Sena Cruises Halong Bay

Sena Cruises provide 16 classic & cozy cabins for your relaxing vacation to Lan Ha Bay. Each room has a private balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows, and modern amenities that help its clients make the most of their overnight experience.

Balcony Deluxe Cabin

• Area: 25m2
• Maximum capacity: 2 adults + 1 kid (under five years old, sharing bed) 
• Number of cabins: 02
• Highlight facilities: Private balcony

These cabins are placed on the first deck, overlooking the peaceful bay with a closer view of the emerald water, best suited for mid-range travelers. A warm tone was picked for designing the cabins with the base of wooden furnishing to create an opulent environment. The cabin also offers twin or double beds along with other standard amenities.

Cozy Balcony Deluxe Suite

Balcony Deluxe Connecting

• Area: 50m2
• Maximum capacity: 4 adults + 1 kid (under five years old, sharing bed) 
• Number of cabins: 02 connecting rooms
• Highlight facilities: Private balcony 

Balcony Deluxe Connecting on the 1st floor is the best choice for a large group or a big family with a moderate price. It brings an excellent mixture of traditional Vietnamese atmosphere and modern furniture selections. The understated elegance and spacious balcony create a scenic atmosphere while complementing the marvelous bay.

Balcony Executive

• Area: 25m2
• Maximum capacity: 2 adults + 1 kid (under five years old, sharing bed) 
• Number of cabins: 08
• Highlight facilities: Enlarged private balcony

These innovative cabins are located on the 2nd deck of the cruise with an enlarged private balcony to grasp the whole of Lan Ha Bay at first glance. This suite is highly recommended for couples and newlyweds due to its intimate and comforting atmosphere.

Gorgeous view from Balcony Executive Suite

Balcony Executive Connecting 

• Area: 50m2
• Maximum capacity: 4 adults + 1 kid (under five years old, sharing bed) 
• Number of cabins: 02 connecting rooms
• Highlight facilities: Enlarged private balcony

Stand out with ample space; Executive Connecting Cabin provides a comfy overnight experience on the 1st floor for a mid-range family. If a home-like service is what you are looking for, check out this cozy cabin at once.

Sena Terrace Suite

• Area: 50m2
• Maximum capacity: 3 adults + 1 kid (under five years old, sharing bed) 
• Number of cabins: 02
• Highlight: Large private terrace, Minibar

Located on the second deck, Terrace Suite is one of this cruise's largest cabins, offering VIP services with a mini bar, a large balcony, and the latest amenities. This cabin class is elegantly built with a stunning 180-degree glass window that brings light into every corner of the room. You can ask for 3 or 1 double and 1 single bed for further requirements.

Luxurious Sena Terrace Suite

This boutique Lan Ha Bay cruise offers modern and comfortable facilities for its customers. There are 2 restaurants, 2 bars, 1 library, and 1 spa room on board.

Moonlight Bar 

An intimate and romantic atmosphere is what you can find at this sparkling bar beside skillful bartenders with unique performances.  

Moonlight Restaurant

This restaurant lies on the top deck, which provides customers with an exceptional view of Halong Bay and serves delicious Vietnamese seafood and international dishes. 

Library

For any avid reader, this floating library may be the most fantastic facility onboard. It is stuffed with various books, magazines, and the latest newspapers.

Lotus Restaurant

Another choice for meals, this French Indochina-themed restaurant can hold up to 40 people, which gives you a comfortable experience.

Spa

After a long day of exciting activities, a massage or body scrub would be amazing, especially with the long-aged Vietnamese point acupuncture technique.

Deck Plan 1

Deck Plan 2

Deck Plan 3

After arriving at Tuan Chau Marina, tourists will transfer to the Sena Cruise in Halong Bay by a tender and meet the crew. Then, this cruise sails into the magnificent Lan Ha Bay for some afternoon swimming and kayaking activities around the Dark & Bright Cave.

The 2-day-1-night ends with exploring the Ao Ech area on the second day, and a shuttle bus will take you back to Hanoi city. On the 3-day-2-night, passengers will have more time to visit Viet Hai fishing village and enjoy an incredible time on the bay. At the end date of the tour, you can ask for a transfer service by tender boat to Cat Ba Island.

• Kayaking & Rowing boat: A well-known activity for travelers to approach hidden caves, passengers can try this at both 2 days and 3 days tours in Dark & Bright cave, Viet Hai village, and Tra Bau area.
• Cooking Demonstration: Challenge your cooking skills by making spring rolls - a famous Vietnamese dish and challenge your hand finesse.
• Squid Fishing: Local activities take place late at night and will amaze you; only worth trying in the squid season from July to August.
• Cycling: Only being offered on the 3 days tour in Viet Hai village, this is an excellent chance to exercise and explore the beauty of Cat Ba.
• Karaoke: After dinner, you can entertain yourself by singing karaoke in the Moonlight restaurant; the staff will open the light and projector.

Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay

You can spend your free time as you like, whether reading a book, playing games, or chatting with new friends. The cruise also offers services such as massage/spa, room cleaning, honeymoon decoration, party set up, and in-room breakfast if you booked in advance.

The overnight packages are provided with fabulous lunches and dinners that serve Vietnamese seafood & International dishes; all are made to the daily standard by dexterous chefs. Lunchtime is from 13.00 - 14.00 daily, while dinner is served from 19.00 - 20.00 daily.

