I with my family( husband and daughter) visited Lakshadweep by By Samudrum between 20th to 24th November 2023.
It was booked through Blue Lagoon Travels, Cochin as the Lakshadweep tourism dept said it was not available (contacted on 18th August 2023) and directed to Blue Lagoon by end of September.
We booked on October 2nd for November travel through Blue Lagoon. We paid 2000 Rs initially. Towards end of October paid full fare.
Towards the end of October, I paid the balance amount making it 100% payment in advance. Accordingly, I booked my flights and other travels (We did 5 days of Kerala tour before Samudrum).
In 1st week of November Blue Lagoon person called me to inform that the Samudrum tour is full and cannot accommodate us, so will have to cancel. On my insistence and warning on the consequences, he mentioned that the amount paid would be refunded and we pay the same amount on his personal account, so that he would try booking through emergency quota. On our refusal on the same and lot of deliberation, he agreed to book on emergency quota!! Finally he did book us and told me that he has absorbed the amount he had to pay to book on emergency quota!!
For the tour, I would devide the review in 3 parts.
1. The travel - We travelled by MV Karavatti ship. We were to start by 1.30 pm but could start after 5 pm. There was no announcement about the delay. On enquiring at around 5 PM, the manager Mr Yaser Arafat told us that there is some issue with the ship engine. So could not start in time. This delay continued through out 5 days of trip as the ship engine had some issues.
On day one, after we boarded, Mr Arafat briefed us on geography of ship and certain Dos and Don’ts.
Again at 5 pm, he briefed us on package. Other than this, there was no information shared on what is to be done on Island etc.
On day 2, we reached Karavatti at around 3.30 PM (we were supposed to reach by 10 am!!), so we had very little time on Karavatti. Most water activities they allow before 4 pm so we could not do Scuba there (Karavati is best to do Scuba). Did Glass bottom ride, which was good. Visited museum and aquarium.
On day 3, there was no announcement about the disembarkation, we had reached by about 8 am at Minicoy. There we did Scuba. We could do Scuba at 3 to 4 meter only as deep water scuba was not available. Kayaking was complementary but we could not do as we did not have time (Scuba ate up all time as they had limited kits and scuba guides). Visited light house which was beautiful. Had village visit with tea and snacks.
On day 4, we reached Kalpeni in time, did Snorkelling. There are not much activities on Kalpeni. Did Snorkelling complementary was good. Visited North End which was mesmerizing.
2. Food - In the ship all meals we had veg and non-veg section. Food was good. None of us had any tummy trouble. All meals were of routine style, no local dish was served.
On all 3 island, the food was good. On 2 islands we were welcomed with coconut water, even they had arranged for opening of coconut to eat the solid coconut of inside, very nice of them. On Minicoy, we were welcomed with pineapple juice which was made of synthetic concentrate.
Last day, we had to wait until 8 pm plus, to come back to ship as there was some medical emergency on some island, plus many passengers were taken to travel to Cochin.
Last day, we were to reach Cochin by 10 am but could reach around 12 noon. Since our flight was delayed we could catch our flight!!!
The tour manager Mr Yasser Arafat, was very nice, was with us through out. On last day, he helped us deboard first and guided us how to come out of the port fast. Because of him only we could catch our flight, a huge thanks to him. Thanks to all crew to keep the ship clean and tiny. Million thanks to the chef and team to cook good and hygienic food.
3. Point to be noted: Never leave any valuables in the ship. Carry set of slippers. Do not book return flight before 7 PM, the airport is about 25 KM away and on the way one encounters lot of traffic. Book your return taxi only after getting down, Prepaid taxi service is not available. Book through other agencies like Ola, Uber etc.