The limestone islands look much the same in every wedding photo, whichever bay you choose. What changes is the water around them: how many other boats share it, and what your guests do before dinner.
Each ship sails its own stretch, so choosing a bay and choosing a ship turn out to be one decision. Here is how the six we charter for cruise weddings on Ha Long Bay divide up.
Ha Long Bay is the famous stretch, with Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island, and the busiest. Athena Luxury and Athena Premium sail it. Choose it when your guests want the sights they have already seen in pictures.
Lan Ha Bay sits south, towards Cat Ba Island, and is quieter. Azura sails it, and Aspira covers both Ha Long and Lan Ha. On Azura, guests kayak Ao Ech Lagoon in the afternoon, and the 17:00 sunset party is the hour people photograph.
Bai Tu Long is quieter still, with a fraction of the day boats. Athena Royal and Signature Halong sail it: kayaking at Cong Do, then Thien Canh Son Cave the next morning, up about 200 stone steps. Tell older guests about the steps before they come.
Your guest count may decide for you. The two Bai Tu Long ships take 24 and 44 adults. Past 70 guests, only Athena Premium takes everyone, on the classic Ha Long route.
So start with the guest list. The six ships side by side will show you which water is left.