Let dreams set sail, as you embrace the tides,
For blue waters tend to longings, sending the right vibes.
How you wish to set course on one of those memorable cruise rides across the Bay of Bengal from the Indian mainland to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands! The cruise to Andaman is a once-in-a-lifetime experience wherein you take to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal, watch the sea life from close quarters, and enjoy the splendid sunrise and sunset views unalloyed, uninterrupted.
In the present coronavirus scenario, Andaman tourism is opening with a number of rules and regulations. Tourists are required to carry a Covid-19 negative test report which has to be within 48 hours of starting the journey. There are certain Andaman travel restrictions during Covid as well in places like Rangat, Little Andaman, and Diglipur.
About Cruises To Andaman
Available from the ports of Kolkata, Vizag, and Chennai, these cruises are gigantic ships run and managed by the Shipping Corporation of India and make for a wonderful 3-4 day odyssey from the coast of the Indian mainland to Andamans. Chennai Port is the most renowned among the all 3 with the most number of ships operating from there. MV Nicobar, MV Nancowry, MV Akbar, MV Harshavardhana, and MV Swaraj Dweep are the ships running back and forth from Chennai. You can find below information including, Chennai to Andaman cruise fare, 2024, Kolkata to Andaman ship fare, Kolkata to Port Blair ship, luxury cruise from Chennai to Andaman, Chennai to Andaman travel time, Chennai to Andaman ship schedule 2024, Chennai to Andaman ship ticket price 2024.
- Kolkata To Port Blair Ship Fare: The fare for your Kolkata to Port Blair by ship trip can range from INR 2630 for bunk class and INR 10240 for a deluxe cabin
- Chennai To Andaman Cruise Fare: For a deluxe cabin in a Chennai to Port Blair ship, one has to pay INR 10240, INR 8490 for a 1st class cabin, INR 6750 for a 2nd class cabin, and INR 2630 for a bunk class seat.
- Vishakhapatnam To Port Blair Fare: The cruise cost for Vishakhapatnam to Andaman depends on the kind of seat you choose. It can go anywhere from INR 2630 to INR 10240.
- Luxury Cruise From Chennai To Andaman: If you’re looking for different kinds of luxury cruises that sail to the Andaman Islands then these are your best options – MV Harshavardhana, MV Nancowry, MV Nicobar, MV Swaraj Dweep, and MV Akbar.
- Chennai To Andaman Cruise Travel Time: The total journey hours from Chennai to Port Blair on the cruise will take you 60 hours.
- Kolkata To Port Blair Travel Time: About 66 hours
- Vishakhapatnam To Port Blair: About 56 hours
- Chennai To Andaman Ship Schedule 2024: The shipping schedule for MV Swaraj Dweep is yet to be announced.
- Chennai To Andaman Ship Ticket Price 2024: For MV Swaraj Dweep/Nancowry/Nicobar/Campbell Bay the starting price is from INR 5,000 (Approx.).
Top 3 Sea Routes For Cruise To Andaman In 2024
- Kolkata – Port Blair: An Amazing Journey
- Chennai – Port Blair: An Exhilarating Trip
- Vishakhapatnam – Port Blair: New Level Of Excitement
1. Kolkata – Port Blair: An Amazing Journey
This is the longest route among the three popular sea routes to Port Blair, Andaman. The Kolkata to Andaman ship journey works best when you travel in the months of January, February, March, April, and November. If you suffer from seasickness then opt for this cruise to Andaman as these are the months with the least seasickness.
Frequency: Once a week (approximately), 3-4 times a month
Total Distance Traveled: 1302 km
Total Time Taken: 70 hours approximately
Starts From: Kolkata
Ends At: Port Blair
Address Of SCI, Kolkata: Shipping House Number 13, Strand Road, Kolkata-17
Must Read: Andaman In September: 15 Thrilling Experiences On The Island For Monsoons!
Andaman Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle
2. Chennai – Port Blair: An Exhilarating Trip
If you are a resident of Chennai city, then a Chennai to Andaman cruise is very much feasible and you can easily make bookings and board. But if you are a non-resident who is planning to board from Chennai, make sure you also consider and calculate your time and expenses of reaching the city. It is better to take advice from a tour operator who can guide you and make the right bookings for this luxury cruise to Andaman.
