Party energy meets limestone scenery. Oasis Bay Cruise runs on the large Genz vessel, with modern touches and plenty of group sports like kayaking and water trampolining in Halong Bay.

I like that you get both active time and downtime, thanks to included outdoor jacuzzi access and hands-on water play like kayaking. I also appreciate the way meals and activities are built around easy pacing, with lunch and dinner on board plus an English-speaking guide to keep things clear.

The one drawback to consider is the overall vibe. This is not a quiet, sit-and-stare cruise: expect games, a live DJ party, and late-night entertainment, and drinks are extra (often $5–10).

Key things I’d bank on before you go

• The large Genz ship feel: newer cruise setup on one of the bigger vessels in Halong Bay
• Active water time is real: kayaking and water trampolining are part of the day, not just optional extras
• Jacuzzi breaks: you can wind down in outdoor hot tubs with a view
• Cat Ba night has momentum: dinner followed by team dance moments, a live DJ party, and games
• Early start on Day 2: a dawn wake-up with breakfast so you can catch the morning
• Money check: drinks and some holiday timing can add cost

Entering Halong Bay on the Genz ship, not a tiny boat

Oasis Bay Cruise offers a two-day loop that’s designed to feel more like a floating “base camp” than a quick boat ride. You’re on the Genz Cruise, described as one of the larger vessels in Halong Bay, and it launched in September 2017. That matters because larger ships generally mean more room to spread out between activities like water time, lounging, and meals.

The big appeal here is the mix of scenery and doing things. Halong Bay can look stunning even from deck level, but this itinerary builds in structured play: kayaking, water trampolining, swimming, boat jumping, beach volleyball, and football. If you’re traveling with friends (or you just like meeting people), that kind of schedule keeps the cruise from turning into a long stretch of “wait and watch.”

One more point I value: the cabin setup is clearly part of the package. You get a full furnished luxury en-suite cabin with A/C and hot water, plus complimentary mineral water in the cabin. That means you can actually refresh between activities instead of feeling like you’re just sleeping in a seat.

Hanoi pickup to Tuan Chau: smoother than DIY

You’ll start from Hanoi’s Old Quarter area, with pickup offered around 08:15–08:45. The start time is listed at 8:30 am, which lines up well with how most Halong Bay tours work. The benefit of being picked up is simple: you don’t need to coordinate your own transport to the harbor, and you avoid that awkward scramble of finding the right meeting point.

After pickup, the day builds toward Tuan Chau Island. You arrive at Tuan Chau Harbour around 11:00–11:30, then check in and get your welcome drink. There’s time to settle before you eat, which helps when you’re traveling from Hanoi the same morning.

Why this matters for value: a lot of Halong Bay time gets wasted when transport is messy or delayed. Here, the schedule is tight enough that you spend more of Day 1 moving toward the bay instead of stuck on the road.

Tuan Chau Island lunch and check-in: the easy first hour

Once you reach Tuan Chau Island, check-in is timed for midday. You get a welcome drink, then lunch runs from 12:30–13:30 on the cruise dining area.

This first stretch is also your “get organized” window:

• you can find your cabin and settle your essentials
• you can get a feel for the ship layout before the active afternoon
• you can eat before water time, which is practical if you don’t want to feel off-balance later

You’ll likely notice that the cruise keeps things social right away. Even if you plan to mostly lounge, the ship’s vibe encourages people to move together—especially around check-in, meals, and the first big activity block.

Halong Bay afternoon: kayaking, trampolines, and jacuzzi time

Your main Halong Bay window is 14:00–16:00, with exploring by kayak. The itinerary also mentions enjoying the beach and having fun on trampolines with your friends. This is one of the best parts of the package because it turns Halong Bay into more than a photo stop.

Here’s how I’d think about it:

• Kayaking is slow enough to notice details, but active enough to feel like you did something
• Water trampolining adds a playful, low-commitment thrill (more fun than it sounds on paper)
• Beach time gives you a break from being inside the cruise routine

Then you shift into downtime from 16:00–18:30, with relaxing in outdoor jacuzzis arranged around the cruise. That’s a smart design because it balances the adrenaline with a true decompression block. If your legs feel tired from water sports, this is exactly the kind of built-in recovery that makes a two-day tour feel worth it.

Also, the cruise is set up for group energy. Based on what people say about the atmosphere, music and activity are part of the experience flow rather than an optional add-on.

Cat Ba dinner and the live DJ night

After your Halong Bay afternoon, you head to Cat Ba Island for dinner on board. Dinner is scheduled for 19:00–20:00, and then the fun continues.

From 20:30–23:00, you’ll have night-life activities including:

• the cruise team dance performance
• a live DJ party
• games and other onboard entertainment

This is where the tour earns its reputation as a social cruise. If you’re the type who gets bored watching scenery for hours, this plan helps. If you’d rather sleep early and keep things calm, it could feel like too much.

There’s also included equipment for squid fishing listed in the package. The tour details don’t spell out exactly when it happens, but it’s offered as part of the included experience—so you’ll want to ask your English-speaking guide where it fits on your sailing schedule.

Day 2 Cat Ba dawn: when the bay turns quiet

Day 2 starts with a wake-up call: 06:30 rise and shine. The point is clear—you don’t want to miss the Halong dawn.

A light breakfast is served on board from 06:45–09:00. Even if you’re not a sunrise person, I like this approach because it uses morning light when the bay is at its best for atmosphere and photos.

The practical advantage: you’re not rushing out the door after a full party night. You’re eased into Day 2 with breakfast first, then you move into checkout and the final meal.

