Capella Cruise review: a 30-suite Lan Ha ship with the Dark and Bright Cave

Capella Cruise is sold as a Halong Bay cruise, but its programme is Lan Ha from start to finish once you have boarded at Tuan Chau: an afternoon at Frog Lagoon (Ao Ech) and, on day 2, the Dark and Bright Cave by rowing boat. Unlike most lines in its class it publishes its prices and includes VAT, which makes it easy to compare. The catch is the payment rule: full payment is due 60 days before sailing when you book direct.

Capella Cruise Halong Bay or Lan Ha?

Capella checks in at pier 20B, Tuan Chau International Port in Ha Long, like most big Lan Ha lines, then sails south. Every named stop on its programme is on the Lan Ha side: Frog Lagoon (Ao Ech), the Tra Bau area, Viet Hai and Ba Trai Dao on the longer trips, and the Dark and Bright Cave (hang Sáng – hang Tối). Some pages place that cave in Ha Long waters; it is in Lan Ha.

So the honest answer: you board in Ha Long, but the cruise you pay for is a Lan Ha cruise. If you want to understand the difference, read Lan Ha vs Ha Long.

The ship and suites

Capella was officially launched in August 2020 and has 30 suites on three floors, each with floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony or terrace. It belongs to the Lyra Cruise Collection of Vietstar Cruises, whose other ship is the Lyra Grandeur.

The facilities list is long for a 30-suite ship: a heated pool and jacuzzi, the "Oasis" infinity pool, a floating sea pool, an inflatable waterslide, mini-golf, a poker and cigar club, and a small cinema (paid). Families get two family suites and plenty to keep children busy.

Capella 2 days 1 night itinerary

Capella gives exact timings only after check-in. The fixed points:

The Dark and Bright Cave is the highlight: two caves you enter at water level by a traditional rowing boat. Capella's site says "rowing boat or kayak", but kayaking at this cave is reported as not permitted at present. Hotels outside the Old Quarter are not collected; you take a taxi to a pickup point.

3 days 2 nights and longer

The 3D2N adds a day for Viet Hai village by bike with a tea ceremony and a swim at Ba Trai Dao ("Three Peaches"), which is often a swim stop when access, tide and weather allow. The cave moves to day 3. A 4D3N also exists. For how the longer trips compare, see three-day cruises.

Capella cruise price: direct vs Klook vs GetYourGuide

Capella publishes its "from" prices in USD per cabin for two: 2D1N $490, 3D2N $980, 4D3N $1,470. That is $245 per person for a night in a suite, with VAT included, which several rivals add on top. See them at https://www.capellacruise.com/2-days-1-night-itinerary/.

On the platforms, GetYourGuide is cheaper today at from $358 against Klook's from $472, but the GetYourGuide listing covers one or two nights and has no reviews yet; Klook's has 20 reviews averaging 4.5 and 500+ bookings. Both figures sit close to the direct per-cabin price, so check whether a listing is priced per person or per cabin, and which suite it includes, before comparing. Capella is also sold by the La Pandora sales office and by Hanoi agencies; HalongBayTours.com lists it from $195 per person.

Included on the 2D1N: the suite, four meals, two-for-one happy hour, all pools, waterslide, mini-golf and cigar club, tai chi, the cave by rowing boat, squid fishing, swimming, an English-speaking guide, entrance and sightseeing fees, Wi-Fi and VAT. Not included: the Hanoi transfer, drinks, spa, SUP boards, the cinema and tips.

Children: 0–4 free on existing bedding; 5–11 pay a surcharge for an extra bed or sharing; 12 and over pay as adults. Under-18s must travel with an adult.

Klook2D1N

Capella 2D1N Cruise: Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay

4.5 (20) · 500+ booked

from $472Check dates

GetYourGuide3D2N

Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay: 1–2-Night Capella Luxury Cruise

No reviews yet

from $358Check dates

GetYourGuide3D2N

Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay: 3-Day Capella Luxury Cruise

5.0 (1)

from $523Check dates

GetYourGuide2D1N

Hanoi: 2D1N Elite Lan Ha & Ha Long Cruise with Infinity Pool

4.9 (2,817)

from $125Check dates

Klook2D1N

Azura 2D1N Luxury Cruise: Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay Tour

5.0 (449) · 2K+ booked

from $176Check dates

Capella Cruise on GetYourGuide →Capella Cruise on Klook →Prices checked on October 16, 2026

Booking and cancellation

Booked direct, Capella wants full payment at least 60 days before sailing and publishes no general cancellation fee table, so ask for the schedule in writing before you pay. Through GetYourGuide or Klook you get the platform's terms, which are often free up to 24 hours before on GetYourGuide; Klook sets them per activity. That flexibility is the real reason to book through a platform. Our booking guide and GetYourGuide vs Klook cover the details.

Weather decisions are taken daily by the bay authorities, not by Capella. The storm season runs June–November, and October–November are the driest months; see best time to go. Bring a passport or ID: it is required at check-out. Terms: https://www.capellacruise.com/privacy-and-terms/

Alternatives to Capella

• Elite of the Seas: bigger ship (35 cabins), from $125 per person on GetYourGuide, drinks at meals included.
• Lyra Grandeur: Capella's sister ship, listed by agencies from $240 per person.
• Heritage Binh Chuan: 20 cabins, a similar luxury band.
• Mon Chéri: cheaper, but day 2 is a land trip to a cave instead of the Dark and Bright Cave.

For the whole luxury field, see luxury Lan Ha cruises.

Capella Cruise FAQ