Makruzz Ferry Review 2026: Premium, Deluxe & Royal Class Compared

Quick Answer: Makruzz ferry operates three seating classes across its fleet — Premium (₹1,250-1,950), Deluxe (₹2,540-2,640), and Royal (₹3,500-3,600). Premium offers basic AC seating on the lower deck, Deluxe includes upper deck views with complimentary meals, while Royal provides a private 8-seat cabin with gourmet dining. Not all vessels offer all classes — Makruzz Pearl only has Premium seating.

TL;DR / Key Takeaways:

• Premium Class: Budget option, lower deck, ₹1,250-1,950, no meals included
• Deluxe Class: Mid-range, upper deck with views, complimentary meals, ₹2,540-2,640
• Royal Class: Luxury private cabin, 8 pushback seats, gourmet meals, ₹3,500-3,600
• MV Makruzz Pearl operates Premium class only (no Deluxe/Royal)
• Book 2-3 weeks ahead during peak season (December-February)

Makruzz Ferry Classes Overview: What’s Available in 2026

The Makruzz ferry offers three distinct seating classes — Premium, Deluxe, and Royal — but availability depends on which vessel you’re boarding. As one of Andaman’s premium ferry operators serving 1.5 million passengers since 2009, they’ve positioned themselves between budget carriers like Green Ocean and ultra-premium services.

Here’s what’s running in 2026: MV Makruzz and MV Makruzz Gold both offer all three classes, while MV Makruzz Pearl operates Premium class only. The fleet runs 13 daily departures across Port Blair to Havelock, and Neil Island routes with twin-hull catamarans cruising at 30-32 knots.

Why does this matter? If you’re eyeing that Royal class experience, avoid the 9:00 AM departure from Port Blair — that’s Pearl, and she’s Premium only. Gold runs the most spacious Premium section if you’re traveling with a large group.

Makruzz Premium Class Review: Is the Base Option Worth It?

Premium class gets you aircraft-style seating on the lower deck for ₹1,250-1,950 — perfectly fine for the 90-minute journey if you’re watching your budget. You’ll find 208-262 seats depending on the vessel, arranged in a 2-2 configuration with a center aisle.

What’s included? Full air conditioning (sometimes too cold — bring a light jacket), padded seats with armrests, and access to the onboard cafeteria where you can buy snacks and beverages. The seats don’t recline, but at 90 minutes, that’s not a dealbreaker. Large panoramic tinted windows line both sides, though lower deck means you’re closer to the waterline — less scenic than upper decks.

Is it comfortable enough? For most travelers, absolutely. The seats are similar to budget airline standards — not luxurious, but clean and maintained. Buy your water and snacks at the cafeteria (₹50-100 for basics).

Here’s the thing: Premium class on Makruzz beats economy options on other ferries. Green Ocean’s economy might save you ₹300, but you’ll spend 45 minutes longer at sea. For families or budget-conscious couples, Makruzz Premium offers the best balance.

Premium Class Pricing and Availability

Regular season (16 Sept–14 Dec 2025 & 16 Jan–31 May 2026) runs ₹1,250 for the 6 AM early bird from Port Blair, jumping to ₹1,950 for other timings. Peak season (15 Dec 2025–15 Jan 2026) adds ₹100 per ticket across all timings, making it ₹1,350-2,050.

Every Makruzz vessel offers Premium class — that’s 720 total Premium seats across the fleet. Add the ₹50 Passenger Service Fee plus 18% GST, and your final price lands between ₹1,534-2,519 depending on timing and season.

Makruzz booking tip: The 6 AM early bird departure offers the best value for Premium class and rarely sells out, even during peak season.

Makruzz Deluxe Class: Upper Deck Experience with Meals

Deluxe class puts you on the upper deck with panoramic windows and includes a complimentary meal service — all for ₹2,540-2,640. With just 63-64 seats compared to 200+ in Premium, it’s noticeably less crowded and more peaceful.

The upper deck advantage is real. You’re above the waterline with better views, and many travelers report less seasickness up here. The seats themselves are wider with more legroom — think domestic business class rather than economy. But the standout feature? That included meal.

