New Ha Long Bay Cruises in November 2026: 10 to Know and Which to Choose

November 2026 brings more new overnight cruises to the bay than any month this year. Lumiere Cruises starts sailing on 1 November and Doris Grand opens on 17 November. Du Yen Atelier and Harmony Cruises are expected to launch during the month. Athena Premium, Oriental Legacy, The Pearl Dragon and Larissa, which welcomed their first guests in October, are now in their first full month of service.

In this guide, our local team compares 10 new cruises by bay, boarding port and size. We explain what makes each one different, who it suits best, and when an established cruise may be the better choice.

Launch dates can change. Information checked on 1 November 2026.

New Ha Long Bay cruises at a glance

Of the 10 cruises, 5 sail Lan Ha Bay, 3 sail Ha Long Bay and 2 sail Bai Tu Long Bay.

Cabin numbers and dates are as published by each operator. Tuan Chau Marina and Ha Long International Cruise Port are separate ports, about 10 km apart, so check yours before you book a transfer. See our guide to Ha Long Bay cruise ports and terminals.

Lumiere Cruises – Ha Long Bay, 42 cabins, sailing from 1 November

Lumiere is the best-equipped new cruise on the classic Ha Long Bay route this month, with family rooms that are rare on the bay.

• Rooms for larger families: besides 30–32 m² doubles, there are 45 m² Family rooms and 59 m² Connecting rooms, each for 4 adults and 2 children.
• Suites for special trips: four suite categories of 45–80 m², all with an outdoor jacuzzi and a butler. Suite guests get a private car from Hanoi for two.
• Facilities: an outdoor pool close to the water, a 300 m²+ sundeck with Sky Bar, a spa and a gym. Drone photos (at set times) and Friday and Saturday fireworks are included.
• Winter itinerary (used in November): kayak or bamboo boat at Tung Sau pearl farm, a tea ceremony and folk music at dinner on day one; Sung Sot Cave the next morning. The 3-day trip adds a day boat to Lan Ha Bay and a swim at Ba Trai Dao beach.

Best for: families of 4–6 who want to share a large room; couples celebrating with a jacuzzi suite; first-time visitors who want a new ship on the classic route.

Less suited to: travellers who want a very quiet ship (it carries up to 99 guests), or anyone on a moderate budget, as Lumiere’s published rates are at the higher end of the bay.

Our tip: drinks and Hanoi transfers are not included (except for suites). Add them in when you compare prices.

Doris Grand – Lan Ha Bay, 58 cabins, opening 17 November

Doris Grand is the largest new ship on this list, built for multi-generation families, big groups and events.

• Flexible rooms: rooms with two king beds, triples with three single beds and 12 pairs of connecting rooms make it easy to house a group of 10–20.
• 10 VIP Suites with a private pool, plus one Grand Suite. The operator offers VIP guests a limousine from Hanoi, a private speedboat to the ship and an in-room dinner.
• For children and groups: a Kids Club next to the pool, mini golf, a gym, a Sky Bar jacuzzi and a lift from deck 1 to deck 5. The 200+ seat restaurant has an LED screen and sound system for gala dinners and meetings.
• Itinerary: kayaking and swimming at Ba Trai Dao on day one; cycling or an e-car ride to Viet Hai village the next morning. The 3-day trip adds Cat Ba Island, with Quan Y Cave and a walk in Cat Ba National Park.

Best for: extended families with grandparents and young children; friends booking several rooms; company trips; weddings on the bay.

Less suited to: couples looking for privacy, as the ship is busy and may host an event on the same day.

Our tip: boarding is later than most ships (around 1 pm, after a 30-minute tender). Deck 1 rooms sit next to the restaurant and reception; for more quiet, ask for a Senior Suite on decks 3–4.

Harmony Cruises – Lan Ha Bay, 28 cabins, expected November

Harmony has the most spacious rooms on this list: a 79-metre ship with only 28 cabins.

