Kia Carnival On a Ferry To Alibaug: A Vacation Saga

We, automotive journalists, are spoilt for choice when it comes to picking up a car for vacations. Car makers are more than happy to let us spend more time with their cars to experience them in different real-world scenarios. When I was faced with the tough choice of picking any available car for a vacation with my in-laws, the answer was quite clear. My MPV fetish pulled me towards picking a Force Urbania, but the flying footwear coming from my wife's general direction made me pick the next most spacious MPV — the Kia Carnival. And the lovely folks at Kia were more than happy to let me keep it for a week.

My newly acquired extended family is a large one. In total, we were 6 adults and 3 kids. And when these many people go on a vacation, especially with children, the luggage is a lot and in a lot of different shapes and sizes. Now, the night before we were to embark from Pune to Alibaug via the M2M ferry, this is exactly the discussion that unfolded over dinner. Will we need a second car? A quick trip to the garage and pulling up the 3rd-row seats gave us confidence that we wouldn’t. The next morning, the Carnival engulfed the luggage with room for more. The deep storage bucket meant it was all stored safely too, and the beach chairs, balls, and toys, though open, were safely kept as well. Having this much room despite space for 7 tall adults feels outright magical.

My utmost priority was the comfort of the parents. While the size of the Carnival was concerning for the in-laws in the beginning, it started to win them over with the convenience of the sliding doors and the captain seats. Getting in was a bit challenging, but the well-placed grab handles made things better. Once seated, the space on offer, the seat adjustability, and having their own AC vents immediately made them comfortable and settled.

We got going, and while the Carnival can feel a bit stiff over bad roads, the fully loaded payload meant it was beautifully settled. The in-laws were quick to pull down the sun blinds as the cabin cooled quickly and enjoyed Maharashtra’s scenery. And if you have been on the bouncy Pune-Mumbai Expressway, you know that is a commendable job.

At the back, the missus and the sister-in-law were well settled too. The 3rd-row space of the Carnival is better than what some SUVs have to offer. And with an 8-year-old sitting between them, they still had space to get comfortable. There is a party trick too — the driver can talk into the microphone and the voice will be relayed via the speakers to the last row — a necessity because the Carnival is looong. And the fact that they never asked to change seats is a testament to how spacious the car actually is. 

Soon, though, almost everyone went to sleep. And this was also the time I got to stretch the Carnival’s legs a little. The 2.2-litre diesel engine is a refined one. And because it is a diesel at the end of the day, you still manage double-digit fuel efficiency. Soon, we reached the dock and the ferry was already waiting for us. Now, the Carnival is a big car and navigating through tight spaces can be tricky. 

What helps in this case is the excellent all-around visibility and the 360-degree camera. So getting it on the ferry was not difficult at all.

The ramp to enter and exit is a bit sharp and I was worried, but the Carnival went over it with a full load without scraping. It had scraped on a bad speed breaker on the way to the port, which felt like someone squeezed my heart, so I was clenching harder this time. But we sailed through — to sail through.

Now, the cars next to us were parked quite close and everyone had issues opening doors and getting out. Not us. The doors slid back and the family easily walked out. Also, the ferry sailed for an hour before docking at Mandawa. And all this while, the car was parked, standing exposed to the sun. So as we got the notification to head back to the cars, I remotely switched on the air conditioning. By the time we reached, the cabin was already cool. It surprised my family, but in a good way.

We drove off the ferry and navigated towards the narrow lanes of Alibaug. You are the biggest car on a narrow road and that gets looks from traffic and bystanders, but we slowly made our way through. Finally, we reached our BnB and as planned, there was ample parking. Because that is one thing you cannot compromise on when travelling in a luxury school bus. Once parked next to the beach, the Carnival remained there for the day, till we left for Pune the next afternoon. It became a talking point for everyone at the property, with people asking me the cost, mileage, space, and all sorts of questions.

On the journey back, we skipped the ferry and drove all the way. And in areas with a few diversions on the highway, the size of the Carnival was becoming a challenge. And that is where I had to, and I do have some shame in admitting this, take help from the 360-degree camera to make sharp turns and corrections. Once on the expressway, the Carnival chugged along without any effort.

This time around, everyone was a lot more settled in, feeling at home in the cabin and not eager to reach home, but to enjoy the journey. And that is the beauty of the Carnival. It got my family together like no other car could. We were all travelling together, happily, comfortably, and peacefully — 6 adults + 3 children without feeling cramped for space. Any other car and we would have had to split into groups. Even while driving them to the airport the same night, it felt like they had made a very strong connection to the car, using the features freely like the rear climate control, window shades, and seat adjustments. For parents to do that after spending just 1 day with the car, it really speaks volumes about its friendliness.

If we were to plan a trip again, my first choice would still be the Force Urbania. But with or without me, my family is picking this luxury school bus.