Don’t expect airline food. Makruzz serves a proper hot meal — typically a choice between vegetarian and non-vegetarian options with rice or bread, a dessert, and unlimited tea/coffee. On morning sailings, it’s a decent breakfast spread.

For couples on honeymoon or anyone who appreciates a bit more comfort, Deluxe class hits the sweet spot. You’re paying roughly ₹700 more than Premium, but you get the meal (worth ₹200-300 if purchased separately), better seats, superior views, and a calmer environment. The math works out.

One tip: Book port-side seats (left side when facing forward) on the Port Blair to Havelock route. You’ll get views of the smaller islands along the way.

What’s Actually Included in Deluxe Class

Beyond the hot meal, Deluxe passengers get priority boarding after Royal class, dedicated upper deck restrooms (cleaner, less crowded), and complimentary water bottles. The entertainment screens are positioned better from upper deck angles too — each vessel features 42" TVs in main cabins and 19" TVs on upper decks.

Meal options vary by timing — breakfast on early sailings includes egg preparations, toast, and fruit. Lunch services offer chicken or paneer curry with rice, dal, and a sweet. Special meal requests (Jain, diabetic) need 24-hour advance notice through customer service.

Makruzz Royal Class: Premium Cabin Experience Worth ₹3,500?

Royal class books you into an exclusive 8-seat private cabin with pushback recliners and gourmet meal service for ₹3,500-3,600. For a 90-minute journey, you’re essentially paying ₹40 per minute for luxury — but hear me out on when it makes sense.

The cabin sits at the vessel’s prime location — forward upper deck with the best stability and views. Those eight pushback seats? They’re leather recliners with leg rests, more like first-class airline seats than ferry furniture. The cabin stays quieter since you’re isolated from the main passenger areas.

The gourmet meal is a genuine step up from Deluxe. Think grilled fish or chicken with continental preparations, fresh salads, multiple dessert options. Service is personalized — the dedicated cabin crew knows your name.

Here’s my take: Royal class makes sense for special occasions (anniversaries, proposals), elderly travelers who need maximum comfort, or business travelers who can expense it. For a regular holiday? That extra ₹1,000 over Deluxe buys you exclusivity more than proportional comfort gains.

The private cabin does offer one hidden advantage — privacy for families with infants. If you’re traveling with a baby and worried about disturbing others, Royal class gives you space to manage without stress.

Makruzz Fleet Comparison: Gold vs Pearl vs Standard Vessels

MV Makruzz Gold takes the crown as the most spacious vessel with 333 total seats — 262 Premium, 63 Deluxe, and 8 Royal. Built in 1996 at Singapore’s Damen Shipyard, she’s older but meticulously maintained.

MV Makruzz Pearl is the oddball — Premium class only with 250 seats in a single-deck configuration. Built in 1998 at Australia’s Austal Shipyard, Pearl feels more like an aircraft inside. She exclusively runs the Port Blair→Neil→Havelock circuit, not the direct routes.

The original MV Makruzz (built 2002 at Damen Shipyard Singapore) offers the most balanced configuration — 280 total seats with all three classes available. She handles the 6:00 AM early bird from Port Blair.

All three vessels cruise at 30-32 knots, delivering that consistent 90-minute Port Blair-Havelock timing. Avoid Pearl if you need direct Port Blair-Havelock service. She always stops at Neil Island first, adding 30-45 minutes.

Onboard Experience and Services

All Makruzz vessels feature modern cafeterias selling hot and cold beverages, snacks, and light meals. Premium class passengers buy from the cafeteria, while Deluxe and Royal classes receive complimentary meal service at their seats.

Entertainment systems run throughout the journey — overhead screens play Bollywood movies, though most passengers spend the 90 minutes enjoying sea views or napping. CCTV monitoring and trained crew ensure passenger safety across all decks.

Makruzz Booking Process and Check-in

Makruzz booking requires planning ahead — tickets open 60 days in advance and the good slots sell fast.

