How to book Halong Bay Cruise – 3 best ways and useful tips 

Are you looking for information about Ha Long Bay and want to book a cruise to explore this heritage bay? In this article, Ha Long Bay Cheers Tours will guide you how to book Halong Bay cruises easily and provide a few tips for a memorable and worthy trip.

1. Where to book Halong Bay cruises easily?

There are 3 popular places to book a Halong Bay cruise easily:

• Book online through travel agency websites
• Book through cruise operators
• Book on arrival 

So, what is the difference? Let’s take a closer look at each option and how to book Halong Bay cruises.

1.1. Book a Halong Bay cruise online with a travel agency

Booking online through a Halong Bay travel agency website can be a convenient choice for people who prefer to plan ahead. Cruise agencies in Halong Bay, such as Ha Long Bay Cheers Tours, offer more than 300 cruise options. It offers travelers the easiest way to book cruises and tours to Halong Bay, Vietnam. You would find it easier even if you don’t know much about the bay. As you navigate through the website, get ready for a virtual adventure to the very best of Halong. 

The cruises on these sites are categorized, making it easier for travelers to choose whether their top priority is routes, budget, activities, or the length of the trip. These cruises are also carefully chosen among thousands of cruises, based solely on customer experiences or through some trustworthy review websites such as Tripadvisor. 

Another advantage of booking online through travel agency websites is that they frequently have special deals and discounts that the offline booking agencies do not. Furthermore, you can have recommendations from Online Sales Staffs to choose the best cruise to suit all your needs. 

People may be concerned about the flexibility of online booking cruises because most agencies requested a deposit for the cruise. However, a good agency will have a clear cancellation/refund policy in place with a flexible time frame.

Last but not least, a trustworthy travel agency has extensive knowledge in Halong Bay. They can provide you with useful advice on the most popular cruise itineraries, tour included/excluded and all must-see attractions in addition to a standard cruise booking.

You might refer to: https://halongbay.tours/ – One of the most trusted Halong Bay Travel Agencies, with diverse experience serving thousands of customers to Halong Bay each year.

1.2. Book through Halong cruise operators

Typically, cruise operators have some common sales channels for them, such as a travel agency or a hotel. However, some cruise lines offer an online booking department to control reservations online.

While booking directly with a Halong Bay cruise operator might seem like the best way to get a lower rate by cutting out third-party fees, this isn’t always true. In fact, many cruise lines offer special rates to travel agencies. So, it’s not uncommon for a direct booking to be more expensive, or for the cruise line to claim no availability, while a travel agency can secure your spot at a better price.

Another potential benefit of booking directly is that your requests go straight to the source, which could reduce miscommunication. However, before contacting any cruise lines, always make sure to thoroughly check their online reviews. Unfortunately, some scammers create fake websites, posing as official operators, so it’s essential to be vigilant.

1.3. Book on arrival 

Booking on arrival is a good choice for people who are flexible with travel plans and prefer to make their arrangements once they are in Vietnam. You might book through a hostel or a local. Hostels in Hanoi, such as Vietnam Cheers Hostel, typically offer a nice cruise because it affects their reputation and they don’t want to lose their customers’ trust.

Booking when you get there could sometimes save you money because it’s a last-minute booking, cruises and hotels want to sell rooms at the last-minute rate. You might be able to get a deal off or something similar.

However, because it’s the last-minute booking, some best cruises are typically fully booked in advance by travel agencies, so you might not be able to book your desired cruises or itineraries.

2. How to book Halong Bay cruises online?

So you’ve decided where you would like to book a cruise tour. Now, let’s figure out how to book Halong Bay cruises. 

2.1. Choose the cruise route 

There are 3 routes: Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay 

Halong Bay Route: 50 USD – 120 USD/pax

This is the original, most famous, and most photographed part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll find the most cruise options here, from budget to ultra-luxury, from day cruise to overnight cruise, catering to all price points and styles. Best for first-time visitors, those who want to see the “must-see” famous spots and those on a tight schedule (day trips are common here).

Lan Ha Bay Route: 110 USD – 300 USD/pax

Located just south of Ha Long Bay and directly adjacent to Cat Ba Island. It’s quieter and less touristy than central Halong Bay, offering a more tranquil experience. Best for travelers seeking tranquility, active adventurers, those looking for a more authentic experience, and visitors who want to combine a cruise with exploring Cat Ba Island.

Bai Tu Long Bay Route: 139 USD – 350 USD/pax

Located to the northeast of Ha Long Bay, it’s the largest of the three bays. It’s often developed as a wildlife conservation area. If you want to truly escape the crowds and experience Halong Bay’s beauty in its most pristine state, this is the bay for you. The trip usually lasts about 3 days for you to fully explore. 

