Scarlet Pearl Cruise is a good, honest Lan Ha Bay choice if you want a balcony cabin, a route that stays in Lan Ha and a simple shuttle from Hanoi, but you will need to ask a few questions the website does not answer. The company says it operates only in Lan Ha, takes its name from the pearl farms of the area and gives part of its profit to Cat Ba langur protection.
Our scores
- Route
- 4.5/5Lan Ha only; Dark and Bright Caves on Day 1
- Cabins
- 4/5All balcony, 28 m² up to a 150 m² President Suite
- Value
- 3.5/5From $237 on GYG; direct price not published
- Transparency
- 3/5Premium page copies the Original; no cancellation table
- Booking flexibility
- 3.5/5GYG terms apply on the platform; direct terms unpublished
Pros
- Every cabin has a balcony (4.5 m² on the main suites).
- Route stays in Lan Ha: Dark and Bright Caves, swim stops, sunset on deck.
- Fixed VIP limousine from Hanoi at USD 35 per passenger.
- 3-day programme with a full-day catamaran trip or Cat Ba sights.
Cons
- Cancellation policy not published on the official site.
- Unused services, such as a kayak cancelled for weather, are not refunded.
- Children pay full fare from 10, earlier than on most ships.
- Only one platform listing, with no reviews yet.
The ship and cabins
The official site lists 23 cabins in four themed suite types on the Original ship:
| Cabin | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Pearl | 28 m² | 4.5 m² balcony |
| Golden Pearl | 40 m² | 4.5 m² balcony |
| Onyx Pearl | 60 m² | 4.5 m² balcony |
| President Suite | 150 m² | 80 m² balcony |
Agencies give a launch year of 2019 and describe five decks, with cabins on two of them. The site also has a "Scarlet Pearl Premium" page, but it repeats the "23 cabins" line with different, partly duplicated cabin names and sizes, so it looks like a copied template. Until the operator confirms a second ship, treat Scarlet Pearl as one ship. If you are offered "Premium", ask for the ship's deck plan and a photo of the hull name.
"5-star" appears on reseller pages, not on the operator's own. Vietnam's star rating for cruise ships is voluntary and no Lan Ha ship has been confirmed with an official 5-star decision, so judge the ship by its cabins and route instead.
The route: Lan Ha, with the Dark and Bright Caves
Scarlet Pearl's route is entirely in Lan Ha. Like most big Lan Ha lines, you check in at Tuan Chau in Ha Long and a tender takes you to the ship, which then sails into Lan Ha over lunch. The main stop is the Dark and Bright Caves (hang Tối – hang Sáng), the sea-level tunnel caves on the Lan Ha side.
The itinerary still offers "kayak yourself or local bamboo boat" at the caves. Kayaking in the Cat Ba bays has been under an official suspension since November 2024, re-confirmed in late 2025, and kayaking at the Dark and Bright Caves is reported not permitted. Expect the bamboo boat, and ask the operator in writing whether any kayak runs on your date. Background: kayaking in Lan Ha.
A day aboard: Scarlet Pearl 2 days 1 night
Arrive at Tuan Chau Harbour, Lot 41BPassport details sent in advance
Tender to the ship
Lunch while sailing into Lan Ha
Dark and Bright Caves by bamboo boat (kayak listed)Until about 16:10
Day 2: swim or kayak where allowed, after tai chiUntil about 08:00
Brunch
Tender back
Back at Tuan Chau
The evening brings a sunset party, a cooking demo, dinner and karaoke. The structure is the standard Lan Ha 2D1N: one main excursion on Day 1, a short activity on Day 2, back before noon. If you want more time on the bay, the 3-day programme adds either Cat Ba landmarks or a full-day catamaran trip, and a 4-day version also exists. Compare in 3-day cruises.
