Goa-Mumbai boat services to resume.

steven_ber · Oct 28th, 2003, 16:49

Boat services between Maharashtra and Goa are all set to resume after a gap of 5 years.

Goa government officials on Monday said the services, which would start by month-end would boost tourism.

Full story.

oldhippie · Oct 28th, 2003, 17:24

15.00 Rupees?????
Is this Fifteen Rupees? This must be worng.

Anyway I hope the boats are in decent condition. I was on one many years ago that came close to sinking. I prefer the old steamers of the 80s that took close to 24 hours. It was a true cultural experience.

Steve thanks for the post. This is perfect for my travel needs

Bill

fat freddy's cat · Oct 29th, 2003, 01:40

I can't read the full report

probably cos of my ancient PC

Sounds excellent tho steven !
I'll definately be up for that when we go (which still looks like it'll not be until march- ish unfortunately)

steven_ber · Oct 29th, 2003, 01:56

It seems very slow to load at the moment, I will send you the full article by Private Message.

fat freddy's cat · Oct 29th, 2003, 01:59

Cheers Steven,what a nice chap you are

steven_ber · Oct 29th, 2003, 01:59

Only on Tuesdays

fat freddy's cat · Oct 29th, 2003, 02:10

Hee hee glad it's a Tuesday then

19.00 rupees for luxury class!Wahay!
I'm seriously excited by the whole idea,and it takes 7or 8 hours just.I wonder what the boat looks like?! Could be a wee tin tub i spose

but i bet it isn't,i can't wait to see!

Only 150 days to go............................ .............................. .....

steven_ber · Oct 29th, 2003, 02:41

An 7 - 8 hour journey is OK, I seem to remember the boat has to stay a certain distance from the coast, so no good views are available.

It is expensive though, Rs1500 for economy class and Rs1900 for luxury class.

Will it be an overnight journey?

concoran · Oct 29th, 2003, 02:53

[From TimesOfIindia]
Goa-Maharashtra boat services to resume

Goa government officials on Monday said the services, which would start by month-end would boost tourism.

Boat services between the coastal states were stopped in 1997.
The new service between Gateway of India, Bombay , and Panjim in Goa , would carry 200 passengers in a single trip and one ticket would cost 15,00 rupees for economy class and 19,00 rupees for luxury class.

-m2- · Oct 29th, 2003, 03:51

Judging by the 35 knot speed, the vessel must be similar (or the same as) the cat used previously for this run which I took in '97. A thoroughly modern vessel which gives a comfortable, quiet ride and as steve says, stays offshore so there isn't anything to see. Previously, the southward run was at night and arrived in Panjim at a convenient early morning time; the drawback was that the 'aircraft-type seats' did not recline and were truly uncomfortable after an hour or two. Fortunately the vessel wasn't particularly crowded when I took it so as soon as I realized the seatback wouldn't recline, I skipped the meal and staked out a place to lie on the carpeted floor and spent a reasonably comfortable night. (this was 'luxury class' too!)

The slightly expensive trip was convenient for me at the time as my flight arrived early enough that I could taxi direct from airport and get out the same night saving a couple of days in Mumbai waiting for a train reservation.

Off hand, I'd say a sleeper train is more comfortable as well as being more economical; you also have a choice of stops. With internet reservations available now as well, rail looks like a much better deal to me. If anyone is considering this trip, particularly a night trip, be sure to check if the seats recline.

(that site doesn't work for me -- I get a script error message)

fat freddy's cat · Oct 29th, 2003, 04:47

Oh bum! I thought it was 19 rupees-doh!

Still like the idea tho. If i was going to have a shot i think it would have to be daytime,the idea of doing it at night kind of freaks me out for some reason!

Thanks for your advice M2 , I had the pleasure of travelling in a sleeper train and was really comfortable so if night trips are the only option by sea i would take the train again.
I'd really love it if they did do daytime trips too tho!

-m2- · Oct 29th, 2003, 04:54

if they schedule it as before, the northward trip will be in daytime and would be quite pleasant but due to the speed (and the wind that it creates) you won't be lounging on the deck bagging a few rays as you might have on a leisurely trip on the old steamer.

stoot · Nov 10th, 2003, 22:16

Any more info on this topic? I like the idea of going down by sea? I have tried both the T.of India and Nahvind Times [Goan local] but cannot find anything more? Hoping to use it early January. Take care, Tommy.

rickshawwallah · Nov 11th, 2003, 15:55

Best not to get too excited about new or resumed services/ newly opened or re-opened areas until there are CONFIRMED reports of activity. (think India-Sri Lanka ferry, Rohtang Tunnel, Nanda Devi Sanctuary, etc.) How many times have we all heard "would start by month-end" or something similar? That month (October) is over. Anyone in Mumbai or Panjim seen these boats?

Hopeful but skeptical.

oldhippie · Nov 11th, 2003, 19:18

I am in Mumbai at the moment and have heard that tickets go on sale in 2 weeks for the ferry. These are new boats and not the same cats used a few years ago. I am sure there will be some more info on indiatimes.com soon.

Bill

Oct 28th, 2003, 16:49	#1
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,562	Goa-Mumbai boat services to resume. Boat services between Maharashtra and Goa are all set to resume after a gap of 5 years. Goa government officials on Monday said the services, which would start by month-end would boost tourism. Full story.

