Rita Cruise-Luxury 5 Star for Lan Ha bay with pool

A pool cruise in Lan Ha Bay changes everything. Rita Cruise is a newly launched 5-star ship with a rooftop pool and private-balcony cabin views, sailing you through calmer Lan Ha Bay instead of the most packed corridors.

I love how the cruise turns the bay into a slow, comfy experience. You get your own private balcony for the limestone views, plus a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class experience built around spring rolls (and it helps you feel connected to what you’re eating).

One consideration: like any new luxury operation, quality control can vary. One past departure flagged a bathroom cleanliness problem, so I’d do a quick check when you arrive and plan to bring basic bathroom hygiene items just in case.

Key things to know before you go

• Rooftop pool on a cruise ship: you can actually swim with the bay around you, not just admire it from a deck.
• Dark & Bright Cave (Hang Sang & Toi): you’ll have time for kayaking or a bamboo-boat option to see the cave area up close.
• King Kong Frog Pond area stop: morning sightseeing here is a fun bonus, especially if you like movie locations.
• Spring-roll cooking class: you practice Vietnamese cooking onboard, not just watch it.
• Small group feel: maximum 70 travelers keeps things from feeling like a moving theme park.
• Hanoi-to-ship limousine + speedboat transfer: the ride is structured so you’re not stressing over getting to the marina.

Rita Cruise on Lan Ha Bay: why it feels different from the start

Rita Cruise leans hard into comfort. Cabins are designed around your own private balcony, and the ship adds a rooftop pool plus a private, soundproof karaoke lounge—so you’re not forced into one vibe all day.

The itinerary is also built for peace. The route focuses on Lan Ha Bay, which means you’re spending your time where the scenery still looks cinematic but feels less crowded than the busiest routes people tend to stick to.

And the ship is new, so you’ll likely notice the difference in the way common spaces work. Everything feels arranged for lounging between activities—rather than sprinting from one “must-see” stop to the next.

Getting to the marina from Hanoi: limousine first, then the speedboat

Your day starts in Hanoi with a transfer pick-up around the Old Quarter area, plus options near the Opera House or at an Authentic Hanoi Travel Office if you’re coming from outside central Hanoi. The drive to the bay is about 2.5 hours and includes a break, which is exactly what you want before two days on the water.

Then you transition at Tuan Chau. You’ll check in at the cruise’s check-in lounge at Tuan Chau Harbor, and then you board via a support speedboat that takes you from the wharf to the ship.

This matters for two reasons. First, it reduces the amount of time you spend waiting around once you reach the harbor. Second, it gives you that clean separation between land travel and water time—so you mentally settle in sooner.

Day 1 across Lan Ha Bay: islands, a cave visit, then cooking class and dinner

After you board, you’ll get a welcome drink, meet the captain and crew, and get the basic safety briefing. This is one of those small moments that can make or break the day—when it’s efficient, you’re free to enjoy lunch and scenery instead of hovering for instructions later.

Lunch happens while the ship is moving. You’ll either get a Vietnamese seafood buffet or a set menu, and the bay scenery is doing the work most people pay extra for at shore stops—towering karst formations rising from calm water.

The cruise passes several recognizable points on the way. You’ll go through areas around Con Vit islet (Duck Islet) and Thumb islet, plus Gia Luan Harbor in the Cat Ba area. Even if you’re not trying to memorize names, it helps to know the ship isn’t just moving in a straight line. You’re watching a sequence.

Dark & Bright Cave: kayaking option for more than just photos

Around mid-afternoon, the ship heads to Dark & Bright Cave (Hang Sang & Toi). This is the part of the day that turns scenery into an active experience.

Depending on conditions and your preference, you can do kayaking or ride on a bamboo boat to explore around the cave area. I like this structure because it gives you two ways to engage: you can work your arms a bit, or you can take it slow and focus on what the cave area looks like from the water.

Happy hour drinks plus spring-roll night

Early evening brings a built-in social break. There’s a happy hour program described as Buy 2 get 1 free, which is a nice perk if you plan to have a cocktail or two (drinks aren’t listed as included, so this is where promos can help you control costs).

Then comes one of the best parts for many people: the onboard cooking class. You practice Vietnamese traditional dishes with a focus on spring rolls, and it’s a great way to make the dinner feel earned instead of just served.

Dinner follows, and it’s included. Based on how the meals are described, you can expect a mix of Vietnamese seafood and set-menu style service, with options available for different diets—one person specifically noted vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices.

The onboard vibe: balconies, pool time, and the karaoke lounge

This ship has a straightforward idea: keep you comfortable while the bay does the main show. Private balconies are a big deal here because they let you watch sunrise and sunset without waiting for a deck spot.

The rooftop pool is also a major differentiator for Lan Ha Bay cruises. Instead of treating the water as something you look at, you can actually get in for a swim when the timing works for you. That matters on a two-day trip because you’ll want at least one moment that feels truly hands-on.

And yes, there’s a soundproof karaoke lounge. I wouldn’t call it quiet in a party sense, but it is practical: if you’re traveling as a group or you want fun without disturbing the rest of the ship, this is the kind of feature that makes everyone happier.