You could take a look and consider all types of cruises in Halong Bay here: https://halongbay.tours/cruise-tours 

2.2. Choose the length of the cruise

After choosing the cruise route you want to take, the next step is to decide how long you want to spend on board. There are 2 standard schedules: 2 days 1 night and 3 days 2 nights. 

The 2-day itinerary will take you on a quick tour of the most iconic sites in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. However, if you want to explore a more remote and untouched part of Halong, a 3-day itinerary should be an excellent choice. 

Keep in mind that the length of the cruise tour also affects your budget. A 3 days 2 nights will cost twice as much compared to the others. 

If you book on Halongbay.tours, simply select the duration in the STEP 1 sections of each cruise, and the system will display the exact pricing that the cruise has to offer after finishing STEP 2 & 3.

2.3. Check inclusion

Finally, don’t forget to double-check the inclusion/exclusion. Typically, all cruise rates include: meals on board, activities, sightseeing tickets, cabins,… during the schedules. However, certain services are not included, such as drinks at the bar, tips for staff, and transportation between the hotel and the cruises. So, to avoid confusion later on, make sure to double-check the included/excluded in each pricing and offer.

In the “Tour included/excluded” sections of the Halongbay.tours cruise information pages, we have mentioned all things clearly. We’re also providing booking options for the transportation between Hanoi/Ninh Binh and Halong Bay in the STEP 3. 

3. Is it cheaper to book Halong Bay cruises in Vietnam? 

It’s not a simple “yes” or “no” when it comes to booking Halong Bay cruises cheaper in Vietnam versus online from abroad.

You might stumble upon a last-minute deal with a local agent in Vietnam and have a good price. However, the drawbacks can be substantial, including reduced availability, especially for popular or higher-rated cruises, leading to fewer choices or being left with less desirable options. There’s also an increased risk of encountering unscrupulous agents or feeling pressured into rushed decisions, and it often leaves little time for thorough research, potentially compromising on value or quality.

If you book online, you will have time to meticulously research various cruise lines, compare itineraries across Ha Long, Lan Ha, and Bai Tu Long Bays, and read countless traveler reviews, ensuring you select a cruise that perfectly matches your preferences and budget. 

Furthermore, online platforms often provide early bird discounts and promotional deals, securing your preferred cabin type and departure date, especially crucial during peak travel seasons when popular cruises can sell out quickly. 

Suggested best Halong Bay cruises:

4. Tips before booking a Halong Bay cruise

After knowing how to book Halong Bay cruises, you might want to have some tips for choosing the best option. 

Firstly, you need to read reviews from previous travelers. Use platforms like TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, and reputable travel blogs. You should pay attention to some comments about:

• Service quality (crew, guide, food)
• Boat maintenance and cleanliness onboard
• Accuracy of itinerary vs. actual experience
• Communication and handling of issues (especially weather cancellations)
• Value for money

Secondly, remember to book through well-known online travel agencies that specialize in Vietnam or specific Halong Bay cruise booking websites that have strong reviews and customer support. 

And finally, be wary of overly cheap cruise deals that seem too good to be true.

5. What if my cruise is cancelled due to extreme weather?

Cruises can be cancelled by the local authorities (Ha Long Bay Management Board) for safety reasons due to severe weather (typhoons, heavy fog, storms).

• Before departure from Hanoi: You’ll typically be offered a full refund, the option to reschedule, or an alternative tour.
• If already in Halong Bay: You might be transferred back to Hanoi, or your itinerary might be adjusted. Discuss refund or rescheduling options directly with your cruise operator or booking agent.

Always check the cruise’s specific cancellation and refund policy before booking.

In this blog post, we have guided you how to book Halong Bay cruises and given you some tips to choose the most suitable cruise for your needs. Hope you have a happy trip and wonderful moments in Halong, Vietnam. 

6. FAQ

Get the best cruise tours deals with us! 

Ha Long Bay Cheers Tours is a trustworthy booking cruises website specializing in Halong Bay Vietnam. As you visit our website, get ready for a virtual adventure through hundreds of luxury cruises, such as: 

• Halong Bay Cruise Tours
• Lan Ha Bay Cruise Tours
• Bai Tu Long Cruise Tours

We offer the BEST cruise deals with many special gifts, such as:

• Free car service to the airport
• High speed sim card internet,
• Well-designed T-shirts. Furthermore

Our qualified staff, who have worked with travellers from different nationalities, cultures, ages, genders and interests will give you recommendations so that you can make the best of your holiday. 

Contact us 24/7 via Whatsapp +84 926782368 or chat directly on https://halongbay.tours/ and have all your questions answered!