Aspira Cruise is sold as a Halong Bay cruise, but its sightseeing is in Lan Ha: the afternoon stop is the Dark and Bright caves and the morning activity is in Lan Ha waters, after a check-in at Tuan Chau in Ha Long. The verdict: a solid upper-mid-range choice if you want a balcony guaranteed, best bought on Klook, where the price is lower and the terms are clearer than direct.
Our scores
- Route
- 4/5Dark and Bright caves and Lan Ha waters; boards in Ha Long
- Cabins
- 4.5/522 suites, all with balcony or terrace, 32–55 m²
- Value
- 4/5from $146 on Klook; direct adds VAT and transfer
- Transparency
- 3.5/5detailed itinerary, but no published cancellation or child policy
- Booking flexibility
- 3.5/5depends on the platform's terms
Pros
- Balcony or sun terrace in every suite
- Jacuzzi pool, spa, gym and a panoramic bar
- Clear Lan Ha itinerary published hour by hour
- 4.9 on Klook from 824 reviews, 6,000+ booked
Cons
- Direct price excludes VAT and the Hanoi transfer
- No cancellation or child policy on the official site
- Launch year and hull not confirmed by the operator
- Kayaking on the itinerary is under an official suspension
The ship and suites
Aspira's official deck plan lists 22 suites:
| Suite | Count | Size | Outdoor space |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Suite | 10 | about 32 m² | private balcony |
| Senior Suite | 8 | about 32 m² | private balcony |
| Executive Suite | 2 | 55 m² | sun terrace |
| Presidential (Moon) Suite | 2 | 55 m² | sun terrace |
The About page splits them slightly differently (11 Junior, 2 Executive, 8 Senior, 1 President), but the total is 22 either way. Junior Suites come as double, twin or triple. On board there is a wine cellar, a spa, a dining room, a panoramic bar, a gym, and a sundeck with a Jacuzzi pool.
The site calls Aspira a "5 stars cruise". In Vietnam, star ratings for cruise ships are voluntary and no Lan Ha ship has a confirmed official 4- or 5-star decision, so read it as marketing. Agencies give 2020 as the launch year; the operator does not. Ask about hull material and year built before booking, as you would for any ship.
Sister ship. Aspira shares its Hanoi office, hotline, Tuan Chau lounge (Lot 38) and even its itinerary wording with Azura, a newer 30-cabin ship launched in December 2025. Treat them as two ships of one operator.
The route: Lan Ha Bay from Tuan Chau
Aspira boards at Lot 38, Tuan Chau Marina, in Ha Long. A tender takes you to the ship, lunch is served while it sails south, and the afternoon is spent at the Dark and Bright caves (hang Sáng – hang Tối) in Lan Ha. The morning activity on day 2 is also in Lan Ha. The longer trips add a 3D2N "Ha Long – Lan Ha – Cat Ba" version, a 3D2N with Ninh Binh, and a 3D2N with a night in a five-star Hanoi hotel. Check which one you are buying: a "3-day" trip with Ninh Binh or a hotel night is one night on the ship, not two.
A day aboard: Aspira 2 days 1 night itinerary
Hanoi pickuponly if you booked the transfer
Arrive at Tuan Chau, tender to the ship11:30–12:00
Check-in, lunch while sailing to Lan Ha
Dark and Bright caves by bamboo boat (or kayak where allowed), swimuntil 15:30
Sunset teabuy two drinks, get one free
Cooking class
Dinner, overnight at anchor
Squid fishing or a movie
Day 2: tai chi
Morning activity in Lan Halisted as kayaking, 07:30–08:30
Disembark at Lot 38, Tuan Chaubrunch while sailing back; Hanoi about 15:00
Aspira Cruise price: direct vs Klook vs Trip.com
The official 2D1N page shows "180 $ / slot", without saying whether that is per person or per cabin. It includes a welcome drink, sightseeing fees, a Junior Suite on twin share, an English-speaking guide, all meals, sunset tea, the listed activities, and wine in the President Suite. It excludes Hanoi transfers, spa, other drinks, tips and VAT. Add those before you compare it with a platform price.
| Platform | Listing | Rating | Price | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klook | 2D1N Halong & Lan Ha Bay Cruise Tour by Aspira Cruise · 2D1N | 4.9 (824) | $146 Lowest | See on Klook |
| Trip.com | Aspira Overnight Cruise: Discover Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay · 2D1N | — | $180 | See on Trip.com |
Lowest adult price per person in USD, checked on October 16, 2026. Cabin type, dates and what is included differ between listings: open each one before you pay.
Klook is cheaper today: Aspira 2D1N from $146, with 4.9 stars from 824 reviews and more than 6,000 bookings. Trip.com lists Aspira from $180, with no reviews yet. HalongBayTours.com gives a "from" price of $150 and a 9.4 score from 105 reviews. Cabin type and inclusions differ between listings, so compare the suite and what is included, not just the headline.
What travelers say
Aspira scores 4.9 from 824 reviews on Klook and 9.4 from 105 on HalongBayTours.com, both strong for a ship of this size. Before booking, check that recent reviews mention the activities you want, since kayaking rules changed in late 2024, and look at which suite the reviewer had: a Junior Suite on deck 1 and a terrace suite on deck 2 are different trips.
How to book and cancel
Aspira publishes no cancellation or child policy on its site. If you book direct, ask for both in writing; on Lan Ha ships, direct cancellation fees often start 14–45 days out and reach 100% inside 7 days, and children usually pay 75% from about age 4 or 5. On Klook, cancellation rules are set per activity and shown on the listing, which is the honest reason to book there. Bring your original passport: operators register every guest.
Expect gala-dinner surcharges on 24 and 31 December and at Tết, the Lunar New Year (on Lan Ha ships typically $40–60 per person). See how to book a Lan Ha cruise and GetYourGuide vs Klook.
Alternatives
- Azura, the newer sister ship from the same lounge, with a bathtub in every cabin and VAT included in the fare: Azura review.
- Elite of the Seas if you want an infinity pool for less on GetYourGuide: Elite of the Seas review.
- La Pandora for a cheaper Lan Ha night from Tuan Chau: La Pandora review.
Browse the luxury Lan Ha cruises or the full cruise list.
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Aspira Cruise on Klook →Aspira Cruise on Trip.com →Prices checked on October 16, 2026
Does Aspira Cruise go to Lan Ha Bay?
Yes. It boards at Lot 38, Tuan Chau in Ha Long, then sails to Lan Ha, where the afternoon stop is the Dark and Bright caves and the morning activity is also in Lan Ha waters.
How much is Aspira Cruise for 2 days 1 night?
From $146 per person on Klook and $180 on Trip.com. The official site shows $180 "per slot" without VAT or the Hanoi transfer.
Do all Aspira cabins have a balcony?
Yes. All 22 suites have a private balcony (Junior and Senior Suites, about 32 m²) or a sun terrace (Executive and Presidential Suites, 55 m²).
Are Aspira and Azura the same company?
They share a Hanoi office, hotline, Tuan Chau lounge (Lot 38) and itinerary, so they are sister ships of one operator. Azura is newer (December 2025) and larger, with 30 cabins.
Is Aspira a 5-star cruise?
It is marketed as five-star. Vietnam's star rating for cruise ships is voluntary, and no official rating for Aspira has been published.
