Cruise Tour Packages —
India & International
Kerala houseboats, Goa sundowners, Andaman island cruises, and international dhow cruises to Maldives, Dubai, and Singapore. Luxytrix cruise packages starting at ₹4,999 per person.
12,000+
Cruise Guests Served
900+
km Kerala Backwaters
8
Cruise Experiences
4.9/5
Cruise Rating
What Is the Best Cruise Experience in India?
India's most celebrated cruise experience is the Kerala backwater houseboat — locally called a kettuvallam. These traditional rice boats, converted into floating guesthouses, navigate the 900 km network of rivers, lakes, and canals that form Kerala's backwater system. The most popular route runs from Alleppey (Alappuzha) through Vembanad Lake — India's longest lake at 96.5 km — stopping at village canals lined with coconut palms, paddy fields, toddy shops, and country boats piled with prawns. A deluxe houseboat includes an air-conditioned bedroom, en-suite bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, and a crew of two who cook authentic Kerala meals using ingredients bought fresh from village markets each morning.
Beyond Kerala, India offers four distinct cruise types. The Goa Mandovi River sunset cruise is a 1.5–2 hour evening experience departing from Panaji Jetty — traditional Konkani folk performances, live music, and the Goa coastline at dusk. The Andaman island-hopping experience uses high-speed catamarans (Makruzz, Green Ocean) to connect Port Blair, Havelock Island, and Neil Island — the coral-fringed approach to Havelock by boat is among India's most scenic arrivals. The Varanasi Ganga river boat at dawn — rowing past the 84 ghats as the city wakes and priests begin their morning rituals — is a profoundly atmospheric experience at just ₹999 per person.
Internationally, the Maldives liveaboard dhow cruise is the most immersive experience — a traditional wooden boat that moves you between atolls, with snorkelling and diving at multiple reef locations daily. The Dubai dhow dinner cruise on Dubai Creek combines a traditional wooden boat with the glittering modern skyline and a lavish Arabic spread. Singapore cruise packages combine the city's harbour views with Sentosa Island and the Marina Bay Sands skyline.
Featured Cruise Packages
From Kerala's tranquil backwater routes to the Maldives' azure lagoons — these are Luxytrix's most loved cruise experiences.
Vembanad Lake · Paddy Fields · Sunset Cruise
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60 km Backwater Route · Village Canals · Kumarakom
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Mandovi River · Folk Performance · Candlelight
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Radhanagar Beach · Coral · Glass-Bottom Boat
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Liveaboard · Manta Rays · Sandbank Picnic
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Dubai Creek · Arabic Mezze · City Skyline
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Marina Bay · Sentosa · Gardens by Bay
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84 Ghats · Dawn Arti · Assi Ghat
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Kerala Houseboat Types & Prices
Choosing the right houseboat category determines your comfort level. Here is a direct comparison of what each tier offers.
Basic Houseboat
₹5,999–7,999/night/night
- 1 or 2 bedrooms
- Attached bathroom (Indian style)
- Meals: breakfast + lunch + dinner
- Crew: 1 captain + 1 cook
- AC in bedroom
- No upper deck sunbathing area
Best for: Budget travellers, solo travellers
Deluxe Houseboat
₹8,999–12,999/night/night
- 2–3 bedrooms
- Western bathrooms
- Full meals included
- Upper sun deck with chairs
- AC + ceiling fan
- Crew: 2 staff
Best for: Couples and small families
Luxury Houseboat
₹16,999–28,999/night/night
- 3–4 bedrooms with king beds
- Modern bathrooms with hot water
- Fine dining on board
- Private sun deck with loungers
- Entertainment system
- Premium crew: 3–4 staff
Best for: Luxury travellers, honeymoon couples
What to Expect on a Kerala Houseboat
A typical day on the Alleppey backwaters — from waking up on the water to sleeping under the stars.
