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Here is a full review of Peony Cruises Ha Long Bay. Taking a luxury cruise of Ha Long bay was one of our highlights of Vietnam. The experience is superlative in so many ways – and these cruises are amazing value for money. BUT how do you know what to look for to choose the best cruise for you in 2026?
Peony is a small company that offers some big advantages if you know what to look for. We are here to help. If you’re planning a luxury cruise in Ha Long bay please read this article carefully.
In this article we will share some of the things that we love about Peony cruises – the things that set them apart. And we will also share some of the weaknesses of Peony too – we always try to give balanced an honest reviews. We have also tried to answer all of your questions.
There are so many luxury cruise companies in Ha Long bay it can be overwhelming. We have done the leg work for you. We have an extensive guide – comparing and reviewing ALL of the main players.
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE on luxury cruises in Ha Long Bay. We review a wide range of companies and tell you EVERYTHING you need to know to plan an amazing cruise.
You may also be interested in our Vietnam travel tips – prepare for your trip and don’t make these common mistakes in Vietnam!
What are the advantages of Peony cruises?
With so many cruise companies to choose from it can be hard to narrow it down. Here are some of the advantages of Peony cruises, compared to other companies:
- Small boat for a more intimate and personal experience – more dedicated service from the staff and less crowded facilities and spaces
- Free drinking water available (bottles in room and water filler in the reception)
- Bathtubs included with all rooms – large windows allow you to enjoy the view as you bath
- Traditional style junk boat with sails
- Small top deck pool and jacuzzi available
- Cheaper suites have a “sofa bed” by the window – can accommodate a family well
- Very good with special occasions (let them know if you’re celebrating a birthday or anniversary)
When you consider all of these advantages, Peony offer excellent value for money. The staff on the Peony boat are genuinely amazing – you can expect warm, generous Vietnamese hospitality.
How much does a Peony cruise cost?
Peony cruises normally cost in the range of £200 – £1,000 for an all inclusive 2 day 1 night trip. Price-wise Peony is a mid-range option. You can find some cheaper companies and plenty of more expensive companies. Keep an eye out for deals and discounts online. You can snatch up some great deals and offers – especially on Agoda.
Although cruises are all inclusive bring some extra cash. Alcoholic drinks are not included. Beer costs 60,000 – 100,000VND (roughly £2 – £3 or $2.50 – $4). Expect to pay around 100,000 – 150,000 for a cocktail (roughly £3 – £5 or $4 – $6). We don’t recommend relying on card payments – being plenty of cash for the trip.
What is included with Peony Cruises?
If you book a cruise with Peony it should include the following things:
- Amazing generous meals (lunch and dinner on day 1 and breakfast and brunch on day 2) and Complementary welcome drinks
- On board swimming pool and jacuzzi (this is not really heated but it’s still fun)
- Amazingly furnished rooms with large windows and comfortable beds. Minibar, ensuite bathrooms with balconies and bathtubs
- On board entertainment that may include singing, dancing and even activities such as cooking classes and squid fishing (all equipment is generally included)
- Kayaking, bamboo raft cave trips and swimming
There is a bar but the cruise does not include free alcoholic drinks. Bring plenty of cash. They do not include transfer in the cost but for an additional fee they will be able to arrange a two way luxury transfer for you (hotel pick up and drop offs from the Hanoi old quarter)
What is the itinerary for the Peony cruise? (2d 1n)
The itinerary is fun and packed with lots of great things to do. However, in our opinion it is a little bit rushed. Furthermore, on the second day there is quite an early start and there is not much time to relax. Check out is pretty early in the day and in most cases you will have left the boat before lunch time. A 3-day 2 night cruise is much less rushed allowing more time for relaxation.
Here is the itinerary for a 2-day 1-night luxury cruise. Most of the luxury cruise companies offer a similar itinerary. We have included approximate timings (these can vary).
DAY 1
08:30 – 09:00: Limo van pick up at your hotel in the old quarter and travel to the Tuan Chau
Marina Station. There is normally a stop at a pearl market. We found this to be quite intense and unnecessary.
