Please Explain Kerala Houseboats

ScarletLSG

Okay,

Trying to plan my next trip ... might not happen for 3-5 years, but would like someone to explain Kerala houseboats to me.

I'm looking at several companies and photos online and see that you can rent them as 1, 2 or 3 bedroom generally. And then, of course, there are several levels of quality: standard, deluxe, luxury, etc.

What I want to know is how much privacy is offered to the occupants. Seems that there must be a boat captain and possibly a cook/clean up person. Where do they sleep/hang out? Is there some expectation of "keeping company" with them? For a honeymoon/anniversay is this something worth looking into?

Thanks.

ScarletLSG

Girston

We are in Kerala at end of April and have one night on a houseboat as part of our trip. Don't think you would want to spend a long time on one, as I think it could get pretty boring. Will post our findings when we return in May.

anar

i went on an overnight houseboat cruise - a 'standard' boat (as opposed to a 'de luxe' one). come evening, the crew moored the boat for the night near a temple where they happened to be celebrating a festival (loudspeakers blaring mollywood hits). this stopped after a while and just when we had begun relaxing on the deck (the front of the boat), the crew appeared and said they wanted to go to sleep to which we said 'sure, go ahead'. they informed us that they slept on the deck area so we had to squeeze into our tiny bedroom even though we weren't ready to sleep at all. plus it was so much nicer on the deck - cool breeze, view of the backwaters. this was a huge bummer.

so i would say - go for a 'de luxe' boat - not sure about the sleeping arrangements on those (probably the same) but at least the bedroom won't be poky (at least i hope they aren't).

avoid a/c - incredibly noisy.

the food on whichever kind of houseboat is out of this world - we were given 'kari meen' (a river fish) for lunch - delicious!

prashshir

we have been 2 Alleppy in the month of March. The ride was pretty exciting and the food and backwaters are very special. We had a 3 bedroom houseboat, but frankly one would not like to spend much time in he rooms as the deck is the most exciting place 2b. The ride is smooth and leasurely. There are 3 people 1 is captain of the boat who spends most of the time at the wheel, the cooks spends time in kitchen. the third person is extra hand. The Boat starts at noon and docks for the lunch and dinner. So you get only 12p.m. to 18 p.m excluding the lunch time on the backwaters. after dark they are docked, every houseboat co has its predetermined spots and all these boats are docked next to other. After dark its very boaring as theres no activity. some boats are with dish tv and can be handy especially after dark. For privasy i would suggest more ecpensive boats with upper decks so no one can disturb you.
Its a different experience but can be boaring if don't have good cmpany ....all the best