• Large rooms throughout: the smallest is 38 m², and every room has a balcony or terrace and a jacuzzi tub. There are 6 pairs of connecting rooms; the two top suites are 46–50 m² with a bottle of wine.
• Food is the focus: the Melody restaurant serves only 50–60 guests a day, and the five-course dinner uses seasonal local produce. Vegetarian and Halal-friendly menus are available.
• Gentle Vietnamese experiences: spring roll and egg coffee classes, morning Tai Chi, a rowing boat through Sang Toi Cave and kayaking at Ao Ech lagoon. The 3-day trip adds Viet Hai village and Ba Trai Dao beach.
• Greener operations: no single-use plastic and a quiet engine. The non-alcoholic minibar is free, and the Harmony Hub has pool, foosball and PlayStation for teens.

Best for: couples and honeymooners; food-loving travellers who want calm; guests who need Halal food; small families with teenagers.

Less suited to: large groups looking for parties and events.

Our tip: the operator needs passport details 48 hours before departure and dietary needs one week ahead. We’ll remind you when you book.

Du Yen Atelier – Ha Long Bay, 28 suites, expected November

Du Yen Atelier is a small ship on the Ha Long Bay route where all 28 rooms are suites, in six categories.

• A good size for a private charter: 28 suites hold around 56 guests at two per room. On full-ship charters, children under 5 stay free (up to 5 children).
• Included: kayaking, entrance fees and an English-speaking guide. Hanoi transfers are extra.

Best for: couples who want a small ship on the classic route; families or companies chartering a mid-size ship.

Our tip: the operator has not yet published its itinerary or real photos. We’ll share a fuller review once official details are out or our team has sailed on board.

New since October 2026

Athena Premium – Ha Long Bay, 41 cabins, sailing since October

Athena Premium is our pick for travellers who care most about spa, food and swimming even in the cooler months.

• Japanese-style wellness: the operator presents it as the first ship on the bay with a Japanese onsen, plus an infrared sauna and steam room. The spa uses Harnn products, with treatments from 50 to 150 minutes.
• A heated indoor infinity pool, open all year. In November this is a real advantage: you can still swim when the sea is cool.
• Serious food: lunch buffet with Van Don oysters, sashimi and sushi; a set dinner with baked Nha Trang lobster. Halal, kosher, Indian vegetarian and kids’ menus are available.
• Itinerary: kayaking at Luon Cave, a swim or hike on Titop Island, and Sung Sot Cave the next morning. The 3-day trip adds a day in Bai Tu Long Bay: Thien Canh Son Cave and Vung Vieng fishing village.

Best for: couples and honeymooners (room set-up is free); spa lovers; travellers from India and the Middle East, thanks to the menu range.

Less suited to: guests who want everything included, as the onsen, sauna and spa are charged separately; children under 12 cannot use the spa.

Our tip: Athena Premium boards at Ha Long International Cruise Port (Bai Chay), not Tuan Chau. It is a very large ship, so expect a lively rather than intimate atmosphere.

Oriental Legacy – Lan Ha Bay, 43 cabins, sailing since October

Oriental Legacy suits travellers who love Indochine style, and older guests.

• 1930s Indochine design: decks named after Ha Long, Faifo, Saigon and Dalat. Every room has a bathtub; the largest suite is 130 m².
• Easy to get around: two lifts on every deck, which is rare on overnight cruises.
• Generous shared spaces: a 170 m² library lounge with jacuzzi at the bow, a deck-5 Sky Bar with 360° views, a 50 m² all-season pool, and a spa with a Himalayan salt room.
• Experiences: dinner in Hue royal costume; Sang Toi Cave and Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba. The operator describes its route as the longest, quietest loop of Lan Ha Bay.

Best for: European guests, especially French travellers who enjoy Indochine heritage; families with grandparents; guests who like reading and relaxing in lounges.

