our hotel in Hanoi for a trip to the ferry terminal. A short transfer to the fabulous ship and we went straight to the restaurant to meet the staff and get a rundown of the itinerary. Our room was beautiful with a super comfy bed and a large bathroom. The first day of swimming and kayaking was great. Day two was a good group trip to Cat Ba Island. On day three we had an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck then we visited some impressive caves. Overall, my wife and I enjoyed a lot and we were able to appreciate one of Mother Nature’s masterpieces – Halong Bay.
Louise Chastain
France
July 10, 2019
Couple
3 Days 2 Nights on June 22, 2019
Absolutely amazing!
Our cruise was everything we hoped for – and more! The boat, the staff, the food, and our room were fantastic. The number of guests was limited so it was really an intimate cruise where we get to know people from other countries. Thank you Peony – we had a great time!”
Emily Stewart
New Zealand
May 25, 2019
Group
2 Days 1 Night on May 17, 2019
