Kerala Houseboat Guide: Cabins, Cuisine and What to Expect

Houseboats, or kettuvallam, were once rice barges. Today they are floating hotels with bedrooms, lounges and kitchens, drifting through Alleppey's canals and Vembanad Lake.

Deluxe boats have air conditioning at night; premium boats add larger decks and bathtubs; luxury boats feature sun lounges and private chefs. Check for licensing and life jackets.

Daytime cruises usually run from noon to 5pm; overnight stays start at 12 and finish by 9 the next morning.

Cooks prepare Keralan meals with fresh river fish, coconut curries, appam and banana-leaf sadya. Vegetarian and Jain options are easy to arrange with notice.

October to March has the best weather. Monsoon cruises are cheaper, but rain and rough water can shorten itineraries.

Many guests pair a houseboat night with an Ayurveda stay in Kumarakom or Marari. This is demo content.