After our wedding, we didn’t dream of a rushed journey packed with checklists and crowded sights. What we longed for was a quiet, intimate honeymoon, a place where time could slow down and every moment could be shared, just the two of us. That’s why we chose an overnight cruise, allowing us to settle in, unwind, and truly enjoy being together without the pressure of constant movement.
More importantly, we chose a Lan Ha Bay cruise, drawn to its emerald waters, peaceful atmosphere, and gentle rhythm, far removed from the busy central routes. It felt like the perfect backdrop for the very first chapter of our married life, soft, calm, and beautifully unhurried.
Why we chose Aboard Scarlet Pearl for our honeymoon
Among many options, Scarlet Pearl Cruise stood out immediately. Its itinerary focuses entirely on Lan Ha Bay, avoiding busy routes and offering a strong sense of privacy from the very beginning.
The cruise features a modern luxury design, making it especially suitable for honeymoons and special celebrations, with romantic room setups available upon request. Our cabin was spacious, complete with a private balcony where we spent quiet moments watching the sea drift by.
Scarlet Pearl also impressed us with its high – end facilities: an outdoor jacuzzi, sky bar, spa, and most notably, it is the only 5-star cruise using a catamaran for the second-day excursion, offering a smoother and more exclusive experience.
Day 1: From Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay – Our honeymoon begins
In the morning, we left Hanoi filled with excitement and anticipation. Between 8:00 and 8:30, a luxury limousine picked us up directly from our hotel in the Old Quarter, gently carrying us away from our familiar routine and into a slower, more intimate honeymoon journey. After traveling for a while, we arrived at the Scarlet Pearl Cruise Lounge at Tuan Chau harbor at around 11:30. The calm and elegant atmosphere immediately made us feel as though we were stepping into a completely different world. When the tender transferred us to the ship, and we officially boarded the Scarlet Pearl Cruise at 12:00, honeymoon mode truly began.
We were welcomed with refreshing drinks, then guided to our cabin to settle our luggage before heading to Tahiti Restaurant for lunch. As the cruise slowly departed toward Lan Ha Bay, we sat by the window, watching limestone karsts drift past the glass, feeling time gently slow with the rhythm of the waves.
In the afternoon, we explored Dark & Light Cave by kayak, gliding through turquoise waters and beneath naturally formed stalactites in an atmosphere of remarkable stillness. The journey then continued to Ech Lagoon, a remote hideaway with emerald waters, ideal for swimming or kayaking. We also booked the catamaran with a surcharge to enjoy the sunset together, and the view was worth it.
That evening, we enjoyed a refined fine dining dinner with fresh local seafood. The staff was so nice to decorate our table, making the meal memorable for two of us. With no rush and no plans, we ended the night in our cabin, opening the balcony doors and listening to the gentle rhythm of the water against the hull, a quietly perfect close to our first day of honeymoon.
Day 2: Sunrise and exploring Lan Ha Bay by catamaran
We woke up early, not because of a fixed schedule, but because we didn’t want to miss the rare sunrise over Lan Ha Bay. As the first rays of morning sunlight gently touched the limestone karsts, the entire bay seemed to soften and slow down. We stood quietly, simply taking in the view and capturing a few photos together, to hold on to a moment that felt peaceful, tender, and deeply connected.
From 6:30 to 7:30, tea, coffee, and pastries were served. The morning unfolded at an unhurried pace, surrounded by the stillness of the bay. Sitting side by side, watching the water gradually glow under the rising sun, we savored the final tranquil moments of our honeymoon at sea, a place where all worries quietly faded away.
After breakfast, we spent a little more time relaxing on the deck before boarding a catamaran for our final exploration, which is unique in the bay. The ride was smooth and refined, gliding us through the quieter corners of Lan Ha Bay, far from the usual busy routes. In that calm silence, time seemed to slow, and our emotions felt deeper, just the two of us and the scenery drifting past.
Around 9:00 – 9:30, we returned to the main cruise to prepare for check-out. As the vessel slowly made its way back toward the mainland, our final brunch was served at Tahiti Restaurant, a gentle closing note to a memorable two-day, one-night journey.
By late morning, we disembarked by tender, arriving at the pier around 11:00 – 11:30, then continued by car back to Hanoi, with an estimated arrival between 14:30 and 15:00. The journey came to an end, but the lingering sense of peace, closeness, and love stayed with us long afterward, like a beautiful memory that refuses to fade.
Reflections After the Journey
Looking back, this was an ideal honeymoon experience: private, relaxing, and unhurried. Aboard Scarlet Pearl offers a perfect balance of luxury and warmth, making couples feel comfortable rather than overwhelmed. The gentle itinerary and thoughtful design focus on togetherness, not schedules. For us, these two days and one night were more than a trip; they were the beginning of our love story, written slowly and beautifully on the waters of Lan Ha Bay.