Booking checklist: Select your route and date, pick from available vessels and timings (remember Pearl is Premium only), choose your class, pay online, and receive instant confirmation via SMS and email. The whole process takes under 5 minutes.

Cancellation policy remains flexible until 24 hours before departure. Cancel 48+ hours early and you’ll pay just ₹100 plus taxes per ticket. Between 24-48 hours, you get 50% back. Inside 24 hours? No refund, but you can reschedule once for ₹150 per person plus fare difference.

Reconfirmation is required one day before travel by calling 03192-236677 or +91-8001240006.

Check-in requirements: arrive at Haddo Jetty at least 60 minutes before departure with hard copy tickets and valid photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, driving license). The counter closes 15 minutes before departure, and boarding closes 10 minutes before.

Safety and Reliability

Makruzz maintains a 96% on-time performance rate — the highest among Andaman ferry operators. Their twin-hull catamaran design by Incat Crowther provides superior stability compared to traditional mono-hull ferries, which means fewer weather-related cancellations and a smoother ride.

All vessels undergo regular maintenance inspections and carry full safety equipment including life rafts, life jackets for all passengers, and modern navigation systems. English-speaking trained crew members are available on every voyage.

Makruzz vs Competitors: How Does It Stack Up in 2026?

Makruzz ferry strikes the middle ground perfectly — more reliable than budget operators, less expensive than ultra-premium services.

*Nautika’s ₹3,400 is for Business Class on Nautika Pro, not directly comparable to Royal

Choose Makruzz when you want reliability without breaking the bank. Skip them if you absolutely need the cheapest option (go Green Ocean) or require cutting-edge amenities like Wi-Fi (pick Nautika Pro).

Makruzz Class Selection Guide: Which One is Right for You?

Choose Premium if you’re backpacking, traveling solo, or just need reliable transport without frills. At ₹1,250-1,950, it’s the sensible choice for budget-conscious travelers.

Deluxe makes sense for couples, food lovers, and anyone prone to seasickness who benefits from upper deck placement. The ₹700 premium over base Premium buys you a noticeably better experience.

Royal class fits special occasions, business travelers, elderly passengers needing maximum comfort, and families with infants who value privacy.

For first-time visitors unsure about the Makruzz premium vs royal debate: Deluxe class offers the best value proposition. You get 80% of Royal’s comfort benefits for significantly less money.

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FAQ Section: Common Makruzz Questions

Is food included in Makruzz Premium class? No, Premium class doesn’t include meals. You’ll need to purchase food and drinks from the onboard cafeteria — expect to pay ₹50-100 for basics. Deluxe and Royal classes include complimentary meals.

Can I upgrade my Makruzz class after booking? Upgrades depend on availability and must be requested at least 24 hours before departure. You’ll pay the fare difference plus a ₹150 change fee per person.

Which Makruzz vessel has Royal class available? MV Makruzz and MV Makruzz Gold both offer Royal class with 8 seats each. MV Makruzz Pearl operates Premium class only.

How far in advance should I book Makruzz tickets? For October-May travel, book 2-3 weeks ahead. December-February requires 3-4 weeks advance booking as Royal and Deluxe sell out first.

What happens if my Makruzz ferry gets cancelled due to weather? Makruzz offers full refunds or free rescheduling for weather cancellations. You’ll receive SMS and email notifications, typically 12-24 hours in advance.

Is Makruzz better than Green Ocean ferries? “Better” depends on priorities. Makruzz costs ₹300-1,000 more but saves 45 minutes journey time and offers superior comfort. For reliability and comfort, Makruzz wins. For rock-bottom prices, Green Ocean takes it.

Can I get seasick on Makruzz ferries? About 15-20% of passengers experience some motion discomfort. Take medication 30 minutes before boarding, choose middle-ship seats, and travel on morning departures when seas are typically calmer.

What’s the baggage limit on Makruzz ferries? 25 kg per person checked baggage is free. Carry one small handbag into the cabin.

Is Makruzz Royal class worth the extra cost for a 90-minute journey? For most travelers, Deluxe class offers the best value. Royal class makes sense for special occasions, elderly travelers, or when you want guaranteed peace and privacy.

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