Statue of Unity Ekta Cruise Ticket Booking: The world-famous Statue of Unity (SOU) in Gujarat has evolved far beyond being just a monument. Known as the tallest statue on the planet, the location has now transformed into one of India’s most celebrated tourism destinations. Over 2.70 crore tourists have already visited the site, and more than 20 major attractions have been developed in the surrounding region. Recently, a new addition to this tourism experience has captured the attention of visitors — the relaunch of the Ekta Cruise Boat, offering an entertainment-rich voyage across the waters of the Narmada River.
After a seasonal closure during the monsoon, the Ekta Cruise is once again open to the public, creating a buzz among travelers who wish to enjoy a scenic water journey with entertainment, dining and breathtaking views of the Statue of Unity — much like the cruise experience popular in Goa. The reopening has suddenly increased search demand for Statue of Unity Ekta Cruise Ticket Booking as winter tourism and holiday travel begin.
Cruise Service Reopened After Monsoon Safety Break
During the monsoon, gates of the Sardar Sarovar Dam were opened to manage excessive water flow. Because of high river currents and safety concerns, the Ekta Cruise service was temporarily suspended. Now that the monsoon season has ended and dam gates have closed, the waters of the Narmada have become calm again. Authorities have restarted the cruise service for the winter and festival tourism season, ensuring visitors can enjoy a safe and memorable boat journey.
Grand Welcome for First-Day Passengers — Cake Mixing & Tilak Ceremony
To mark the relaunch of the cruise service, the SOU Authority, in collaboration with Ramada Encore Hotel, organized a ceremonial event that included a special cake-mixing celebration. Tourists who boarded the first cruise were welcomed aboard with a traditional tilak. Many participated enthusiastically in the cake mixing and enjoyed the unique hospitality experience right from the start of the cruise journey. From the very first day, the cruise began operating on fixed timings throughout the day.
New Additions and Features of the Ekta Cruise Boat
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Seating Capacity | Up to 200 passengers at a time |
| Cruise Route Distance | Approximately 6-kilometre round trip |
| Entertainment | Live tribal dance, stage performances, music & cultural shows |
| Ticket Cost | ₹413 per person for daytime sightseeing cruise |
| Food Facilities | Meals & snacks served onboard with hotel-grade service |
| Experience | Designed to give tourists a Goa-like cruise adventure |
The boat features expanded seating areas, stage lights, music systems, and a deck arrangement that allows passengers to relax while enjoying panoramic views of the Statue of Unity and the lush surroundings of Ekta Nagar.
Timings and Workflow: Daytime & Premium Dinner Cruise Trips
Daytime Sightseeing Cruise
Ticket Price: ₹413 per person
Departure Timings:
- 8:00 AM
- 10:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
- 2:00 PM
- 4:00 PM
These multiple departures ensure that tourists arriving at any time of day can enjoy the cruise experience without long waiting periods.
Premium Dinner Cruise
Ticket Price: ₹1416 per person
Departure Timing: 6:00 PM
The evening departure is considered the most luxurious and popular option. The trip includes:
Viewing of the SOU laser projection show from the river
Live darshan of Narmada Aarti on the banks
Dinner served onboard the cruise with a curated menu
Due to growing demand in the festive and winter season, tourists have been encouraged to complete their Statue of Unity Ekta Cruise Ticket Booking in advance to ensure seat availability — especially for the premium dinner cruise.
Management Notes and Tourism Strategy
Entertainment & Food Offerings To Enhance Visitor Experience
According to Manoj Maharaj, Manager of Ramada Encore Hotel, the cruise reopening is expected to add tremendous value to the tourist season. He mentioned that Diwali vacations witnessed a heavy footfall and the peak tourism period of December–January has just begun. With festivals like Christmas and New Year Eve approaching, a large number of tourists prefer Ekta Nagar at Kevadia for holiday vacations. To make their trip even more enjoyable, the Ekta Cruise will offer premium entertainment programs and gourmet dishes onboard.
A Destination Suitable for Every Age Group
Uttarayan, Christmas, New Year, Summer and Weekend Holidays often pull more tourists to SOU than to many traditional tourist spots. According to Darshak Vithlani, Additional Collector of SOU Authority, the relaunch of the cruise aligns perfectly with the festive tourism rush. He emphasized that Statue of Unity is one of the few destinations in India where attractions appeal to visitors of all ages — from children to senior citizens. He encouraged people across the country to visit at least once, highlighting the variety and scale of projects available in Ekta Nagar.
Tourist Feedback: “Feels just like Goa!”
The first wave of passengers included tourists from various states. Priyanka, a visitor from Jharkhand, expressed her excitement saying:
“We came all the way from Jharkhand, and we never expected this kind of cruise experience here. It felt exactly like the cruise fun we enjoyed in Goa. The views from the boat were stunning, the atmosphere was thrilling and the food was amazing. My whole family had a great time.”
Positive feedback from travelers like these is boosting demand even further, motivating tourists to secure their Statue of Unity Ekta Cruise Ticket Booking earlier than planned, especially during weekends and festival dates.
A Memorable Addition to the Statue of Unity Trip
For many visitors, the Statue of Unity trip is not just about seeing the world’s tallest statue — it’s about exploring a grand travel circuit full of attractions including:
- Jungle Safari
- Valley of Flowers
- Glow Garden
- Cactus Garden
- Miyawaki Forest
- River Rafting
- Ekta Mall
- Helicopter Ride
- Ekta Nursery
- Unity Glow Festival (seasonal)
With the cruise experience added back to the lineup, tourists now have another extraordinary activity to make their holiday even more special. The calm evening breeze, live music, cultural performances and sparkling reflections of the monument on the river water create a magical atmosphere that many travelers describe as “a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
Also read: Baroda Museum And Picture Gallery: A Heritage Treasure Driving Global Interest in Vadodara
Rising Demand for Tickets — Advance Booking Recommended
As tourism peaks this winter and festive events approach, the Ekta Cruise is expected to run at full capacity. Families, couples and large tourist groups are particularly interested in the dinner cruise, which often sells out first.
Travel experts, hospitality executives and SOU authorities together recommend completing Statue of Unity Ekta Cruise Ticket Booking ahead of time to avoid last-minute disappointment — especially for dates around:
- Christmas holidays
- New Year celebrations
- Long weekends
- Festival vacations
- Public holidays
- School breaks
The cruise service has become one of the top activities searched and booked by tourists visiting Ekta Nagar.
Final Highlights
- The world-renowned Statue of Unity now offers a premium cruise experience on the Narmada River.
- The Ekta Cruise has restarted after the monsoon safety break and is attracting huge visitor interest.
- Ticket prices are affordable — ₹413 for daytime sightseeing and ₹1416 for the premium dinner cruise.
- The cruise runs multiple times a day, with entertainment, delicious food, and stunning views.
- Demand for Statue of Unity Ekta Cruise Ticket Booking has increased sharply as the festive and winter seasons begin.
Whether tourists are arriving with family, friends, school groups or on corporate trips, a cruise journey on the Narmada adds a magical and unforgettable dimension to their visit.
Disclaimer
The information presented in this article is based on publicly available sources, press updates, official statements from local authorities, and media reports. Ticket prices, schedules, facilities, and other service details are subject to change by the concerned authorities at any time. Readers are advised to verify the latest updates and ticket availability directly through the official booking platforms or authorized management sources before planning their visit. This article is intended for informational purposes only. The author and publisher hold no direct or indirect responsibility for the operation of the services mentioned, pricing changes, management decisions, safety measures, or any modifications made after the publication of this article.
