Review Author: Dianne Burchell

Review Date: 22 Oct 2026

Review Body: My family and I loved absolutely everything about the Cat Ba ocean cruise. The rooms were so comfortable and beautifully decorated. The food was plentiful, varied, well presented and delicious.When speaking with travellers from other cruises we realised our food was beyond anything they were receiving because our was truly exceptional. The staff were all welcoming, helpful and so friendly always checking if we were happy or needing anything. All the activities were well organised and again varied each day from Kayaking, cooking classes of an evening,village visiting, home visits for lunch in a families authentic country house and hiking in to see a cave in the national park. All activities were planned so not to damage the environments and to help bring business to the local people. I can’t recommend this cruise more than to say it was easily a 15/10 experience that I would happily do again.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Nic D.

Review Date: 27 Apr 2026

Review Body: Cat Ba Ocean Cruises was an absolute dream of a boat and vacation. They thought of every detail on the boat, the food, and itinerary. You really get to experience Cat Ba Island in a super unique and local way. We did the 3D2N option and were so happy to have a lot of time on the water. We enjoyed our trip very much but I think its important to note that the boat is very cute, smaller than the larger cruise boats but very spacious; however, there is a constantly stream of people getting on and off the boat. It operates more as a floating hotel and launch point than a small group traveling together for 3D2N. The vibe was more transient than we expected. I highly recommend doing Tai Chi one of the mornings, the breeze and movements while the sun rises is really something in Cat Ba. We have already recommended to our friends for their future trips.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Chelsea S.

Review Date: 26 Apr 2026

Review Body: I spent 3 days and 2 nights on board the Cozy Boutique Cruise and had the best experience! A huge thank you to our guide Sun, who was absolutely amazing — passionate about his job, full of positive energy, and always sharing fascinating insights along the way. He truly made the trip special. Special mention as well to Thuy, the guide I spent a wonderful day with in Viet Hai Village. She was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and made the experience even more memorable. I highly recommend this cruise to anyone looking for a unique and unforgettable experience in the bay!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Kat

Review Date: 11 Aug 2026

Review Body: Overall, a very good experience. Opting for 2 nights was a good decision. Well organized, good food, interesting excursions. Note, however that passengers leave and come daily, you won’t be with the same group consistently. We had 17 people on night one and only 8 on night two (our family plus another family). The family room with semi-private balcony worked well for our family (2 adults, 2 teens). La Han Bay may be less crowded than Halong, but you still dock near and can hear karaoke from multiple ships each evening.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Greg

Review Date: 01 May 2026

Review Body: The staff onboard was awesome and the meals were all very good. The boat was beautiful and rooms were clean and comfortable. The itinerary was good with plenty of relaxation time.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Robin De Smet

Review Date: 14 Oct 2026

Review Body: Lovely tour with a great crew!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Andrew Irving

Review Date: 13 Mar 2026

Review Body: The crew and the boat are great. So much wonderful food and the chef catered for my vegetarian wife, cooking all sorts of veggie wonders. The scenery is to die for and the cycling and walking trips were really good fun. Sun our guide is a top man. A good company to use.

Review rating: 4

Review Author: Alex and family

Review Date: 14 Oct 2026

Review Body: We went on a 3 day 2 night cruise from Cat Ba Island and around Lan Ha Bay. The boat was beautiful with spacious bedrooms and bathrooms and lots of deck space to relax. The staff were fantastic particularly our main guide and really made us feel at home. The food was amazing and very varied. The scenery was beautiful with clear water and minimal other boats unlike what I heard about the neighbouring Halong Bay. Kayaking was particularly good and we loved the small village that we visited, it seemed very genuine and we were served a delicious lunch. An overall great trip for our family of 5 with children 6 and 9.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Urte

Review Date: 04 Dec 2025

Review Body: We had the private 3d2n tour and we could not be more happy, the experience was perfect! The itinerary was well paced and could be changed according to our wishes, the food was absolutely incredible, the boat itself, the crew were very charming and the bed/the restroom was very comfortable. We highly recommend taking this tour, the 3 days are just right in the magical landscape and the privacy is awesome.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rosie

Review Date: 31 Jul 2024

Review Body: I don't regret my choice. The Award is More expensive compared to 5 star boat I already took a year ago but the scenery is beautiful, out of the tourist masses, the private beach for us is incredible. With 14 Frenchmen on board, it's really nice. I thank all the crew! The Vietnamese cook is delicious, we taste rice jumps, jackfruit is extraordinary.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Claire Fennelow

Review Date: 04 May 2026

Review Body: Beautiful boat (Cozy Boutique) - we loved our room. Some lovely detail. Great shower - loads of hot water! Thoroughly enjoyed the activities - kayaking and cycling. The guy running the show was excellent -efficient and informative and very much on the ball. Being on a beautiful boat surrounded by natural beauty is a very relaxing experience.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Camille

Review Date: 31 Jul 2024

Review Body: We chose the 2 days / 1 night cruise and had an amazing time. The landscape of Lan Ha Bay is incredible and we were almost alone without seeing other boat during all our trip. We had the chance to be upgraded on a better boat and the service on board was perfect, especially the food! Do not hesitate to choose!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sarah & family

Review Date: 29 Oct 2026

Review Body: WOW! what an incredible trip - we loved being the only guests on this beautiful boat, and were so grateful for our host ‘T’ for his organising our cycling trip on CatBa Island, teaching us how to make Spring Rolls and finding us deserted places to anchor up overnight - a dream come true, thank you so so much!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Marie

Review Date: 11 Jan 2024

Review Body: At 4 on the junk, we loved this unique experience! Various and excellent meals, small cooking classes , swimming , kayaking, bike ride: everything was organized for 24 unforgettable hours with a great guide! Thank you for everything, thank you for the nougat! And in addition, we slept very well 😊...

