Stellar of the Seas Cruise Halong Bay 2Days 1Night on 5 Star Cruise

The best part of the Stellar of the Seas is the chance to see Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay without rushing back to Hanoi the same day. You spend one night on a modern 22-cabin ship, with time for swimming, kayaking, a sunset party, and a BBQ dinner on the sundeck.

I like the mix of active and easygoing moments. Ba Trai Dao beach gives you time in the water, while Tai Chi, the pool, mini golf, and onboard dining suit a slower pace. The included Hanoi pickup, food, guide, entrance fees, and return transfer also make the $460 price easier to judge.

The main caution is booking accuracy. One customer arrived to find that an executive suite reservation made online was not recorded by the cruise, despite the boat and crew being praised. This tour is also non-refundable, so check your cabin and pickup details carefully before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• 22 cabins keep the ship smaller than a large hotel-style cruise, though the tour can still include up to 40 people.
• Swimming at Ba Trai Dao natural beach area is the main water activity on the first afternoon.
• Lan Ha Bay is part of the route, alongside Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay.
• A sundeck BBQ dinner and sunset party give the overnight stay a social, scenic feel.
• Tai Chi, kayaking, caves, floating villages, and Cat Ba Island biking add variety beyond simply viewing the bay.
• Hanoi Old Quarter transfers, meals, a guide, and entrance fees are included, while drinks cost extra.

What the Stellar of the Seas cruise is really like

The Stellar of the Seas is presented as a newer luxury vessel from the Aclass Cruise Group, opened in October 2018. Its design centers on comfort and onboard entertainment, with 22 modern cabins, an outdoor pool, a mini golf course, a bar, a restaurant, and a broad sundeck.

The tour title calls it a five-star cruise, while the description markets it as a six-star vessel. I would focus less on the label and more on what you actually receive: a private cabin, meals, guided activities, access to ship facilities, and one night among the limestone islands.

You are not buying a simple boat ride. You are paying for a short floating resort stay with organized shore activities. That matters in Halong Bay, where a day trip can leave you seeing the scenery only between long transfers and fixed meal stops.

The ship can accept a maximum of 40 people, even though it has only 22 cabins. That likely means some cabins hold more than one person, and it also means the atmosphere may be livelier than the cabin count first suggests. If you want complete quiet, ask exactly how many people are booked on your departure.

The experience has a strong activity menu. You can kayak around caves, visit caves and floating villages, swim in clear water, and possibly bike on Cat Ba Island as part of the cruise program. The supplied schedule gives the clearest detail for the swimming, Tai Chi, meals, and bay cruising, so confirm the exact order of any additional activities before departure.

Leaving Hanoi for Tuan Chau Marina

Pickup is offered from hotels in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, with the listed meeting point at 7 Dinh Tien Hoang Street in Hoan Kiem. The schedule gives an approximate pickup window of 8:45 to 9:10 in the first day details, while the meeting information lists an 8:00 am start time.

That difference is worth clarifying before you travel. Hanoi’s Old Quarter is compact but busy, and a few minutes spent confirming the exact pickup time can prevent a stressful morning. The return is also provided to the Hanoi Old Quarter, with the activity ending back at the meeting point.

The first transfer is listed as about 40 minutes for the Hanoi pickup portion, while the full first-day Halong Bay segment is shown as roughly six hours. Treat the day as a full travel day, not a quick morning escape. You will need to be ready early, and you should keep anything needed during the transfer easy to reach.

The tour includes the guide and entrance fees, which reduces the number of small costs you need to manage. Drinks are not included, so budget separately for beverages onboard.

First afternoon between Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay

After reaching Tuan Chau Marina, you board the Stellar of the Seas and settle into the cruise. Lunch follows, giving you a chance to eat while the ship moves toward the bay.

The first afternoon focuses on the water around Ba Trai Dao natural beach area in Lan Ha Bay. This is the part of the trip for swimming, and the setting gives you a break from sitting on the ship or looking through a cabin window.

