All You Need to Know about the Houseboat Cruise

Houseboat Cruise Duration
Be sure you know the duration of the cruise included in the package. Is it 20 hour, 4 hour cruise time. Remember the less the number of hours, the less the actual cruise. The longer the duration booked, the more leisurely the pace of the houseboat. The more leisurely the pace, the greater the enjoyment, what’s the point of a houseboat speeding!

         Tips

• Book in advance as at a given point of time houseboats may not be available for the duration you want and you will have to settle for less.

• Houseboats operate on various areas of the backwaters. So be specific about what you wish to see on the cruise. Is it the general local populace habitation then it will be a different part of the backwaters. Is  it elephants, then it will be Elephant lagoon cruise. Knowing where you want to go will help you get the correct tour operator point office for it.

Precautions for Houseboat Cruises in Kerala

• When the sun sets, the mosquitoes strike. Be prepared. The houseboats light the mosquito coil but since it’s open waters there’s only so much that can be done.

• Houseboats have tiny bathrooms and naturally no hot water. Tall people will be in a bit of a spot. Senior citizens may feel very uncomfortable.

• Wear cotton clothes for house boating. It gets very warm at noon. 

         

• Getting on and off the houseboat is by a plank. Wear sturdy shoes or ankle support footwear.  Senior Citizens may find this difficult.

Food on Houseboat

• The houseboat crew comprises two men – one for steering the boat, one acts as the cook. They are locals and their knowledge of English/Hindi is limited. But they’re really courteous.

• The food is the best you’ll eat and probably the only place you’ll get the authentic kerala cuisine like thoran - coconut with vegetable.

• All houseboats offer simple Kerala cuisine comprising veggies, salad, fruits, rice, rotis, curds for lunch/dinner. Breakfast will be idlis with tea/coffee. Evening tea will have snacks like pakoras. 

• There’s a fixed menu. You cannot make demands. If you want special food/North Indian, check with the tour operator if this is available, once on the boat you have to accept what is offered.

Warning

• Those who don’t like enclosed spaces should not opt for houseboat overnight stays. The windows in the room cannot be opened. The doors need to be closed against the mosquitoes. The rooms regardless of size with everything closed can get claustrophobic.

Room on Houseboat Allepey

• There’s no entertainment. The TV does not offer satellite, only a few houseboats offer this facility. VCDs/DVDs available may be of films mainly of the local language.