We booked this tour several months in advance, and all went quite well. My group was greeted with flower leis and a big smile from the tour guides; we we picked up on time, saw all that was on the agenda, and returned on time. We could not have asked for a better arrangement and tour program. Highly recommended.
https://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g297633-d2054798-r441251099-Carnival_Tours_Day_Tours-Kochi_Cochin_Kerala.html
Joseph Y
Emerlad Princess
San Francisco , California
October 2016
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1 Comment
We took this tour as a shore excursion from the Cochin cruise port. There were only 12 in our group on a minibus for the ride out to the backwaters. It was a scenic and interesting ride through the villages and countryside to the houseboat. The houseboat cruise gave us an up-close look at the daily life along the backwaters. We saw fishermen, women washing clothes in the river, construction and renovations in progress, children playing, and people going through their day. The food provided was tasty and the houseboat was very well maintained. On our way back to the port we stopped to see the Chinese fishing nets and St. Francis Church in Cochin. Our guide was excellent and we very much enjoyed our day. A group of 12 of us booked Carnival Tours for our visit in Cochin when our ship RCCL Ovation of the Seas docked on June 1 and June 2. The booking process is smooth. Peter answered all my questions and was good in accommodating our flip flop changes of the number of people in the group. On the day of our tour, Cresbin (our tour guide) and Baisll (our tour driver) met us at the port. We were driven to Kerala for the back water cruise. Along the way, Cresbin give us some information on the culture of the country. The house boat cruise in the back water was fantastic. We had excellent Indian cuisine on board of the boat. The cool breeze made it quite pleasant in a hot weather environment. The next day we had the city tour of Cochin. Cresbin took us to a laundry plant where we saw how the local people does laundry for the public. It's quite and experience. A few of us in the group were quite happy shopping and bargaining. Cresbin was quite patient with us. Would definitely recommend this tour company to anyone visiting Cochin. The only suggestion we have is for Cresbin to get a portable microphone, especially for a tour group of seniors. Keep up the good work and your smile, Cresbin. You made our tour a pleasant one. We thoroughly enjoyed this tour. From initial booking, disembarkation at cruise terminal, right through the tour, this was first class organisation. A small group of 14 with tour guide and driver initially in a very comfortable bus to the Backwaters. The transfer to the houseboat was seamless and the 3 hours spent cruising very slowly through the backwaters and villages was fantastic. This insight in to local life as it is was fascinating and very informative. In addition the lunch provided on board was fantastic This was an excellent tour and we really enjoyed it. We were with a small private group and Peter picked us up from the cruise port. We drove for a while and it was a comfortable drive in a comfortable airconditioned van. Then we transferred to the houseboat which was lovely. There was some lovely furniture in the covered back part and there were 2 bedrooms on board both with ensuites. There were 2 people who cooked a very nice meal for us and we really enjoyed it. We were a group of 6 seniors who engaged Carnival tours for a two day tour in Cochin (Kochi). Our pre-tour communication with Peter Dalgleish was very good. His replies to our emails - questions & concerns - in the planning phase of the tour were prompt. He met us at the port with our guide, Tommy and our driver. We chose Carnival Tours based on the reviews we had seen on Trip Advisor and were not disappointed. We booked the combination tour of Cochin and Kerala backwaters, and it was superb. As everyone on Trip Advisor has noted, Peter is excellent at responding to questions you may have and staying in touch with you prior to your arrival. And not only was he there to greet us and introduce us to our guide and driver, but he was waiting for us upon our return, despite the fact that we were very late, having been caught in traffic on the return trip. He even had a farewell gift for us as a memento of our tour. The tour itself was excellent and was the highlight of the time we spent in India. Our guide spoke very good English and was very knowledgeable. And the afternoon spent on the houseboat was wonderfully relaxing. I would highly recommend Carnival Tours to anyone visiting Kerala. “Houseboat day trip on the backwaters” “GREAT DAY SPENT EXPLORING COCHIN”