Late morning checkout and lunch on board

Around 09:30–10:00, you pack up and prepare to check out. Then there’s a line in the schedule that matters for your budget: you’ll settle your drinking bills at the main bar in the dining room.

That’s your reminder that while lots of the core inclusions are covered, drinks are not. If you plan to have cocktails, beer, or other extras, keep your spending in mind. It’s better to do it mentally as you go rather than face a surprise bill later.

Lunch is served after that, from 10:15–11:30. Once lunch wraps up, you get ready to disembark at 12:00, and a shuttle bus picks you up from the waiting lounge.

Getting back to Hanoi and wrapping up around mid-afternoon

Disembarkation is 12:00, and the shuttle is arranged back to the Old Quarter Hanoi area. The tour ends around 15:00–15:30.

For most people, this is a big part of why the cruise model works. You don’t have to figure out your own logistics for the return, and you still get part of your afternoon back in Hanoi.

Also, the maximum group size listed is 68 travelers. That’s large enough for energy, but small enough that you’re not usually lost in a crowd of hundreds. It helps keep the social vibe without feeling chaotic.

Price and value: what $228 really covers

At $228 per person for a roughly 2-day cruise, you’re paying for several things at once: transport within the Old Quarter area, a structured itinerary, meals, and a bundle of included activities.

Here’s what’s included that makes the price easier to justify:

• Breakfast and dinner plus two lunches
• A welcome drink
• Complimentary morning tea and coffee
• Sunset party with fresh fruits and happy hour
• Kayaking plus outdoor jacuzzi access
• Entrance and sightseeing fees
• English-speaking guide
• Round-trip shuttle bus (within Hanoi Old Quarter area)
• An A/C, en-suite cabin with hot water
• Live DJ on board

What is not included (and can change your final total):

• Beverages (listed as $5–10)
• Public holiday surcharge (+$20)
• Personal expenses

So the value question is really about your drinking and how much you’ll use the water activities. If you plan to stick mostly to the included drinks (tea, coffee, welcome drinks, and the happy hour portion), the $228 covers a lot. If you’re a heavy drinker, your final cost will climb.

My practical take: this cruise is best when you’ll actually use what’s included—kayak time, trampoline time, jacuzzi downtime, and the onboard entertainment. If you’re hoping for a mostly quiet cruise, you may find you paid for parts of the program you won’t enjoy.

Who this cruise suits best (and who should think twice)

This is a strong fit for:

• people who want scenic Halong Bay plus active fun
• groups of friends who enjoy music and planned activities
• solo travelers who like the sense of structure and staff attention (the ship setup and social programming seem to help people feel included)
• anyone who wants comfort: A/C, hot water, and a real cabin matter on a two-day trip

It’s less ideal if:

• you want a silent, book-in-hand experience
• late-night entertainment sounds like a negative
• you don’t plan to participate in the included water activities (kayaking and trampolining especially)

The reason is simple: the itinerary is built around movement and nightlife. You’re paying for that energy, not just for views.

Practical tips that make the schedule easier

A few things I’d do to make this tour run smoothly:

Bring swim-ready clothes and expect wet time. The schedule includes kayaking and trampolines, and you’ll likely spend time near the water.

Plan for sun and hydration. Even with mineral water in the cabin included, you’ll want to drink as you move between deck time, water activities, and lounging.

Budget for drinks early. Since beverages are extra, it helps to decide whether you’re doing one round of drinks or several. Then the “settle your drinking bills” moment won’t feel stressful.

If you’re sensitive to noise, consider timing. The live DJ and night games are clearly part of the experience. Don’t count on an early quiet sleep.

Finally, pack with a two-day mindset. You’ll sleep on the ship, then check out mid-day on Day 2, so you want essentials ready for cabin life and for water activities.

Should you book Oasis Bay Cruise to Halong Bay?

I’d book this cruise if you want Halong Bay with built-in fun: kayaking, water trampolining, outdoor jacuzzi time, and a night program that includes live DJ music. The $228 price makes sense when you’ll use the inclusions—meals, guided sightseeing time, cabin comfort, and the activity package.

Skip it or choose a calmer style of cruise if you’re traveling for quiet and downtime only. This itinerary is designed for motion and social energy, and the party side is not an optional extra.

If you’re on the fence, lean into the question: do you want scenery plus activities on a schedule, or do you prefer long stretches of quiet cruising? Oasis Bay Cruise is clearly the first option.

FAQ

What’s included in the two-day Oasis Bay Cruise?

You get breakfast, dinner, and two lunches, plus a welcome drink, complimentary morning tea and coffee, a sunset party with fresh fruits and happy hour, and entrance and sightseeing fees. Activities included in the package cover kayaking and outdoor jacuzzi time, and the live DJ is included. Your en-suite cabin with A/C and hot water is also part of the offer.

Do I get pickup from Hanoi?

Yes. Pickup is offered from Hanoi’s Old Quarter area, with pickup scheduled around 08:15–08:45.

Is kayaking included, or is it optional?

Kayaking is included in the experience.

Are the jacuzzi and water activities included?

Outdoor jacuzzi access is included, along with water activities such as kayaking and water trampolining. The tour also highlights other sports like swimming, beach volleyball, and football.

Where do I eat during the cruise?

Meals are provided on board. Lunch is served on Day 1 and Day 2, and dinner is served on Day 1, with breakfast on Day 2.

Do I need to pay extra for drinks?

Yes. Beverages are not included and are listed as $5–10. You’ll also settle drinking bills at the main bar as part of checkout.

What’s the group size like?

The tour lists a maximum of 68 travelers.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.