Halong Bay Cruise 3 Days/2 Nights
A 3-day, 2-night cruise in Halong Bay is an ideal option for travelers who want more time to explore the bay, enjoy activities, and relax onboard at a comfortable pace.
3 days 2 nights: 97 Cruise itineraries
Dora Cruise 3 Days
Calista Cruise 3 Days
L'amour Cruise 3 Days
Aime'e Cruise 3 Days
Cycad Cruise 3 Days
Du Yen Cruise 3 Days
Diana Cruise 3 Days
Paradise Legacy Cruise 3 Days
Celina of the Sea Cruise 3 Days
L'Amour Junk Private Charter 3 Days
Questions & Answers (0)
FAQs
How many meals are included in a 3 day 2 night itinerary?
The 3 day 2 night itinerary will include lunch and dinner on Day 1, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Day 2, and breakfast/ brunch on Day 3.
Are lunches and dinners on the 1st and 2nd night the same?
No. For all 3 day 2 night passengers, the lunch and dinner on the 2nd night will be changed. Kindly note that the lunch on Day 2 is usually served on the day boat.
Can we skip the morning activities and just join the afternoon ones on Day 2?
No. On Day 2, the day boat will pick you up for excursions and you will not have access to your cruise until afternoon. If you do not move to the day boat in the morning, you will stay on the cruise while it comes back to the cruise pier, drops off the current passengers, and picks up new ones.
Which is best for 3 days and 2 nights, Halong, Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long Bay?
For a 3-day, 2-night cruise, Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay are generally better choices than the central Halong Bay area. The longer duration allows cruises to reach these less-visited regions, where scenery is equally dramatic but crowd levels are significantly lower. However if you are interested in seeing the classic attractions of Halong Bay instead, you can opt for Grand Pioneers Cruise or Ambassador Cruise whose 3 day 2 night trip clearly stand out from the other standard program.
Which cruises include a cycling trip to Viet Hai Village, and does a 3-day, 2-night itinerary involve an overnight stay on Cat Ba Island?
Cycling to Viet Hai Village is typically included in selected Lan Ha Bay cruises, where the route passes through Cat Ba Island and its surrounding countryside. This excursion is done as part of a daytime program using a smaller day boat, rather than as an overnight stay on the island. On a standard 3-day, 2-night itinerary, guests return to the main cruise ship in the late afternoon and spend both nights onboard.
Do we change the cruise on Day 2?
Usually, a small boat will pick you up on Day 2 for excursions until the afternoon. You will come back to your main boat at around 3:00 - 4:00 pm depending on the cruise's itinerary.
If my parents prefer a relaxed pace and may not participate in many activities, is a 3-day, 2-night cruise still a suitable option for them?
Yes. A 3-day, 2-night cruise is well suited to travelers of all ages. The longer itinerary is not only about adding activities, but also about slowing the pace, with more time to rest and enjoy the scenery. Even without joining excursions, your parents can comfortably relax onboard and appreciate the views of Ha Long Bay at their own rhythm.
If I book for 1 night, can I extend one more night on Halong Bay cruises?
Yes. You can surely extend one more night but it is subject to availability. As soon as you make the decision to extend your trip please inform your travel consultant immediately for assistance.
Is 3 days/2 nights the longest itinerary in Halong Bay?
No. There are 3 or 4-night itineraries on Halong bay cruises as well. If you want longer trips, you can consider Heritage Cruise Binh Chuan, Capella Cruise, and Indochina Junk lines.
How much does a 3-day, 2-night trip to Ha Long Bay cost?
The cost of a 3-day, 2-night Ha Long Bay cruise typically ranges from USD 220 but you can surely find over USD 1,000 per person option, depending on the cruise category, level of service, and inclusions.
Budget cruises (USD 220–280 per person) usually offer standard cabins, shared facilities, group excursions, and basic meals. These options are suitable for travelers prioritizing affordability while still experiencing the bay’s core highlights.
Mid-range cruises (USD 280–340 per person) generally include private en-suite cabins, higher-quality dining, and improved service standards.
Luxury cruises (USD 340–390 per person) feature more spacious cabins or suites, and the best money spent for a 3 day 2 night Halong Bay trip.
Ultra Luxury cruises (USD 400–1000+ per person) offer premium dining, personalized service, and other luxury amenities such as jacuzzi, salted water pool, mini golf course.
Prices commonly include accommodation on board, meals, scheduled activities, entrance fees, and an English-speaking guide.
Transfers from Hanoi, beverages, spa services, and personal expenses are typically not included in the price.
3 Day Cruise Itinerary
A 3-day, 2-night Ha Long Bay cruise is for travelers who prefer to slow down and truly experience the bay rather than rushing through it. Compared to a 2-day, 1-night trip, it adds an extra day for deeper routes, quieter anchorages, and a noticeably more relaxed pace on board.
Why should I choose a 3-day, 2-night cruise?
For many travelers, the main limitation of a 2-day, 1-night cruise is not the quality of the experience, but the lack of diverse activities. Popular routes tend to overlap, meaning you will share key attractions with multiple boats throughout the day. A 3-day, 2-night itinerary solves this by extending the cruise into quieter areas of the bay, especially on the second day when most overnight boats have already returned to shore.
Below is a quick comparison so you can decide which one is best for your trip:
Cruising area
- 2D1N: Focuses on iconic highlights with heavier visitor traffic
- 3D2N: Reaches farther, quieter areas with fewer boats, especially on Day 2
Crowd levels
- 2D1N: Busy at most stops due to overlapping itineraries
- 3D2N: Noticeably calmer especiall for the second day of the trip
Trip rhythm
- 2D1N: Compact schedule with limited downtime, optimal choice for those with time constraints OR does not want to spend too much time in Halong Bay
- 3D2N: More evenly paced, allowing real rest between activities
Time spend
- 2D1N: Near 24 hours (from noon of the first day to noon of the second day) may make the experience seems a little too rushed
- 3D2N: Two evenings, giving flexibility to enjoy activities at your own pace
What does a 3-day, 2-night cruise itinerary typically include?
A 3-day, 2-night cruise is built around one simple idea: seeing more of the bay without feeling rushed. The first and last days follow a familiar rhythm to a 2 day 1 night trip, while the second day is where the experience truly opens up.
Day 1 begins with boarding, settling into your cabin, and enjoying lunch as the ship sails past limestone islands rising from the water. The afternoon usually includes a short excursion—such as kayaking, swimming, or visiting a cave—before returning to the ship for a relaxed evening. Sunset on the sundeck, a cooking class or Happy Hour, and a calm night on the bay set the tone for the journey.
Day 2 is the highlight. After an early Tai Chi session and breakfast, you switch to a smaller day boat that can reach quieter, more remote areas. The day is spent kayaking through hidden lagoons, swimming, cycling on nearby islands, or simply relaxing in places far from the main tourist routes. Lunch is served onboard the day boat, and by mid-afternoon you return to the main cruise, enjoying a peaceful evening with far fewer boats around.
Day 3 is unhurried and gentle. A light breakfast is followed by one final short visit before the cruise heads back to the harbor. An early lunch is served onboard, and you disembark late morning, feeling like you have truly experienced the bay rather than just passed through it.
In short, a 3-day, 2-night cruise is the ideal choice for travelers who want to experience Ha Long Bay at a slower, more rewarding pace. With access to quieter areas, a full day of deeper exploration, and more time to relax onboard, it delivers a noticeably richer experience than a standard overnight trip. Your extra money truly goes towards an upgraded experience, not just an elevated luxury.
