Sena Cruises Halong Bay

Newly launched in 2019 and managed by Swan Team, Sena Cruises - The Lotus of Asia is a traditional Vietnamese boat mixed with French boutique design. On its way to becoming the leading mid-range cruise, Sena has been acknowledged by passengers for its all-inclusive and authentic cultural experience. “Sena”, as the symbol of feminine’s beauty and minds, is anticipated to bring you the experience of heaven on earth through its overnight cruise exploring the beauty of Lan Ha Bay.

Cabin and Suites

Sena cruises provide 16 classic & cozy cabins for your totally relaxing vacation on this trip in Lan Ha Bay. Each room is equipped with 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 5 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. A warm tone was picked for designing the cabins with the base of wooden furnishing to create an opulent environment. The class 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 5 years old, sharing bed) 
• Number of cabins: 02 connecting rooms
• Highlight facilities: Private balcony 

Balcony Deluxe Connecting on the 1st floor offers two connecting bedrooms, a better choice for a large group or a big family with its moderate price. It brings an excellent mixture of traditional Vietnamese atmosphere and modern furniture selections. The sense of 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 5 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 Lan Ha Bay at your first glance on board. 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 5 years old, sharing bed) 
• Number of cabins: 02 connecting rooms
• Highlight facilities: Enlarged private balcony

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

Sena Terrace Suite

• Area: 50m2
• Maximum capacity: 3 adults + 1 kid (under 5 years old, sharing bed) 
• Number of cabins: 02
• Highlight: Large private terrace, Minibar

Located on the second deck, Terrence Suite is one of the largest cabins of this mid-range cruise to offer VIP services with a mini bar, 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 single beds or 1 double and 1 single bed for further requirements.

Luxurious Sena Terrace Suite

Deck Plans

“Beyond a cruising journey” is a quote of Sena defining its high-end vessel as a luxury cozy boutique cruise. Built with a steel structure in the traditional Vietnamese style, the boat is 59 meters long, 9.7 meters wide, and 4.7 meters high, maximum capability of 34 passengers.

It is divided into 03 main decks: Deck 1, Deck 2, and the Sundeck. 

• The first deck: Included 4 connecting & 2 deluxe cabins; a reception area then followed by the Lotus Restaurant & Bar.
• The second deck: This floor has a library in the middle and a resting area at the front of the vessel. Other areas cover 10 exquisite cabins with 8 Executive & 2 Sena Terrace Suite
• The top deck: The front part of this deck is used mostly for sunbathing, the other part included the Moonlight restaurant, a bar, and a spa.

Deck Plan 1

Deck Plan 2

Deck Plan 3

Highlight Services and Facilities

• 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 and serves delicious Vietnamese seafood and international dishes. 

Bright Moonlight Restaurant

• Library: For any avid reader, this floating library may be the most amazing facility onboard. It is stuffed with a wide variety of 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 full of exciting activities, having a massage or body scrub would be amazing, especially with the long-aged Vietnamese point acupuncture technique.
• Meeting, Conference, Themed party: These events are always open for request, you can contact the cruise beforehand for the staff to set up as you wish.

Lotus Restaurant

Food & Drinks

The overnight packages are provided with fabulous lunches and dinners that served 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

Delicious Dishes

If you have any special requests regarding the meals like diet or vegetarian, you will have to 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.

Itinerary and Highlight Activities

After arriving at Tuan Chau Marina, tourists will transfer to the cruise by a tender and meet the cruise’s team. Then, this mid-range cruise sails into the magnificent Lan Ha Bay for some swimming and kayaking activities around the Dark & Bright Cave in the afternoon.

Sena Cruise Map

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 with Sena.

• 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 at late 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 for you.

Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay

Transport from Hanoi

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

• On your own: Passengers who travel by themselves from Hanoi will need to show up at Tuan Chau Harbor before 11.30 for check-in procedures before transferring to the cruise at 12.00.

Sena Cruises on TripAdvisor

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

Compared to other cruises, Sena 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 usually praised for its excellent services with many compliments on the guide, cruise staff, the boutique design and the comfortable cabin.

However, seem like there was a little number of customers that didn’t satisfy with this cruise, their complaints were mainly about the average food, the bathroom doesn’t have a good 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 a quite small number.

BestPrice's Reviews

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

After an inspection trip that lasted for 2 days, Sena Cruises was definitely suitable for any mid-range travelers that want an overnight trip in Halong Bay. Despite some flaws in the facility and itinerary aspect, the crew still offers great service, great cabin quality, beautiful décor and interesting activities.

Facilities & Amenities

BestPrice’s Rating: 8.5/10

As the boat was only launched in 2019, everything is still new and modern, most of the facilities were in great 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 that create a cozy but very delicate ambiance.
• Spacious cabins with the smallest size up to 25m2. All rooms have a private balcony, a large bathroom and floor-to-ceiling windows, which make the cabins bright and airy.

Huge 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 very small terraces, only fit 2 chairs and 1 table.
• There are only standing showers, no cabins have bathtubs, the shower doesn’t drain well.
• Doesn’t have a pool or jacuzzi.

Foods & Drinks

BestPrice’s Rating: 8.1/10

Sena Cruises doesn’t excel in its food & beverage aspect, the menu includes a wide range of foods from Vietnamese, Europian 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 from around the world.
• Especially great seafood, fresh ingredients from local.
• Have a different vegetarian menu that can be changed as the customer request.

Set menu and Vegetarian menu on board

Cons

• The cruise doesn’t have any special dish, almost everything was average.
• There is nothing impressive about the drink and the price was a little bit high.

Activity & Itinerary

BestPrice’s Rating: 8.9/10

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 make people tired easily. The 3 days tour will be more suitable for 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, an amazing way to exercise and enjoy the bay view.

Amusing activities

Cons

• Packed schedule for a 2 days trip, may not be suitable for old people.
• 2d1n tour doesn’t explore the bay much.
• Winter isn’t a squid season so night squid fishing is disappointing.

Service

BestPrice’s rating: 9.7/10

• 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 the way this ship provides services to its passengers. Everyone here is extremely pleasant, cautious, and eager. The tour guide is attentive and knowledgeable, but most of the employees here, particularly the manager, are also extremely informed about Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. The crew is always open for themed party/ceremony requests, customers can contact the manager if they want something special for the trip.
• This mid-range 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.