Reviewed · BOAT TOURS IN HA LONG BAY
Oasis Bay Party Cruise 3 Days 2 Nights – Ha Long Bay Tour
The most unusual part of this three-day Ha Long Bay trip is the change of scene: you sleep in a cruise cabin on the first night, then trade it for a dorm room on a private island. Between the limestone views, kayaking, swimming, trampoline, outdoor jacuzzi, sunset gathering, and karaoke, this is built for fun rather than quiet luxury.
I like the simple value: meals, transfers, entrance fees, and activities are bundled into the $209 price. I also like the social setup, especially for solo visitors, since the party atmosphere and shared island lodging make it easy to meet people. The catch is comfort and organization. Cabins can feel small, the second night is in a dorm, and one serious complaint described confused transfers and staff encouraging early five-star ratings.
In This Review
- Key points to know before booking
- What the $209 Oasis Bay trip really offers
- Leaving Hanoi for Tuan Chau Harbor
- First afternoon: Ha Long Bay by kayak, trampoline, and jacuzzi
- Sunset, dinner, and karaoke on the boat
- Sunrise and the move to Cat Ba on day two
- Paradise Cave dinner and the second night
- Day three: breakfast, Cat Ba Town, and the return journey
- Food, service, and the real party mood
- Who should book this Ha Long Bay party cruise?
- Booking details worth knowing
- Should you book Oasis Bay?
- FAQ
- How long does the Oasis Bay Party Cruise last?
- Does the tour pick me up in Hanoi?
- What activities are included?
- Are meals included?
- Is the cruise cabin private?
- Are drinks included in the price?
Key points to know before booking
- Two different sleeping styles: a double or twin cruise cabin comes first, followed by dorm lodging on the island.
- Active first day: kayaking, swimming, trampoline time, outdoor jacuzzi use, and a sunset party fill the afternoon and evening.
- Cat Ba adds variety: the second and third days include Cat Ba Town, island scenery, and a special dinner in Paradise Cave.
- Good meal coverage: the price includes two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners, with tea and coffee at breakfast.
- Social rather than polished: the party mood is friendly and energetic, but this is not a refined boutique cruise.
- Watch the final cost: an 8 percent VAT surcharge, drinks, personal spending, and a $20 holiday surcharge may apply.
What the $209 Oasis Bay trip really offers

At $209 per person, this is a value-focused way to combine Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba without arranging separate transport, lodging, meals, and activities. You get pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter hotels, round-trip transfers, a cruise cabin, a dorm bed, meals, sightseeing fees, an English-speaking guide, and the listed water activities.
That package matters because Ha Long Bay logistics can become expensive and fiddly when you book each piece alone. Here, the cruise company handles the transfer from Hanoi to Tuan Chau Harbor, the tender boat to the main cruise, and the move onward to Cat Ba.
Still, I would not call the price all-inclusive in the usual resort sense. Drinks on the cruise are extra, and bringing drinks aboard may bring another charge. VAT adds 8 percent, which would bring the advertised $209 to about $225.72 before drinks if that surcharge is applied. A $20 per-person holiday charge may also apply on certain dates.
The best value comes if you want an active, social trip and plan to use the included kayaking, swimming, trampoline, jacuzzi, and group activities. If you mainly want a peaceful cabin, polished service, or a private room for both nights, the calculation looks less attractive.
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Leaving Hanoi for Tuan Chau Harbor

Pickup runs from 8:00 to 8:30 in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. That is helpful if you are staying in the central hotel zone, but the pickup area is limited. You should confirm that your hotel is inside the Old Quarter service area rather than assuming any Hanoi address is covered.
The transfer reaches dock number 25 at Tuan Chau Harbor around 12:15 to 12:30. That morning journey takes a large part of the day, so keep your breakfast and water plans sensible. Once at the harbor, you transfer by tender to the Oasis cruise, receive a welcome drink, and check in.
A tender transfer is normal for this type of bay cruise, but it means your first boarding moment is not a simple walk from the pier to the ship. Keep your passport, phone, and valuables in a small day bag. Your larger luggage may be easier to manage if it is compact and clearly labeled.
The group can reach up to 50 people. That is large enough for a lively party and small enough to keep the main schedule workable, but it is not an intimate sailing. Expect group timing, shared activity periods, and a social dining setup.
First afternoon: Ha Long Bay by kayak, trampoline, and jacuzzi