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Natasha

Review Date: 31 Dec 2024

Review Body: Advice, service, support, follow-up, everything was perfect. The boats are all very well. The staff is helpful and dedicated. The activities offered as part of the stay are nice. Cruises are a little luxury that I really do not regret having treated myself to. I highly recommend this company.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Chanelle

Review Date: 18 Apr 2026

Review Body: It was without a doubt the best cruise of our lives! Room number 1 was absolutely extraordinary, with a stunning view—perfect for a honeymoon. With such a small group, we felt like we had the bay all to ourselves. Great activities, and a lovely, welcoming guide. A must-do!!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Farid

Review Date: 31 May 2025

Review Body: Great experience with a top team. The cabins were spacious and the food excellent. We asked for a meat-free diet and were treated to shellfish and fish. I really recommend this experience in an incredibly beautiful Bay and without having loads of boats around. Unlike Halong.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lulu Ling

Review Date: 03 Feb 2026

Review Body: Very good program , food and excellent host. Room for improvement, Bathroom and room are generally clean, however is you lift up the standard of cleanliness to details will give the experience perfect 5 stars.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Laurent

Review Date: 11 Jan 2024

Review Body: We highly recommend this cruise. Professional and very welcoming staff who knew how to make our stay in memory unforgettable! Thanks again, special mention for Tony always enthusiastic and joyful

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Marie

Review Date: 31 Jul 2024

Review Body: Super welcome the boat is typical. We could see a much less touristy part of the bay! Very few people. On the kanoe trip we were not surrounded by big boats. Authentic cruise! I recommend.

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Cruise, explore Lan Ha Bay, enjoy kayaking, swimming, and a Vietnamese dinner

Itinerary Description: 12:00 – 12:10 PM: Our staff warmly welcomes you at Cai Beo Cruise Port. 12:30 – 13:00 PM: Settle into the boat, enjoy a welcome drink, and receive a short briefing about the cruise. 13:15 – 14:30 PM: Relish a delicious lunch on board as we cruise toward the enchanting Lan Ha Bay, passing by majestic limestone formations. 15:00 – 17:00 PM: As the cruise sails deeper into the bay, we explore either Ba Trai Dao in Lan Ha Bay or Ba Ham in Bai Tu Long Bay (depending on weather conditions). Learn about the region’s fascinating geography as you choose to kayak up close to towering karsts, take a tender boat ride through hidden lagoons, enjoy a swim in the clear emerald waters (during warmer months), or simply relax on a wild, untouched beach. For a hands-on local experience, you can also try optional clam digging during low tide — and enjoy freshly boiled clams on board upon request. 17:30 – 19:15 PM: Return to the boat to refresh and enjoy leisure time on the sundeck, followed by a Vietnamese cooking demonstration and a delightful dinner on board. After Dinner: Spend the rest of the evening relaxing on the sundeck, sipping drinks at the bar, or joining optional activities such as squid fishing. Overnight on board.

Itinerary Day 2

Itinerary Summary: Cycle through Viet Hai village and explore Cat Ba National Park

Itinerary Description: 06:00 AM: Wake up early to admire the sunrise over the bay in a magical, tranquil setting. 07:30 – 08:00 AM: Enjoy breakfast with a hot cup of tea or coffee while taking in the peaceful morning views of Lan Ha Bay. 08:30 – 10:00 AM: After breakfast, cycle through Viet Hai village and experience the quiet charm of local life. 10:00 AM: Take a walk through Cat Ba National Park and visit Tiền Đức Cave, an archaeological site that reveals traces of ancient Vietnamese settlements. Afterward, stop by an old traditional house and enjoy a homemade lunch with local villagers. 13:30 – 14:00 PM: Return to the pier and begin cruising toward the scenic Dau Be area. 15:00 PM: Enjoy kayaking or swimming in the crystal-clear waters before sailing back toward Lan Ha Bay for another peaceful evening. Sunset: Relax on the sundeck and watch the sun set behind the karsts. 19:20 PM: Have dinner on board and settle in for the night. After Dinner: Enjoy a free evening. Overnight on board.

Itinerary Day 3

Itinerary Summary: Breakfast on the bay, cruise past limestone karsts and visit a floating fishing home.

Itinerary Description: 07:00 AM: Enjoy breakfast on board as the new day dawns over the bay. 08:00 AM: The cruise glides deeper into Lan Ha Bay, drawing close to its most striking islets and limestone outcrops, and stops to visit a floating house where local families raise fish. 10:00 AM: Return to the junk for a refreshing shower, then check out of your cabin as we cruise back toward Beo Pier. 11:45 – 12:00 PM: Disembark at Beo Pier, bringing your Lan Ha Bay adventure to an end.