Vaikundam
We are delighted to have chartered the MV Vaikundam (Abode of Gods) for our scenic cruises along the emerald green Backwaters of Kerala. This vessel accommodates a maximum of just 18 guests in simple, comfortable cabins. The vessel was built in the same design as that of the traditional Kettuvallom or rice barges of the past and the crew will be sure to provide a friendly and welcoming atmosphere on board. The Sun Deck is a perfect place to observe everyday life and to immerse yourself in the wonderful surroundings and the sailing will take place during day time.
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Vaikundam
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Deluxe cabin
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Deluxe cabin
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Superior Cabin
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Dining area
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Dining area
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Dining area
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On deck
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On deck
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On deck
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Lounge
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Vaikundum
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RV Vaikundam
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Your Cabin / Suite
Your Cabin/Suite
The ship has just two grades of cabin category, the eight superior cabins measure 124 square feet and the more spacious deluxe cabin measures 160 square feet. All cabins are situated on the Main Deck and equipped with en-suite bathroom with shower, wardrobe, locker, side table, kettle, mineral water, tea/coffee, mirror, slippers, toiletries and towels. The superior cabins feature twin beds with storage compartments whereas the deluxe cabin features a double bed with storage compartment.
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Your Dining
Your Dining
Meals are always taken in an open seating arrangement to allow you to mingle with your fellow travellers and are served buffet style featuring hot and cold dishes of the tasty local cuisine. Whilst international cuisine is not offered, the heat of the dishes can be adjusted for individual palates upon request. Indian beer, wine and soft drinks are included with meals. Tea, coffee and mineral water are available without charge and complimentary bottled water can always be found in your cabin.
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Your Space
Your Space
The onboard facilities including the dining area, lounge with bar, and massage room are situated on the Upper Deck. There is air-conditioning throughout the vessel. The wooden hull of the boat has been fashioned by joining planks of local ‘Aanjili’ wood, using strong coir rope on the sections above the waterline while, below the waterline, copper tacks are used for added strength. The wood is coated with caustic black resin made by boiling cashew kernel and fish oil. The rooms are made using wooden panels, bamboo poles and bamboo mats, following the traditional practices.
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Ship Directory
Ship Directory
Please find below further details pertaining to the ship or click on the adjacent Directory to download.
Year Built: 2000
Length: 35.4 metres
Width: 6.21 metres
Draft: 1.58 metres
Speed: 3 knots
Guest Capacity: 18
Crew: 9
Registration: Kerala State, IndiaAIR-CONDITIONING
All cabins, the lounge and dining area have individually controlled air-conditioning.
ALARM
An alarm will be sounded in the event of emergency. Please follow the instructions provided on board for what to do should an emergency occur.
BAR/BEVERAGES
A bar is available on board and your bill for drinks consumed throughout your cruise should be settled at the end of the journey. Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water are available throughout your voyage and bottled water is available in your cabin and replenished daily.
CABIN DIMENSIONS
The ship features nine cabins – the categories and measurements are as follows: • Deluxe cabin measures 160 square feet • Superior cabins measure 124 square feet
CABIN FACILITIES
All cabins are situated on the Main Deck and equipped with en-suite bathroom with shower, wardrobe, locker, side table, kettle, mineral water, tea/coffee, mirror, slippers, toiletries and towels. The superior cabins feature twin beds with storage compartments whereas the deluxe cabin features a double bed with storage compartment.
DRESS CODE
The dress code on board is smart casual with no formal evenings.
ELECTRICITY
Voltage on board is 220V/50 and 3pin plug sockets are provided.
EMERGENCY & SAFETY PROCEDURES
A number of crew are fully trained and certified to provide First Aid. Should you require minor medical assistance, clinics are available in each village. Well-equipped hospitals are available in the towns not far from the cruising route. If required, the necessary arrangements will be taken care of by the staff on board. Life jackets are provided in each cabin for each person.
FIRE SAFETY
Fire alarm and fire extinguishers are installed in each cabin and the public areas of the vessel.
GRATUITIES
Gratuities have been included in your holiday price.
HOUSEKEEPING
Your cabin will be cleaned daily.
LAUNDRY
A laundry service is provided on board at an additional cost.
LIBRARY
A small selection of books and board games is available for your enjoyment.
