Amanda Premier Cruise – Ha Long Bay – All Inclusive 2D1N

Ha Long Bay feels close on this cruise ship. Amanda Premier Cruise pairs a 5-star steel-hull ride with private balconies and big windows, so the limestone scenery feels right there with you instead of far away. For two days, you get a guided mix of caves, islands, and evening fun without needing to plan a thing.

I love the cabin payoff: your seaview spot is not just a view, it’s a private balcony attached to an en-suite bathroom, in a ship with 26 premium cabins. I also like the activity rhythm for a short cruise—Tai Chi on the sundeck at 6:15, breakfast with coffee/tea and cake, plus a full slate of onboard experiences and water time like cooking class, BBQ dinner, kayaking, swimming, and night squid fishing.

One caution: if you’re sensitive to strong smells, pay attention to ventilation. One unhappy report described an artificial deodorizer and fuel odor when windows were opened, leading to nausea for hours—so bring a basic comfort kit and tell crew early if anything bothers you.

Key highlights that make this 2D1N cruise worth your time

• Private balcony cabins on a 5-star steel-hull ship with en-suite bathrooms
• Tai Chi at 6:15 plus breakfast timing that gets you moving while the bay is calm
• A packed activity lineup: cooking class, BBQ on the sundeck, and night squid fishing
• Big-name stops: Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, and Luon Cave (with cave exploring time)
• Kayaking and swimming included, so you’re not only watching from the deck
• Max 50 travelers and an English-speaking guide on the boat for a smoother flow

Entering The Amanda Premier Ship: Steel, Light, and a Real Cabin Setup

This cruise is built around comfort that makes Ha Long Bay feel less like a sightseeing chore and more like a slow-moving experience. The Amanda Premier is a 5-star steel-hull ship with 26 premium cabins and private balconies, so you’re not stuck reading the bay through glass from a shared space.

The modern layout and expansive windows matter more than you might think. When you can see daylight from inside and step out to your balcony, the bay changes become part of your day—morning mist, bright rock faces, and later the darker, moodier water.

Price and value: What $160 includes (and why it can be a smart deal)

At $160 per person for 2 days/1 night, the biggest value is what you don’t have to pay separately. Your package includes meals (breakfast and dinner plus lunch), entrance and sightseeing fees, an English-speaking guide, and a fully equipped en-suite cabin with seaview and a private bathroom.

It also includes more “doing” than many budget cruises. You’re not just taking a boat ride and doing one cave. Your inclusions point to kayaking, swimming, cave exploring, a cooking class, Tai Chi, and night squid fishing.

That matters because Halong-area add-ons can add up fast once you start paying separately for guides, boat time, cave tickets, and meals. Here, you get a structured schedule with those core costs folded in.

Getting to Ha Long Bay: Hanoi Pickup and the 3-hour highway bus

Most people underestimate the first leg of a Ha Long Bay trip. Here, you get a round-trip transfer from Hanoi to Halong, with about 3 hours on highway by bus.

This is useful because it removes the two biggest headaches: figuring out how to reach the marina and timing your arrival to match the cruise departure. Just plan your day so you’re not rushing from one appointment to another before pickup.

Day 1 from Tuan Chau: Welcome on board and the onboard show-and-eat plan

You board around 12:00 at Tuan Chau Marina. The crew welcome you with a refreshing drink and a cold towel, then you check into your cabin before the ship sets off.

From there, your day leans into two things: relaxing onboard and building excitement with cultural and activity segments. The cruise includes cultural performances such as traditional ethnic fashion shows and bamboo dancing, which is a nice shift from only watching scenery go by.

Food is part of the program too. You’ll have dinner and there’s also a BBQ dinner on the sundeck plus an elegant afternoon tea. On short cruises, that can be the difference between feeling like you “stopped by” and feeling like you actually lived the rhythm of the trip.

Finally, Day 1 ends with one of the most memorable inclusions: night squid fishing. If you like trying something you can’t do at home, this is the moment that usually sells the cruise experience.

Day 2 starts early: Tai Chi, breakfast, and a cave-first morning

Day 2 has a crisp early start. At 6:15, you can join a Tai Chi class on the sundeck, which is a great way to shake off sleep and enjoy the bay before it gets busy.

At 6:30–7:00, you’ll get a light breakfast with coffee, tea, cake, and fruit. It’s not a huge breakfast marathon, but it keeps you fueled for the morning sightseeing.

Then comes Sung Sot Cave at 7:30. Sung Sot is widely known for big-scale cave interiors, and in a tight 2D1N schedule it’s a smart choice because it gives you a “wow” stop early, before the day’s heat and crowds.

Sung Sot Cave: what you’re really paying for

A cave visit is never only about the rocks. It’s also about timing, guide help, and having a schedule that gets you there without wasting hours. With an English-speaking guide on board, you’re more likely to understand what you’re looking at rather than just snapping photos and moving on.

Also, you’ll likely be spending part of the time on cave exploring. That included activity matters because it turns the visit from a quick pass into something more active.

Titop Island and Luon Cave: When the trip shifts from stone to water

After Sung Sot, your itinerary moves into island-and-water territory with stops like Titop Island and Luon Cave. This is the right mix if you want more than one kind of Ha Long Bay experience.

• Titop Island fits the “fresh air break” role—time outdoors away from the cave air and into open water views.
• Luon Cave gives you the classic bay-water feeling, where the scenery is framed by limestone and boat routes.

