A Real Review: My 3-Day Halong Bay Trip on Stellar of the Sea

So, everyone pretty much has that picture of Halong Bay locked in their mind, right? It’s all about that really cool emerald-green water and those gigantic limestone pillars that just, you know, shoot up towards the sky. Picking a cruise for this kind of trip can feel, frankly, like a massive decision. You just want to get it right. Well, we actually settled on the 2025 Stellar of the Sea cruise for our 3-day, 2-night adventure. And so, I’m here to give you the honest rundown of how it all went, covering everything from the food to the cabin and, of course, the views. It was, at the end of the day, a very memorable experience.

You sort of feel like you are floating through a different world, and the boat you are on really becomes your home for those few days. It’s obviously more than just a boat ride; it’s the place you wake up, eat your meals, and watch the sunset from. That’s why the choice feels so important, I mean. The Stellar of the Sea came with some seriously good reviews online, so our hopes were, you know, pretty high. We were looking for something that felt a little bit special but also relaxing. We just didn’t want a loud party boat or something that felt too old or run-down. So, let’s get into the details of whether it lived up to the hype, shall we?

First Impressions & Getting Onboard

Our experience, you know, started right from our hotel doorstep in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. A seriously plush limousine bus picked us up, which was, frankly, a much nicer ride than we were expecting. Instead of a cramped, standard bus, this thing had these huge, comfortable seats and we just, like, sat back and enjoyed the scenery on the new highway. The trip to the Tuan Chau Marina was actually really smooth and only took a couple of hours. As a matter of fact, the good first impression of this trip started right there, with that really comfortable and stress-free journey.

So, once we got to the harbor, we were led to a private waiting lounge, which was kind of a great touch. It’s so much better than just, you know, standing around in a big, noisy crowd with all your bags. In the lounge, we could basically sit on a comfy sofa, have a cool welcome drink, and just relax a bit before the main event. It made the whole check-in process feel very organized and, sort of, exclusive. From the lounge window, you could see all the boats, and honestly, the anticipation was really starting to build.

Next, a smaller speedboat zipped us out from the pier to the much larger Stellar of the Sea, which was anchored a little way out in the bay. Actually, seeing the ship for the first time up close was pretty awesome. It’s a very modern, steel-hulled ship that looks big and stable in the water. As we stepped on board, the crew was all lined up, smiling and waving. They immediately took our bags, gave us another welcome drink, and led us into the main restaurant area for a quick briefing. The cruise manager gave us a funny and clear talk about the plan for the next three days and all the safety stuff, which honestly put everyone at ease right away. The whole atmosphere felt very welcoming and professional from the get-go, so we really felt we made a great choice for our vacation.

The Cabin Experience: A Floating Sanctuary

Okay, so we had booked a Senior Suite with a private balcony, and honestly, walking into that room for the first time was a real ‘wow’ moment. The room was just way bigger than we thought it would be. It had this huge, super-soft bed with a wall of windows that gave us a panoramic view of the bay. I mean, you could literally lie in bed and just watch those incredible limestone karsts drift past. The decoration was, you know, very tasteful and modern, with lots of wood accents and a calming color scheme. It really felt like a high-end hotel room, just one that happened to be floating. At the end of the day, having a comfortable space like this to retreat to is a huge part of the experience. Find out more about luxury cabin amenities by reading more.

And then there was the bathroom, which was sort of ridiculous in the best possible way. It was completely decked out in marble and had a separate walk-in shower and, believe it or not, a full-sized bathtub. The best part, though, is that the bathtub was right next to a big window. So, you could actually have a soak while looking out at the jaw-dropping scenery of Halong Bay. That’s honestly one of those little details that turns a great trip into an unforgettable one. They also provided all the fancy soaps and shampoos and stuff, so you really didn’t need to pack much. It was, pretty much, a perfect setup.

Frankly, the private balcony was where we spent a lot of our downtime. Every cabin has one, which is a massive plus. Ours had a small table and two chairs, and it just became our little personal spot to, you know, absorb everything. Having a coffee out there in the morning while the bay was misty and quiet, or sharing a bottle of wine in the evening as the sun went down, was just incredible. You really felt a deep sense of peace out there. It was so much better than just looking out of a window; it made you feel completely connected to the amazing environment all around you. This is an experience we would absolutely recommend to anyone thinking about this trip.

A Gastronomic Voyage: Dining Onboard

The dining experience on the Stellar of the Sea was, frankly, a massive highlight of the whole trip. So, our first meal after boarding was this enormous buffet lunch served in the elegant restaurant. The dining room itself is a really beautiful space, with big windows all around so you never miss a moment of the view. The buffet wasn’t just any old buffet; it was seriously impressive. There was a huge selection of food, with lots of fresh seafood, you know, like grilled prawns and fish, a bunch of different salads, various hot Vietnamese dishes, and even a carving station. Everything we tried was actually delicious and you could tell it was all made with very fresh ingredients.

So, breakfasts were also generous buffets with everything you could possibly want. They had a live cooking station for eggs and pho, which is a really nice touch. But the dinners were, in a way, the main event. These were multi-course set menus that felt very sophisticated. Each dish was, like, a little piece of art and was beautifully presented on the plate. The menus were a mix of Vietnamese flavors and more international-style dishes, so there was something for every taste. The food quality was just consistently high, and it felt like you were dining in a top-quality restaurant every single night. We often found ourselves talking about the meals and what amazing dish might be served next.

You are not just passing through a landscape here; you are living inside it for a few magical days. Every meal, every sunrise, feels a little bit more special when it’s framed by those ancient, jungle-topped islands.