Frequency: Once a week (approximately), 3-4 times a month
Total Distance Traveled: 1362 km
Total Time Taken: 60 hours approximately
Starts From: Chennai Port
Ends At: Port Blair
Total Seats: NA
Address Of SCI, Chennai: Gate Number 1, Port Trust, Rajaji Salai, Opposite Customs Office, Chennai-1
3. Vishakhapatnam – Port Blair: New Level Of Excitement
Exploring Andaman is an adventure in itself, but traveling to this Indian island through sea-route on a cruise takes the excitement to another level. Though it is less time taking to reach here through the airway, a tour of a cruise to Andaman is an experience worth living at least once is a lifetime.
Frequency: Once a month
Total Distance Traveled: 1224 km
Total Time Taken: 56 hours approximately
Starts From: Vishakhapatnam
Ends At: Port Blair
Address Of SCI, Visakhapatnam: M/S A.V Bhanoji Rao Garuda Pattabhiramayya & Co. Ltd. Post Box No-17, Visakhapatnam
Note: Currently there is no online portal for booking ships to Andaman. Tourists must be present at the STARS (Ship Ticket Advance Reservation System) office located in Kolkata, Vishakhapatnam, or Chennai to get their tickets.
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5 Government-Run Sea Cruise To Andaman In 2024
Only government-run cruises operate from the Indian mainland to Andaman. With 3-4 sailings per month from Kolkata and Chennai to Port Blair and 1 sailing per month from Visakhapatnam to Port Blair and vice-versa, you must be prompt with the bookings. The ticket price varies from INR 900 to INR 10000 depending on the class of accommodation you opt for.
To book a ticket one must carry 2 passport size photographs, government identity proof, and address proof along with the requisition form. The wonderful voyage takes close to 4 days to complete in normal weather conditions. Some of the most popular ships for a trip to Andaman cruise are listed below along with the Andaman cruise fare:
- MV Nicobar: A Trip To Remember
- MV Nancowry: A Majestic Cruise
- MV Swarajdweep: Most Popular Cruise
- MV Harshavardhana: A Journey To Remember
- MV Akbar: A Vintage Cruise
1. MV Nicobar: A Trip To Remember
MV Nicobar operates from Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Kolkata to Port Blair. Assure yourself a memorable trip to Andaman by ship. The MV Nicobar cruise prices given below are for non-islanders. The ship has 300 cabins, 900 bunks or decks, and can carry a total of 1200 passengers, making it one of the best cruise to Andaman.
Deluxe Cabin: INR 10,240
1st Class Cabin: INR 8,490
2nd Class Cabin: INR 6,750
Bunk Class: INR 2,630
Suggested Read: 10 Ultimate Destinations For Boat And Cruise Vacations In India!
2. MV Nancowry: A Majestic Cruise
Also known to carry cargo loads, MV Nancowry operates from Chennai to Andaman (Port Blair) and is a majestic ship to embark on. The entire proceeding and departure of the ship can be coordinated from the SCI office at Chennai. The MV Nancowry cruise prices given below are for non-islanders. The ship has 300 cabins, 900 bunks or decks, and can carry a total of 1200 passengers.
Deluxe Cabin: INR 10,240
1st Class Cabin: INR 8,490
2nd Class Cabin: INR 6,750
Bunk Class: INR 2,630
3. MV Swarajdweep: Most Popular Cruise
Of all the popular cruises to Andaman, MV Swarajdweep makes a popular ride. The passenger ship sails from Chennai port and reaches Port Blair on the 3rd day. The MV Swarajdweep cruise prices given below are for non-islanders. The ship has 300 cabins, 900 bunks or decks, and can carry a total of 1200 passengers and one of the best options for cruise ship to Andaman.
Deluxe Cabin: INR 10,240
1st Class Cabin: INR 8,490
2nd Class Cabin: INR 6,750
Bunk Class: INR 2,630
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4. MV Harshavardhana: A Journey To Remember
One of the most renowned ships operating between Kolkata and Visakhapatnam to Port Blair, MV Harshavardhana is one amazing company for your memorable voyage. The MV Harshavardhana cruise prices given below are for non-islanders. The ship has 153 cabins, 595 bunks or decks and can carry a total of 748 passengers.