Just returned from a wonderful holiday in India. A great day was spent exploring the Cochin area, the highlight of the day was a magic trip on a Houseboat in the Kerala backwaters. I booked this trip online with Peter of Carnival Tours after reading the excellent reviews on Tripadvisor. We were so well looked after, the meal on the Houseboat was a feast, the crew delightful. We were taken to so many places of interest, a really great day. Highly recommend Carnival Tours. Letitia Meens Sydney , Australia Azamara Quest “Wonderful day in Cochin with Carnival Tours” On our recent cruise we spent one day in Cochin. We were keen to do a houseboat tour in the Kerala backwaters and research on the Internet led us to Carnival Tours who had very good reviews on Tripadvisor. We were not disappointed. We communicated via email with Peter of Carnival Tours to arrange the excursion and all our emails were responded to quickly with very helpful information. We arranged a tour for 8 guests from the ship. Peter was waiting to greet us at the port in Cochin where we were each welcomed with a garland of jasmine. We were then driven in our air conditioned minibus to the point where we were to board our houseboat - a journey of around an hour and a half. Our delightful guide, Tommy, stayed with us throughout the tour and was very friendly and informative. We reached our houseboat by small motor boat and were amazed by the comfort and space onboard the houseboat. We were greeted with a glass of refreshing mango juice then sat back to enjoy the trip through the backwaters which was most relaxing and very interesting. A delicious lunch was cooked and served onboard - this included huge Kingfish steaks, chicken, vegetable curry and rice, two further vegetable dishes, freshly cooked poppadoms and a plate of fresh pineapple. We were onboard for two and a half hours and loved every minute. After the backwater trip we were driven by minibus to Fort Cochin where Tommy took us to the old church where Vasco da Gama was buried, then we walked along the sea front to see the Chinese fishing nets. After a stop en route at a spice shop, we were taken back to the port to join our ship. We loved our day and would not hesitate to recommend Carnival Tours to anyone wishing to make the most of a visit to Cochin. Rose /Steve Maidstone , UK Azamara Quest “Houseboat in backwaters” Arrived on cruise ship and met at port. Excellent guide, driver and boat staff. Interesting drive from Cochin to backwaters for 3 hour cruise on board traditional houseboat including typical Keralan lunch. Following this we had a quick trip around Cochin visiting fishing nets and old church. Very easy to book online and good value for money. Peter promptly answered all emails. Iorna W London,UK Azamara Quest “Lohnenswert!” Die Kommunikation im Vorfeld mit Peter war ausgezeichnet und prompt. Auch seeehr kurzfristige Änderungswünsche hinsichtlich Uhrzeit konnte er noch problemlos umsetzen. Wir sind zu viert direkt am Kreuzfahrtschiff abgeholt worden und im klimatisierten Fahrzeug bis zum Hausboothafen gebracht worden, das sind ca. 1,5 Stunden Fahrt. Dort hatten wir dann ein riiiesiges Hausboot, sogar mit zwei Schlafzimmern, für uns ganz allein. Wir konnten vorne im Schatten gemütlich sitzen und sind so durch die Kanäle geschippert worden. Mittags gab es ein grandioses Mittagessen was auf hübschen Bananenblättern serviert wurde. Die Jungs auf dem Boot waren wirklich super zuvorkommend und total nett. Am Nachmittag wurden wir dann wieder problemlos zum Kreuzfahrtschiff zurückgebracht. Das hat sich wirklich gelohnt und ich kann es uneingeschränkt weiterempfehlen! Maike W , Troisdorf, Germany AIDA Aura “Top Ausflug gerade auch für Schiffsreisende” Ein ganz toller Ausflug. Professionell durchgeführt Wir hatten eine Kombi aus Sightseeing Cochin und einer Backwater Tour gemacht. Unser Reiseführer Thommy hat ein ausgezeichnetes Englisch gesprochen, was nicht unbedingt immer selbstverständlich ist. Klasse nur zu empfehlen. Gruß Susanne/Germany,Cologne AIDA Aura we booked the excursion with Carnival tour on the advice of others cruisers: on arrival at the port we found Peter and the driver on time waiting for us. We think it is very serious by the organizer present himself and who will spend the day with us. Minivan new, clean and spacious, the driver / guide was very courteous, knowledgeable and helpful: he has shown all the way to the boarding