Halong Bay with a party heartbeat. This Oasis Bay Cruise on the Genz Cruise turns the usual scenery stops into a hands-on couple of days, with kayaking, water-trampoline fun, jacuzzi wind-down time, and a live DJ night. I like that the plan is active and most of the costs are folded in (meals, entry fees, and the guide), though it’s not the best match if you want quiet, low-key cruising.

You’ll get picked up from the Hanoi Old Quarter around 8:15–8:45, then you arrive at Tuan Chau Harbour by late morning. The ship can host up to 68 people, so it’s social enough to meet others without feeling like a floating airport.

If weather cooperates, the itinerary is built around dawn and golden-hour moments, including a sunset party with fresh fruit and happy hour. One heads-up: extra drinks at the main bar cost extra, and you’ll settle them when you check out on day two.

Key highlights I’d plan around

• Genz Cruise feels designed for action: kayaking plus water-trampoline time, not just sitting and sightseeing
• Outdoor jacuzzi time: relax on deck with Halong Bay views after the morning play
• Cat Ba + Halong Bay both on the clock: dinner night in Cat Ba area, then a full morning look back at the bay
• On-board energy at night: live DJ, team dance performance, and games instead of a quiet supper
• Value packaging: breakfast, lunch (2), dinner, entrance fees, shuttle, and an English-speaking guide are included

Why this Oasis Bay Cruise is more fun than the usual Halong Bay day

Most Halong Bay cruises fall into two camps: sleepy and scenic, or heavily tour-grouped. This one tries to hit a third mode—scenic and playful—so you’re not spending two days mostly watching water roll by. The ship (the Genz Cruise, launched in 2017) is one of the larger vessels in the bay, but the vibe comes from what they schedule: sports, water activities, and an evening party.

What I like most is that the day is structured so you can switch gears. Daytime gives you chances to be out on the water and moving around. Nighttime flips to music, games, and a DJ, so the cruise feels like a real experience rather than just a ferry with meals.

The trade-off is simple: if you hate loud music, big groups, and “activity-based” scheduling, you might find it a bit much. For everyone else, it’s a solid way to see Halong Bay without spending the whole trip in a chair.

Getting to the ship: Hanoi pickup and the Tuan Chau arrival rhythm

Your day starts with pickup from the Hanoi Old Quarter around 8:15–8:45. This matters because Halong Bay logistics can be annoying: you don’t want to fight taxis, find meeting points, and worry about timing before you even reach the harbor.

After pickup, the route lands you at Tuan Chau Harbour (slot number 24) around 11:00–11:30. That’s a comfortable stretch of time for travel without feeling like you’re sitting forever. Then you check in, grab a welcome drink, and get rolling.

A small practical note: lunch is timed for 12:30–13:30 on board. If you’re the type who needs a long breakfast buffer, plan on breakfast being light the morning of pickup since the cruise handles the main meal schedule.

Day 1 on the water: kayaking, trampolines, and jacuzzi recovery

Day one is where this cruise earns its reputation for being active. Around 14:00–16:00, you’re out exploring Halong Bay and doing the included water activities. Kayaking is on the plan, and the cruise also builds in fun with beach time and water trampolines—the kind of thing that turns a photo stop into an actual memory.

This is the best part of the itinerary for people who learn faster by doing. You get the bay’s famous scenery in the background, but your attention stays on the water-time experience—paddling, balancing, jumping, and just feeling like you’re part of the setting instead of passing through it.

From 16:00–18:30, the focus shifts to recovery. This is when you can relax in one of the cruise’s outdoor jacuzzis positioned around the ship. For most people, this is the moment you’ll be glad they scheduled earlier play. Your legs and shoulders get a break, and you’re still watching the bay slide past.

If you’re the sort of traveler who likes an easy “do nothing” chunk at the end of the day, this is it—though you should expect a lively atmosphere, since the ship’s energy is part of the package.

Cat Ba dinner night: food, games, and the DJ set

By evening, the cruise shifts to Cat Ba Island time. Dinner is served on board from 19:00–20:00. This timing is useful because it gives you enough of an evening block to enjoy the night without staying up until it’s too late.

Then the entertainment ramps up from 20:30–23:00. Expect a cruise team dance performance, a live DJ party, and games. This is where the “youthful visitors” style comes through—less formal, more social, and built around shared energy.

Also, one inclusion people sometimes overlook: squid fishing equipment is listed as included. The specific moment it’s used isn’t pinned to a single time slot in what you’re given, so keep an open mind that the crew can roll it into the evening program if conditions allow.

If you’re traveling with friends, this day-one night format is a big win. If you’re traveling solo, it can also be a comfort—there’s enough structure that you’re not stuck trying to entertain yourself on a moving boat.

Day 2: dawn views, light breakfast, and an easy check-out flow

Day two starts early in the best way: 06:30 rise and shine for the morning look at Halong Bay. The idea here isn’t just to be up early; it’s to catch the atmosphere of the bay at dawn, when light changes fast and the water looks calmer than in midday.