Less suited to: guests who want a balcony at the lowest price.

Our tip: the 14 Deluxe rooms have large windows but no balcony. They are good value if you spend most of your time in the lounges; for a balcony, choose Faifo Suite or above.

The Pearl Dragon Cruise – Lan Ha Bay, 22 suites, sailing under its new name since 1 October

The Pearl Dragon has the strongest Vietnamese cultural flavour on this list, with herbal wellness at its heart.

• Herbal wellness: a detox drink at 6 am and sunrise yoga; Phoenix and Dragon suites include a herbal foot soak or hair wash.
• Vietnamese culture: a royal-style dinner on the sundeck, a village-market breakfast with pho and banh cuon, and Dong Ho folk painting workshops (from 1 November). Karaoke is free every day.
• For families: two 60 m² Family Suites with two bedrooms and a bathtub. There is also a prayer room on board.
• Longer trips: besides 2- and 3-day cruises (the 3-day adds Viet Hai village and Toi Keo Cave), it offers 4- and 5-day trips on request.

Best for: international guests who want Vietnamese culture; yoga and wellness fans; small families; Muslim and Indian guests who need a prayer space.

Less suited to: bath lovers: only 8 of the 22 suites have a tub, and Ruby and Pearl suites have walk-in showers.

Our tip: the ship was renovated from a 2025-built vessel and renamed. It also runs day tours, so we’ll check the schedule for your date. The sundeck royal dinner moves indoors in bad weather.

Larissa Cruises – Bai Tu Long Bay, 28 cabins, welcoming guests since 15 October

Larissa is one of the few new ships in Bai Tu Long Bay with both a pool and a lift.

• Indochine style, with a private balcony in all 28 rooms.
• Full facilities: pool, jacuzzi, restaurant, spa, gym and lift. Most ships in Bai Tu Long Bay are smaller, with fewer facilities.
• 2-day and 3-day trips in Bai Tu Long Bay, which sees fewer boats than central Ha Long Bay.

Best for: travellers who want to avoid crowds but still want comfort; families with older relatives; couples.

Our tip: ask us for the latest itinerary and price for your date.

Cycad Grand – Bai Tu Long Bay, 32 cabins

Cycad Grand is for travellers who want a traditional wooden ship on a quiet route.

• A wooden ship: the operator says up to 90% of the design uses rosewood. Most cabin categories have a balcony; four Family Suites sleep 3–4.
• A quieter, longer route: the ship sails to Vung Vieng and Cong Do, about 1.5 hours longer at sea than the nearer routes. Local fishermen row guests into Vung Vieng village; Thien Canh Son Cave follows the next morning.
• Vietnamese food: a Vietnamese fine-dining dinner, a fully Vietnamese brunch, and afternoon tea with canapés on the sundeck.

Best for: international guests interested in fishing-village life; travellers who enjoy long scenic cruising; families of 3–4.

Less suited to: anyone who needs to work online, as Wi-Fi on this route is limited.

Our tip: the ship boards at Ha Long International Cruise Port, with a 5–10 minute tender. The operator has not yet published a full photo set; we’ll share real photos when available.

Coming next

Halora Zenith – Lan Ha Bay, 39 cabins, expected December 2026

Halora Zenith is the fourth Halora ship of 2026, after Halora Nova, Halora Kairos and Halora Metta, and is aimed at the premium segment. Cabin types, itinerary and prices have not been published yet; we’ll update this guide when they are.

Which new cruise suits you?

This is our starting suggestion; the final choice depends on your date and budget.

Our view: a brand-new cruise or an established one?

A new cruise is worth it if fresh rooms and facilities matter most, as long as you accept that service is still settling in during the first weeks. For a once-in-a-lifetime trip (an anniversary, a proposal, travelling with grandparents), we usually suggest a ship that has sailed for at least a few months and has real guest reviews.

