The 6 Best Budget Cruises In India You Must Take in 2026 (Updated)

Last updated: October 2026

India’s cruise landscape has shifted in 2026. Cordelia Cruises launches its new ship, Cordelia Sky, on inaugural Indian sailings from Mumbai starting 23 October 2026, with 2-night to 5-night itineraries to Goa and Lakshadweep. Angriya Cruise (Mumbai–Goa) is currently not operational and taking inquiry sign-ups only. Alleppey backwater houseboats remain the most reliable “budget” option — overnight 21-hour cruises for two start around ₹10,000 in deluxe category. For a river cruise, Antara’s MV Ganga Vilas has relaunched with upgrades and now offers the Ganges’ first open-air sun deck pool. The six picks below span sea, river and backwater — not all are budget by 2026 standards, but each delivers the best value in its category.

When was the last time you imagined yourself going from Mumbai to Goa by cruise? Imagine relishing a delicious barbecue meal by the cruise deck and all you can see around is pristine water. With our list of state-of-the-art offshore experiences you can enjoy in India, on a budget, create for yourself a holistic and unparalleled vacation you will cherish for a lifetime.

Here is a list of budget cruise trips one can take in India:

A quick note on “budget” in 2026: Alleppey houseboats and the glass-bottom day cruises in the Andamans genuinely qualify as budget. Angriya (currently paused), Cordelia 2-night weekenders, and the shorter Deltin casino cruise sit in the mid-range. Lakshadweep sailings and the longer Cordelia itineraries have moved into premium territory. This guide covers the best value in each tier — if you want strictly sub-₹10,000-per-person, stick to the first two sections below.

Mumbai to Goa Cruise – Angriya

Angriya is India’s first domestic cruise liner, operating a seasonal overnight Mumbai–Goa route since 2018 from Victoria Docks (Mumbai) to Mormugao (Goa).

Pro tip: If Mumbai–Goa by sea is non-negotiable for your trip, check the Angriya website weekly for restart notifications; the M2M RoPAX ferry (also delayed) is the other sea option still awaiting Director General of Shipping clearances as of October 2026.

Operational status (as of October 2026): Not currently operational. Angriya Cruise is accepting inquiry sign-ups on its official site; no live sailing dates are being sold. The service has historically run on a seasonal October-to-May calendar and may resume later in the 2026–27 season, but there is no confirmed restart date.

Historical fare range (reference for when it resumes): ₹6,300–₹8,000 for shared dorm/buddy rooms; ₹9,000–₹10,130 for couple rooms with window.

Departure/arrival (reference): Departs Victoria Docks Mumbai at 4:00 PM, arrives Goa 9:00 AM next day.

What’s included: All main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner).

Don’t break your luxury streak when you set foot in Goa. Here are some offbeat private pool villas in Goa!

Alleppey Houseboats

The Kerala backwater houseboat remains India’s single most reliable budget cruise experience — operational year-round (with a brief monsoon pause for some operators), bookable at short notice, and widely available in multiple price tiers.

Pro tip: Book via a locally recognised operator (Alappuzha Houseboat Club, Lake Queen, Spice Routes) rather than through online aggregators — you’ll see the exact boat before booking and the final price typically works out 10–15% lower.

Boarding point: Alappuzha (Alleppey), Kerala — approximately 1.5 hours from Kochi airport.

Overnight (21-hour) fare — 2026 rates:

Deluxe 1-bedroom (2 pax): ~₹10,000

Deluxe 2-bedroom (4 pax): ~₹14,000

Premium 1-bedroom (2 pax): ~₹14,000

Premium 2-bedroom (4 pax): ~₹20,000

Luxury 1-bedroom (2 pax): ~₹25,000+

Typical schedule: Check-in 12:00 PM, cruise through afternoon, overnight moored, check-out 9:00 AM next day.

What’s included: Welcome drink, lunch, evening tea with snacks, dinner, and breakfast — all meals cooked onboard.

Peak season surcharge: December 20 to January 5 rates typically double; Onam, Christmas and Easter weekends run 1.5x normal rates.

Ideal for: Couples, families, slow-travel first-timers.

Here are some homestays in Alleppey you can stay at that are near to the backwaters.

Glass Bottom Cruises at Andaman Islands

Glass-bottom boats operate out of multiple Andaman islands (North Bay, Jolly Buoy, Red Skin), offering reef and coral viewing without needing to snorkel or dive.

• Fare: ₹500–₹1,500 per person for shared glass-bottom boat trips (not ₹17,000 as previously quoted — that figure appears to have been for a chartered private boat or a multi-island packaged tour).
• Duration: 1–2 hours per outing.
• Boarding: Phoenix Bay Jetty (Port Blair) for North Bay trips; Wandoor jetty for Jolly Buoy / Red Skin trips.
• Season: Operational year-round, but October to May offers the clearest water visibility. Monsoon (June–September) may see short-notice suspensions.
• Ideal for: Families with young children, non-swimmers, first-time reef viewers.
• Pro tip: Book through the Directorate of Tourism counter at Port Blair’s Haddo jetty for the best rates; private operators charge 2–3x more. Red Skin Island on a weekday morning is the quietest glass-bottom option.

MV Nicobar, Andaman & Nicobar Island

The MV Nicobar is a government-operated passenger ship run by the Shipping Corporation of India, sailing between Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam on the mainland and Port Blair in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It is less a holiday cruise and more a budget transport option for travellers who want to arrive in the Andamans by sea rather than fly.

