Planning an Alleppey houseboat trip is one of the best ways to experience Kerala’s backwaters. But if you’re not careful, a few small mistakes can affect your experience and cost you extra money. Here’s a complete guide on what mistakes to avoid when booking an Alleppey houseboat — and how to make the most of your stay.
1. Booking at the Last Minute
Many travelers wait until the last moment to book, expecting the best rates. However, Alleppey is a top tourist destination, and good houseboats get booked weeks in advance — especially during weekends and holidays. Last-minute bookings often lead to limited options or inflated prices.
Tip: Book your houseboat at least 2–3 weeks in advance. This ensures better pricing and allows you to choose from premium, deluxe, or luxury options.
2. Ignoring the Type of Houseboat
Alleppey offers a range of houseboats — from budget single-bedroom boats to luxury multi-bedroom vessels with full-time A/C and glass-covered lounges. Each category varies in comfort and service quality. Ignoring this can lead to booking a boat that doesn’t match your expectations.
Tip: Confirm whether the boat is Deluxe, Premium, or Luxury. Also, check if A/C is available full-time or only during the night.
3. Not Checking What’s Included in the Package
Some packages look cheaper because they exclude essential services like food, welcome drinks, or evening snacks. Always check the rate inclusions carefully to avoid surprises later.
- Welcome drink on arrival
- Lunch, evening tea/coffee with snacks, dinner, and breakfast
- Air conditioning (full-time or limited hours)
Tip: Confirm inclusions with your operator before making any payment.
4. Overlooking the Boarding Point Details
Many travelers forget to verify the boarding location and end up confused on the day of travel. Houseboats have different boarding points depending on the area (Finishing Point, Pallathuruthy, or near Punnamada Lake).
Tip: Ask for the exact boarding point a day before check-in and reach at least 30 minutes early to avoid delays.
5. Not Confirming Crew and Service Quality
The quality of your houseboat experience largely depends on the crew — especially the chef and captain. A professional team ensures safety, hygiene, and tasty Kerala-style meals. Cheap operators may cut costs by hiring inexperienced staff.
Tip: Choose a registered operator or reputed website like Beautiful Alleppey that lists verified houseboats and provides customer reviews.
6. Skipping Reviews and Photos
Never book a houseboat without checking real images or guest feedback. Photos on some sites may be outdated or misleading. Reading reviews gives you a clear picture of cleanliness, food quality, and service.
Warning: Make sure the reviews are genuine. Nowadays, many websites display paid or fake reviews that can be hard to identify. Look for reviews with specific details, guest photos, and consistent feedback across multiple platforms. Be cautious and trust only reliable sources.
Tip: Request updated photos and recent guest reviews before confirming your booking.
7. Choosing the Wrong Cruise Type
Houseboats in Alleppey offer different cruise options — day cruise (11 AM to 5 PM) and overnight stay (check-in at noon and checkout at 9 AM). Choosing the wrong type can lead to disappointment if your schedule or expectations differ.
Tip: For a complete backwater experience, go for an overnight cruise. For a short trip, the day cruise is perfect.
8. Ignoring Payment and Refund Policies
Many guests pay online without checking the cancellation or refund policy. If your plan changes, unclear terms can make refunds difficult.
Tip: Always request written confirmation of payment, advance amount, and refund rules before paying.
9. Not Clarifying Special Requests
If you need a special meal (vegetarian, Jain, or seafood-based), inform in advance. Similarly, if you’re celebrating a special occasion or bringing kids, the crew can prepare accordingly when notified early.
Book Your Alleppey Houseboat the Right Way
At Beautiful Alleppey, we ensure transparent pricing, verified houseboats, and authentic Kerala hospitality — so you can simply relax and enjoy the scenic backwaters.
Book Your Houseboat Now