The first afternoon is the heart of the cruise. Once you have settled into your cabin, the program turns toward the bay itself, with time for kayaking, swimming, trampoline use, and the outdoor jacuzzi.
Kayaking is the activity that gives you the closest contact with the water and rock formations. You are not only looking out from the deck. You are moving at your own pace for a while, which makes the scenery feel more immediate. Bring swimwear, a quick-drying layer, and a waterproof pouch for small items.
The trampoline gives the cruise a youthful, playful edge. It is not a cultural activity, and it will not suit everyone, but it helps explain the mood of this trip. The same is true of the jacuzzi and sunset gathering. These are designed for social time, photos, music, and easy conversation rather than silence.
The cruise includes one bottle of mineral water per person, instant tea, coffee, and a snack in the cabin. That is useful, but modest. I would still budget for extra drinks, especially if you spend a warm afternoon swimming and kayaking.
Your cabin has two-way air conditioning and is assigned for two or three people. Couples and groups can request a double or twin cabin, while solo visitors pay for a bed in a shared twin cabin. The cabin is a real advantage over a day trip, since you can shower, change clothes, and wake up on the bay rather than rush back to Hanoi.
Do not expect a large room. One person described the room as small, while other comments praised the cabin as comfortable enough. I would pack lightly and keep your main bag organized so that the limited space does not become a daily nuisance.
Sunset, dinner, and karaoke on the boat
Evening is where the party identity becomes clearest. The sunset gathering gives you a chance to enjoy the bay from the deck, followed by dinner and, depending on the group mood, karaoke.
The party atmosphere appears to be moderate rather than an all-night club scene. One useful description called it a good amount of party, not too much. That makes the cruise a reasonable choice if you want music and social energy but do not want every hour turned into a drinking contest.
The food receives some of the strongest praise. Vegetarian meals can be arranged, and staff have made extra efforts for specific dietary needs. You should still state your requirements when booking and repeat them to the guide at the start, since special meals work best when the crew knows early.
Crew members associated with the experience include Sam, Harry, Kay, Adam, and Max. The people-facing service seems to be one of the strongest parts of the trip. Sam has been particularly helpful with bags, extra food, and general support, while Harry and Kay have been praised for taking care of guests and helping with vegetarian meals.
That human touch matters on a group cruise. The schedule may feel busy, but a friendly crew can make small problems manageable. I would remember that the service style is informal. You may find the staff warm and generous, but the operation is not always highly polished.
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Sunrise and the move to Cat Ba on day two

Day two begins early, from 6:45 to 8:00, with breakfast and a chance to see dawn over the bay. Set an alarm and go outside if the weather is clear. The morning light is one of the quietest parts of a trip that otherwise leans toward noise and activity.
You check out around 8:40 to 9:20 and settle your bill before leaving the cruise. This is the point when you should check your cabin carefully. One passenger forgot a passport in the room after moving to the island, though the item was eventually recovered with help from the staff. That is a good reminder to inspect the safe, drawers, bathroom, and bedside area before handing back your key.
The schedule then shifts toward Cat Ba Town. The change is welcome. You are no longer seeing the bay only from a boat, and you get a sense of the island’s roads, beaches, parks, and town life.
The details of the daytime Cat Ba schedule are not fully specified, so you should expect guided movement between stops rather than a long period of completely free exploration. If you value independent wandering, use the announced free time carefully and ask the guide how long you have before the group moves on.
Paradise Cave dinner and the second night

The second evening includes a special dinner in Paradise Cave. A shuttle bus carries you through Cat Ba scenery to the venue, with the journey beginning around 18:15 to 18:30.
The cave dinner changes the rhythm again. Instead of dining on the boat or at the island lodging, you are taken to a distinctive setting for the evening meal. It is one of the more memorable parts of the program because it adds a sense of occasion without requiring you to arrange another excursion.
After dinner, the second night is spent in a dorm room on the private island. This is the biggest comfort compromise in the package. A dorm can be perfectly fine for a sociable group, but it offers less privacy than the cruise cabin and may not suit couples who want a quiet night.
You should choose this tour with the dorm in mind, not as a minor footnote. Couples can request a double or twin cabin on the first night, but the second-night accommodation is listed as dormitory lodging. Solo visitors may find this social and convenient. Light sleepers, older couples, and anyone who needs a private bathroom should consider a more conventional Ha Long Bay package.
The island stay also gives the trip its strongest sense of variety. You are not simply repeating the same boat routine for two nights. The tradeoff is that each move creates another chance for delays, luggage confusion, or unclear instructions.
Day three: breakfast, Cat Ba Town, and the return journey