• Route: Chennai–Port Blair; Kolkata–Port Blair; Visakhapatnam–Port Blair (not all routes run every month).
• Duration: 3 to 4 days each way, depending on sea conditions.
• Fare: ₹2,000–₹3,000 (bunk class) up to ₹10,000+ (first class cabin), one way. Significantly cheaper than flights, but booking is manual and limited.
• Booking: Through the Shipping Corporation of India office in Chennai (Rajaji Salai), Kolkata (Strand Road) or Visakhapatnam. Online booking is still limited; most travellers book in person or through a travel agent. Sailing calendars are published monthly by the Directorate of Shipping Services.
• Ideal for: Backpackers, budget travellers, anyone wanting the Andamans arrival-by-sea experience.
• Pro tip: Start the booking process 30 days ahead; peak season (October–March) berths sell out within days of the schedule being released. The journey can be rough — motion sickness medication is essential.

Antara – River Sutra

Antara Cruises operates India’s premium river cruise fleet, with the MV Ganga Vilas as its flagship. The ship was relaunched after a major enhancement programme and now features the Ganges’ first open-air sun deck pool, 18 suites, and a fully upgraded hospitality experience.

Current 2026–27 itineraries:

• Kolkata to Varanasi (upstream) — 19 nights / 20 days
• Varanasi to Kolkata (downstream) — 19 nights / 20 days
• Emerald Triangle & Land of Jungle Book — 22 nights / 23 days
• India–Bangladesh Cross-Country Cruise — 30 nights / 31 days (bookable from 2027)

Fares: Premium category — typically ₹2.5 lakh+ per person for the 19-night sailings, with suites running significantly higher. This is not a “budget” cruise, but it is India’s only genuinely world-class river cruise and worth including as the premium reference point for anyone exploring Ganges-based options.

Boarding: Kolkata or Varanasi, depending on direction. River Sutra, the shorter 4-day Bengal itinerary mentioned in previous versions of this guide, has been replaced by the Ganga Vilas product line.

Ideal for: Luxury travellers, retirees, special-occasion trips, foreign visitors doing a comprehensive India itinerary.

Pro tip: The 19-day sailings qualify for the Government of India’s “Dekho Apna Desh” tourism promotion in some seasons; check for current discount availability. For a shorter river experience, Antara’s Brahmaputra and Hooghly short itineraries remain more accessible.

Once you disembark at Kolkata, here are some short trips you can take!

Cordelia Cruises

Cordelia Cruises operates India’s largest fleet of coastal cruise ships. The flagship Cordelia Sky begins its inaugural Indian season on 23 October 2026 from Mumbai — replacing the MV Empress-dominated roster of previous years with a newer, more premium vessel.

Cordelia Sky’s main Indian itineraries (2026–27):

• 2-night Mumbai weekend cruise — from ₹17,196 per guest
• 2-night Mumbai to Goa — from ₹21,306 per guest
• 3-night Mumbai to Goa — from ₹25,000–₹30,000 per guest range
• 4-night Mumbai to Lakshadweep — mid-range premium pricing
• 5-night Mumbai to Goa and Lakshadweep combo — ₹40,000+ per guest
• 3-night Kochi to Lakshadweep — from ₹28,260, scaling to ₹56,939 at peak dates; 30 October 2026 sailing opens from ₹43,647
• 7-night Southeast Asia (ex-Chennai) — new premium long-haul itinerary visiting Phuket, Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore

Boarding: Ballard Pier at Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (Mumbai); Cochin Port Trust Cruise Terminal (Kochi).

What’s included: Accommodation, all meals, onboard entertainment, kids’ club. Shore excursions, premium dining, spa and casino are typically add-ons.

Pro tip: The 2-night weekend “cruise to nowhere” from Mumbai is the cheapest way to experience the Cordelia Sky without committing to a longer itinerary — ideal for first-time cruisers testing whether the format works for them before booking a Lakshadweep run. Book through cordeliacruises.com directly; third-party portals (MakeMyTrip, Yatra) occasionally add handling fees.

Deltin Cruises, Goa

Deltin operates casino cruise vessels on the Mandovi River in Panjim — the main floating casinos being Deltin Royale and Deltin Jaqk.

• Fare: ₹2,500–₹4,500 for day visits (includes entry, buffet, and ₹500–₹1,500 in play chips depending on package); overnight stays priced separately.
• Duration: Day packages run 2 PM to 7 PM; evening packages run 7 PM to 2 AM.
• Boarding: Deltin Jetty near Panjim ferry wharf, Mandovi River.
• Note on Goa casino relocation: Goa’s floating casinos have been under long-pending orders to relocate from the Mandovi River to a land-based or offshore location. As of October 2026, the operators continue to run from Mandovi while the state government finalises the new location framework — before booking a long-planned trip around a specific casino experience, verify current operational status on the Deltin Suites website or by phone.
• Ideal for: Groups, bachelor/bachelorette trips, Goa night-out seekers (strictly 21+).
• Pro tip: Dress code is smart-casual after 7 PM. Deltin Royale sees the biggest crowds on Friday and Saturday nights.

If you are with your kids, Deltin has a whole arena designated for minors and young adults under the age of 21. The kids are safe and well-occupied with the myriad of fun activities Deltin has going on for them.

Book Here: https://www.deltin.com/deltin-royale-casino/

Cruises are fun! From experiencing authentic on-board delights, to the soothing unending vistas of the pristine waters – it is a once in a lifetime experience of luxury.

Another way you can script yourself a luxurious vacation is to book an abode that adds a dash of contemporary luxury to your stay, no matter your destination. Experience a fusion of innate hospitality and luxury at these StayVista villas here.

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