Amet cruises package rates, ex-Kochi

June 2014 update: Looks like Amet has shut shop. They don't seem to be operational in Chennai or Cochin. Reasons not known, but probably because of poor patronage.

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For past few weeks I’ve been noticing extensive ads by AMET Cruises. There’re not many cruises operating from Indian shores and cruise holidays are very uncommon for Indian middle class families. Just out of curiosity, I was keen to check out AMET Cruises prices, to determine if it is affordable.

AMET MAJESTY cruise advertisements never mentioned rates/costs anywhere, so calling the numbers given in the ad was only option to figure out how much these cruises cost. I called one of those numbers, spoke to a rep and collected some details. Sharing those details below, for the benefit of other internet users who might be searching for cost of a cruise holiday from India.

 

I am not advocating/promoting the cruise. This post only intends to provide basic information and save you some phone call expense. Information below is as obtained from the AMET official, at the time of our conversation. Prices and other information are subject to change w.r.t time.

AMET Cruises currently operates from Kochi (Cochin) in Kerala only. Amet is likely to commence operations from Chennai port from Feb 2012 onwards.

How much AMET MAJESTRY cruise packages cost?

I was told AMET has a flat per night rate card.  There’re various types of rooms and rate varies w.r.t same. The cheapest room costs Rs 6500 per person per night and most expensive one costs Rs 13000 per person per night. Hence for a 2 day cruise, for 2 people, your cost will be ranging from 6400*2*2=26k to 52k, depending on type of room you select and subject to availability. Taxes included

Type of rooms available in AMET Majesty:

Inside state room: Cheapest one, Rs 6500 per person per night- No ocean view

Outside state room: Has a small window with ocean view

Ocean room: Slightly more spacious and has bigger window with ocean view, costs about INR 95000 per person per night

Premium inside : No ocean view, but larger room with premium interiors

Junior Suite:

Spa Attached Cabin: Has a spa space within cabin

Children from 5-15 years pay 50% of adult charges

Children below 5 years pay Rs 1500 port charges

For group booking: 30+  people, 10% discount

AMET MAJESTY PACKAGES, ex-Cochin

From Kochi, AMET Cruises has following packages

Package One: Kochi-Maldives-Kochi: 4 nights: INR 26k to 52k per person (for 4 nights, depending on type of room)

Departure every Tuesday and return on Saturday. Only 1 day at the Maldives island, local travel costs extra. For Indian passport holders visa on arrival.

Kochi- High seas- Go deep into Arabian sea in Kochi and come back (One night)

Every Saturday evening to Sunday morning. I wish the departure was couple of hours earlier, so that ship reaches high sea before sun sets. If ship is leaving by 6 or 7pm, the sun would have set by then.

Kochi-Lakshadweep-Kochi: 2 nights

Departure Sunday, Return on Tuesday

Note: All packages will start from October. Bookings open, travel to Cochin at your own expense.

Possible Negative factors:

The above schedule appears very tight and I wonder when will AMET get to do maintenance activities on the ship. The ship will leave on Tuesday to Maldives, return on Saturday, go back to high sea on Saturday, return on Sunday, leave for Lakshadweep on Sunday and return by Tuesday, leave again to Maldives. I hope few hours of gap between the trips is adequate for maintenance activities.

There were couple of comments on internet that the ship is 35 years old. If true, hope it is still sea worthy and has necessary clearances and safety approvals.

At about 26k per person, Kochi-Maldives cruise is nearly twice as expensive compared to air travel. (In cheapest mode of cruise, without sea view). If exploring Maldives is your primary objective, makes more sense to fly.

Cruise to Srilanka (Colomba) from Tuticorin had commenced about 2 months ago, but is said to have lukewarm response. 2 reasons: Cruise fares are almost same as Chennai-Colombo or Kochin-Colombo flight charges, if you consider expense of reaching Tuticorin from your city. Second being time factor- unless you’re keen on experiencing sea travel, time and effort spent on this is not worth it.

AMET's 6.5k per night is twice what Tuticorin-Colombo ferry costs. Hope there's some value add for this price difference (may be better cabin, services etc)

Swimming pool picture, below, looks like an oversize bathtub. Not sure how practical it will be.

Images from AMET website: http://ametcruises.com/contact.htm (Update: Website is inactive now)

 

Despite cost and convenience factors, one should experience cruise once. Let me see when the time comes right for me. If the concept picks up in India may be more and more operators will come in and cost will come down.

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