On top of the main meals, there were other little culinary treats too. For instance, on the second afternoon, there was a cooking demonstration up on the sun deck. The chef showed us how to make traditional Vietnamese nem, or fried spring rolls, and then we all got to try making our own. It was a really fun and interactive thing to do. The ship’s bar was also very well-stocked, and they had a “buy one, get one free” happy hour each evening before dinner. Sitting by the pool with a cocktail, watching the sky change color over the bay, was, basically, the perfect way to end a day of exploring. It’s those kind of details that really complete the luxury feeling.

Activities and Excursions: Exploring Halong & Lan Ha Bays

So, the itinerary on the Stellar of the Sea is really well-planned, mixing relaxation on the ship with some really cool excursions. On our first afternoon, we sailed from Halong into the less-crowded Lan Ha Bay area, which was, you know, absolutely stunning and felt a lot more peaceful. The ship anchored in a quiet little cove, and we had the option to go for a swim or go kayaking. We obviously chose kayaking, and it was incredible. We literally got to paddle our own kayak through these small archways in the limestone cliffs, exploring little hidden lagoons that the big boat couldn’t get to. The water was calm and warm, and just being so close to those massive cliffs was a really humbling experience. It’s a definite must-do for anyone visiting the bay; you can find more information on similar excursions here.

The main excursion on the second day was a trip to the Dark and Bright Cave. For this, we didn’t have to do any work, which was nice. Instead, we sat in these traditional bamboo boats, and local villagers rowed us. The “Dark Cave” is a long, low-ceilinged water tunnel that you pass through in near-complete darkness, which is sort of thrilling. Then, you suddenly emerge from the tunnel into the “Bright Cave,” which isn’t a cave at all but, like, a completely enclosed, serene lagoon surrounded by towering, jungle-covered cliffs. It honestly felt like we had found a secret, lost world. You could even spot some of the monkeys that live on the cliffs there. The whole trip was just beautifully managed and felt very authentic.

Back on the ship itself, there were actually plenty of things to keep you busy between the main outings. The Stellar of the Sea has this really cool onboard swimming pool, located at the front of the ship, which is just a fantastic place to cool off and relax. You can, you know, float in the pool while the amazing scenery glides by. There’s also a mini-golf course on the top deck, which was a kind of quirky and fun way to pass some time. And for the early birds, there was a Tai Chi session on the sundeck at sunrise. We managed to drag ourselves out of bed for it one morning, and it was a surprisingly powerful and serene way to start the day. These onboard amenities mean you’re never bored.

Service and Ambiance: The Human Touch

Honestly, you can have the fanciest ship in the world, but it’s the people that really make or break a trip like this. And I have to say, the crew on the Stellar of the Sea were just absolutely fantastic. From the moment we stepped on board, every single person we met had a genuine smile for us. They were all incredibly polite and attentive, but in a very natural, not-stuffy way. They just seemed to be one step ahead of you all the time, appearing with a drink before you even knew you were thirsty or clearing a plate the second you were finished. The service felt very personal and warm; explore some options about how service can define a trip here.

The cruise manager, a guy named Tony, was a real character and, basically, the heart and soul of the ship. He was always present, walking around the dining room, the deck, or the bar, chatting with guests and cracking jokes. He remembered everyone’s names and just had this amazing ability to make everyone feel comfortable and happy. It’s clear that he and his team take a lot of pride in what they do. This kind of friendly and professional leadership, you know, sets the tone for the entire cruise, and it really shows in how happy both the guests and the staff seem to be.

The overall ambiance on the ship was what I’d call, like, ‘relaxed luxury’. It never felt pretentious or overly formal. There was a really nice mix of guests on our trip – some couples, a few families with teenagers, and small groups of friends from all over the world. Everyone was just there to relax and enjoy the amazing scenery. In the evenings, people would gather at the bar for a drink, but it was all very low-key and social. There was no loud music or forced entertainment. The atmosphere was just peaceful and sophisticated, which was pretty much exactly what we were looking for in a Halong Bay cruise. It was a trip designed to showcase the beauty of the bay, and the ship’s vibe complemented that perfectly.

What to Know Before You Go

So, if you are planning a trip like this, there are a few practical things that are, you know, good to know. First, when it comes to packing, you obviously want to bring your swimsuit for the pool and any swimming excursions. You also definitely need sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses because the sun can get really strong out on the water. For the evenings, most people just wore smart-casual clothes; there’s really no need to get super dressed up. And I would suggest bringing a light jacket or sweater, as it can sometimes get a little breezy on the deck at night, even in the warmer months. Reading about what to bring can be a real help.

The best time of year to visit Halong Bay is, arguably, during the spring months from March to May, or in the autumn from September to November. During these times, the weather is typically mild, with clear skies and less rain, which is pretty much perfect for cruising and kayaking. The summer can be quite hot and humid with a higher chance of rain, and the winter can be a bit cool and grey. Of course, you can go any time of year, but for the best odds of great weather, those shoulder seasons are probably your best bet.

So, who is this cruise really for? I’d say the Stellar of the Sea is, basically, ideal for couples looking for a romantic and relaxing getaway. It’s also a really great choice for families with older children or small groups of friends who appreciate comfort, excellent food, and top-notch service. Because of the calm atmosphere and focus on relaxation and scenery, it might not be the best fit for those looking for a wild party scene or for families with very young, energetic kids who might need more constant stimulation. It’s for people who want to really soak in the unique atmosphere of this incredible place. It truly offers a special way to experience one of the world’s wonders.

• The Transfer: So, the limousine bus transfer from Hanoi is definitely a comfortable and stress-free way to start your journey.
• The Cabins: Okay, getting a room with a private balcony is pretty much essential