Phi Phi Islands by Cruise Boat – VIP Seating

The Phi Phi Islands cruise boat tour with VIP seating is a full-day trip on the Phi Phi Cruiser, a large ferry carrying about 400 passengers from Rassada Harbor, Phuket. After pickup from 07:00 it departs at 08:30, cruises past Maya Bay, Loh Samah, Pileh Cove and Viking Cave, docks at Phi Phi Town for lunch and optional snorkelling, and returns by 16:30 — with your seat in the air-conditioned top-deck VIP lounge. Arranged by Chang Thai Tour & Travel, a licensed agency in Chalong.

Who should take the big boat instead of a speedboat?

This is the trip we recommend when someone at our Chalong counter winces at the word “speedboat”. A 400-passenger cruiser rolls gently instead of slamming through waves. It has proper toilets, shade, room to walk around, and space to hold a sleeping child. Guests prone to seasickness, travellers over 70, pregnant women and families with babies — the very people speedboat operators turn away — all sail comfortably here. From June to October, when the monsoon swell makes small boats hard work, the big hull is honestly the smarter choice for almost everyone.

The trade-off: you see Phi Phi Leh’s famous bays from the deck rather than landing on Maya’s sand, and there are fewer stops. Speed buys stops; size buys comfort. Choose which matters more to you.

What does the VIP seating actually get you?

The top-deck VIP lounge: air-conditioning, comfortable seating away from the crowds, and complimentary refreshments through the day. On a two-hour crossing each way, that quiet cool room is the difference between arriving fresh and arriving frazzled — especially in the hot months. If you are happy on the open sun-deck with the breeze, the regular seating version of this same cruise covers the identical route.

How does the day run?

• 07:00–07:15 — Hotel pickup.
• 08:00 — Check-in at counter #2, Rassada pier.
• 08:30 — Depart Rassada Harbor; settle into the VIP lounge or stroll the decks.
• 10:30 — Phi Phi Leh sightseeing from the water: the mouth of Maya Bay of “The Beach” fame, then a slow cruise past Loh Samah Bay, Pileh Cove and Viking Cave.
• 11:00 — Dock at Ton Sai, Phi Phi Don; optional boat to a pontoon in Coral Bay for snorkelling, or extra time in Phi Phi Town.
• 12:30 — Lunch at a hotel restaurant in Phi Phi Town, then free time in the lanes and shops.
• 14:30 — Depart Ton Sai pier for Phuket.
• 16:30 — Arrive Rassada Harbor; transfer to your hotel.

What is included — and what should you budget extra?

Included: round-trip hotel transfer from the free zone (Patong, Karon, Kata, Chalong, Rawai, Phuket Town and nearby), English-speaking guide, injury insurance, life jacket, lunch (Indian meal on request), mask and snorkel, and the VIP lounge with refreshments. Extra: the Phi Phi national park fee, paid in cash on the day — mandatory on every operator’s boat — and transfer surcharges for far-north hotels. Our 2026 Phi Phi price guide details every line item, and all departures are compared on our Phi Phi Islands tours page. We are a family-run TAT-licensed shop — ask us anything on WhatsApp and you get a straight answer.

Frequently asked questions

Do you land at Maya Bay on the cruise boat?

No — the cruiser stops at the mouth of Maya Bay for viewing and photos, then cruises slowly past Loh Samah, Pileh Cove and Viking Cave. To walk on Maya’s sand you need a speedboat tour instead; ask us which fits your dates.

Is the big boat better for seasickness?

Much better. The 400-passenger hull rolls gently rather than slamming, and you can sit mid-ship in air-conditioning. It is our standard recommendation for sensitive stomachs, seniors, pregnant guests and babies — and for most travellers June to October.

What is the difference between VIP and regular seating?

VIP buys the air-conditioned top-deck lounge with complimentary refreshments and calmer, less crowded seating. Regular seating uses the indoor lounge and open sun-deck. Same boat, same route, same schedule.

Is the national park fee included?

No. The Phi Phi national park fee is paid in cash during the tour, on top of the ticket, as with every operator. Message us on WhatsApp for the current amount.

How do I book?

WhatsApp +66 93 687 1999 with your date and hotel. Prices change daily in Phuket, so we quote today’s best price and confirm your pickup — no online payment needed.

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