12:00: Arrive in Tuan Chau Marina Station and enjoy a drink in the waiting room. Be aware that some drinks are complementary and other drinks are not – so check. The staff are very good at helping and directing you. They may also take your big bags at this point.
12:30: Take a taxi boat through the bay to the Peony ship.
13:00: Welcome drink, cold towels and a briefing. You can then check into your room. This is followed by a delicious buffet lunch. The boat sets sail for the beautiful Lan Ha Bay.
15:30: Take a bamboo raft tour through Dark and Bright Cave.
16:30: Swimming in Lan Ha Bay or enjoy mini pool with jacuzzi on the ship.
17:30: Sunset party on Lan Ha Bay and cooking demonstration. This is a great time to grab a cocktail and unwind.
19:30: Amazing dinner at the restaurant on Peony Cruise. This is a set menu with some options. The food is amazing!
21:00-22:00: Enjoy the nightlife of the bay from the top deck and make the most of the bar. There is also a squid fishing option available.
DAY 2
6:30-7:30: Buffet breakfast is served at Peony Cruise restaurant.
8:00: Kayaking in the Frog Pond area of the bay.
9:30: Check out of rooms. A buffet brunch is served. You then need to settle up any bills.
11:00 – 11:30: Taxi boat back the port. If you pre-booked your trip you should be directed where to go. Some of the taxi drivers can be quite intense.
12:00 – 12:30: Return taxi bus back to Hanoi (should include a hotel drop off)
What rooms and suites are available on the Peony boat?
One of the things that attracted us to Peony cruises were the amazing rooms and suites available on the boat. All rooms include an en-suite bathroom with a bathtub. Large windows allow plenty of natural light and afford amazing views of the breathtaking landscape.
Is it quite rare to find cruise boats that include bath tubs, especially in the cheaper rooms. This is one of the things that attracted us to Peony. Furthermore, many of the other cruise boats that do have bath tubs, do not have large windows. With Peony you can relax in the bath and gaze at the stunning scenery.
It can be a little tricky to work out what you are getting with the rooms on Peony. Here is a summary of the different types of cabins Peony offer:
Deluxe rooms
The deluxe room and premium deluxe room have one room with an ensuite bathroom and bath tub. They also have a sofa bed by the window. Two young kids could share this space – allowing for a very affordable family experience. These suites also include a small private balcony. This is particularly good for the money!
Family rooms
The style and amenities in the family rooms are very similar to the deluxe rooms. The main difference. The family deluxe room and the family premium deluxe room have two connecting rooms (you can choose your bed option, either a double and two single beds or two double beds).
The connecting rooms allow you space and privacy as a family. Family rooms have enough bed space to sleep 4 people – if you add the window sofa bed, you could sleep up to 6 people! If you are booking for a larger group we recommend contacting Peony directly to arrange the best option for you and your family.
Peony exclusive suite
The premium suite is the luxurious forward facing exclusive suite. This spacious suite has large impressive windows offering amazing views and plenty of natural light.
There is an ensuite bathroom with a bathtub. Large windows allow amazing views as you bathe. The room is also beautifully furnished and stylishly decorated.
The exclusive suite also has a large and relaxing private terrace with sun chairs and a table. This is a beautiful way to relax and enjoy the tranquility and scenery of Ha Long bay.
The exclusive suite is the most expensive option. Expect to pay around £1,000 for a 2 day 1 night cruise in the exclusive suite. If you are considering this type of budget we recommend that you shop around to compare this with other premium suites.
What is the food like on the Peony cruise?
In our opinion the food on the Peony Cruises is excellent. Day 1 starts with a delicious buffet lunch including cold meats, cheese, chicken, seafood, Vietnamese food and much more. It is very tempting to over-eat on this first meal. We would recommend that you pace yourself as there is a lot of amazing food to come.
Later in the day they do a cooking demonstration and give you a chance to make your own fresh Vietnamese spring rolls. Of course, if you make a fresh Vietnamese spring roll you also need to eat it! this is just another opportunity to have some delicious food.