LOST PROPERTY
Lost property should be handed in to the ship’s reception. Please ensure you have all of your belongings with you before you return home. If we are able to recover your item(s) we will contact you to arrange delivery or collection and to advise of any associated costs.
MASSAGE ROOM
A massage room is available on board. therapists are available on call at an additional charge.
MEALS
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served in the single seating dining area. Meals are served buffet style and feature hot and cold dishes of the tasty local cuisine. Whilst international cuisine is not offered, the heat of the dishes can be adjusted for individual palates upon request. Indian beer, wine and soft drinks are included with meals. Tea, coffee and mineral water are available without charge. Room service is provided in the event of a guest being unwell. If you have any dietary requirements such as vegetarian, low salt, gluten free or low cholesterol, please notify the Reservations Department. We regret that not all dietary requirements can be guaranteed. If you have any specific or special foods that you require we recommend that you take some with you although we will endeavour to accommodate your needs.
MOSQUITOES
Electrical mosquito repellents are provided on board. Please ensure you take the appropriate precautions to guard against mosquito bites.
PAYMENTS ON BOARD
The vessel operates a signed-chit system whereby no payment is immediately required (the vessel only requires a signature for your purchase) and, only at the end of the cruise will you be presented with your final itemised bill to settle. The onboard currency is the Indian Rupee and you can pay by Visa, MasterCard or cash.
QUESTIONNAIRES
We are always looking for ways to improve our holidays and the services provided and in order to do this we welcome feedback from our guests. Your comments are important to us therefore we request that you complete the questionnaire that will be provided to you by your Tour Manager.
SAFE
All cabins are fitted with a safe and we recommend you place your valuables inside the safe whenever you are away from your cabin. Please remember to remove all items from your safe before departing the vessel at the end of the cruise.
SMOKING
Smoking within your cabin or any of the vessel’s public areas is strictly prohibited. Designated smoking areas are provided and can be advised by the ship’s reception upon embarkation.
SUN DECK
The ship has a Sun Deck which is available for guests to enjoy sunbathing, birdwatching or simply taking in the spectacular green surroundings. There may be times, for example during periods of inclement weather or low bridges, whereby it is necessary to close the Sun Deck. Please listen carefully to the Captain and Crew for instruction. Please note that the Sun Deck and its steps may become slippery if there is rain.
WATER
Complimentary water is available during breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bottled water is available in your cabin and replenished daily.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is available on board however reception cannot be guaranteed given the remoteness of where the ship will be sailing.
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Deck Plan
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- View all tours
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Your Cabin / Suite
Your Cabin/Suite
The ship has just two grades of cabin category, the eight superior cabins measure 124 square feet and the more spacious deluxe cabin measures 160 square feet. All cabins are situated on the Main Deck and equipped with en-suite bathroom with shower, wardrobe, locker, side table, kettle, mineral water, tea/coffee, mirror, slippers, toiletries and towels. The superior cabins feature twin beds with storage compartments whereas the deluxe cabin features a double bed with storage compartment.
-
Your Dining
Your Dining
Meals are always taken in an open seating arrangement to allow you to mingle with your fellow travellers and are served buffet style featuring hot and cold dishes of the tasty local cuisine. Whilst international cuisine is not offered, the heat of the dishes can be adjusted for individual palates upon request. Indian beer, wine and soft drinks are included with meals. Tea, coffee and mineral water are available without charge and complimentary bottled water can always be found in your cabin.
-
Your Space
Your Space
The onboard facilities including the dining area, lounge with bar, and massage room are situated on the Upper Deck. There is air-conditioning throughout the vessel. The wooden hull of the boat has been fashioned by joining planks of local ‘Aanjili’ wood, using strong coir rope on the sections above the waterline while, below the waterline, copper tacks are used for added strength. The wood is coated with caustic black resin made by boiling cashew kernel and fish oil. The rooms are made using wooden panels, bamboo poles and bamboo mats, following the traditional practices.
-
Ship Directory
Ship Directory
Please find below further details pertaining to the ship or click on the adjacent Directory to download.
Year Built: 2000
Length: 35.4 metres
Width: 6.21 metres
Draft: 1.58 metres
Speed: 3 knots
Guest Capacity: 18
Crew: 9
Registration: Kerala State, IndiaAIR-CONDITIONING
All cabins, the lounge and dining area have individually controlled air-conditioning.
