Cruises for Andaman at the very outset can be categorized into two types. One cruise would be to travel to Andaman from various ports of the mainland. There are actually three major ports from which ships travel to Andaman: Kolkata, Chennai and Vishakhapatnam. There would be the other type of cruise where you will need to travel between the various islands once you reach Port Blair. Port Blair is the capital of Andaman and there are beautiful and major islands that are scattered all around without visiting which your trip would be absolutely incomplete. Each of these islands carry their own distinctive identity and presents a gorgeous and unique face of nature and inhabitants, culture and beauty that is mesmerizing and unforgettable.

Suggested Read: Fairs and Festivals in Andaman and Things to do in Andaman

Local cruises are quite important for the locals as well as the tourists for inter-island transfers. Since each piece of land is surrounded by ocean, these local ferries comprise the only mode of transport to reach the different islands of Andamans. You can find both private and government-run cruises or ferries for the transfer of people and even goods. These ferries mainly connect the three major islands of the Andaman archipelago: Port Blair, Havelock Island and Neil Island.

Cruises in Andamans

Nautika & Nautika Lite Ferry in andaman

Here goes the names of the major cruise companies in Andamans that sail across the oceans connecting one island to another: Makruzz, Green Ocean, ITT Majestic, Sea Link, and Government Ferries.

These private cruises have various degrees of luxury or comfort or budget seating that can be usually categorized Economy, Premium, Deluxe and Royal or Luxury. Along with the experience of travelling in that cruise in each category, the prices also differ. The economy and premium categories are usually pocket-friendly and the seating will be at the lower deck of the cruise from a position which might not offer the best of views. The Deluxe category will be comparatively expensive but gives an vast expansive view of the sea and the comfort of ride and the seating arrangement is little better than Economy and Premium categories.

  • The Luxury or Royal class provides a very comfortable seating arrangement but is definitely more expensive than the other previously mentioned categories. It has better facilities, good comfortable seats, but is limited in capacity with a few number of seats.
  • Makruzz is very well known among passengers for its high-speed. It is the most popular Catamaran Passenger Ferry and successfully runs a prominent ferry service in the Andaman Islands to the satisfaction of hundreds of passengers commuting regularly everyday among the main islands of the archipelago. Among the four odd cruise services that operate in the area, Makruzz is the largest brand in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It operates under the names: Makruzz, Makruzz Gold, Pearl, and Makruzz Coastal Cruise. These cruises are fully air-conditioned and are thus quite comfortable for national and international passengers. The seating and the facilities depend on the category or class chosen or the money spent on ticket fare, that is.
  • The Deluxe category is slightly expensive but has a better seating capacity and gives the passenger an elevated and better view of the sea. Deluxe in Makruzz has two decks- Base Deck and Upper Deck. One drawback of choosing Makruzz cruises is that you will not be able to choose your seats. It follows the first-come-first-serve basis and the seating will be allotted this way only.
  • Green Ocean 1 & 2 are the two cruises that have an open area for the passengers to move about and offer an attractive view of the open seas everywhere. This might lure many travellers who are keen on enjoying nature as no other cruise has this facility. Green Ocean 1 might be identified as the slowest cruise with an open area but it is also the cheapest cruise operating in these parts. This cruise has a dance floor and music wherein you can dance and have fun during your journey. The exterior and interior of the Green Ocean 1 varies from Green Ocean 2 in terms of comfort, arrangement of seats and services offered. Green Ocean 2 has an upper deck and a lower deck and the seating capacity is limited. It has a higher speed vessel and modern design and aesthetics for higher speed. Whether you can enjoy the view of the sea will depend upon the seats chosen while booking your tickets.
  • ITT Majestic is similarly a high-speed catamaran that has an attractive appearance and structure which somewhat resembles Makruzz cruises. ITT Majestic and Makruzz Pearl are among the fastest cruises in terms of cruising between the Andaman Islands. The ITT Majestic gives you the opportunity to choose your seats while booking your tickets. The seating is limited and the usual categories are present in terms of facility and ticket price.
  • Sea Link operates some high-speed cruise ferries that are imported from Singapore. It has considerable seating capacity and passengers can get seated on the Upper or the Lower Deck. This brand runs just one cruise that operates between the islands. You can choose your seats while booking your tickets. Sea Link is equally fast as the Green Ocean 2 but this Sea Link does not have an open deck to enjoy the sea breeze and the magical sunrays. Sea Link has also introduced Nautika from 2022. Nautika can be identified as the fastest ferry that sails from Havelock to Port Blair.
  • Government Ferries are somewhat underrated and the credibility that they can also provide state-of-the-art services along with foolproof safety and security is little recognised. But in the long run government ferries are extremely reliable between the islands. These ferries have a sturdy built and take care of the locals and tourists alike. During rough weather, government ferries can be trusted. These ferries transfer people steadily and regularly from one island to another and prevents or avoids travellers getting stranded in any island. But there is a limitation that you would be able to manually book your tickets at the STARS counter at Port Blair. The Government ferries do not provide the provision of advanced booking of tickets or online booking of tickets. It is a real-time affair and availability of tickets at the counter can be checked only when you go to buy tickets and thus you run the risk of the tickets getting sold out. You then are at the risk of losing out on your journey and get contained in a particular island and miss your hotel booking and your itinerary goes haywire which would not have happened had you pre-booked in the other commercial liners. These are some of the tips you need to plan out carefully beforehand while at the planning stage. Pre-checks and pre-booking is essential for a hassle-free stay and travel in and around Andamans. Choose a complete package and avail an end-to-end package solution to be able to enjoy your Andaman trip and save time and effort while at your vacation.

