Houseboat Guidelines
Essential Houseboat Etiquette for an Unforgettable Alleppey Backwater Experience
Welcome aboard your Alleppey houseboat adventure! To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone, here are some essential guidelines to keep in mind:
- Limited Facilities: Houseboats offer a unique experience, but amenities are more limited compared to hotels or resorts.
- Conserving Water: The onboard water supply is precious. Please use faucets responsibly and keep them closed when not in use.
- Power Efficiency: Remember to switch off lights and fans when not in use. Inform the crew of any issues with electricity, water supply, or air conditioning.
- Waste Disposal: Please refrain from disposing of sanitary napkins, plastics, or other non-biodegradable items in the toilets.
- Respecting the Environment: Alleppey’s backwaters are a beautiful ecosystem. Help us preserve it by avoiding littering.
- Air Conditioning: Deluxe bookings offer AC only in bedrooms from 9 PM to 6 AM. Premium/Luxury houseboats allow full-time AC usage.
- Power Fluctuations: In rare cases, like windy or rainy weather, voltage drops might occur at night, temporarily affecting AC performance.
- Hot Water: Geysers or water heaters are generally not available on most houseboats.
- Traditional Cuisine: Enjoy a delightful fixed menu featuring delicious Kerala specialties prepared by the crew.
- Meal Timings: Please note that kitchen services are typically available until 10:00 PM. Dinner is usually served by 10:30 PM.
- Swimming Restrictions: For safety reasons, swimming directly from the houseboat is strictly prohibited.
- Arrival & Departure: Standard check-in is at 12:00 PM, and check-out is at 9:00 AM for overnight cruises. A lunch break of approximately one hour is included.
- Houseboat Confirmation: We strive to provide the exact houseboat you see in photos. In the rare instance of maintenance or repairs, a similar quality houseboat will be offered.
- Late Arrivals & Extensions: Management is not responsible for late arrivals. Cruises adhere to scheduled timings, and check-out remains at the designated time. Extensions may be possible based on availability and additional charges.
- Night Anchoring: Houseboats typically anchor between 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM for the night. Cruising in the evenings and late at night is restricted.
- Maintaining Privacy: To respect the tranquility of the backwater environment, guests are kindly requested to retire to their rooms and finish dinner by 10:00 PM or 10:30 PM latest.
Additional Notes:
- Kitchen Access: Guests are not permitted to use the kitchen or cook inside the houseboat.
- Personal Belongings: Please ensure you have all your belongings before disembarking.
- Natural Habitat: The backwaters are a natural ecosystem, and the presence of flies or small insects, especially at night, is unavoidable.
- Crew Cooperation: Your friendly crew is dedicated to providing exceptional service. Please cooperate with them for an enjoyable journey.
- Route Variations: The houseboat captain may need to adjust the route based on traffic or weather conditions for your safety.