Swan Cruises Halong Bay

Swan Cruise has two main decks and 01 sundeck with a capacity of 40 people:

The 1st deck includes a kitchen, 02 Suite Triple Cabins, and 08 Deluxe Cabins. 04 Deluxe cabins can be connected to create a larger area for families or groups. 

The 2nd deck has a restaurant, the remaining 02 Suite Triple, 03 Suite Double/Twin cabins, and 02 Suite Balcony Cabins at the ship's rear.

Overall, the 02 Suites Balcony (28m2) and 04 Suites Triple (22m2) are the only cabins that have jacuzzi bathtubs and are larger than the 03 Suites Double/Twin (18m2). 

Deck 1 & Deck 2

The sundeck boasts the 01 Suite Balcony left and an airy sundeck with many sun loungers and set tables for guests to tanning and relax.

The Sundeck

Despite being a budget cruise, Swan Cruise still provides nice and standard facilities for the guests, including:

Restaurant

Let’s enjoy a wonderful meal in a minimalistic and chic setting with wooden interiors. Stay on the 2nd deck, with a capacity of 40 people, Swan will take you on a flavorful cuisine journey. 

Spacious Restaurant and Bar Onboard

Bar

The bar is right next to the dining room so that passengers can easily choose various kinds of drinks to enjoy: Wine, cocktails, mocktails, smoothies, juices, etc.

Sundeck

The top deck is equipped with sun chairs and tea tables to facilitate tourists' trips while enjoying the magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay. The area is pretty decorated with green grass, paintings on the wall, and colorful flags.

On Swan Cruise, passengers can visit Cap La Island & Thien Canh Son Cave in Bai Tu Long Bay on the 2D1N tour. For the 3D2N tour, you will spend the extra 2nd day in Vung Vieng Village & Cong Dam. 

Here are some exciting activities during the trip that you can take part in:

Swimming & kayaking in Cap La

In the afternoon of the first day, you’ll have 1.5 hours to chill out in the emerald water and immerse yourself in the tranquil area of Cap La. Let’s sail through the imposing Karst mountains and see the breathtaking nature.

Amusing Kayaking activity

Visit Vung Vieng fishing village 

Only available on the 3D2N tour. On the morning of the 2nd day, let’s have an engaging trip to the charming Vung Vieng Village on a rowing boat or by kayak. Here, you can learn about fishermen’s daily life and their culture.

Have a trip to Thien Canh Son Cave

On the last day, guests can visit the well-hidden Thien Can Son Cave. This place is one of the best spots to witness the gorgeous stalactites and stalagmites in Bai Tu Long Bay.

Stunning view inside Thien Canh Son Cave

When booking with Swan, all of your meals onboard are included in Vietnamese and International cuisine.

The usual time for breakfast is 7:00, lunch is 13:00, and dinner is 19:00.

Drinks

Two mineral water bottles and fresh fruit will also be provided for free in each cabin. Other beverages will be charged separately at the end of your journey.

• Alcohol: From US $35 bottle & US $6 shot
• Non-alcohol: From US $2 item

The Drink Menu

NOTE: The price is objected to change in the future.

You can choose a shuttle bus or a private car (extra fee needed) to travel to Halong Bay by booking with BestPrice Travel. The car is modern and is equipped with comfortable seats, air-con, free water, etc.

Transport from Hanoi

If you book the transfer service, a driver will pick you up in the Hanoi Old Quarter at around 8:00 - 8:30 and get you to Halong International Harbor.

From Cruise Port

Tourists who self-transfer to Halong Bay must arrive before 11:30 to check in at the Swan cruise lounge and take a tender boat to the cruise.

BestPrice's Overall Rating: 9.2/10

• Inspection date: October 2023
• BestPrice Travel inspector: Mr. Huan Nguyen

After a 2d1n inspection tour on Swan Cruises, it is pretty easy to tell that the trip is one of the most suitable cruises for budget travelers who want to visit a less touristy area. With the routes in Bai Tu Long and the not-so-packed schedule, Swan will satisfy customers who want a peaceful experience.

Facilities & Amenities: 9.1/10

Swan Cruises seems well-maintained, the boat was launched in 2017, but the facilities are in excellent condition. The cabin was well-equipped with a classic wooden design. However, since this was a 3-star cruise, few recreation areas exist.

Pros

• Well-thought design, the cruise's decoration was cohesive, with wooden-based furniture and a warm palette that created a cozy and elegant vibe. 
• Spacious restaurant, the dining area is vast, airy, and can hold up to 40 people.
• Beautiful sundeck with artificial grass, many sunbeds, and gorgeous painting on the wall.

Beautiful Sundeck 

Cons

• Don’t have many areas for entertainment.
• Deluxe cabins and Suite cabins don't have a balcony.
• The cabin size is not big enough if guests bring more than 1 luggage.

Foods & Drinks: 8.9/10

The food & drinks on Swan Cruises are up to its 3-star standard. However, there is something that can be improved.

Pros

• A significant quantity of food. There are 8-9 dishes for two people.
• Delicious seafood, the ingredients feel very fresh, and the dishes are cooked well.
• Most of the meals are set menu, so everyone can have the same quantity, unlike buffet.

The varied Set menu on board 

Cons

• The food quality was average. Only seafood and Vietnamese food are great.
• The vegetarian menu was a bit limited.
• Overpriced drinks are in the range of $7 for spirits, and $1.5 for bottled water.

Activity & Itinerary: 9.0/10

Overall, the schedule of Swan Cruises for its 2d1n itinerary is pretty relaxing, with the two main activities being kayaking on Cap La Island and visiting Thien Canh Son. It is no doubt suitable for travelers who want a peaceful holiday.

Pros

• Quieter and less tourist route in Bai Tu Long Bay helps you enjoy the spectacular bay.
• Swimming and kayaking in the emerald water of Cap La Island is great to unwind.
• There are many 30 - 60 minute breaks in the itinerary where you can relax.

Create Wonderful Experiences

Cons

• If you are active and want something lively, this schedule may be a bit boring.
• There are not many things to do at night.

Service: 10/10

The service on Swan Cruises is excellent; all the staff is well-trained. There is nothing to fault with the services on this budget ship.

Pros

• Most of the crew is knowledgeable about Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. 
• Everyone is friendly, cautious, and attentive.
• The crew is always open to themed party/ceremony requests.

Swan Cruise's review on Tripadvisor

• Number of reviews: 5.715
• Excellent: 5.193/ 5.715

Among the budget cruises in Halong, Swan is adored by its worldwide passengers, with many reviews, and almost 97 % of them giving positive reviews.

Generally, Swan Cruises on TripAdvisor is praised for its fantastic service, with many positive reviews about the amazing sceneries, great food, kind staff, and great guide.

It seems like the cruise has received good responses continuously from its customers. However, there are some complaints about the average food and scams, some people may book from unofficial sites. So be careful!