Wake up on the water — morning mist over the backwaters
Freshly brewed chai served on the open sun deck
Kerala breakfast — appam, egg curry, fresh coconut chutney
Cruising through narrow canals, village backwaters, and open Vembanad Lake
Freshwater fish caught by the crew and prepared for lunch
Lunch: Kerala sadya (fish curry, rice, rasam, payasam)
Moored in shade for afternoon rest — birdwatching, reading, photography
Resume cruising — late afternoon light on the water is golden
Moor for the night at a quiet canal — sunset over the paddy fields
Dinner: prawn masala, fish fry, coconut rice, Kerala payasam
India Cruises vs International Cruises
Comparing domestic and international cruise experiences across all the dimensions that matter.
| Aspect | India Cruises | International Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Best experience | Kerala houseboat on Alleppey backwaters | Maldives liveaboard coral dive cruise |
| Starting price | ₹4,999 (Goa river cruise) | ₹42,999 (Singapore harbour cruise package) |
| Duration | 1 hour to 3 nights | 4–7 nights typically |
| Visa required | No visa for Indian citizens | Visa-on-arrival (Maldives, Dubai) or advance visa |
| Best for romance | Kerala houseboat sunset on Vembanad Lake | Maldives dhow cruise under stars |
| Best for family | Andaman island ferry cruise, 5N/6D | Singapore harbour cruise + Sentosa package |
| Budget option | Goa sunset cruise ₹1,999/person | Dubai dhow dinner cruise ₹4,999/person |
Top Cruise Departure Points in India
Alleppey (Alappuzha), Kerala
Backwater Cruise HubIndia's largest houseboat hub with 1,200+ licensed houseboats. Main embarkation point for all Kerala backwater cruises. 70 km from Cochin Airport.
Kumarakom, Kerala
Luxury Backwater HubMore upscale than Alleppey, with premium houseboats and resort jetties. Ideal for luxury backwater stays on Vembanad Lake.
Panaji, Goa
Sunset & Party CruisesMultiple operators run 2–3 hour sunset cruises on the Mandovi River from Panaji Jetty daily. Departs at 5:30 PM typically.
Port Blair, Andaman
Island Ferry HubGovernment and private ferries connect Port Blair to Havelock (Neil's Cove) and Neil Island. Makruzz, Green Ocean, and Nautika are the premium ferry operators.
Varanasi Ghats
River Pilgrimage CruiseRowing boats (₹300–500/hour) and motor launches (₹800–1,500) depart from Assi Ghat and Dashashwamedh Ghat for sunrise and sunset cruises.
Cruise Packing Guide
What to pack for India and international cruise holidays — from Kerala houseboats to Maldives dhows.
Light cotton or linen clothing
Kerala's backwater climate is humid — natural fibres are most comfortable
Motion sickness tablets
Open sea crossings to Havelock (Andaman) can be choppy in 2–3m waves
Sunscreen SPF 50+ and sunglasses
Open boat decks offer zero shade in midday sun
Mosquito repellent
Essential for Kerala backwaters at sunset — spray around ankles and wrists
Light rain jacket or poncho
Kerala monsoon season cruises need waterproofing
Camera with extra memory cards
Backwater light and birdlife generate hundreds of photos per day
Small dry bag for electronics
Spray and splashes are common — keep phones and cameras protected
Cash in small denominations
Village stops on backwater routes — most shops are cash only
Reviews from Our Cruise Travellers
"Two nights on the Alleppey backwaters was the most peaceful travel experience of our lives. Waking up to mist over the paddy fields, fresh chai, and the sound of water birds — nothing compares. The houseboat crew cooked the freshest Kerala seafood we've ever eaten. Absolutely worth it."
Arjun & Meera Pillai
Bangalore
"The Makruzz speedboat from Port Blair to Havelock Island took 90 minutes and was smooth. Luxytrix had a car waiting at Neil's Cove. We island-hopped to Neil Island by public ferry — brilliant. The snorkelling at Elephant Beach was the highlight for our 9-year-old."
