Guide to Know About 11 Day All Inclusive Seychelles Cruises

An 11-day premium all-inclusive Seychelles catamaran cruise offers an ideal way to explore the granite peaks, coral reefs, and isolated coves of the Inner Islands. Sailing on a mid-sized crewed catamaran provides access to shallow bays, remote nature reserves, and pristine beaches that larger cruise ships cannot reach.

Packing for an 11-day catamaran cruise in the Seychelles requires a minimalist, functional mindset. Space on board is optimized for sailing performance rather than luggage storage, and the climate is warm, humid, and very relaxed.

The 11-Day Itinerary Experience

Most 11-day catamaran itineraries depart directly from Eden Island Marina on Mahé. The route covers the archipelago’s most famous islands alongside quiet marine sanctuaries:

  • Mahé & Eden Island Marina: The primary embarkation point. Early sailing leads across to the Saint Anne Marine National Park for initial snorkeling and calm overnight anchorage.

  • La Digue: Famous for Anse Source d’Argent and granite boulder landscapes. Travelers disembark to explore footpaths, vanilla plantations, and coconut groves on foot or by bicycle.

  • Praslin: Home to the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai primeval forest, home of the endemic Coco de Mer palm. Stops often include legendary beaches like Anse Lazio and Anse Volbert.

  • Curieuse & Cousin Islands: Protected island reserves featuring wild giant Aldabra tortoises and rare breeding sea bird colonies.

  • Silhouette Island: A dramatic, mountainous island located ~30 km off Mahé, surrounded by coral reefs and dense equatorial forest trails.

  • Cocos Island & Saint Pierre: Rocky islets surrounded by crystal-clear waters, serving as natural aquariums for world-class marine life viewing.

What “Premium All-Inclusive” Covers

While inclusions vary slightly between operators, a typical premium catamaran charter package covers board, maintenance, and core activity gear:

  • Onboard Accommodations: En-suite double or superior cabins with private air conditioning and shower facilities.

  • Full Board Dining: Freshly prepared breakfast, lunch, and dinner cooked by an onboard chef/hostess, often featuring local Seychellois Creole seafood.

  • Water Sports Equipment: Complimentary access to masks, fins, sea kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs).

  • Selected Drinks: Water, tea, coffee, and table beverages served with meals.

Typical Exclusions & Additional Expenses

“All-inclusive” on a sailing vessel rarely means zero out-of-pocket costs. Before booking, account for these standard exclusions:

  • Environmental & National Park Fees: Entry taxes for nature reserves like Cousin, Curieuse, or Vallée de Mai are often paid locally or via a mandatory destination cash box.

  • Specialty Beverages: Premium spirits, soft drinks outside meal times, and fine wines usually carry an additional charge.

  • Land Excursions & Rentals: Bicycle rentals on La Digue, guided island tours, or island taxi transfers.

  • Airport Transfers & Flights: Long-haul airfare and port transfers to/from Eden Island Marina.

  • Crew Gratuities: Customary tips for the skipper and hostess/cook.

Key Factors to Compare Before Booking

When evaluating different 11-day Seychelles cruise offers, compare the total value rather than looking solely at baseline prices:

Feature

What to Look For

Why It Matters

Vessel Type & Size

Large Catamaran (e.g., Lagoon 620) vs. Small Monohull

Catamarans offer stability in open water, spacious sundecks, and shallow draft for lagoon anchoring.

Passenger Count

8 to 12 guests maximum

Smaller group sizes mean more personalized service from the crew and faster disembarkation.

Cabin Layout

Standard Double vs. Superior/Owner’s Cabin

Superior cabins offer better positioning (stern/bow), larger floor space, or direct deck access.

Itinerary Flexibility

Fixed route vs. Weather-adapted route

Skippers adjust stops based on trade winds (Monsoons) to ensure calm anchorages.

Total Out-of-Pocket Cost

Inclusions vs. Mandatory Local Cash Port Box

Add mandatory park taxes and beverage packages to base rates to find the real trip cost.

Essential Checklist for Travelers

  1. Check the Monsoons: The Southeast Trade Winds (May–October) bring drier weather but choppier seas, while the Northwest Monsoon (December–March) brings calmer seas with warmer, humid air and occasional rain.

  2. Review A/C Policies: Verify if air conditioning runs 24/7 or only during generator hours at night.

  3. Pack Soft Luggage: Storage space in catamaran cabins is structured for collapsible duffel bags rather than hard-shell suitcases.

  4. Confirm Marine Park Entries: Ensure your itinerary explicitly mentions landing on islands like Cousin or Curieuse rather than just anchoring off their shores.