I like that swimming is placed early in the cruise. You do not have to wait until the final morning to get into the water, and you can enjoy the scenery from sea level rather than only from the sundeck. The description also points to kayaking around caves and swimming in clear water, though the detailed day-one schedule specifically confirms swimming at Ba Trai Dao.

If you are choosing this cruise mainly for kayaking, ask how much time is allocated to it on your departure. The overall program includes kayaking, but the supplied timetable does not give a precise start time or duration for that activity.

The beach stop is also dependent on the cruise schedule and conditions. You should expect organized timing rather than an open-ended afternoon. Bring suitable swimwear and anything you need after swimming, but remember that drinks and personal extras are outside the package.

Sunset, BBQ, and a night on the water

As afternoon turns to evening, the program moves to a sunset party and then a BBQ dinner on the cruise sundeck. This is one of the more appealing parts of an overnight bay trip because the ship itself becomes the evening venue.

The sundeck is useful here. You can watch the light change over the limestone islands, eat outdoors when conditions allow, and take part in onboard activities without arranging another transfer. The bar and restaurant provide indoor alternatives, although drinks are an extra charge.

The food is included, and one customer specifically praised the meals. That is important at sea, where you have fewer dining choices than you would in Hanoi. The practical tradeoff is that you are committed to the ship’s menu and meal times for the overnight stay.

The evening is not designed as a private retreat. A sunset party and shared BBQ suggest a social setting, which can be fun if you want to meet people and less appealing if you prefer silence. The maximum group size of 40 gives you a useful ceiling, but it does not guarantee a small group on your exact departure.

Night activities continue onboard after dinner. The description does not give a full list, so you should think of them as optional ship entertainment rather than a guaranteed show or particular performance.

Morning Tai Chi and the Bai Tu Long Bay route

The second morning begins with Tai Chi on the sundeck, scheduled from 7:00 to 8:00 am. It is an early start, but the setting is a good reason to get up. You can begin the day outdoors while the ship moves through the bay rather than losing the morning to sleep.

A local breakfast follows. The schedule places this section in Bai Tu Long Bay, adding another part of the wider bay region to the route. The experience is therefore not limited to one famous viewpoint or a single cove.

Tai Chi is included as a gentle activity, not a demanding fitness class. You do not need to be experienced to take part, and you can use the hour to stretch, watch the water, or simply enjoy the deck. The early timing may be less attractive if you want a lie-in after the previous evening.

The second day is listed as about six hours, so the morning is not the entire program. Depending on the departure schedule, you may also have time for more sightseeing, a cave visit, a floating village, Cat Ba Island biking, or another water activity. Since the supplied timetable does not assign exact times to all these options, confirm what is included on your sailing rather than assuming every listed activity happens during the two days.

Cabins, facilities, and comfort

The 22 cabins are described as luxurious and modern, and the ship includes the facilities you would expect from a high-end overnight cruise: an outdoor pool, mini golf course, bar, restaurant, and sundeck.

The pool is a useful feature after swimming, especially if you prefer not to spend all your free time in the cabin. Mini golf gives you something light to do while the boat is underway. These facilities help the cruise feel like a stay in its own right rather than transport between shore stops.

Still, marketing labels do not tell you the size, view, bed setup, or bathroom details of your cabin. If you are considering an executive suite or paying more for a particular room, request written confirmation of the exact cabin category. One serious booking problem involved an executive suite that the cruise could not find on arrival.

That issue appears to be a reservation-handling problem, not a criticism of the ship or crew. The customer who reported it still described the boat and crew as excellent, but the experience shows why you should save your confirmation, check the room type, and verify the booking with the provider before departure.

The provider is Asia Travel Legend. Confirmation is issued at booking, and the activity is offered with a mobile ticket. Keep the confirmation available on your phone, especially because the tour uses a fixed pickup point and time.

How the $460 price measures up

At $460 per person, this is not a budget Halong Bay outing. The price buys a two-day, one-night cruise with a private cabin, meals, guide, entrance fees, Hanoi Old Quarter pickup, and return transportation.