on the houseboat for navigation along the canals. We were 4 of us and we had a luxurious houseboat to ourselves, consists of 2 bedrooms with bathroom, kitchen and living outdoors. The crew was made up of 3 people who have cooked a very delicious lunch with Indian specialties: We made a few stops along the way and on the way back we found our driver waiting for us. Before bring us back to the ship he gaves us a panoramic tour of Cochin and several stops for photos: at the ship we found again Peter because he wanted to make sure everything was ok. We were very happy with this tour and recommend you contact Peter: serious, fair and honest. The memory of this day will always remain in our hearts, thanks Giuliano Silvia Bologna ,Italy Costa Atlantica My husband and I came off a small cruise ship, but arranged our harbour and city day tour ourselves with this most professional company. We were met at the ship in Cochin. Our guide took us on a harbour cruise first which took a good couple of delightful hours, seeing the amazing chinese fishing nets, then The Fort, Santa Cruz Basilica, St Francis church and much more. We specifically requested to be taken to an authentic restaurant for lunch away from tourists and he took us to the 'Ginger Restaurant' where we had the best Indian food we have ever eaten sitting on the waters edge overlooking the harbour.. This company is excellent and we would highly recommend them. Marina Hooper Yungaburra ,Australia Azamara Journey Matz hatte ein Hausboot bei Peter gebucht. Unsere Gruppe wurde sehr freundlich mit Blumengirlanden am Kreuzfahrthafen begrüßt und bei einer atemberaubenden Fahrt, ca. 1,5 Std. mit einem Kleinbus nach Allepey gebracht. Das Essen auf dem Boot war sehr reichlich und ausgezeichnet. Ein rundum gelungener Ausflug, sehr erholsam - kann ich nur empfehlen. Adele G Wettstetten , Germany Costa Atlantica Wir hatten ein Hausboot in den Backwaters bei Peter gebucht. Sehr freundlicher und schneller Email Kontakt. Begrüßung am Pier (Kreuzfahrt) mit Blumengirlande durch Peter und seinen Vater. Dann Fahrt in klimatisiertem Reisebus nach Allepey (ca 1,5 Std), dort auf das Hausboot. Das war wunderschön - incl. einem ausgezeichneten Mittagessen (gegrillter Schwertfisch, gegrillte Hühnchenteile, Reis, grüne Bohnen, Krautgemüse und Linsengericht, Wasser). Die Fahrt durch die Backwaters war wunderschön. Wir waren 8 Personen und vier davon konnten vorne auf bequemen Matratzen liegen, die anderen 4 saßen in bequemen Sesseln im Schatten und hatten auch einen wunderbaren Rundumblick. Kann Peter und auch die Hausboottour sehr empfehlen! Elke Reinert Calw , Germany Costa Atlantica Von dem Chef Peter im Vorfeld bestens organisiert. Wir wurden am Kreuzfahrtterminal pünktlich vom Taxifahrer abgeholt, dieser brachte uns sicher zur Ablegestelle der Hausboote. Dort angekommen gekamen wir alles erklärt und hatten nochmal die Möglichkeit uns kurz frisch zu machen. Dann ging es zu auf ein Hausboot. Wir reisten zu dritt und waren auch zu dritt auf diesem Boot mit 2 Besatzungsmitglieder. Davon fuhr einer und der andere umsorgte uns. Es gab Mittags ein tolles indisches Essen und nachmittags noch einen leckeren Tee. Danach gings wieder zurück. Der Taxifahrer brachte uns wieder gut zum Kreuzfahrterminal zurück. Diese Tour kann man nur weiterempfehlen. Markus Bayer Babenhausen, Bayern, Germany AIDA Diva There were five of us that traveled to Munnar, Aleppey Backwaters and Marari Beach. This was my second time traveling with Carnival tours and there was a reason I chose to go with them my second time in India. They offer the best service at the best price. Peter and Charlie met us at our ship with the driver Joseph. Being a student, I expect safety and to have an amazing adventure, both were met through our four day tour. I will always take Carnival tours while in Southern India. They are hands down the best company I have worked with! Thank you Peter, Charlie and Joseph!!! Mike Vincent , USA Explorer - Semester at Sea “Cochin day tour” Peter was there to greet us when our ship docked. The Jasmin flower necklace was a great touch especially when we were at the fish market. We had a great 6h day tour of Cochin including a boat excursion ending at Fort Cochin. Val Bower Toronto ,Canada MS Rotterdam Peter, der Juniorchef von Carnival Tours bietet exzellenten Service. Rasche, sehr freundliche und kompetente Beantwortung aller Fragen per email. Ausgezeichnete Organisation. Wir (2 Personen) hatten anl. einer Kreuzfahrt einen Tag in Cochin, den wir möglichst gut nutzen wollten, ohne eine der teuren Schiffsausflüge buchen zu müssen. Carnival