You’ll have 06:45–09:00 for a light breakfast on board. This is a smart pacing move. It keeps you fueled without loading you up before a busy morning check-out process.

At 09:30–10:00, you pack and prepare to check out. You’ll also settle drinking bills at the main bar during this window. That matters because people sometimes assume everything is prepaid. Here, you should plan on drinks outside what’s included being an extra cost you’ll pay onboard.

Lunch is served 10:15–11:30, and then you’re off the ship at 12:00, with a shuttle bus picking you up from the waiting lounge. The tour ends with drop-off back in the Old Quarter Hanoi area by 15:00–15:30.

The schedule is tight enough to feel efficient, but not so frantic that you’re dragged around for hours without meals or rest stops.

What you actually get included: meals, activities, and cabin comfort

This tour doesn’t just sell you “scenery.” It includes the stuff that normally adds up on a cruise: meals, entry fees, guide time, and even parts of the onboard fun.

Meals and drinks

Included:

• Breakfast (day two light breakfast)
• Dinner (day one)
• Lunch (2) (day one and day two)
• Complimentary morning tea and coffee
• Welcome drink
• Sunset party with fresh fruits and happy hour
• 02 mineral water in cabin

Not included:

• Other beverages (listed as from $5–10)

What that means for you: the big food moments are covered, but if you like cocktails, beer, or soda beyond the happy hour, your onboard bill can climb. I’d budget a little extra even if you don’t drink much, just to avoid a surprise at check-out.

Cabin basics

Your cabin is listed as a full furnished luxury en-suite cabin with A/C and hot water. That’s a meaningful inclusion in Halong Bay cruises because cold nights and basic bathrooms are where “cheap trips” often disappoint. Here, you at least know you’re getting real comfort so you can recover after water play.

Activities

Included:

• Kayaking
• Outdoor jacuzzi
• Entrance and sightseeing fees
• English-speaking guide

The overview also points to other fun sports and water activities like swimming, boat jumping, beach volleyball, and football. Some of those may depend on timing and conditions, but the cruise’s identity is clearly activity-heavy rather than sightseeing-only.

Price and logistics: what $228 really buys you

At $228 per person for roughly two days, this cruise is priced like an “included-activity” package—not a bare-bones ferry ride. The value comes from the combination:

• Round-trip shuttle within the Hanoi Old Quarter area
• Meals: breakfast, dinner, and two lunches
• Entry and sightseeing fees
• An English-speaking guide
• Real relaxation and play time: kayaking and jacuzzis
• On-board entertainment: live DJ and a sunset party

So when you compare it to piecemeal options, the math makes more sense. You’re not paying separately for the water time, the guide, and entry fees, which is where many cheaper Halong Bay daydreams start to creep upward.

The main value caveat is drinks. Since other beverages start around $5–10, your total cost depends on how much you order beyond the happy hour. If you’re a light drinker, you’ll likely find it easy to keep this under control. If you’re a steady sipper, plan for extra.

Logistically, the biggest win is that you’re picked up and dropped off without needing to navigate transfers on your own.

Who this cruise fits best (and who should look elsewhere)

This is an excellent match for:

• People who want Halong Bay with action built in (kayaking, trampolines)
• Travelers who like a social atmosphere and structured evening fun
• Groups of friends and solo travelers who enjoy mingling
• Anyone who wants cabin comfort with A/C and hot water rather than bare necessities

It’s not ideal for:

• Travelers who want silence, minimal schedules, and no party energy
• Anyone who’s very sensitive to loud music at night

One more thing: the experience requires good weather. If weather is poor, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s good protection, but it does mean you’re not fully in control of the outcome.

Should you book Oasis Bay Cruise to Halong Bay?

If you want Halong Bay without going into “just sit and take photos” mode, I think this is a strong choice. The mix of kayaking, water trampoline time, outdoor jacuzzis, and a structured night with a live DJ makes it feel like two days you’ll remember, not just a route you completed.

Book it if you:

• like active days and group energy
• want your meals, entry fees, and guide handled for you
• prefer a larger, organized ship over a tiny, slow boat

Consider something quieter if you:

• hate loud music
• want a more relaxed, minimal-activity cruise style

FAQ

FAQ

What time are you picked up in Hanoi?

Pickup from the Hanoi Old Quarter is scheduled for 08:15–08:45.

How long is the cruise?

It’s listed as a 2-day experience (approx.).

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayaking is included.

What’s included for meals and drinks?

You get breakfast, dinner, and two lunches, plus a welcome drink, complimentary morning tea/coffee, and a sunset party with fresh fruits and happy hour. Other beverages are not included and cost from about $5–10.

Are jacuzzis included?

Yes. You have access to an outdoor jacuzzi as part of the experience.

How many people are on board?

The tour has a maximum group size of 68 travelers.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.