Mumbai to Goa in Ship Cruise Ferry - starting February end, to cost Rs 5,000

This New Year’s Eve parties on the beach won’t be the most fun thing to do in Goa. Come December and you can reach India’s favourite beach destination in the most fun way possible - a cruise! Yes, you heard it right - a luxury cruise which might be among the best in the world!

The planned vessel will have a capacity to carry 400 passengers and there will be different classes available to choose from. Also, the service will be available on alternate days as only one vessel will be used for operations for now. It's likely to be a luxury liner with hotels, swimming pools among other facilities on-board.

The journey is expected to be about one day in the sea.

Latest update: After a long wait - the ferry service is now expected to start by the end of February. The tickets are expected to cost Rs 5,000 and the journey will take about 16 hours from Mumbai to Goa. The cruise liner will start from the Muzgaon domestic terminal and stop at Raigad, Dabhol, Jaigad, Vijay Durg and Malvan before reaching its final destination Panjim.

Update 2: As per current update, the construction of a jetty is potentially holding up the start of the service. The 132-metre luxury liner built in Norway was proposed to be anchored two nautical miles off Raj Bhavan and a jetty for the same was proposed to be built at Nariman Point, but the permission for the same has been denied. Previously permission for the jetty near the gateway of India was also rejected for security reasons.

Update 1: As per an article in DNA, the service will start only later - most likely by end of January. Currently, trails are going on.

Sanjay Bhatia, chairman of MbPT, told DNA, "The cruise ferry has already reached India and is anchored at Mumbai. We have all the required permissions and are waiting for the trial runs to be completed. Once it is operational, the liner will be anchored at the domestic cruise terminal, which is close to the ferry wharf at Mazgaon." (ref)

Mumbai to Goa ferry  (image not from the actual route; image ref)

Though it’s not the first time such a service would run between the two coastal cities, for our generation it would certainly be the first opportunity to try this sea route. The service was announced recently by Union Transport minister, and more details are eagerly awaited. However, what we do know is that travel to Goa as we know it, is about to change for good.

I am actually very keen to see what kind of ferry/ boat will actually be introduced and what kind of fares can there be for these trips. From my experience of using ferries in other countries, they often have a tiered approach to the boats and price. Most recently I was in Cambodia hopping islands, and used such a ferry there. The ferries weren’t government run, and there were options to pick from. There was also a fast and a slow ferry with a different fare. I have also seen a similar concept of fast-slow ferries while traveling to islands in Hong Kong, travel to Zanzibar in Tanzania, as well as traveling through the fjords in Norway.

So if I were to make my own set of expectations from this ferry, here are some:

1. Tiers for different rates and facilities - air-conditioning in at least one tier is a must!
2. Fast and slow ferries both should co-exist
3. Food and drinks on-board
4. Option of online booking for the ferry trips (something like IRCTC is for trains)
5. Kids activity area
6. Stops on the way where people can get down (wish)
7. Ample washrooms
8. Cultural orientation for the two cities based on direction of travel - booking tours on-board
9. Nice open deck - enjoy water, dance
10. First-aid to tackle sea sickness

My last trip to Goa was in the monsoon earlier this year, and I took the most boring route possible to reach the state. However, on the way back to Pune, we took a train and I was mesmerised by the beauty of western ghats. It was slow travel, but absolutely worth it. However, for me the best way to travel to Goa is by a road-trip - with numerous stop overs. My hope is that with this new ferry things might change and it might become my most favourite way to reach my most favourite beach destination in the country!

How about you? Would you give it a try? Also, what could it mean for the tourism industry in general for the region?

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If you are planning your first cruise ever, here's a detailed guide on what to expect and how to plan a perfect cruise vacation - Tips for planning your first cruise!

Comments

  1. It's really exciting that ferry services are going to begin for Mumbai to Goa. Then traveling to goa would be like the cherry on the cake. Recently I took a long ferry ride in the Andaman Islands and it was an amazing experience.

    The ferry ride was comfortable as it was furnished with a pantry where they were serving hot beverages, continentals which are fresh and made the ferry ride a soothing journey.

    Washrooms were managed and the cruise was properly equipped with safety types of equipment. Cruising through the clean blue-green sea with the side of the mountains, adorned with lush green herbs was quite a scene to be remembered throughout the life. looking forward to some more fun-filled experience with Goa- Mumbai Ferry. Thanks for sharing such an exciting information, praying for its earliest execution.

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    Replies
    1. Yes ! i also enjoyed ferry to havelock from andaman. what a lovely memorable experience it is!

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  2. So excited.. but please update how do we go about booking the trickets..

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  3. good article. i like it very. nice information for sharing.

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  4. However, on the way back to Pune, we took a train and I was mesmerised by the beauty of western ghats. It was slow travel, but absolutely worth it. !!

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  5. please update how do we go about booking the ferry tickets from Mumbai to Goa .

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I will update it as soon as the information becomes available :)

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    2. Any idea when it suppose to start

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    3. It's expected to start next month. Be assured that I will update this post and make a new one with all details as soon as more details are available :)

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    4. We want to book on 1 st December 2017 .My number is 9822119981 .Please inform....

