Just took the trip back in October. Halong Bay was great. It appeared to me and others that all of the ships appeared to be about the same(ish). Board, start moving and enjoyed the scenery. We came in from Hanoi, took a chartered bus to Halong and boarded the ship for one night. Along the stops we found it funny that the local here and there came up in their boat and offered "Things just like 7/11" They offered chips and liquor and one was trying to sell pearls. The ship had 30-40 cabins. Decent food, decent drinks and as others described the stops at the caves. Enjoy, I had fun.