Hi Islanders,

Hope you're all doing well!

My fiancée and I are planning a 6N/7D honeymoon trip to the A&N starting December 1st, and after reading countless reviews of MMT, Andaman Bliss, and several other travel agents, I'm beginning to wonder whether planning and booking everything ourselves might actually be the better option.

I'd really appreciate any advice or local insights you can share.

Proposed Itinerary

Our itinerary is fairly similar to the popular packages offered by most tour operators:

• Day 1: Port Blair – Cellular Jail & Light and Sound Show
• Day 2: Ross Island & North Bay (Coral Island)
• Day 3: Havelock Island – Radhanagar Beach (ferry transfer required)
• Day 4: Elephant Beach
• Day 5: Neil Island – Natural Bridge & Laxmanpur Beach
• Day 6: Bharatpur Beach, return cruise/ferry to Port Blair, explore another beach if time permits
• Day 7: Departure from Port Blair Airport

A Few Questions

1. Self-Booking vs Tour Operator

Would you recommend booking everything independently or going through a tour operator? What are the key pros and cons based on your experience?

2. Hotels & Accommodation

If we go the self-booking route:

• Which hotels would you recommend that are clean, safe, comfortable, and well-managed?
• Budget isn't a major concern, but I also don't see the value in spending an absurd amount unless it's truly worth it.
• Are there any hotels or resorts you would strongly recommend avoiding?
• This may sound overly cautious, but there have been many reports in recent years of hidden cameras in hotel rooms across various destinations. Is this something travelers generally worry about in Andaman, or is it largely a non-issue?

3. Ferries, Cruises & Transfers

• Which ferry operators are considered the most reliable for Port Blair ↔ Havelock ↔ Neil Island routes?
• Are there any cruise experiences worth considering?
• Can romantic experiences such as a private candlelight dinner on the beach or onboard a cruise be arranged in advance?
• Since Uber and similar ride-hailing apps aren't available, what's the best way to organize airport transfers and local transportation? Any trusted taxi providers or pre-booking options?

4. Food & Hygiene

I'm originally from India but have lived in the UK for many years. Unfortunately, whenever I visit India, I tend to get sick quite easily from food or water.

• Any recommendations for restaurants known for maintaining high hygiene standards?
• Would you generally trust food from good hotels/resorts more than local restaurants?
• Any food safety tips specific to Andaman that visitors should keep in mind?

5. Scuba Diving

My fiancée would be much more comfortable diving with a female dive instructor or dive buddy, while I would be happy with a male instructor.

• Are there any dive operators in Havelock or Neil Island that have female instructors/divemasters available?
• Is this something that can be arranged and confirmed in advance?
• What's the best way to pre-book these services?

Thank you all so much for your help. Any recommendations, personal experiences, or things you wish you'd known before your honeymoon in Andaman would be greatly appreciated!