You also have included time for kayaking and swimming, plus more cave exploring. That combination is what makes a 2-day cruise feel fuller: you see, you move, and you get that sense of scale that photos can’t fully capture.

Cabins and comfort: what the private balcony changes

The standout cabin detail is simple: you get an en-suite bathroom plus a private balcony. On a short cruise, that’s not a luxury add-on; it’s a daily routine.

Morning tip: step out when the ship is quiet. You’ll get more of the bay’s atmosphere that way—colors shift fast when you’re right there. Even if you only use the balcony for a cup of tea and a few minutes of staring, it changes how the trip feels.

Even better, the cabin is described as a fully equipped en-suite setup with seaview, so you’re not dealing with basic comfort compromises.

Food and drinks: what’s included, what’s not, and how to budget

Your package includes breakfast and dinner, plus two lunches. With those meals covered, you can keep your spending predictable, which is a big deal on a 2D1N trip.

You’ll also have the afternoon tea and the BBQ dinner on the sundeck, which helps explain why this cruise can feel like more than just transport plus sightseeing.

What’s not included is alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and other drinks. The cruise notes that drinks are paid by order. There’s also a 3.5% bank tax if you pay by credit card, which is worth considering if you plan to settle onboard rather than bring cash.

Service and crew energy: names you may hear onboard

Good service is what keeps a schedule like this from feeling stressful. In the feedback I reviewed, Ozil shows up as a cruise manager who was helpful and explained the journey clearly. You’ll also see praise for attentive staff such as Jenny and Andre, with people highlighting accommodating, friendly service.

There were also mentions of other Amanda cruise team members like Rick and William in onboard feedback. While roles can vary by sailing, the pattern is the same: the crew is trying to keep things organized and friendly.

A note on atmosphere: one real red flag about odors

Most trips are smooth, but you should know about the one serious complaint tied to onboard smell. One report described an artificial room deodorizer and a fuel odor when windows were slid open, and the person said it made them ill for hours.

I’m not saying this is typical for every sailing. But it’s enough to treat as a “know before you go” detail if you’re sensitive to strong scents or have nausea triggers.

Practical approach:

• Choose your cabin location thoughtfully if you can during booking.
• Keep basic motion sickness and nausea support items with you.
• If anything smells off, tell crew early so ventilation and cabin checks can happen sooner.

Who this cruise fits best (and who should reconsider)

This is a good match if you want:

• A short 2D1N schedule that still includes major cave and island stops
• A cabin with an actual private place to relax—seaview + balcony
• Included activities that go beyond walking: kayaking, swimming, cooking class, and squid fishing
• A guided experience with an English-speaking guide on the boat

You might rethink it if:

• You’re extremely sensitive to odors or fumes and won’t be able to tolerate window ventilation
• You prefer a slower pace with more time to roam independently (a 2-day itinerary is necessarily packed)

Also, the cruise notes a maximum of 50 travelers, which usually helps the experience feel coordinated without becoming too crowded.

Practical tips to make the most of a 2D1N

Don’t treat this as a “sleep in” trip. Day 2 starts early with Tai Chi and breakfast, and Sung Sot Cave is scheduled in the morning block.

Pack for mixed conditions: cave exploring tends to feel cooler and damp; island time and kayaking/swimming means sun and sweat. Bring a light layer for the cave and something you can rinse and dry after water activities.

If you want to save on onboard planning, decide ahead of time what you’ll spend on drinks. Alcohol and soft drinks are extra, and credit card payment can include a 3.5% bank tax.

Should you book Amanda Premier Cruise for Halong Bay 2D1N?

Book it if you want strong value for the money and a cruise that uses a private balcony cabin plus a full activity list—caves, kayaking, swimming, cooking class, BBQ dinner, and night squid fishing—within a tight 2-day window.

Skip or choose carefully if you’re very smell-sensitive, because there’s at least one serious account about odor issues related to ventilation. If that’s you, I’d ask questions before paying and make sure your cabin situation feels right.

If you’re debating between 1 night and longer time: a longer cruise often feels less rushed in this region. But if your schedule is tight, Amanda Premier’s 2D1N format is built to hit the highlights without you having to coordinate the details.

FAQ

What’s included in the Amanda Premier 2D1N Halong Bay cruise?

The cruise includes breakfast, dinner, and two lunches, an English-speaking guide on the boat, a full equipped en-suite cabin with seaview and a private bathroom, entrance and sightseeing fees, Tai Chi, cooking class, and night squid fishing. It also includes the outlined activities such as kayaking, swimming, and cave exploring.

What activities happen on Day 2?

Day 2 starts at 6:15 with a Tai Chi class on the sundeck, followed by a light breakfast between 6:30 and 7:00. The itinerary then includes exploring Sung Sot Cave at 7:30.

Do they provide pickup from Hanoi?

Yes. The cruise includes round-trip transfer from Hanoi to Halong, with about 3 hours travel by bus on the highway.

Are drinks included?

Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and other drinks are not included. Drinks are paid by order, and credit card payment may include a 3.5% bank tax.

Are there cabin upgrade costs?

Yes. A surcharge is listed for a Royal Suite cabin (60 USD per person) and a Senior Suite cabin (30 USD per person).

Is there a price increase during major holidays?

Yes. There is a 50 USD per person surcharge for Chinese New Year, New Year’s Eve, and the Christmas season.