Ha Long Bay with Kids: Choosing a Family Cruise
Which Ha Long Bay cruise suits a family: kids' clubs, pools, family suites and the child policy of each ship, plus tips for cruising with young children.
By AmGo Travel5 min read
Ha Long Bay is a great family trip: boats, caves, kayaks and beaches keep children busy, and the scenery works on adults too. The hard part is choosing a cruise, because ships differ a lot in what they offer families and in how they charge for children. This guide compares the family features and child policies of the cruises we sell, so you can pick the right one for your children's ages. It comes from the AmGo Travel team in Hanoi's Old Quarter, who book Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay cruises every day.
Day cruise or overnight with children?
Day cruises run as a long day from Hanoi: pick-up around 8:00, about 3 hours each way by expressway, and back at your hotel around 21:00. That suits older children who sleep well in a bus.
Overnight cruises spread the drive over two days and give children an afternoon, an evening and a morning on the water. For families with young children, the slower pace is usually easier. Our guide Is an Overnight Ha Long Bay Cruise Worth It? compares the two in detail, and the Ha Long Bay day trip guide covers the one-day option.
Ships with family features
Some ships are clearly built with children in mind:
- Grand Pioneers: a 110-metre superyacht for up to 160 guests with a kids' club, a cinema and a family entertainment room, plus a four-season pool. The route includes Sung Sot Cave and Luon Cave by kayak or bamboo boat.
- Dora Cruise: a six-deck ship with 43 suites, a pool, mini golf and a kids' playground on board. Swim or kayak at Ba Trai Dao beach, and visit Viet Hai village by bicycle or electric car.
- La Regina Grand: 27 suites in 1930s Indochina style, with a family duplex suite and a children's play room. A bamboo boat through the Dark & Bright Cave in Lan Ha Bay and a swim or kayak at Tra Bau.
- La Casta Regal: 24 suites, all with a balcony, and connecting suites for families.
- Dragonbay Premium: a Connecting Suite for up to 6, so families and groups can stay together.
- Aqua of the Seas: a 5-star ship with an outdoor pool, a family room option and transfers from Hanoi included.
How cruises charge for children
Every ship has its own child policy, and the details matter more than the star rating when you travel with small children. Here is what the cruise pages on our site say:
- Aqua of the Seas and Aqua Elegance: under 5 free sharing a bed with parents; 5–8 pay 75% in a family room; from 9, the adult price in a triple room.
- Amanda Luxury: under 5 free sharing a room with two adults; a second child pays 85%.
- Athena Luxury and Athena Royal: one child under 5 sharing a bed free; one child 5–10 sharing a bed pays 75%.
- Arcady Boutique: under 5 free sharing with two adults; 5–11 pay 75%; two children should book a family cabin.
- Velar of the Seas: under 6 free sharing with parents (one per cabin); 6–9 pay 75%.
- Verdure Lotus: 0–5 free sharing a room; 6–11 pay 50% (family room with a double and a single bed).
- Rita: under 4 free sharing the parents' bed (one per cabin); older children charged by age.
- Fantasea: under 5 free; from 5, the adult price.
On most day cruises from Hanoi, children 1–4 travel free sharing a seat with their parents, and children 5–8 pay 75% for the first child.
Rules change from ship to ship, so tell us your children's ages when you ask for a quote, and we confirm the exact policy for your date.
Tips for a cruise with children
- Bring documents. Ships ask for passports or ID at check-in; Dragonbay Premium also asks for a birth certificate for children.
- Ask about meals. Tell us about allergies or special meals when you book. On some ships (Calypso, Starlight), meals for children under 6 are not included, so ask how they are charged.
- Weather decides activities. Kayaking, swimming and the route can change with the weather and the bay authority's rules.
- Choose a family cabin early. Family rooms, duplex and connecting suites are limited, so book them first.
- Pack swimwear, a hat and sunscreen for beach stops, plus a light layer for the evening on deck.
Which cruise suits your family?
- Young children who need entertainment: Grand Pioneers (kids' club, cinema) or Dora (playground, mini golf, pool).
- A large family in one space: Dragonbay Premium's Connecting Suite for up to 6, or La Regina Grand's family duplex.
- Simple logistics: Aqua of the Seas, with transfers from Hanoi included and a family room.
- Swimming and kayaking stops: a Lan Ha Bay route such as La Regina Grand or Aqua of the Seas, with Tra Bau for kayaking and swimming.
Family cruises with AmGo Travel
See every cruise on the Ha Long Bay destination page.
FAQ
Is Ha Long Bay good for kids? Yes. Caves, kayaking, beaches and life on a boat keep most children busy, and several ships have pools, play areas or a kids' club.
Do young children cruise for free? On many ships, yes: commonly under 5 sharing a bed with their parents, though the age and the number of free children per cabin vary by ship.
Which Ha Long Bay cruise has a kids' club? Grand Pioneers has a kids' club, a cinema and a family entertainment room. Dora has a kids' playground and La Regina Grand a children's play room.
Can a family of five share a cabin? Dragonbay Premium has a Connecting Suite for up to 6. On other ships, ask us about family rooms or connecting cabins.
Where can I book a family Ha Long Bay cruise? With AmGo Travel, a Vietnamese team of trip planners and guides with an office at 61 Hang Ga, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. Book at amgotravel.com or on WhatsApp.
Tell AmGo Travel your dates and your children's ages, and we will suggest the family cruise that fits.
