Agency pages describe Azalea Cruise on Lan Ha Bay as two balcony-cabin ships with a genuinely Lan Ha itinerary and prices per cabin. What none of them leads to is the operator: the domain with the name belongs to a liveaboard in the Maldives, and the Vietnamese one blocks visitors. One agency now presents the Azalea as "Orchid Trendy", a ship of the Pelican group's Orchid brand. Until that is confirmed, the practical advice is to book Orchid Trendy directly or through a platform if you want this kind of ship, and to treat any "Azalea" listing with care.
Our scores
- Route
- 4/5Fully Lan Ha, with Trung Trang cave and Viet Hai
- Cabins
- 4/5All balcony and bathtub, 28–56 m² (agency)
- Transparency
- 1/5No readable official site; possible rename unconfirmed
- Value
- 3/5US$609–689 per double cabin for 3D2N at agencies
- Booking flexibility
- 2/5Agency cancellation free only 15+ days out
Pros
- Every cabin with private balcony and bathtub, according to agencies
- Itinerary stays in Lan Ha and includes Viet Hai village and a Frog Lake morning
- Exclusive Suite of 45 m² with private jacuzzi on the terrace
- Family cabins of 56 m²
Cons
- No official website can be read; the obvious domain is a Maldives company
- Possibly renamed; current name not confirmed by the operator
- Boarding pier given as Got, closed as a ferry terminal on 1 March 2024
- Agencies disagree on cabin count (20 or 24) and child prices (50% or 75%)
What happened to Azalea Cruise?
Agencies describe two boats, each 56 m long and 11 m wide, with 20 cabins and 40 berths and a crew of 32. The first entered service on 1 November 2017 and the rest in 2018, under a company listed as Pelican Cruises.
The Orchid brand's official site shows its four ships under a "Pelican Vietnam" heading, and one agency now describes Orchid Trendy as "formerly known as Azalea Cruise", built 2017. Orchid's own page for Trendy lists cabin names and sizes that match agency descriptions of Azalea: Deluxe and Premium Deluxe of 28 m², a 56 m² family cabin and a 45 m² Exclusive Suite. The same agency gives 24 cabins, while Orchid's site says 20.
That is circumstantial evidence, not a confirmation. Orchid has not published a rename, and Expedia still sells 2-day and 3-day trips "with Azalea Cruise". If you see an Azalea listing, ask the seller which ship you will board and what name appears on the voucher.
The ship and cabins
All cabins have a private balcony and bathtub, over three decks, with a spa and bar but no pool.
| Cabin | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Balcony | 28 m² | First floor |
| Premium Deluxe Balcony | 28 m² | Second floor |
| Family Deluxe Balcony | 56 m² | First floor |
| Family Premium Deluxe | 56 m² | Second floor |
| Azalea Exclusive Suite | 45 m² | King bed, private jacuzzi and terrace |
"Luxury" and "5-star" are agency labels; Vietnam's star rating for cruise ships is voluntary and no official rating has been published for this ship.
The route agencies describe
The published 3-day, 2-night programme is fully Lan Ha:
Cat Hai pier, tender around 12:15; Da Chong islet with its French lighthouse, Con Vit, Gia LuanTrung Trang cave, swim at Tra Bau, overnight at Tra Bau
Cycling in Viet Hai villageSwim and kayak at Ba Trai Dao beach
Kayak at Frog Lake (Ao Ech), tea ceremonyDisembark around 11:35
Three things have changed since those itineraries were written. Kayaking in the Cat Ba bays has been under an official suspension since November 2024, with Ao Ech the only reported designated area (VnExpress report). Ba Trai Dao is often a swim stop when access, tide and weather allow, but its status is disputed. And since June 2026 every passenger must wear a certified life jacket from boarding to the end of the trip.
The pier problem
Agency itineraries name the Got ferry terminal on Cat Hai island, Hai Phong. The Got ferry pier closed on 1 March 2024, and the car ferry to Cat Ba now leaves from Dong Bai nearby. Orchid Trendy, the possible successor, boards at Lot 32, Tuan Chau International Port in Ha Long. These are very different journeys from Hanoi, so confirm the pier, the lounge and the check-in time before you book a transfer. See Lan Ha cruise piers.
Prices
Azalea prices appear only at agencies and are quoted per cabin for the 3-day, 2-night trip:
| Cabin (two guests) | May–September | October–April |
|---|---|---|
| Deluxe | US$609 | US$689 |
| Premium | US$681 | US$779 |
| Exclusive Suite | US$869 | US$1,013 |
| Family Deluxe (4 guests) | US$1,265 | US$1,423 |
The shuttle from Hanoi costs US$36 per person; a private car US$75 per person. Children under 5 go free (one per cabin); ages 5 to 11 pay 50% at one agency and 75% at another; 12 and over pay the adult fare. Cancellation for 1–5 cabins: free 15 or more days before, 50% at 10–14 days, 70% at 4–9 days, 100% inside 3 days.
How to book
Before booking an "Azalea" listing
- Ask which ship you will board and what name is on the voucher.
- Ask for the boarding pier and lounge number: Cat Hai or Tuan Chau.
- Confirm the child price for your children's ages in writing.
- Ask what replaces kayaking if it does not run.
- Check what happens if the port authority cancels sailings in a storm.
Platform listings with free cancellation up to 24 hours before are a safer way to book an uncertain ship. The booking guide explains how to spot the real ship behind a listing.
What to book instead
- Orchid Trendy: 20 cabins with balcony and bathtub, Lot 32 Tuan Chau. Its 2D1N goes to Ao Ech (Frog Lagoon) in the afternoon, anchors at Tra Bau and visits Trung Trang cave on Day 2; the operator includes VAT and publishes its terms (cancellation free 30+ days out, card fee 4.5%). On GetYourGuide it has very few reviews so far.
- Rosy: 22 suites with balcony and bathtub, steel hull, launched in 2019, Tuan Chau.
- Azura: the newest, launched in December 2025, 30 cabins of 34 m² or more and a pool.
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Prices checked on October 16, 2026
All ships side by side: Lan Ha Bay cruises, 3-day cruises and luxury cruises.
Azalea Cruise FAQ
Is Azalea Cruise still operating in Lan Ha Bay?
It is not confirmed. No official site can be read, and one agency says the ship now sails as Orchid Trendy. Expedia still sells Azalea trips, so ask the seller which ship you will board.
Is Azalea Cruise now Orchid Trendy?
One agency says so, and Orchid Trendy's cabin list matches Azalea's, but the operator has not confirmed a rename.
Where does Azalea Cruise depart from?
Agency itineraries say the Got ferry terminal on Cat Hai island, which closed as a ferry pier on 1 March 2024. Orchid Trendy boards at Lot 32, Tuan Chau. Confirm the pier before booking a transfer.
How much is Azalea Cruise?
Agencies quote the 3-day, 2-night trip per cabin: from US$609 for a Deluxe double in May–September and US$689 in October–April.
Is azaleacruise.com the official site?
No. It belongs to an unrelated liveaboard company in the Maldives.