Sea lovers in India do not have many options available when it comes to sea rides. Usually short-distance government ferry rides operate between popular tourist spots but a grand cruise experience is still a far-flung dream for many.
With the induction of all-new, lavish cruise ‘Angriya’, riders can now enjoy a spectacular view of the western waters from Mumbai to Goa. The newly refurbished cruise started its operations on October 20 and also happens to be India’s first luxury cruise
CRUISE LOBBY
On the seven-deck luxurious cruise, one can enjoy drinks in bars, delicious food at restaurants, dance at discotheque, and even swimming pool and spa – all while travelling. A cruise journey can be memorable for those planning their wedding, honeymoon or vacations in Mumbai, or Goa at affordable rates, or even those mulling to explore the unexplored in India only.
The Angriya cruise service that has been launched as a joint venture by Mumbai Port Trust and Angriya Sea Eagle Pvt Ltd.
This 131-metre passenger ship has the capacity of hosting up to 400 passengers. Angriya has been named after first Maratha Navy Admiral (Sarkhel) Kanhoji Angre and the great Angria bank coral reef near Vijaydurg, Maharashtra. The ship will take 14 hours from Mumbai to Goa.
Facilities you get
It provides accommodation as per your need; all kinds of cuisines, including west coast delights; spa facility as you sail through the soothing breeze of the quaint Konkan Coast; six unique bars that also offer breathtaking views of the Indian sea; open deck facility to give you a 360-degree view; and swimming facility. On board the ship, you can also gain some insight about interesting nautical trivia. If cruise wedding is on your wish list, one of the restaurants on the ship can be expanded to organize wedding parties or corporate meetings.
For all the music and dance aficionados, Angriya has all the facilities. Don’t forget to book in advance for spa and discotheque, though you can also enjoy poolside music while sailing through the sea if discotheque is one thing you are not looking for. If children are accompanying you, you will not be able to take them to the areas where liquor will be served, but they will have an array of options like library, curio shop, museum, etc, to roam around.
Cruise Timing
The Angriya cruise departs from the Mumbai port at 4pm and reaches Goa at 9am the next day. Similarly, the ship will depart from Goa at 4pm and will reach Mumbai around 9am the next day. You will be able to enjoy sunset or sunrise on the Angriya cruise during your to-and-fro journey.
Is it expensive?
During your trip, you’ll have to spend around Rs 2,000 a person for food, including breakfast, dinner, snacks, juice, tea, etc. The vessel deck of Angriya has six bars and two different types of restaurants, and round-the-clock coffee shops, recreation room, and lounge. The price for this premium sailing service starts at Rs 4,300 (excluding food) for a dorm and can go up to Rs 7,650 for a double room, which in comparison to other modes of transportation, including air travel and train, is bit expensive.
For a Volvo bus service between Mumbai to Goa, one has to pay around Rs 1,000-Rs 2,500, while if you travel by air, most airlines charge around Rs 3,500-Rs 7,000. Even the ticket price for most premium train service Tejas costs Rs 2,600 only. But, the facilities provided on the cruise are incomparable to other mediums. You can book tickets through a travel agent or the website of Angriya Cruise.
Cruise tourism boost
Goa, being a prominent tourist destination in India, is already a famous cruise destination. The state has seen over 25 per cent rise in the tourist footfall in 2017 alone. Cruise tourism is evolving at a faster pace in Mumbai too. In its plan to boost cruise tourism in India, the Centre has floated proposals to link Mumbai with other tourist places of the country as well as parts of Southeast Asia. The cruise tourism segment would also play a major role in providing employment to thousands of youths, suggest experts.
The idea behind starting a cruise ride is to push cruise tourism to earn large revenues. Mumbai, Chennai and Kochi are three Indian cities that are looking at developing cruise lining facilities as the basic infrastructure to set up these services is already in place.
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