Factors that affect or influence passenger choice while selecting a Cruise

Exploration Time in andaman

  • Travelers should choose their cruise based on their requirement for different island transfers. It can be a mix of cruises. The choice is usually based on the spaciousness, views from the deck, cleanliness and maintenance, services offered, the look and feel and built of the vessel, including the decoration and arrangement of the seating and facilities in the ferries.
  • The cruises do have a pantry provided with bakery items and hot/cold beverages. They also often have fully air-conditioned decks and good hospitality.
  • The cruise boats are generally fully closed for the safety of the passengers and they are provided with large glass windows for a good view of the open wide seas all around.
  • Makruzz Pearl and ITT Majestic are among the fastest cruises in terms of speed which might vary a bit based on other factors. Makruzz or Green Ocean cruises will cost you the same while you are cruising between Port Blair and Havelock or between Havelock and Neil and vice-versa.
  • You can choose any cruise that you prefer based on the category that you want to take. If the requirement has a budget constraint then the Economy or Premium category should be chosen. If you are willing to spend more, you can go for Deluxe and if you do not have any budget issues then you can choose the Royal or Luxury category. Seat options can be chosen while booking.
  • At Experience Andamans, we do the best for the travellers who come to us for planning their trips to the islands. Our island experts will look into each part of your package carefully and suggest the best of everything to you as per you per your requirements. Our ground staff will always be there to assist you and you can easily spot them in an “Orange T-shirt”.

Identify the type of cruise you would want to enjoy

Makruzz Ferry in Andaman

Choose a cruise while traversing through the Andaman Islands on the basis of what you want to experience. Some cruises are mere journeys to the other attractive islands. For example, one who is going to Andaman for a vacation, would never miss staying at least a single night at the beautiful islands of Havelock and Neil. So in order to get transferred from Port Blair to Havelock or Neil you need to choose a cruise. Sometimes, these cruises are purely for enjoying the magic of the unique islands. You might also go for a cruise to watch dolphin in the middle of the ocean or book a ride to watch the fascinating Parrot Island if you visit

  • Dinner Cruise or Night Cruise: With delicious food, open decks with ambient lighting, in-house bars and restaurants serving a delicious array of dishes and scrumptious snacks underwater glass bottom areas to enjoy the deep sea of the nights, the dinner cruises are fascinating and heavenly fun.
  • Havelock Island Cruise: Havelock Island is known for its mesmerising beaches and this cruise takes you to Havelock Island or Swaraj Dweep from Port Blair. Here you can explore the beauty of the famous and pristine Radhanagar Beach, the coral reefs and water sports such as snorkelling and scuba diving of Elephant Beach for, the dazzling sands and pretty resorts.
  • Neil Island Cruise: This cruise to Neil Island or Shahid Dweep will expose you to the raw serene charm of the beaches like Laxmanpur, Bharatpur and Sitapur. The cruise to Neil Island will give you ample opportunity to enjoy the peace and beauty of glorious sunrises and sunsets on the seafront.
  • Ross and Smith Island Cruise: This trip will lead you to the unique Ross and Smith Islands. These islands are majorly known for their naturally connecting beaches that are separated by a sandbar and which can be accessed only in low tide. It’s a great spot for relaxation and enjoying the serenity prevailing all around.
  • Baratang Island Cruise: This cruise will take you to visit the enthralling limestone caves and the fascinating mud volcanoes of Baratang Island. The approach through the shadowy mangrove creek is absolutely adventure-filled and thrilling.
  • Sunset Cruises: These cruises will give you the ultimately fascinating experience of viewing magnificent sunsets from some islands around Port Blair. These leisure cruises of Andaman offer an opportunity to unwind and relax with beautiful views of the sunset over the Andaman Sea.

Consider the duration, activities offered, and places covered by each cruise before making a choice. Additionally, check reviews and recommendations to ensure a reputable and enjoyable experience.