Breakfast runs from 6:30 to 8:30 at the hotel. After that, you have roughly 8:30 to 10:00 to explore Cat Ba Town, including the beach, parks, and scenic points at your own pace.
This is not a full Cat Ba tour. The town walk is a short introduction, useful for seeing the local setting but too brief for a serious island exploration. I would treat it as a final stroll and photo stop, not as the main reason to book the trip.
The third day is valuable because it avoids a single-purpose cruise. You get the bay, a night on the water, an island stay, Cat Ba Town, and the cave dinner. For many people, that variety will feel more rewarding than spending all three days aboard one ship.
The schedule can also feel compressed. You spend time checking out, transferring, eating, and moving between locations. If you prefer slow mornings and long swims, this itinerary may seem rushed. If you want to see several settings in a short break from Hanoi, the pace makes sense.
Food, service, and the real party mood

The included food is one of the clearest strengths. You receive two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners, with tea and coffee at breakfast. That removes much of the daily meal planning and protects your budget from the high prices that can build up on organized cruises.
The strongest food-related detail is the crew’s willingness to help with vegetarian meals and extra portions. That does not replace confirming dietary needs in advance, but it suggests a flexible service culture.
Drinks are not included. The cruise menu costs extra, and drinks brought aboard may also attract a charge. I would ask for the current drink prices before ordering, especially if you are traveling on a strict budget.
The crew receives repeated praise for kindness and practical help. Sam is noted for assisting with luggage and extra food, and other named staff receive credit for photos, care, and problem solving. One passenger who became ill was given a private room to recover, which shows a useful level of human judgment when circumstances change.
But the organization deserves an honest warning. A detailed complaint described poor coordination during transfers and a strong push for five-star ratings before the trip had properly begun. That does not erase the positive service, but it tells you to pay close attention to instructions, keep your valuables with you, and judge the operation by the full experience rather than the opening welcome.
Who should book this Ha Long Bay party cruise?

I would recommend Oasis Bay to younger visitors, solo visitors, friend groups, and couples who care more about activities and company than luxury. The shared cabin option, dorm night, karaoke, trampoline, and sunset party all work best for people who enjoy an easygoing group setting.
It can also suit a budget-conscious visitor who wants Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba in one organized trip. The meals and transfers add real value, and the schedule offers more variety than a basic one-night cruise.
I would be cautious if you want a quiet honeymoon, a spacious cabin, carefully controlled timing, or private lodging every night. The group may reach 50 people, the room can feel tight, and the second night is in a dorm. The party mood is described as friendly rather than extreme, but you should still expect noise and social activity.
The 98 percent recommendation figure and 4.9 rating suggest the experience works very well for its intended audience. I would read those numbers alongside the operational warning: the people are often the best part, but the planning may not feel as smooth as a high-end cruise.
Booking details worth knowing
The tour lasts approximately three days and requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.
You can cancel for a full refund up to three full days before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted or refunded. Confirmation is provided when you book, and most people can take part, with public transport nearby.
For the best value, budget for VAT, drinks, personal expenses, and a possible $20 holiday surcharge. I would also bring a small day bag, swimwear, sun protection, a waterproof phone pouch, and a method for keeping your passport secure during cabin and room changes.
Should you book Oasis Bay?
Book it if you want a social Ha Long Bay experience with real variety, not a silent luxury cruise. The combination of kayaking, swimming, trampoline time, jacuzzi use, Cat Ba, Paradise Cave dinner, and two different types of lodging gives you plenty for the price.
Skip it if the dorm night or possible disorganization would sour the trip for you. For everyone else, $209 before surcharges is a fair starting price for the transport, meals, activities, and two-night structure, provided you accept that the best moments may come from the friendly crew and group spirit rather than flawless hotel-style service.
FAQ
How long does the Oasis Bay Party Cruise last?
The experience lasts approximately three days and includes two nights, with the first night in a cruise cabin and the second night in a dorm room on a private island.
Does the tour pick me up in Hanoi?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off are provided from hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter, with pickup scheduled between 8:00 and 8:30 on day one.
What activities are included?
The included activities listed for the tour are kayaking, trampoline use, and outdoor jacuzzi use. The schedule also includes swimming, a sunset party, karaoke, Cat Ba Town exploration, and dinner in Paradise Cave.
Are meals included?
Yes. The package includes two breakfasts, three lunches, and two dinners. Tea and coffee are included during breakfast.
Is the cruise cabin private?
Couples and groups can request a double or twin cabin, with two or three people assigned per room. Solo visitors pay for a bed in a shared twin cabin. The second night is in a dorm room.
Are drinks included in the price?
No. Drinks on the cruise menu are extra, and an additional charge may apply to drinks brought aboard. VAT and personal expenses are also not included, and some holidays carry a $20 per-person surcharge.
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