The value is strongest if you want convenience. You do not need to arrange a separate transfer to Tuan Chau Marina, find a hotel for the night, or book each bay activity independently. The overnight format also gives you more time on the water than a standard day trip.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quick view of Halong Bay. In that case, a shorter excursion may cost less and suit your schedule better. You are paying for the cabin, ship facilities, meals, and the slower overnight rhythm as much as for the scenery.

Drinks are not included, so allow for that extra expense. The tour is commonly booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 74 days. That suggests you should not leave a preferred date or cabin type until the last minute, particularly if your Hanoi plans are fixed.

The strong overall score, 4.9 from 75 ratings, and 99 percent recommendation rate point to broad satisfaction. The positive comments focus on good food, friendly hosts, and a smooth experience onboard. I would treat those as encouraging signs, while still taking the cabin confirmation issue seriously.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This cruise suits you if you want a polished introduction to the bay without handling every detail yourself. It works especially well for couples, families, and first-time visitors who value a private overnight cabin, organized transfers, and several different activities.

It also suits people who want more than scenic photos. Swimming, kayaking, Tai Chi, cave visits, floating villages, and possible Cat Ba Island biking give you ways to participate instead of spending the entire trip on deck.

You may prefer another option if your priority is a very small group, a quiet sailing, or complete control over your meals and timetable. The maximum group size is 40, and the schedule is organized around fixed cruise departures.

You should also think twice if your plans may change. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be amended, so a change of Hanoi hotel, flight, or travel date could leave you out of pocket.

Practical ways to make the two days easier

Confirm the pickup time because the published information gives both an 8:00 am start and an 8:45 to 9:10 pickup window. Also confirm the Hanoi Old Quarter hotel or meeting-point arrangement before the morning of departure.

Save your mobile confirmation and check the cabin category, especially if you paid for an executive suite. Do not assume that a successful online payment automatically means the ship has correctly recorded every room detail.

Bring swimwear for Ba Trai Dao, comfortable clothing for the sundeck, and something suitable for the early Tai Chi session. Drinks are not included, so plan for onboard beverage costs.

Finally, ask which activities will operate on your specific sailing. The cruise description includes kayaking, caves, floating villages, Cat Ba Island biking, and swimming, but the timed schedule gives fuller detail for only some of these. A clear question before departure will help you set realistic expectations.

Should you book the Stellar of the Seas?

I would book this cruise if you want a comfortable, activity-filled overnight visit to Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, and if the $460 price fits your budget. The included transfers, meals, guide, entrance fees, modern ship, pool, sundeck, and organized activities create a convenient package.

I would not book without first confirming the cabin and pickup details in writing. The ship and crew receive strong praise, but the executive suite booking problem is a real warning about reservation accuracy. If you want a flexible booking, this is also a poor match because cancellations and changes are not refunded.

For the right reader, the Stellar of the Seas offers a good balance of comfort, scenery, and activity. Just make sure the room you paid for is the room the ship has on its list.

FAQ

Where does the Stellar of the Seas cruise begin?

The listed meeting point is 7 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. Pickup is offered from hotels in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

What time does the tour start?

The meeting information lists an 8:00 am start time. The first-day schedule gives an approximate pickup window of 8:45 to 9:10, so confirm the exact time before departure.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts two days and one night, with each main day listed as approximately six hours.

Is transportation from Hanoi included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at hotels in Hanoi’s Old Quarter are included, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Are meals included?

Yes. Food is included, including lunch, a local breakfast, and the BBQ dinner listed in the schedule.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included in the tour price.

What activities are offered?

The program includes swimming at Ba Trai Dao natural beach area, a sunset party, BBQ dinner, Tai Chi, and onboard activities. The wider cruise program also lists kayaking around caves, cave visits, floating villages, biking on Cat Ba Island, and swimming.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum group size of 40 people. The ship itself has 22 cabins.

Can I cancel or change the booking?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.