Oct 28th, 2003, 17:24	#2
oldhippie Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 412	15.00 Rupees????? Is this Fifteen Rupees? This must be worng. Anyway I hope the boats are in decent condition. I was on one many years ago that came close to sinking. I prefer the old steamers of the 80s that took close to 24 hours. It was a true cultural experience. Steve thanks for the post. This is perfect for my travel needs Bill __________________ Too Many Gandus, Too Few Bullets.

Oct 29th, 2003, 01:56	#4
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,562	It seems very slow to load at the moment, I will send you the full article by Private Message. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained.

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Oct 29th, 2003, 01:40	#3
fat freddy's cat Miaowing Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: uk Posts: 197	I can't read the full report probably cos of my ancient PC Sounds excellent tho steven ! I'll definately be up for that when we go (which still looks like it'll not be until march- ish unfortunately)

Oct 29th, 2003, 01:59	#5
fat freddy's cat Miaowing Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: uk Posts: 197	Cheers Steven,what a nice chap you are

Oct 29th, 2003, 02:10	#7
fat freddy's cat Miaowing Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: uk Posts: 197	Hee hee glad it's a Tuesday then 19.00 rupees for luxury class!Wahay! I'm seriously excited by the whole idea,and it takes 7or 8 hours just.I wonder what the boat looks like?! Could be a wee tin tub i spose but i bet it isn't,i can't wait to see! Only 150 days to go............................ .............................. .....

Oct 29th, 2003, 02:41	#8
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,562	An 7 - 8 hour journey is OK, I seem to remember the boat has to stay a certain distance from the coast, so no good views are available. It is expensive though, Rs1500 for economy class and Rs1900 for luxury class. Will it be an overnight journey?

Oct 29th, 2003, 02:53	#9
concoran Explorer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Desert Southwest Posts: 319	[From TimesOfIindia] Goa-Maharashtra boat services to resume Goa government officials on Monday said the services, which would start by month-end would boost tourism. Boat services between the coastal states were stopped in 1997. The new service between Gateway of India, Bombay , and Panjim in Goa , would carry 200 passengers in a single trip and one ticket would cost 15,00 rupees for economy class and 19,00 rupees for luxury class.

Oct 29th, 2003, 03:51	#10
-m2- . Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: . Posts: 1,575	Judging by the 35 knot speed, the vessel must be similar (or the same as) the cat used previously for this run which I took in '97. A thoroughly modern vessel which gives a comfortable, quiet ride and as steve says, stays offshore so there isn't anything to see. Previously, the southward run was at night and arrived in Panjim at a convenient early morning time; the drawback was that the 'aircraft-type seats' did not recline and were truly uncomfortable after an hour or two. Fortunately the vessel wasn't particularly crowded when I took it so as soon as I realized the seatback wouldn't recline, I skipped the meal and staked out a place to lie on the carpeted floor and spent a reasonably comfortable night. (this was 'luxury class' too!) The slightly expensive trip was convenient for me at the time as my flight arrived early enough that I could taxi direct from airport and get out the same night saving a couple of days in Mumbai waiting for a train reservation. Off hand, I'd say a sleeper train is more comfortable as well as being more economical; you also have a choice of stops. With internet reservations available now as well, rail looks like a much better deal to me. If anyone is considering this trip, particularly a night trip, be sure to check if the seats recline. (that site doesn't work for me -- I get a script error message)

Oct 29th, 2003, 04:47	#11
fat freddy's cat Miaowing Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: uk Posts: 197	Oh bum! I thought it was 19 rupees-doh! Still like the idea tho. If i was going to have a shot i think it would have to be daytime,the idea of doing it at night kind of freaks me out for some reason! Thanks for your advice M2 , I had the pleasure of travelling in a sleeper train and was really comfortable so if night trips are the only option by sea i would take the train again. I'd really love it if they did do daytime trips too tho!

Oct 29th, 2003, 04:54	#12
-m2- . Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: . Posts: 1,575	if they schedule it as before, the northward trip will be in daytime and would be quite pleasant but due to the speed (and the wind that it creates) you won't be lounging on the deck bagging a few rays as you might have on a leisurely trip on the old steamer.

Nov 10th, 2003, 22:16	#13
stoot Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: scotland Posts: 17	Any more info on this topic? I like the idea of going down by sea? I have tried both the T.of India and Nahvind Times [Goan local] but cannot find anything more? Hoping to use it early January. Take care, Tommy.

Nov 11th, 2003, 15:55	#14
rickshawwallah I know cheap and best! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New York City, USA Posts: 204	Best not to get too excited about new or resumed services/ newly opened or re-opened areas until there are CONFIRMED reports of activity. (think India-Sri Lanka ferry, Rohtang Tunnel, Nanda Devi Sanctuary, etc.) How many times have we all heard "would start by month-end" or something similar? That month (October) is over. Anyone in Mumbai or Panjim seen these boats? Hopeful but skeptical.

Nov 11th, 2003, 19:18	#15
oldhippie Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 412	I am in Mumbai at the moment and have heard that tickets go on sale in 2 weeks for the ferry. These are new boats and not the same cats used a few years ago. I am sure there will be some more info on indiatimes.com soon. Bill