Cruising Halong Bay in Vietnam

I love cruising because, often, it means enjoying gorgeous vistas that just can't be captured from vantage points on land. If you're looking for a cruise experience that will have you sitting on deck, dumbfounded by the landscape, consider a voyage though Vietnam's Halong Bay.

On the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam's northeast region, Halong Bay is about a three hour's drive from Hanoi. Thousands of islands, islets, and limestone outcrops dot the bay. A series of island caves and grottos complete the scene that's almost always blanketed with mist.

Popular activities for the outdoorsy types include birding, kayaking, and swimming, while tours of local floating fishing villages are on almost every tourist's agenda.

There are a number of excellent luxury cruise options for a visit to Halong Bay:

Azamara Cruises
Azamara Quest includes Halong Bay on several two-week itineraries.

Bhaya Cruises
Bhaya sails three junks—Bhaya Classic, Bhaya Legend, and Bhaya Spirit—and offers day trips as well as two- and three-day itineraries.

Indochina Sails
Four junks—Indochina I, II, III, and Valentine—ply the bay for two- and three-day trips.

Oceania Cruises
In 2010 and 2011 the Nautica will call upon Hanoi for Halong Bay.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Both the Mariner and Navigator call upon Halong Bay several times a year.

Silversea
Silver Whisper visits the bay quite a few times per year.

If you've visited Halong Bay, I'd love to hear which ship/junk you sailed and what you liked most about the experience.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Indochina Sails