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    5. Please update me as well, where I can book and what's the fare.

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  6. I prefer a more comfortable transfer conditions during my travels, because this is the time when I want to completely relax.

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  7. Yes, the article I was looking for. Your article gives me another approach on the subject. I hope to read more articles from you.

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  8. It's 2nd December and we don't have any news so far,any idea ?

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    Replies
    1. No details except it will start around Christmas...

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  9. This is awesome. Thank you for sharing very detail info. wonderful Narration!

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  10. I want to book for my January visit to Goa,how to book how to book Cruise ferry.
    Please share if someone having details.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Anju, I am waiting for more details to be available and will update the article with the same as soon as it's out...

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    2. Thanks Siddharth,I am eagerly waiting for update so can plan my tour as new year is on the way.
      Happy new in advance.

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  11. Want to go to Goa between 30th Dec to 2nd of January 2018.

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    Replies
    1. As per the most latest update, the ferry service will start just before Christmas. I am also waiting for more details to be available...

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  12. The cruise ferry should also provide facility of carrying a car like in other countries..

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  13. Christmas is there,I hope before new year start we will get full detail of cruise.So we can plan our journey.
    Merry Christmas.

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    Replies
    1. Unfortunately it will start only by Jan end if everything goes as per the plan...

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    2. Siddharth thanks, want to book 6 ticket for 26th Jan. Kindly call me on 9987566899

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  14. Replies
    1. Not yet...trials are going on right now and it might start around the end of this month, at best.

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    2. Want to go to Goa between 15th feb to 23nd feb of 2018. What is the update ?can we do pre booking now?

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  15. Eagerly waiting for latest update.

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  16. Planning to travel on the 16th of January. Please update if the sea route is open by then :) and also how long would the journey take .

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  17. Very good article. Thank you for providing us valuable information.

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  18. According to latest update ....it means permission not granted for the cruise??

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  19. Hi kindly share any update when this service would start....

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  20. Hi, Its already Jan 31, 2018. Any update when will this service start, if ever?

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  21. I am also waiting if it going to start or not.

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  22. Hi Sid. Your latest update that the ferry services are to begin in Feb end is heartening. I was looking to book berths for the ferry from Jaigad to Mumbai for 3rd week of March 2018. Can you post the website id here. I have tried googling but in vain. TIA

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  23. nice
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  24. This article is really good and informative. Looking forward to read more such articles. Waiting eagerly for the ferry services to start.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Very Nice Article about The Mumbai to Goa Sea Ferry.
    The Details that given by you in this article are really helpful and easy to understand.
    Waiting eagerly for the ferry services to start.

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  26. I feel it interesting, your post gave me a new perspective! I have read many other articles about the same topic, but your article convinced me! I hope you continue to have high quality articles like this to share with veryone!

    ReplyDelete
  27. It is really interesting article for people whose looking for affordable rides.

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  28. That is a lovely idea. We would love to join such a trip!

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  29. You’re amazing and inspiring.. Glad to read his post. Thank you so much for sharing a great information!

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  30. Hi Siddharth,it's long time,no update from your side.why government not thinking that sea root can double the tourism of Mumbai and Goa.If some can put this point in front of the related department.

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  31. Awesome. Thanks for sharing this article.

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  32. wow, the sunset is beautifulI would like to read more of your posts. Very nice post thank you for sharing

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  33. Hi guys,
    Some good news after a long wait. Bombay to Goa Cruise starting from 1st Dec.Its confirm in Marathi news paper.I have the clip of the news but I don't know how to put it here because copy paste not workng.


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  34. Correction :

    Starting with in One week.
    Can't wait
    Looking Unbelievable

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  35. Yes...it's in Marathi newspaper Punderi.Clip is with me ,I don't how to attach it here.Can I attach the image? Someone tell me how to do.

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    Replies
    1. Can you leave a link here? Else, email me the details and I will update on the blog itself. I am reachable at connect@siddharthajoshi.com.

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  36. Is this ferry even include lunch & dinner??

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  37. Its really nice. I like those kind of travels

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  38. Hi,
    As per my previous post it's confirmed and sharing link so you all guys can go for your dreamer trip.

    https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/india-first-cruise-service-starts-from-mumbai-to-goa-ticket-price-starts-from-rs-7000/story/277633.html

    Anju

    ReplyDelete
  39. Really nice article for people looking for affordable trips. Thanks for sharing such useful and relevant information.
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  40. http://traderngal.blogspot.com/2018/06/mussoorie.html

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  41. Star cruise started costing Rs 7000 from Mumbai to Goa

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  45. Hi ,As the cruise is started,did someone travel on cruise.Share your experience it will be helpful to others who are planning to go on cruise.

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  46. Thanks for the in-depth wonderful article you turned out here Enjoyed reading the article above and thank you for sharing good knowledge and information it’s very helpful. I was searching for a travel blog and found your blog site. I like your high-quality blog site design plus your posting abilities. Keep doing it.

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  48. I am also waiting if it going to Goa...

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  49. You article reflects your posotive attitude

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