Therefore, are you prepared for a trip beyond the ordinary? The cruises wait in Chennai, ready to embrace passengers eagerly and with unlimited prospects. No matter whether you are a traveled person or just an explorer, your trip from Chennai is going to be something that will live upon the depth of your being and celebrate with such strength India’s coastal wonder.Explore the Cruise Ship in Chennai.
1. Cruise Ship in Chennai Price
The price of a cruise ship in Chennai can vary greatly depending on several factors, such as:
Destination: Chennai cruises vary from brief 2 –2-night excursions to Sri Lanka to opulent 7-day trips to the Andaman Islands. Of course, the longer a cruise is, the more expensive it will be.
Cruise Line: The price may also differ according to the cruise line. However, Cruise Line is the only domestic player to sail from Chennai but some international lines sometimes make port calls in the city including Costa Cruises and Royal Caribbean.
Season: The prices of cruises tend to increase in the peak season – October through March – and decrease during the off-peak season April to September.
Cabin Type: The cabin type will also heavily influence the cost. On the inside, cabins are by far the cheapest ones while oceanview and balcony staterooms come with great views at a higher price tag. Suites which are the costliest option, offer luxury and large balconies.
Here’s a rough estimate of cruise prices from Chennai:
- 3 Days/2 Nights: The cost per person in Chennai – At Sea and back to Chennai ranges from ₹17,735 (INR).
- 4 Days/3 Nights: The Chennai to At Sea to Trincomalee back to Chennai route is available for a price as low as ₹18,843 (INR) per person.
- 5 Days/4 Nights: Save up to ₹26,312 (INR) per person on the incredible journey from Chennai into the sea through Hambantota and Trincomalee. Book your trip now!
- Longer itineraries: In one case, ₹1.08 lakh (INR) per person could be created using the 8-days/7-night program that includes Chennai
2. Cruise Ship from Chennai to Pondicherry
Currently, there are no direct cruise ship routes from Chennai to Pondicherry. But the French colonial town nearby with driving makes a great post-cruise tour if you take Chennai as the departure or arrival port in your cruise. Here are some options:
Cordelia Cruises:
Chennai-At Sea-Hambantota-Trincomalee-Chennai: This 5-night cruise runs between Chennai and Sri Lanka, visiting Trincomalee. However, it does not stop in Pondicherry and you can get off at Chennai where a land commute to Pondichery (3-4 hours by car or train) is possible.
Moreover, Cordelia Cruises has 2-3 night ‘at sea’ itineraries from Chennai and can be added to the trip to Pondicherry through land transport.
Other Cruise Lines:
Even so, for now, only domestic company Cordelia conducts cruises from Chennai while occasionally international lines like Costa Cruises and Royal Caribbean make port calls in this city. Stay updated about their schedules for possible future Chennai-Pondicherry routes.
Alternative options:
Day trips from Chennai: A variety of tour operators provide full-day packages from Chennai to Pondicherry that include sightseeing, transportation, and meals. This would be a wonderful alternative if you have little time or prefer an on-land adventure.
Combine with a longer South India itinerary: Alternatively, if you could allow yourself a longer itinerary that would also include Chennai and Pondicherry. You might opt to fly into Chennai, embark on a cruise, and travel by road to Pondicherry as well as other sites in southern India.
Keep in mind that although there are no direct cruises linking Chennai to Pondicherry today, you can still explore the distinctive tastes of both destinations by taking a cruise complemented by independent transportation on land.
Cruise Ship from Chennai to Pondicherry Prices
There are no direct ships from Chennai to Pondicherry. In Chennai, the lone operator Cordelia Cruises focuses on longer cruise tours covering a large variety of destinations. However, fear not, you still have a couple of options to reach Pondicherry from Chennai via cruise:
Two-leg Cruise via Visakhapatnam:
Select a 3-night or 4 night Cordelia cruise Chennai At Sea Visakhapatnam.
In Visakhapatnam, make your way down to Pondicherry via a short speed boat ride or ferry that takes between3-4 hours and costs INR 500 –1000 per person.
This option provides a compromise between enjoying the luxurious cruise atmosphere and admiring the beauty of ferries.
Beginning rates at around INR 18,000 for two-legged tour cruise option excluding the ferry from Visakhapatnam to Pondicherry. Package tours are different depending on their inclusions and can be a bit pricier or cheaper.
3. Cruise ship from Chennai to Andaman
Currently, luxury cruise ships are not in service from Chennai to Andaman. But, there are government ferries that do it. Here’s everything you need to know about taking a ferry from Chennai to Andaman:
Ferries:
Shipping Corporation of India (SCI): SCI runs ferries between Chennai and Port Blair- the capital of Andaman. The most popular ones are:
MV Nicobar: This ferry carries 700 passengers and takes about 58 hours to arrive at Port Blair. It possesses AC and non–AC cabins, dorms, and restaurants as well as a deck.
MV Swaraj Dweep: This vessel has a slightly lower passenger capacity than MV Nicobar as only 50 passengers can be accommodated. The voyage takes approximately 60 hours, and its amenities are comparable to those offered on MV Nicobar.
MV Nancowry: This is the smallest among the three ferries that have a capacity of 400 people. The second ferry reaches Port Blair after about 70 hours and has fewer facilities than the other two.
Fare: The price of the ferry depends on what class cabin you book. For instance, a bunk class seat on MV Nicobar is approximately INR 2630 and the same in a deluxe cabin costs around INR 10240.
Journey: Since the road trip from Chennai to Port Blair is a lengthy one, make sure to carry along books games, and movies enough for entertainment. Alternatively, you can marvel at the splendid view of Bengal Bay.
4. Things to Consider
- Travel Dates: The costlier period (October to March) is the high season.
- Cabin Choice: Smaller cabins cost less but larger ones provide more comfort and facilities.
- Port Charges & Taxes: More fees might be charged on top of the final price.
- Optional Activities: Shore excursions and on-board activities tend to increase your budget.
- This comparison of price and personal choice is guaranteed to lead you toward a perfect cruise ship package for your Chennai adventure.
5. How to Reach
To reach your cruise ship in Chennai, you’ll have two main options:
1. Public transport
2. Private transport.
Here’s a breakdown to help you choose the best method:
- Public transport:
Chennai Metro: If your cruise terminal is within walking distance, the Chennai Metro provides a cheap and convenient option of traveling to reach the Chennai Port Trust. The nearest metro is represented by the station Chennai Central (CMB), from where an auto-rickshaw or taxi can take you to the port.
Buses: The port area is linked to different parts of Chennai with public buses. Such routes include CMBT (Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus) – Raja Annamalai Puram and Central Railway Station – Royapuram that provide access to the area. Be sure to consider waiting time and bus transfers.
Trains: Train stations such as Chennai Egmore (Egmore) and Chennai Central (MAS) provide an alternative to travel towards the port district. From Egmore, board a bus or taxi to Royapuram. Taking the train from MAS comes out to Harbour Line towards Washermenpet or Kasimedu, which brings you nearer to the port.
- Private transport:
Taxis or auto-rickshaws: If you value convenience, flagging down a taxi or an auto-rickshaw directly from your lodgings is another comfortable option. Arrange the fee prior and make sure that the driver knows what cruise terminal you should get tot.
Pre-booked car/cab: Some of the online platforms or travel agencies provide car rentals and cab bookings for airport-shuttle services as well as city runs. Booking a car with a driver beforehand is convenient and can help save money for large team.
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