In the evening dinner is a decadent 5 course meal including things like soup, seafood, rice and delicious desserts. Although this is a set menu you can make some choices as well. We absolutely loved the ambience and atmosphere at dinner. The shrimp in tangy tamarind sauce were amazing!
In the morning breakfast is another delicious buffet set including a wide range of Asian and continental options. Remember to contact Peony cruise in advance if you are celebrating a special occasion.
We also recommend that you contact them in advance if you have any special dietary requirements. This company are extremely friendly and helpful and can cater for special requests and requirements.
What do you need to bring on a Peony cruise?
You don’t need to bring much with you on the Peony cruises. Although it is ok to bring a larger bag with you, we recommend travelling lighter for convenience. Many hotels and guest houses in Hanoi allow guests to leave large bags at the hotel for a few days. Here is a list of things that we recommend you to bring:
- Nice clothes for the meals (no dress code – it’s just nice to stick a shirt on!)
- Swimming stuff (towels generally provided)
- Suncream (SPF 50 recommended)
- Waterproof bag for valuables on the raft trip or kayaking (not essential)
- Toiletries bag (whatever you need)
- Bring plenty of cash (most of the boats have a nice bar) don’t rely on card transactions.
What are the biggest disadvantages of Peony cruises?
One of the most common complaints on Peony cruises is the lack of wifi. Plan to be disconnected! Peony wifi is very weak to non-existent. If you are taking a Peony cruise, make sure you do all your online jobs before you go and let people know you’re going to drop off the digital map for a bit!
We also found the itinerary rushed at points. The check out on day 2 is pretty early and the itinerary is quite rushed. We found some of the mini-bus drivers were quite rude and intense (big contrast to the amazing staff on the Peony cruise boat). The stop at the pearl market on the way was unpleasant and unnecessary.
Some other amazing Ha Long Bay luxury cruises
There is an overwhelming number of companies offering luxury cruises of Ha Long bay. Here are a few of our favourite players.
1 Dora Cruise
Price range: £200 – £1,000
TOP PICK value for money. Excellent value for money. This boat has similar vibes to Peony and offers some similar advantages (small boat, nice styles and swimming pool). Dora don’t have the same window sofa bed – but the suites are comfortable and well designed. All rooms come with an ensuite bathroom and decadent bathtubs. There is a connecting family suite that can sleep up to 4 people. You may be able to snap up cheaper deals for Dora, so if your travelling on a lower budget this is a good one to look at.
2 Doris Cruise
Price range: £230 – £1,000
TOP PICK for value for money. Doris isn’t the cheapest lady on the seas – but she does offer a lot for the money. To summarise: This is a small stylish boat with front facing swimming pool and stylish suites with large windows and bathtubs. Amazing food and great service. Again this is probably a good competitor for Peony.
3 Stellar of the Seas Cruise
Price range: £300 – £2,000
TOP PICK for couples. We’re now looking at the more pricy options – and you will see a difference in the quality of food, the service, facilities and space. Stellar is a luxury modern yacht. Outstanding service and facilities on the boat. Very impressive suites with large windows and bathtubs. The main disadvantage – this is not one of the classic style junk boats.
4 La Regina Grand Cruise
Price range: £330 – £900
La Regina is another awesome option for families. Lots of options for larger family suites – the largest sleeps up to 4 people. They have plenty of space on this large boat and even have an indoor kids play room (a unique feature on the Halong bay cruises). Amazing facilities and beautiful touches. The main downside – the price. Even the cheapest options are quite expensive on La Regina Grand.
5 Le Theatre Cruises – Wonder on Lan Ha Bay
Price range: £350 – £1,300
TOP PICK for luxury. Looking for one of the most luxurious liners around? Check out the classy Le Theatre Cruises. We’re talking higher prices here – but you can see why. This ship has a traditional cruise liner style. It is a large ship with plenty of decadent cabins and suites to choose from. Overall this is one of the BEST options if you’re looking for carefree luxury and relaxation.