ALARM
An alarm will be sounded in the event of emergency. Please follow the instructions provided on board for what to do should an emergency occur.
BAR/BEVERAGES
A bar is available on board and your bill for drinks consumed throughout your cruise should be settled at the end of the journey. Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water are available throughout your voyage and bottled water is available in your cabin and replenished daily.
CABIN DIMENSIONS
The ship features nine cabins – the categories and measurements are as follows: • Deluxe cabin measures 160 square feet • Superior cabins measure 124 square feet
CABIN FACILITIES
All cabins are situated on the Main Deck and equipped with en-suite bathroom with shower, wardrobe, locker, side table, kettle, mineral water, tea/coffee, mirror, slippers, toiletries and towels. The superior cabins feature twin beds with storage compartments whereas the deluxe cabin features a double bed with storage compartment.
DRESS CODE
The dress code on board is smart casual with no formal evenings.
ELECTRICITY
Voltage on board is 220V/50 and 3pin plug sockets are provided.
EMERGENCY & SAFETY PROCEDURES
A number of crew are fully trained and certified to provide First Aid. Should you require minor medical assistance, clinics are available in each village. Well-equipped hospitals are available in the towns not far from the cruising route. If required, the necessary arrangements will be taken care of by the staff on board. Life jackets are provided in each cabin for each person.
FIRE SAFETY
Fire alarm and fire extinguishers are installed in each cabin and the public areas of the vessel.
GRATUITIES
Gratuities have been included in your holiday price.
HOUSEKEEPING
Your cabin will be cleaned daily.
LAUNDRY
A laundry service is provided on board at an additional cost.
LIBRARY
A small selection of books and board games is available for your enjoyment.
LOST PROPERTY
Lost property should be handed in to the ship’s reception. Please ensure you have all of your belongings with you before you return home. If we are able to recover your item(s) we will contact you to arrange delivery or collection and to advise of any associated costs.
MASSAGE ROOM
A massage room is available on board. therapists are available on call at an additional charge.
MEALS
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served in the single seating dining area. Meals are served buffet style and feature hot and cold dishes of the tasty local cuisine. Whilst international cuisine is not offered, the heat of the dishes can be adjusted for individual palates upon request. Indian beer, wine and soft drinks are included with meals. Tea, coffee and mineral water are available without charge. Room service is provided in the event of a guest being unwell. If you have any dietary requirements such as vegetarian, low salt, gluten free or low cholesterol, please notify the Reservations Department. We regret that not all dietary requirements can be guaranteed. If you have any specific or special foods that you require we recommend that you take some with you although we will endeavour to accommodate your needs.
MOSQUITOES
Electrical mosquito repellents are provided on board. Please ensure you take the appropriate precautions to guard against mosquito bites.
PAYMENTS ON BOARD
The vessel operates a signed-chit system whereby no payment is immediately required (the vessel only requires a signature for your purchase) and, only at the end of the cruise will you be presented with your final itemised bill to settle. The onboard currency is the Indian Rupee and you can pay by Visa, MasterCard or cash.
QUESTIONNAIRES
We are always looking for ways to improve our holidays and the services provided and in order to do this we welcome feedback from our guests. Your comments are important to us therefore we request that you complete the questionnaire that will be provided to you by your Tour Manager.
SAFE
All cabins are fitted with a safe and we recommend you place your valuables inside the safe whenever you are away from your cabin. Please remember to remove all items from your safe before departing the vessel at the end of the cruise.
SMOKING
Smoking within your cabin or any of the vessel’s public areas is strictly prohibited. Designated smoking areas are provided and can be advised by the ship’s reception upon embarkation.
SUN DECK
The ship has a Sun Deck which is available for guests to enjoy sunbathing, birdwatching or simply taking in the spectacular green surroundings. There may be times, for example during periods of inclement weather or low bridges, whereby it is necessary to close the Sun Deck. Please listen carefully to the Captain and Crew for instruction. Please note that the Sun Deck and its steps may become slippery if there is rain.
WATER
Complimentary water is available during breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bottled water is available in your cabin and replenished daily.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is available on board however reception cannot be guaranteed given the remoteness of where the ship will be sailing.
- Deck Plan