Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal Cruise

One of the must-visit places for most travelers when visiting Vietnam is Halong Bay. Located in northeast Vietnam, the UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforests. It’s also popular for kayaking, rock climbing, and caves. The easiest way and most popular way to see Halong Bay is to take a cruise on a junk boat for one or two nights. It allows you to fully immerse yourself in the area as you sail through the water with the karst towers popping out from every which way.

See Halong Bay by taking a cruise

Seeing that cruising is the most ideal way to witness Halong Bay there are literally hundreds of companies that provide 1-2 days cruises with combined excursions.  It can be overwhelming to separate one company from another and to know what type of junk boat is right for you and your family.  You can sail anything from a bare-bones to a luxury junk boat liner.

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal CruiseGenesis Cruises – Luxury Sailing in Halong Bay

One cruise company that stood out to me after doing some research was Genesis Cruises. Established in 2017, Genesis has gained popularity by offering a high-quality service experience with a perfect combination of culture, history, and landscapes. They offer modern facilities and cater to those looking for a more luxurious setting while sailing Halong Bay.

Genesis Regal Cruise – A New Luxury Boat

Due to their success, they added another line to the brand, the Genesis Regal Cruise that just recently sail for the first time. It is the highest level of  boats the company offers and is the ‘ultimate’ luxury experience. All 20 rooms have private balconies, sea view full-frame windows, beds sea-heading view and full HD tv.

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal CruiseSet Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal CruiseThe inside of the boat is crafted with traditional brick and natural wood, Bat Trang Ceramic, Minh Long porcelain, and Ha Dong Silk to give it a sophisticated look. Inside spaces are also decorated with paintings about ancient Kings and Queens of Vietnam, paintings of traditional crafts so visitors can learn about the cultural and historical history of Vietnam.

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal CruiseOur Experience Aboard Genesis Regal Cruise

Day 1

Genesis Cruises warmly welcomed us to set sail with Genesis Regal cruises just after its first sailing.  Booking was simple enough on their website and they contacted us shortly before our departure from Hanoi to arrange a pickup time in their private van. We were happy to learn that Genesis Regal Cruises offers its visitors the simplest transport by taking the newly built express highway that many of the other companies are yet to provide. Your trip time is literally cut in half!

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal CruiseArrival

Upon arrival, we were welcomed to their office area where you’re greeted by the Genesis staff. This is where you wait to take a port operated boat to the junk boat. After about a 10-15 boat ride, we arrived at Genesis Regal Cruise and quickly board the boat while being welcomed by staff in the main reception area.

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal CruiseWe were quickly whisked upstairs to the main dining area and we were shown our assigned private table for the cruise.

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal Cruise

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal CruiseSet Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal CruiseLunch

The cruise director gave a brief welcome and itinerary briefing before we feasted on a set menu lunch with delicious local seafood. It is probably the most picturesque lunch one can have as the Regal Cruise slowly glides between the numerous small islands and the sea-green color of the bay.

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal Cruise

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal CruiseExplore Halong Bay – Activity

After lunch, we received our room key and had a short time to unwind. We were given three options we could stay on the boat or do one of the two activities offered to explore the bay –  kayaking or bamboo boats that are rowed by the local people. Having three children, we obviously chose the bamboo boats over kayaking! The whole experience was lovely and I recommend taking part in the activity. However, I do feel that if relaxation is key for you and your family that staying on the boat is very nice too because each stateroom has its own private balcony where you can enjoy equally beautiful views of the bay.

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal Cruise

After the excursion, we decided to go back to our room and to relax before dinner.

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal Cruise During this time, Regal cruise offers guests the opportunity to swim in the middle of the bay and shortly after you can go to the top of the deck to take part in the cooking of a Vietnamese dish.

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal CruiseAt 6:30 pm, dinner starts in the main dining room. The Regal cruise offered a multi-course fusion style experience.  We enjoyed all the dishes, but our absolute favorite was the lamb chops! They were some of the best we have ever tasted.

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal CruiseAfter dinner, we were all very tired. Ella and Rose actually fell asleep on the couch near our dinner seats, so it was definitely time for bed for us! The ship offered late-night squid fishing for guest who still had the energy for some more fun.

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal CruiseDay 2

The next morning breakfast start and 7:30 am, but we chose to skip it and sleep in! If you’re an early riser, you can take part in Tai Chi on the sundeck at 6:30 am. A little later, you must pack up and leave your bags outside the stateroom so the staff can prepare for next guests to arrive. This was simple enough for us because we didn’t bring much with only being on the boat for 24 hours.