Rohit & Family
Delhi
"Four nights on a traditional Maldivian dhow with coral reefs as our anchor points every morning. We snorkelled at four different reef patches, saw manta rays and reef sharks, and slept under an open sky on the deck one night. Luxytrix arranged a private sandbank picnic on day 3."
Divya & Suresh
Pune
"The Dubai Creek dhow dinner cruise was the perfect finale to our Dubai trip. Traditional wooden dhow, live music, unlimited Arabic mezze and BBQ, with the illuminated skyline of Dubai drifting past. Luxytrix added this as a package upgrade and it turned out to be the most memorable evening of the trip."
Nalini Kumar
Hyderabad
Cruise Holiday FAQs
What is the cost of a Kerala houseboat experience?
A deluxe Kerala houseboat for one night on the Alleppey backwaters costs ₹7,999 for a couple — this includes accommodation, all meals (breakfast + lunch + dinner), and a licensed crew of 2. Luxury houseboats with air-conditioned bedrooms, king beds, and upper sun decks cost ₹12,000–16,000 per night for a couple. Two-night packages from Alleppey to Kollam cost ₹12,999 and cover 60 km of backwaters. All Luxytrix Kerala houseboat packages include DTPC-licensed houseboats only.
How do I book an Andaman cruise or island ferry?
The Andaman Islands are connected by a combination of government ferries (run by ANIIDCO) and private speedboats (Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika). The Makruzz speedboat from Port Blair to Havelock (Neil's Cove) takes 90 minutes and costs ₹1,200–1,800 per person one-way. Luxytrix books all Andaman ferry tickets in advance as part of your package — this is important because Makruzz sailings sell out 15–30 days in advance in peak season.
Are there international cruise packages from India?
Yes — several cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, and Costa Cruises operate itineraries departing from Mumbai (Indira Dock) and Kochi. Typical routes from Mumbai visit Maldives, Lakshadweep, or Goa. Prices start at ₹40,000 per person for a 4-night cabin. Luxytrix also books standalone packages — Maldives dhow cruise (₹79,999), Dubai dhow dinner cruise (₹4,999 add-on), and Singapore harbour cruise packages (₹42,999).
Is a Maldives dhow cruise worth the cost?
A Maldives dhow liveaboard cruise is worth every rupee if you are a diver, snorkeller, or someone who wants to sleep under stars on the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is 99% ocean and 1% land — you genuinely cannot see the country without being on the water. Luxury overwater villa stays are stationary; the dhow cruise moves you between different atolls and reef systems. Luxytrix dhow cruise packages (₹79,999, 4N/5D) include accommodation on board, three reef snorkelling sessions daily, all meals, and a sunset fishing experience.
Which cruise is best for a honeymoon?
The Kerala deluxe houseboat (2 nights, Alleppey to Kollam) is India's most romantic cruise for a honeymoon — private, intimate, and utterly beautiful. For international honeymooners, the Maldives dhow cruise is unrivalled — sleeping on a traditional wooden boat under the stars, with phosphorescent plankton lighting up the water at night. For couples on a budget, the Goa Mandovi River sunset cruise (₹1,999/person) with live folk music and candles is a perfect evening experience.
What is the best time to do the Goa sunset cruise?
The Goa Mandovi River sunset cruise operates year-round. The best months are November to February when the weather is clear, cool, and the Goa tourism season is at its peak. Cruises typically depart from Panaji Jetty at 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM, lasting 1.5–2 hours. During monsoon season (June–September), cruises may be suspended on days with rough river conditions. The cruise includes a traditional Konkani cultural performance, live music, and light snacks.
Book Your Cruise Experience Today
Cruise packages from ₹4,999 — Kerala houseboats, Goa sunset cruises, Maldives dhow, and more. WhatsApp us with your preferred cruise type and dates.