Diana Cruise

Book Diana for a balcony or terrace on every one of her 56 suites, and no inside cabins at all, on a 95-metre ship that went into service on Lan Ha Bay in October 2025, built with a double hull at the Damen shipyard. On the halongbaytours.com listing read on 6 August 2026, the cheapest suite for two was $336 for the night, the highest rate that listing published: from $168 per person, two sharing.

She is big for this bay. No boat among the 92 on this site has more cabins, and the middle one has 22. The operator gives her seven decks, three of suites with four of public space above them, room for up to 168 guests, two lifts running from the first deck to the fifth, and a restaurant on the fourth deck that seats 130. On top of that come a four-season pool, a spa with a sauna, a gym and a mini-golf green. Wi-Fi runs over Starlink.

Where does Diana go?

From Tuan Chau out to Lan Ha, on a programme the operator publishes with times. Lunch is at one on the fourth deck while she sails south. At 15:00 the first stop is Bright Cave, which you go through by bamboo boat, and at 16:45 there is a swim at Tra Bau. The evening is a sunset party at the pool, a cooking class and dinner from 19:30.

The second morning opens with tai chi at 06:30, a light breakfast and a tea ceremony. Check-out is at nine, brunch is served from 09:20 while she heads back, and you step off at Tuan Chau at about 10:30.

The two-night trip slots a full day between those two. A day boat takes you to the edge of Cat Ba National Park, where you cycle about 4 km to Viet Hai village, or ride an electric car if you prefer, and eat lunch in the village. The afternoon is a swim at Ba Trai Dao, and you are back on Diana at four. Our guide to Viet Hai village describes what that day is like, and the three bays compared sets Lan Ha against the other two.

Where do you board, and at what time?

At Lot 11B, Tuan Chau International Marina, where a short tender takes you to the ship. The operator asks guests to be at the harbour by about 11:45. Check-in is between then and noon. Give your driver the lot number as well as the marina name, because the harbours here are easy to mix up.

The road from Hanoi is not in the fare. The operator’s limousine collects from the Old Quarter between 07:40 and 08:30 and has you back in Hanoi at about three in the afternoon. On halongbaytours.com, read on 6 August 2026, a shared shuttle was $30 per person for the round trip. In October 2026 the operator’s site was offering direct bookings the transfer free along with a body massage. Getting from Hanoi to Ha Long covers the other ways down.

Which suite should you book?

For two people, the Senior Suite. It is the cheapest grade with more than two suites, fourteen of them on the first deck, and costs $4 more than the Junior. These are the prices for two on the halongbaytours.com listing read on 6 August 2026, the highest rate that listing showed for each class, with sizes, decks and counts from the operator:

Two Junior Suites on a 56-suite ship will not last long in a busy week, so expect the from-price to go first. All four 55 m² suites have a private terrace; the two Lan Ha Suites cost $90 more for the stern position.

The second night is barely cheaper than the first. On the Senior Suite, two nights cost $670 against $340 for one, so the Viet Hai day costs $330 for the cabin. Two days or three helps you decide whether it is worth it.

Families have a seventh grade. The Royal Family Suite, two of them on the second deck, has two bedrooms for up to four guests and is priced on request. Under the operator’s child rules, by date of birth, a first child aged 1 to 4 sharing the parents’ bed is free and a second child of that age pays 75% for an extra bed. Children of 5 to 10 pay 75% on an extra bed, and from 11 a child pays the full rate. Families of three thinking of an Executive Suite should confirm on the quote that it takes a third bed.

What is in the fare?

The fare covers lunch, dinner, a light breakfast and brunch on the one-night trip, plus a welcome drink, entrance fees, the bamboo boat, the cooking class, tai chi, an English-speaking guide, fishing gear, Wi-Fi and on-board insurance. On the two-night trip the day boat and the bicycles are covered as well. Drinks, tips, spa treatments and the Hanoi transfer are extra.

Booking direct, the operator’s engine sells a flexible rate and a non-refundable one, with a deposit of 30 to 50% and the balance paid at the Tuan Chau office; cards carry a 3.7% surcharge. Read how cancellation policies work here before you pick between them.

Who is Diana for?

Couples and families who want a new ship with a pool and lifts, and who are happy to share her with up to 160-odd other guests. People who want the Viet Hai cycling day on a two-night trip. She is on the Lan Ha list and among the best-value boats.

Look elsewhere if you want a boat where everyone knows your name by dinner. A ship this size runs on schedules and lifts, and a twenty-cabin boat on the same bay will feel more personal.

Where these facts come from

The pier, the times, both programmes, the suite classes with their sizes, decks and counts, the ship’s dimensions, capacity, decks and launch, the inclusions, the child rules and the booking terms come from dianacruises.com, read on 14 October 2026. halongbaycruises.com and halongbaytours.com, read on 6 August 2026, name the same pier and the same 56 suites. Prices and the shuttle fare are from the halongbaytours.com listing read on 6 August 2026 and move with season and promotions, so confirm yours on the quote.