Sena Cruises Lan Ha Bay Review: A 2-Day Trip with a Deluxe Balcony

So, choosing a cruise for Lan Ha Bay is, you know, kind of a big decision with so many options out there. We were looking for something that felt a little more personal, not one of those huge party boats, right. The photos of Sena Cruises, with its traditional wooden design, really caught our eye, to be honest. It seemed to have that classic Vietnamese junk boat look but, like, with modern comforts, which is basically what we wanted. The idea of a smaller boat, with fewer cabins, was very appealing. It just suggested a more relaxed and quiet time on the water, which, at the end of the day, is what a trip to a place this beautiful should be about. Honestly, we just hoped it would live up to the pictures online.

First Impressions and Getting Onboard

Actually, our day started at the Tuan Chau Marina, which is, like, the main hub for most of these cruises. It’s a pretty busy spot, you know, with lots of people and boats everywhere. We found the Sena Cruises waiting lounge easily enough, and it was, you know, a really calm space away from all the noise. They checked us in quickly and, sort of, offered us drinks while we waited. The transfer to the main ship was on a smaller tender boat, which was, in a way, our first real taste of the bay. As we got closer, the Sena ship looked very impressive, I mean, with its dark wood and deep red sails. It just looked so right among all the green limestone hills.

Getting onto the main boat was really smooth, you know. The crew was right there to greet us with these huge smiles and, like, some more welcome drinks. As I was saying, the staff’s friendliness was immediately apparent. Our cruise manager, a guy named Tom, gave us a quick but really clear briefing about the boat, the safety rules, and, like, what our two days would look like. It was really professional, yet somehow it felt super friendly, too. It’s almost as if you were being welcomed into someone’s home, not just a floating hotel. You could just tell from the start that the service was going to be a big part of the whole experience.

The Deluxe Balcony Room: A Closer Look

Alright, so we booked the Deluxe Balcony room, and honestly, we were pretty excited to see it. Our room was on the second deck, and when we opened the door, we were, like, seriously happy with our choice. The first thing you notice is the smell of polished wood; it’s just very clean and kind of classic. The room was surprisingly big, with a really comfortable-looking bed and some lovely Vietnamese-style decorations on the walls. It didn’t feel cramped at all, which is something you sometimes worry about on a boat, right? The bathroom was also very modern and clean, with a nice hot shower and, you know, all the little things you might need.

But the best part, obviously, was the balcony. I mean, having your own private outdoor space is just everything. It had two chairs and a little table, and it was pretty much our favorite spot for the whole trip. In the morning, you could just step outside and watch the mist over the bay. And in the evening, sitting out there with a drink, just watching the stars, was, well, pretty much perfect. The view from the bed through the big glass doors was incredible, too. You could just lie there and watch the amazing scenery float by, which is, at the end of the day, an experience that is hard to put into words. That private balcony is definitely worth the small extra cost, in my opinion.

Food and Drink Onboard

Okay, let’s talk about the food, because for me, that’s, like, a huge part of any trip. On Sena, the meals were a mix of buffet style for lunch and a set menu for dinner, which was, in a way, a nice variety. Lunch on the first day was this huge spread with tons of options. There were Vietnamese dishes, like spring rolls and pho, but also, you know, salads and pasta for people who might want something different. We just piled our plates high with all the local food. It was all really fresh and tasty, especially the seafood, which apparently comes from the local fishing villages.

Dinner was a more formal affair, sort of. It was a multi-course set menu served at our table in the dining room. Honestly, each course was beautifully presented, like something you’d get in a really nice restaurant on land. The flavors were just amazing—a really good exploration of Northern Vietnamese cooking. They also had a happy hour special at the bar before dinner, like “buy one, get one free,” which we totally took advantage of. Sipping a cocktail on the sundeck as the sun went down over Lan Ha Bay is, well, a memory I won’t forget. The staff were always making sure your glass was full and you had everything you needed, too.

Activities: Kayaking and Cave Exploration

So, one of the main activities on the first afternoon was kayaking, which is basically a must-do in Lan Ha Bay. The boat anchored in a really quiet lagoon, and the crew helped everyone get into their kayaks. It felt very safe, and the guide gave us clear instructions. Paddling around was just incredible, seriously. The water is this amazing emerald green color, and you’re just surrounded by these massive limestone cliffs. It’s so quiet out there; you can just hear the sound of your paddle in the water and some birds. You know, you can paddle right up close to the cliffs and even go through some small archways. It’s almost like you’re exploring a completely different world.

You’re so close to the water, you just get a completely different point of view on the size and beauty of the karsts. It’s a very personal and peaceful way to see the bay.

The next stop was the Dark and Bright Cave area, which you, like, explore on a bamboo boat rowed by a local. This was really cool, too. We sat back while our rower skillfully guided us through a low cave opening—the “Dark Cave”—which then opened up into this completely enclosed, hidden lagoon, which is the “Bright” part. The lagoon was just so peaceful and beautiful, surrounded by high cliffs covered in trees. We even saw some monkeys climbing around on the cliffs, which was a nice surprise. It was a really authentic and relaxing way to see one of the area’s natural wonders, honestly.

Day Two: Tai Chi, Swimming, and the Trip Back

Waking up on the boat was, you know, kind of special. The second day started early, at about 6:15 AM, with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. To be honest, I’m not really a morning person, but I made myself go, and I’m so glad I did. Doing those slow movements as the sun came up over the calm bay was just an incredibly peaceful way to start the day. Even if you’re not good at it, which I wasn’t, the fresh air and the amazing views are, like, totally worth it. After that, they served a light breakfast with coffee, tea, and pastries to give you some energy for the morning’s activity.

After breakfast, the boat moved to another spot where we had a chance to go for a swim. Jumping off the boat into the cool, clean water of Lan Ha Bay was so refreshing, seriously. It’s just you and the incredible scenery around you. After swimming, it was time to head back to the main boat to pack up our things. While the boat started its slow cruise back to the port, they served a full brunch in the dining room. It was another big buffet, with lots of delicious food to enjoy on our last few hours on the water. It was a really nice, relaxed way to finish the trip, just eating and watching the last of the limestone karsts float by before we arrived back at the pier.

Read our full review: [Sena Cruises Lan Ha Bay 2 Days 1 Night Full Review and Details]
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