Sapphire Cruise review: Lan Ha balcony cabins, agency-only booking

Sapphire Cruise is a reasonable mid-range Lan Ha choice with balcony cabins and a proper 3-day programme, but it is the kind of brand you book with your eyes open: everything known about it comes from agencies, and no operator website answers questions. The 3-day listing on GetYourGuide carries more than 1,500 reviews, which is the strongest signal that the product runs.

The ship and cabins

The only detailed specification comes from HalongBayTours.com, an agency: steel hull, launched December 2018, 21 cabins, all with a balcony.

The agency says 19 of the 21 cabins have a private jacuzzi bathtub and that triple cabins are available for families. Cabins of 20 m² are on the small side for this price band; Capella's start at 32 m². Resellers call Sapphire "4-star" or "5-star", but those are sales labels: Vietnam's star rating for ships is voluntary and no Lan Ha ship has a confirmed official rating.

sapphirecruises.com is a parked domain and no other official site was found. That does not mean the ship is not running; it means you cannot read the operator's own terms, and you depend on whoever sells it to you.

The route: Lan Ha from Tuan Chau

Sapphire boards at Tuan Chau Harbour, Lot 26, per the agency (check your voucher), and sails 1–1.5 hours through Ha Long waters into Lan Ha, where it anchors for the night. The excursions are on the Lan Ha side.

2 days 1 night: a swim (or kayak where allowed) of 1.5–2 hours near the anchorage, a sunset party, then on Day 2 tai chi and the Dark and Bright Caves by sampan rowed by a local, with brunch and return around 11:45. The agency says Tra Bau lagoon is not visited.

3 days 2 nights: adds Viet Hai village by bicycle or electric car, the Tai Keo tunnel cave and Ba Trai Dao beach. Ba Trai Dao access has been disputed since 2024; it is often a swim stop when access, tide and weather allow.

Kayaking is listed on both, but kayaking in the Cat Ba bays has been under an official suspension since November 2024, re-confirmed in late 2025. Ask the seller in writing what runs on your date. See kayaking.

A day aboard

The agency gives check-in at 12:30 at Tuan Chau and check-out at 11:00 on Day 2, with the ship back at the pier around 11:45. In between it is the standard Lan Ha 2D1N: lunch while sailing, an afternoon swim of 1.5–2 hours near the anchorage, a sunset party and cooking demo, dinner, then tai chi, the Dark and Bright Caves by sampan and brunch on Day 2. As on most one-night trips, Day 2 is effectively half a morning; the 2 days 1 night guide shows a typical timetable.

Prices: GetYourGuide vs agencies

The agency's 3D2N is cheaper than the GetYourGuide listing, but compare carefully: the agency fare excludes transfers (Hanoi shuttle USD 30 return; Ninh Binh options USD 19–34), drinks, tips and a USD 15 per person per night peak surcharge, and its cancellation terms are strict. Included either way: cabin, four meals, welcome drink, water, tai chi, cooking demo, entrance fees and guide.

Children: 0–3 free, 4–11 at 75%, 12 and over adult (agency).

5★

GetYourGuide3D2N

3 Days Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay on 5* Cruise with Balcony Cabin

4.8 (1,534)

from $338Check dates

Sapphire Cruise on GetYourGuide →Prices checked on October 16, 2026

What travelers should check

1. The ship name on the voucher: "Sapphire", not "a similar 5-star ship".
2. Meeting point: Lot 26 at Tuan Chau, per the agency; your voucher is what counts.
3. 2 or 3 days: the GetYourGuide product is a 3-day trip; make sure both nights are on board.
4. Kayak status and whether Ba Trai Dao is open.
5. Passenger registration: send passport details in advance; listings for Sapphire mention advance registration.

How to book and cancel

Through the agency, cancellation is free more than 30 days out, then 15% at 30–11 days, 30% at 10–7 days and 100% inside 7 days. On GetYourGuide the listing's own terms apply; most Lan Ha cruises there allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before. For a brand with no official site, the platform's protection and flexibility are worth the price difference. Storm cancellations are ordered by the port authority, not the operator. More in how to book.

Alternatives

• La Pandora: Lan Ha route from Tuan Chau, active official site, sold on Klook and GetYourGuide.
• Rosy: 22 cabins, launched 2019, Lan Ha, with an official site.
• Venezia: small 5- and 10-cabin boats from Ben Beo on Cat Ba, from $125.
• For a 3-day trip, see the 3-day guide.