One more practical tip: because the ship is designed for comfort, don’t fill every free minute with structured activities. Leave space for pool time and balcony time, or you’ll feel busy even when you’re relaxing.

Day 2: tai chi optional, King Kong area, then lunch and goodbye

Day 2 starts early with a gentle wake-up option: tai chi on the sundeck around 6:30 to 7:00, offered as optional. If you’re the type who likes a calm start, it can be a nice way to loosen up before the busiest part of the morning.

Then you’ll have a morning view time with tea or coffee and breakfast. Timing here is important because you want natural light for the bay, not a rushed scramble after breakfast.

Frog Pond area sightseeing with movie trivia

Around 8:00, the ship passes the Frog Pond area, described as a filming location for the King Kong blockbuster. Even if you don’t care about the movie, it’s still a fun photo-and-sightseeing moment because it gives the bay a specific anchor point.

You also get a chance to do water activity close to the mother boat. The schedule lists options like sea swimming or kayaking for about 45 minutes, which is long enough to feel like you actually did something on Day 2 instead of just watching from above.

Luggage, room service time, and your final cruise

By around 9:30, you’ll be back to your cabin to relax and carefully check luggage. After that, you check out from the private cabin, then enjoy the remaining cruising time with room service.

I like this pacing because it avoids the awkward situation where you’ve already checked out but still feel stuck waiting for transfers. You’ll have food and ship time before heading back to shore.

Buffet lunch, tender return, and end of trip

Around 10:00, you’ll have buffet lunch while heading toward the port. Then you return to the Tuan Chau pier by tender boat around 11:00 to 11:20, followed by farewell.

After that, you wait for your transfer back to Hanoi at Tuan Chau Marina. The drive is about 2.5 hours again, with a break on the way, and you should arrive in Hanoi in the mid-afternoon window (the schedule lists arrival around 15:00–15:20).

Food and value: where the price makes sense (and where it doesn’t)

The price is listed at $196 per person for about two days. At this level, value comes from what you don’t have to organize yourself: round-trip limousine transfers, meals, cave and kayaking time, and onboard activities that don’t feel like afterthoughts.

Meals include breakfast and lunch (with two lunch moments listed) plus dinner. Based on the descriptions, lunch can be a Vietnamese seafood buffet or a set menu, and dinner is described as set menu style at least on some departures.

Vegetarian options are explicitly mentioned, which is a big practical win if not everyone in your group eats the same way. One person also said food was exceptional and another said it was more standard, so I’d treat it as solid luxury comfort food rather than a fine-dining masterpiece every single night.

What’s not included: drinks, tips for the guide and driver, and personal expenses. That’s normal for this style of cruise. The happy hour promo helps, but you’ll still want to budget for what you actually drink.

Also, consider the “new ship” reality. One past comment mentioned bathroom cleanliness problems and suggested it didn’t match a true five-star standard on that specific detail. That’s not the vibe you want at luxury pricing, so a quick cabin inspection on arrival is a smart, low-effort move.

Who this Lan Ha cruise fits best

This cruise fits best if you want a “comfortable luxury cruise” instead of an intense speed schedule. The combination of quiet Lan Ha Bay scenery, deck time, and a rooftop pool makes it a good match for couples who want romantic downtime and families who want a mix of activities without constant rushing.

It’s also a good pick if you like having options. You can kayak, do bamboo-boat cave time, swim, or just watch the bay and return to your balcony when you want to slow down.

If you’re the kind of traveler who needs a lot of shore walking and markets, this probably won’t be your favorite format. This is mostly about water-based experiences and onboard comfort, with the key sightseeing focused around cave and bay passes.

Should you book Rita Cruise for Lan Ha Bay with pool?

I’d book it if these are your priorities: a true luxury ship feel, a rooftop pool you can actually use, and an itinerary designed to keep Lan Ha Bay front and center. The cooking class and cave kayaking/bamboo boat option are also strong reasons to choose a cruise over a day-only trip.

I’d think twice if you’re very sensitive to small room-quality details and you can’t handle the slight risk that any “newer luxury” trip might have an occasional maintenance or cleaning hiccup. If you’re that person, solve it with a simple plan: do a quick bathroom check, keep your basic toiletries on hand, and focus on the parts the ship clearly does well—the bay time, balcony views, and the onboard comfort.

FAQ

How long is the Rita Cruise experience?

It runs for about 2 days.

What pickup options are available in Hanoi?

You can be picked up in the Hanoi Old Quarter, near Hanoi Opera House, or at an Authentic Hanoi Travel Office if you are outside the city center area.

Is round-trip transportation included?

Yes. A limousine round trip is included, and you’re also transferred from Tuan Chau Harbor to the ship by support speedboat and later back by tender boat.

What meals are included?

Breakfast is included, along with lunch and dinner during the cruise.

What activities are included in the water and cave areas?

You can do kayaking or take a bamboo boat option at Dark & Bright Cave, and you can also do sea swimming or kayaking near the Frog Pond area.

Is there a pool on board?

Yes. The cruise is described as having a swimming pool with rooftop access.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.