Deluxe Cabin: INR 10,240
1st Class Cabin: INR 8,490
2nd Class ‘A’ Cabin: INR 6,750
2nd Class ‘B’ Cabin: INR 5,210
Bunk Class: INR 2,630
5. MV Akbar: A Vintage Cruise
Mostly plying between Kolkata – Port Blair and Visakhapatnam – Port Blair, MV Akbar is the oldest operating ship to Andaman. The MV Akbar cruise prices given below are for non-islanders. The ship has 121 cabins, 1414 bunks or decks, and can carry a total of 1535 passengers.
Deluxe Cabin: INR 10,240
1st Class Cabin: INR 7,240
2nd Class Cabin: INR 4,400
Bunk Class: INR 2,290
Note: Foreigners must take a permit of 30 days before visiting the island, which can be further extended up to 15 days more. Indians, too, need to obtain a special permit from the office of Deputy Commissioner of Andaman at the port, if one plans to travel to the nearby islands inhabited by tribes.
Further Read: Best Experiences On A 6 Day Family Trip To Andaman
After having read all this, aren’t you itching to hear the golden words, “Welcome Aboard”? If yes, plan a trip to Andaman and enjoy the astonishing cruise tours to get breathtaking views of the sea on different popular sea routes. You’ll be amazed at the plethora of things that Andaman has to offer you and you will take back some great memories. So, which one of the cruises to Andaman will you be taking?
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cruise To Andaman
What is the best time to plan a cruise to Andaman?
Planning a trip to Andaman by cruise can be done year-round. However, January to April is the preferable months when people on board are at the lowest risk of catching seasickness. October to December is the time for monsoon in the Bay of Bengal region. The sea is prone to cyclones, and storms, it’s better to avoid a cruise trip to Andaman during this phase.
Are there any private cruises?
There aren’t any private cruises operating from the Indian mainland to Andaman. The ships operating from the ports of Kolkata, Chennai, and Vizag are run by the Shipping Corporation of India.
How to plan a budget trip to the Andaman Islands?
Making flights booking in advance, and comparing the price of stays cover an important aspect of a budget trip to the Andaman Islands. To pull off a budget trip you need to rely on a well chalked-out itinerary when selecting the best Andaman tour package, which can also be customized as per your requirements.
What is Chennai to Andaman cruise fares?
There are a number of ships operating from Chennai to Andaman (Port Blair). The Chennai to Andaman ship fare 2024 starts from as low as INR 900 for a Bunk Dorm to INR 10000 for a Deluxe Cabin. The price varies for islanders and non-islanders. Take a look at the rate charts mentioned in the blog above.
How should I plan a trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
To plan a trip, start with jotting down the key aspect of your trip like the best time to visit, places to visit, and things to do in Andaman, as per the duration of your trip. You can also start by considering the best hotels and resorts in Andaman that present you with the best of the Islands.
What food are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands known for?
Andaman is known for its wide range of delicious seafood. Lobsters, Crab, Prawns, and Cuttlefish are some of the most prominent fish delicacies served in the restaurants in Andaman. Besides, Andamanese loves non-vegetarian food which comprises their staple diet. Other than seafood, Indian and Chinese food is also some of the prominent cuisines available in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
How long does it take to reach Andaman from Chennai by ship?
It takes approximately 60 hours (2.5 days) to reach Andaman from Chennai through the sea route (ship).
Is a passport required for visiting Andaman?
If you are an Indian citizen, you won’t need a passport to visit Andaman, as it is also a part of the country. However, you would need permission to visit some specific tribal areas in Andaman.
How much does it cost to go to Andaman by ship?
The cost of your Andaman cruise trip depends on various factors, such as trip duration, room category, etc. An ideal holiday will cost between INR 80k to INR 1,00,000.
What is the price of cruise ticket from Port Blair to Havelock?
The price entirely depends on the cruise you are booking. You can take a ferry ride too which starts from INR 1500 onwards.
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