• 2-day-1-night menu: 01 set menu lunch, 01 set menu dinner, 01 light breakfast, 01 buffet brunch
• 3-day-2-night menu: 02 set menu lunch, 02 set menu dinner, 02 light breakfast, 01 buffet brunch

Tasty Dishes

If you have any special requests regarding the meals like diet or vegetarian, you must inform the cruise team before onboarding. 

As for beverages, complimentary 02 bottles of water and tea ceremony are included; other drinks will be served at the bar or as room services and be charged as such.

Private transport services are available for booking. Or you can book the cruise’s shuttle buses that will pick up guests from their hotels around Hanoi Old Quarter to Tuan Chau harbor at 8.00 and drive you back at 11.30 - 12.00 on the last day. 

On your own: Passengers who travel by themselves from Hanoi must show up at Lounge 25, Tuan Chau Harbor before 11.30 for check-in procedures before transferring to the cruise at 12.00. Then, you will be transported to the cruise by tender boat.

BestPrice's Overall Rating: 9.3/10

• Inspection date: November 2022
• Cruise: Sena Cruises
• BestPrice Travel inspector: Huan Nguyen

After an inspection trip lasting 2 days, Sena Cruises was suitable for mid-range travelers who want an overnight trip in Lan Ha Bay. Despite some flaws in the facility and itinerary aspect, the crew still offers excellent service, great cabin quality, beautiful décor, and exciting activities.

Facilities & Amenities - BestPrice's Rating: 8.7/10

As the boat was only launched in 2019, everything is still new and modern, and most facilities were in excellent condition. The cabin was well-equipped with a great layout. However, as a 4-star cruise, there are some disadvantages.

Pros

• Modern but traditional-styled design with warm tone decor and wooden base furniture create a cozy but delicate ambiance.
• Spacious cabins with the smallest size of up to 25m2. All rooms have a private balcony, a large bathroom, and floor-to-ceiling windows, which make the cabins bright and airy.

A considerable area in the bathroom

• Despite being a 4-star, the cruise has 2 restaurants, 2 bars, a library, and a spa area with different designs, providing its customer with more selection.

Cons

• Deluxe Balcony cabins have tiny terraces and only fit 2 chairs and 1 table.
• There are only standing showers, no cabins have bathtubs, and the shower doesn't drain well.
• Doesn't have a pool or jacuzzi.

Foods & Drinks - BestPrice's Rating: 8.5/10

Sena Cruises doesn't excel in its food & beverage aspect, the menu includes a wide range of Vietnamese and European foods, but nothing was outstanding, except for the seafood. The drinks are also average and a bit pricey.

Pros

• Lots of international food may satisfy people who want to try cuisine worldwide.
• Especially great seafood and fresh ingredients from locals.
• Have a different vegetarian menu that can be changed as the customer request.

Set menu and Vegetarian menu on board

Cons

• The cruise didn't have any unique dishes; almost everything was average.
• There is nothing impressive about the drink, and the price was slightly high.

Activity & Itinerary - BestPrice's Rating: 9.0/10

Overall, the activities in the Sena Cruises were quite amusing. There are many things to do, but this is also the downside since it can quickly tire people. The 3 days tour will suit anyone who wants a less hectic schedule.

Pros

• Spectacular kayaking trip to Dark & Bright Cave - a strangely structured cave that can surprise you with its structure.
• Joyful cooking class, trying to make authentic Vietnamese Spring Rolls - an exciting activity with a hilarious instructor.
• Have fun with karaoke singing, a great way to reduce your stress in the evening.
• Swimming in the clean emerald water right in the middle of the ocean in the Ao Ech Area.
• Enjoyable early Tai-chi session with breathtaking sunrise in Lan Ha and cool breeze, a fantastic way to exercise and enjoy the bay view.

Amusing activities

Cons

• Packed schedule for a 2 days trip may not be suitable for older people.
• The 2d1n tour doesn't explore Lan Ha Bay much.
• Winter isn't a squid season, so night squid fishing is disappointing.

Service - BestPrice's rating: 9.8/10

• The service on the Sena Cruises is exceptional, with outstanding staff ranging from the cruise manager to the regular crew. There is nothing to criticize about how this ship provides services to its passengers. Everyone here is charming, cautious, and eager.
• The tour guide is attentive and knowledgeable, but most employees here, particularly the manager, are also highly informed about Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. The crew is always open for themed party/ceremony requests, and customers can contact the manager if they want something special for the trip.
• This cruise also participated in Sustainable Travel, which is the highlight. They are holding environment protection programs with its community of guests, partners, and staff. Its "Say NO to plastic" campaign is incorporated with every cruise by gifting tourists glass water bottles to encourage them to reduce plastic waste and aim for sustainable development. 

Sena Cruise Review on TripAdvisor

• Number of reviews: 196
• Excellent: 183/196 reviews

Compared to other cruises, this mid-range vessel seems to have fewer reviews. This is understandable because the cruise was launched in 2019, right before the Covid breakout.

Generally, Sena Cruises on TripAdvisor is praised for its excellent services, with many compliments on the guide, cruise staff, boutique design, and comfortable cabin.

However, it seems like a small number of customers that didn't satisfy with this cruise. Their complaints were mainly about the average food, the bathroom's odor, or the rushed schedule on the 2 days tour.

Overall, Sena Cruises has a good ratio of excellent reviews, up to 93%, with the only exception of 4 negative reviews, which is quite a small number.