Prices: GetYourGuide vs booking direct
Scarlet Pearl is sold on GetYourGuide as Halong Scarlet Pearl Cruise 2 days & Balcony Cabin, from $237, with no reviews on that listing yet. The official site does not publish a per-person fare, so ask for a quote and compare the total.
What the fare includes, per the operator: welcome drink, cabin, all meals, guide and the listed activities. Not included: drinks, card bank charges, and the VIP limousine Hanoi – Ha Long – Hanoi at USD 35 per passenger. Holiday surcharges apply at Christmas, New Year, Tết, 30 April – 1 May and 2 September; the amounts are not published.
Children: under 5 free (one per cabin; a second child pays 50%), 5–9 pay 75%, and 10 and over pay the full adult fare. Most Lan Ha ships switch to adult fare at 12, so families with a 10- or 11-year-old pay more here.
GetYourGuide2D1N
Halong Scarlet Pearl Cruise 2 days & Balcony Cabin
No reviews yet
from $237Check dates
Scarlet Pearl Cruises on GetYourGuide →Prices checked on October 16, 2026
What travelers should check
The listing has no reviews, and we have no reliable pattern of guest feedback to report. Before booking, check:
- The ship name on the voucher: "Scarlet Pearl" (and which one, if "Premium" is mentioned).
- The meeting point: Lot 41B at Tuan Chau Marina.
- Cancellation terms in writing, since the official site publishes none.
- What replaces kayaking at the caves on your date.
- Passport details: the operator asks for full name, date of birth, nationality, gender, passport number and visa expiry in advance.
How to book and cancel
On GetYourGuide, the listing's own cancellation and "reserve now, pay later" terms apply, and most Lan Ha cruise listings there allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Booking direct, you get the operator's terms, which are not published; direct bookings in this market often charge fees from 14–45 days out and 100% inside 7 days. In storm season, the platform's flexibility is worth more than a small saving.
If a storm closes the bay, the port authority cancels sailings, not the cruise line. Ask how Scarlet Pearl handles a cancelled departure before you pay. More in how to book.
Alternatives in the same class
- Elite of the Seas: 35 cabins, launched 2022, Lan Ha route, from $125 on GetYourGuide with thousands of reviews. Usually the better value.
- Azura: 30 cabins, launched December 2025, bathtubs in every cabin, Tuan Chau Lot 38; its official fare includes VAT and tickets.
- Celina of the Sea: 62 cabins, check-in at Tuan Chau 41A, next door to Scarlet Pearl's lounge; marketed as "6-star", a label with no legal meaning.
| Platform | Listing | Rating | Price | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klook | Azura 2D1N Luxury Cruise: Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay Tour · 2D1N | 5.0 (449) | $176 Lowest | See on Klook |
| Trip.com | Azura Overnight Luxury Cruise: Explore Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay · 2D1N | 5.0 (1) | $203 | 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.
For the full field, see luxury cruises and 2 days 1 night cruises.
Does Scarlet Pearl Cruise go to Lan Ha Bay?
Yes. The operator says it sails only in Lan Ha Bay. You check in at Tuan Chau in Ha Long and the ship sails into Lan Ha over lunch, with the Dark and Bright Caves on Day 1.
Where does Scarlet Pearl Cruise depart from?
Lot 41B at Tuan Chau Marina in Ha Long. Arrival is 11:45, with a tender to the ship at 12:15.
How much is Scarlet Pearl Cruise?
From $237 per person on GetYourGuide for a 2D1N in a balcony cabin. The official site does not publish a per-person price. The Hanoi limousine is USD 35 per passenger extra.
Is kayaking included on Scarlet Pearl?
It is listed, but kayaking in the Cat Ba bays has been officially suspended since November 2024, and kayaking at the Dark and Bright Caves is reported not permitted. Expect a bamboo boat and ask the operator in writing.
Is there a Scarlet Pearl Premium ship?
The website has a Premium page, but it repeats the Original's 23-cabin description with mixed-up cabin names. A separate Premium ship is unconfirmed; ask the operator before booking it.