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal CruiseThe last activity of the cruise is visiting a floating house on the bay where the family welcomes you with traditional sweets and tea. The family who has welcomed the likes of Anthony Bourdain are very nice and eager to show their way of life. Their little boy was very cute! Our girls enjoyed seeing the fish they farmed.

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal Cruise

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal CruiseAfter the floating house, you’re brought back to the Regal Cruise where you enjoy brunch – the last meal of the cruise.  You then take the port boat back to the port and from there you’re taken back to Hanoi in a Genesis Cruises van.

Set Sail Along Halong Bay in Luxury With Genesis Regal CruiseOur family loved the experience and Halong Bay is a must-visit if you’re in Northern Vietnam. My only reccomadation is if you’re a family I would recommend taking the 2-night cruise instead of one. I felt like we would have been able to relax more, which is more needed when you have young children. The one night cruise was slightly hectic for us.

Find out More

To learn more about Genesis Regal Cruise visit their website. Be sure to check out their Instagram feed to see more pictures of the boat and Halong Bay.

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Disclaimer:  Genesis Cruises graciously gave us a reduced rate to sail aboard the Genesis Regal Cruise in order to facilitate this review. Although, the opinions within this post are my own. 

The Go To Family

We’re a family of five who travels the world! From the oldest to the youngest, all five of us are explorers by heart. Our desire is to never keep our feet planted anywhere too long.

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23 Comments
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Natasha Mairs
4 years ago

I would love to go on a cruise on day. This one looks amazing!! The view from your room is just stunning!

Elena Toma
Elena Toma
4 years ago

The view and the place are simply spectacular. I dream of this cruise right now, I would go for 2 days/nights at least !

Kendra
4 years ago

It looks like you all had a great time! This little cruise looks incredible!!

Monica Parlee
4 years ago

Oh wow, what a fabulous trip! I absolutely love he idea of of taking a one or two night cruise as part of a visit to Vietnam.

Heather
4 years ago

Wow! That ship is AMAZING! I would love to cruise in luxury like that.

Tara Pittman
4 years ago

That is my kind of cruise. I love the view while taking a bath.

HilLesha
4 years ago

It has been a while since I have been on a cruise and this is making me want to book another cruise sometime soon. Thank you for sharing your cruise experience!

Viano Dee
4 years ago

This was fun to read. I’ve never been on a boat talk more of a cruise but it definitely seems like fun. Halong bay is beautiful, by the way.

Brianne Tursi Manz
4 years ago

We hope to go on a cruise sometime in the near future. This one looks like a lot of fun for all ages!

MJ
4 years ago

The views are absolutely stunning, would love to take a cruise through Halong Bay. Adding it to my wanderlust list.

XO, MJ

Kathy
Kathy
4 years ago

That looks like such a beautiful cruise. I have never been on one before. My husband and I would really love to go someday though.

Celebrate Woman Today
4 years ago

What a beautiful and powerful way to explore the world with the children! I absolutely love following your travels!

Sherry
Sherry
4 years ago

This would be quite the experience. I would love to take this cruise and experience the Vietnamese culture.

Catalina
Catalina
4 years ago

A cruise is definitely a beautiful occasion! I am so glad that you and your family had so much fun!

Ruth I
Ruth I
4 years ago

Seems like a wonderful cruise. I can imagine how relaxing this can be. Certainly a mus try!

Njkinny
4 years ago

I have been dreaming about going on a cruise for sometime now and this one looks so exciting. Loved the pics. Looks like you had fun. Thanks for sharing about it.

Katrina
4 years ago

This ship is gorgeous! I have never cruised but it is on my must-do soon list.

Lyosha
4 years ago

wow! Just wow! i love cruises, it is always very exciting to me. This option sounds even better because we don’t have any that lux options near by. I definitely should travel more.

David Elliott
4 years ago

This just reminds me that I really need to take a cruise. It looks so beautiful out there. My daughter and I would love to do something like that.

claudia Krusch
4 years ago

Beautiful cabin, gorgeous cruise! Loved your pictures! Such a great experience!

Nancy Johnson Horn
4 years ago

Looks like a blast! Love the pictures!

Krystel | Frugal Living

This is absolutely stunning. definitely looking into going

Jessica Collazo
4 years ago

This looks so exotic and peaceful. The pictures are amazing and the food looks so delicious.

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