Ha Long Bay: sailing among limestone giants

Sailing among the limestone giants of Ha Long Bay was a highlight of our trip. We glided through narrow channels, explored hidden grottoes and watched sunset paint the karsts orange. The kids loved jumping off the boat into the warm water and learning to kayak; at night we lay on the top deck and counted stars.

Family travel tip: Choose a reputable cruise operator with safety gear, pack motion sickness remedies and bring swimwear and a waterproof bag for island stops.

Would your family prefer a day cruise or an overnight on Ha Long Bay? Our custom itineraries ensure you see the best of the bay while keeping kids entertained. Altogether, we spent about $288 for the day. Highlights: Our stay was $49, a solid deal for the comfort we got., Lunch was $15, offering great value., Dinner cost $31, proof that tasty doesn’t mean pricey., We spent $193 on activities worth every cent.