Three things we want you to know before booking a new ship:

• Star ratings are set by the operators. Many new ships call themselves 5- or 6-star. Compare room size, cabin count, balconies and the itinerary instead of the stars.
• Big ships and small ships feel different. Ships with 40–60 cabins, such as Doris Grand, Oriental Legacy and Athena Premium, have more facilities and suit families and groups. Ships under 30 cabins, such as The Pearl Dragon, Harmony and Du Yen Atelier, are calmer and more personal.
• “New” doesn’t always mean newly built. Some ships are renovated and renamed. That’s not a bad thing, but it’s worth knowing the build year, and we always tell you when we advise.

From what our team tracks, about half of the cruises launched since 2025 chose Lan Ha Bay. Lan Ha suits travellers who want kayaking, beaches and Cat Ba scenery. Ha Long Bay remains the best choice for a first visit, with classic stops such as Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island.

Tips for a November cruise

November is usually dry and cool, one of the most comfortable months to spend a night on the bay.

• Pack a light jacket. Evenings and early mornings on the sundeck feel chilly. The sea is cooler than in summer, so swimming depends on how you handle cold water.
• Book weekends early. November is high season for international travellers, and new ships fill up fast at weekends.
• Check your boarding port. Most new ships leave from Tuan Chau Marina; Athena Premium, Larissa and Cycad Grand board at Ha Long International Cruise Port (Bai Chay). Confirm before booking your transfer.
• Allow for the drive from Hanoi. The road trip takes about 2.5–3 hours each way. Most cruises board around noon, so plan an 8–8:30 am hotel pick-up. See the most convenient ways to travel to Ha Long.
• Don’t mix up the names. Halora Metta (formerly called Doris) and Doris Grand are two different ships.
• Expect some flexibility. Sailing times and activities depend on the operator and weather, especially on ships in their first weeks of service.

FAQs

What is the newest cruise in Ha Long Bay in November 2026?

On the Ha Long Bay route, Lumiere Cruises starts sailing on 1 November 2026 and Du Yen Atelier is expected to launch during November. Athena Premium has been sailing since October 2026.

Which new cruises sail Lan Ha Bay?

Doris Grand opens on 17 November 2026 and Harmony Cruises is expected in November. Oriental Legacy and The Pearl Dragon have welcomed guests since October, and Halora Zenith is expected in December 2026.

Are new cruises cheaper than established ones?

Many new ships offer opening rates for their first few months. Prices change week to week, so message us on WhatsApp for the latest rate for your date.

Which new cruise is best for families with young children?

Doris Grand has a Kids Club and 12 pairs of connecting rooms; Lumiere has Triple, Family and Connecting rooms. If you travel with older relatives, choose a ship with a lift, such as Doris Grand, Oriental Legacy or Larissa.

Can you swim in Ha Long Bay in November?

Yes, if your itinerary includes a beach stop and the weather allows. The water is cool in November, so many guests prefer kayaking. Athena Premium has a heated indoor pool.

Should I choose 2 days or 3 days on a new cruise?

Two days is enough to enjoy the ship and the main sights. Three days suits travellers who want an extra day of exploring: Lumiere adds Lan Ha Bay, and Doris Grand adds Cat Ba Island.

Book a new cruise with a local team

Tell us your travel date, the number of adults and children, where you’re staying, and what matters most: a brand-new ship, a large room, a quiet route or lots of facilities. We’ll suggest 2–3 cruises that fit, explain the pros and cons of each honestly, and confirm the latest price before you book.

Vivu Halong – Your local Ha Long Bay cruise team
💬 WhatsApp: +84 789 455 888 / +84 961 250 100 (24/7 support)
🌐 vivuhalong.com/en
✉️ [email protected]
Free quote, no payment required.

Read more:

• Ha Long Bay cruises
• Lan Ha Bay cruises
• Bai Tu Long Bay cruises
• Ha Long Bay cruise ports and terminals