In October 2019, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands did something unexpected during their state visit to India. They spent an afternoon floating through Alappuzha’s backwaters on a traditional luxury houseboat.
The choice wasn’t random. Both the Netherlands and Kerala’s Kuttanad region farm below sea level – one of the few places on earth where this happens. For Dutch royalty used to their country’s polders and water management, Kerala’s backwaters probably felt both strange and familiar.
Getting Ready for Royalty
Months earlier, Netherlands Embassy officials had started calling luxury backwater cruise operators in Alappuzha, Kerala. They didn’t say who was coming or when. They just asked detailed questions about safety, capacity, and operations.
The embassy team checked everything – fire safety systems, life jackets, legal permits, boat capacity. They needed space for about 50 people and security arrangements that met international standards.
Spiceroutes passed all the checks. The company had spent years building proper safety protocols and maintaining boats to high standards. When embassy officials needed an operator they could trust with a state visit, Spiceroutes made the cut.
October 18th: The Royal Cruise
The day started with official ceremonies at Punnamada Lake. The delegation was formally welcomed by the district collector at Finishing Point at Punnamada Lake before proceeding to the houseboat access point.
They boarded Tamarind, a spacious five-bedroom luxury houseboat with a large upper deck. The boat had been chosen because it could accommodate the delegation comfortably while providing good views of the surroundings.
For two hours, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima cruised through waterways that have supported local life for centuries. They watched fishermen work their nets, children walk home from school, families doing laundry at the water’s edge. Just normal backwater life continuing around them.
The delegation was served traditional Kerala snacks during the cruise, though security teams had checked everything beforehand. The menu showed off local flavors while meeting the safety requirements that come with royal visits.
The most memorable part happened when both monarchs got off the boat to walk through Kuttanad’s rice fields. These fields grow crops below sea level, protected by earthen walls and drainage systems that farmers have used for generations.
For visitors from a country built on reclaimed land, seeing productive agriculture below sea level must have felt remarkably familiar. Different techniques, same basic challenge.
Why It Mattered
This wasn’t just a scenic boat ride. The backwater visit connected two countries that deal with similar environmental challenges in very different ways.
King Willem-Alexander’s first state visit to India since becoming king in 2013 focused partly on water management and sustainable agriculture – areas where both countries have real expertise to share.
The Netherlands has spent centuries perfecting the art of living below sea level. Kerala’s backwater communities have done the same thing using completely different methods. The boat trip gave the Dutch royals a chance to see how another culture solved problems they know intimately.
For Kerala, hosting Dutch royalty through Spice Routes showcased traditional knowledge systems that have global relevance, especially as more places deal with rising water levels and climate change.
What Happened Next
The royal visit established new standards for Spice Routes operations. Safety protocols developed for state visits now benefit every guest. Service training refined for diplomatic requirements became standard practice.
Since 2018, the company has hosted other political leaders and diplomats, building on what they learned about balancing security needs with authentic experiences.
The embassy’s selection process confirmed something important – that excellent hospitality doesn’t require choosing between safety and authenticity. Both can coexist when operators take their responsibilities seriously.
Still Operating Today
The same Spice Routes vessel that carried Dutch royalty still takes families, couples, and travelers through identical routes today. Nothing fundamental has changed about the experience – same waterways, same attention to safety, same respect for local traditions that made Spice Routes the consulate’s choice for this historic visit.
This consistency matters. The royal couple experienced Kerala’s backwaters through Spice Routes much like any other thoughtful visitor would, just with extra security arrangements. They saw authentic backwater life, not a performance created for their benefit.
Kerala’s backwaters continue welcoming distinguished guests from around the world. The Dutch royal visit proved that when international standards meet genuine Kerala hospitality through operators like Spice Routes, the result satisfies everyone involved – from security officials to curious monarchs wanting to understand how people live and work in this unique landscape.
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