Tours, Peter persönlich, holte uns mit Fahrer und einem sehr guten, bequemen klimatisierten Pkw direkt am Schiff ab. Wir wurden mit Blütenkranz freundlichst begrüßt. Zuerst fuhr Fahrer Simon mit uns durch die Stadt zu allen Sehenswürdigkeiten und zeigte uns auch noch einige Plätze abseits der allgemein besuchten touristischen Highglights. Sein Englisch war sehr gut verständlich.. Die anschließende Fahrt zu den Backwaters war angenehm und interessant durch viele Hinweise. Alle Fragen wurde kompetent beantwortet. Er ließ uns Zeit Obst zu kaufen und Fotos zu machen. Die anschließende, mehrstündige Backwatertour in einem relativ großen sehr bequemen Boot ganz für uns alleine war ein traumhaftes Erlebnis. Trotz "extra-shopping"-Aufenthalt wurden wir rechtzeitig zu unserem Schiff zurückgebracht. Kerala nur mit Carnival Tours! Renate Turbeis Aichtal, Germany Costa NeoRomantica This was our first visit to India and it turned out to be the highlight of our 44 day cruise from Barcelona in Spain to Sydney, Australia. Peter from Carnival Tours, and his father, met us at the dockside and presented us all with garlands to welcome us. It was a lovely touch. We had an English speaking guide/driver assigned to us, who spoke excellent English and was very polite and helpful. The air conditioned vehicle took us in comfort to the Backwaters where we joined our experienced boatman who took us on a 4 hour cruise in a canoe, large enough for 10 people, with chaise longs, armchairs and a canopy to protect us from the sun (or rain).The guide came with us and It was a fantastic way to explore the area, as we passed sights of India that have probably not changed for centuries, with women washing clothes and their long hair, men bathing, babies being washed and children running along the river banks, waving at us. We even stopped for refreshments at a small cafe/ convenience store where local workers were eating freshly prepared food, served up in a traditional manner on leaves. On the second day our driver/guide again met us on the dockside and gave us a fully comprehensive tour of all of the historic and interesting sights of Fort Cochin. Peter even waited hours on shore, for the Celebrity Solstice to sail out of the harbor and sent us images of the ship as it passed by the Chinese Fishing nets in Cochin. I cannot recommend this trip highly enough and we will not hesitate in contacting Peter again if we ever get the chance of going back there. Harold Moses Spennymoor UK Celebrity Solstice This was the best tour I had taken on my recent cruise from Dubai to Singapore. Peter promptly answered all my e-mails and sent pictures of our houseboat tour. We were met at the port by Peter and his father and given a beautiful flower lei. We were driven in comfortable air conditioned van to the backwaters. The houseboat was lovely.We had a modern bathroom aboard and cushy seating areas. The cook served us nice cold mango drinks and we began our 4 hour tour of the peaceful backwaters. A tasty meal was prepared in the kitchen which everyone enjoyed. Chicken, fish and vegetables were part of the menu along with delicious refreshing fruit to end the meal. All had a great time.thanks Peter for a job well done Nancy , Rhode Island Celebrity Solstice We arrived by cruise ship to Cochin on 2nd April and we were by peter and our guide. I would highly recommend using carnival tours as the guide was very informative and we had a lovely a/c car with driver. Thanks for a lovely tour. regards ailish & Pat, Ireland. Royal Caribbean, Brilliance Of Seas From our first contact with Peter we were impressed. He responded to our numerous e-mails promptly and answered all our questions patiently. When we arrived in Cochin he met us personally and introduced it to our driver and guide for the next five days. The air-conditioned, spacious Innova was very comfortable and Faizel, our driver, was great. We loved our trip up to the tea plantations in Munnar and would highly recommend Peter and his crew at Carnival. He made our short trip to Cochin a pleasure. Dianne Zimmer ,Waterford ,CT ,USA Explorer , Semester At Sea Peter was excellent throughout our holiday from the first plans and itinary suggestions to checking that we were happy whilst on the road. Babu was a terrific driver. Peter,s suggestion of 2 days at Dewalokam retreat/farmstay was an inspired thought. I would unreservedly recommend Carnival for all your planning requirements in Kerala Robert Griffiths & Sally Griffiths Rugby Warks , UK For More Testimonials Visit TripAdvisor |
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