Mumbai/ Cochin information

[bazzaw]

We will be in Mumbai on Oriana in early December. The ships tours available are somewhat disappointing to me. As someone else said here, Mumbai is probably not a place where I would want to get around unescorted (especially on a first visit) - BUT the ships tours are all quite short 3-4 hours, so this will mean that we probably will not be able to fully utilise our already short stay in the city. I did ask a question in another thread - for suggestions of what we could do after completing a morning ships tour (Highlights of Mumbai), but didn't receive much advice. The docking area in Mumbai is not in the best of spots from a tourist viewpoint.

 

 

Barry

[Keith1010]

We will be in Mumbai on Oriana in early December. The ships tours available are somewhat disappointing to me. As someone else said here, Mumbai is probably not a place where I would want to get around unescorted (especially on a first visit) - BUT the ships tours are all quite short 3-4 hours, so this will mean that we probably will not be able to fully utilise our already short stay in the city. I did ask a question in another thread - for suggestions of what we could do after completing a morning ships tour (Highlights of Mumbai), but didn't receive much advice. The docking area in Mumbai is not in the best of spots from a tourist viewpoint.

 

 

Barry

 

Barry, if you have a TA see if the TA can put together a private tour for you.

That may maximize your time there.

 

I would take a tour one way or the other, particularly since this is your first time there.

 

Keith

[bazzaw]

Keith

 

Thanks for the advice- but this is difficult to do because we don't know exactly how long we have in any of the ports, so - apart from the official ships tours, I think we will have to wait to see what time we have left after the tours are completed and "perhaps" consider using a taxi to do something else in addition..

 

 

Barry

[Keith1010]

Barry, that is fine. Let me give you advice about the taxis.

 

Don't get a taxi at the port. They want a lot of money and are in with the port police. I kid you not.

 

We walked out through what I think is the green gate or something lke that. It is a very short walk from the ship and basically you get a cab outside. Negotiate with them about price and where you want to go. They will try to take you to every friends shop or relatives shop because this is part of the culture. Be firm where you want to go and at what price. Same thing when you return. You have to go through the same routine. Now, do not cut it short getting back because if they try to take you somewhere else you don't want to miss the ship. The first time we just had them take us to the Taj Mahal Hotel which is about 15 minutes away. We just walked around the shops. We got a taxi out front and the guy said to me how about if I take you shopping. I politely said no thank you and then went on to say that I had bought so much for myself and my wife that was being sent over to the ship later (we had an overnight) so I couldn't affor to buy anything else. We hadn't bought anything but that hat worked and he just took me back to the ship.

 

Keith

[nh905]

I have heard good things about Mumbai Magic from others who have taken their tours. They are offering three tours in Cochin (downloadable PDF posted at http://sinet.ca/files/Cochin%20Brochure%20Ver%205.pdf). My wife and I are particularly interested in the third tour (Allepey Backwater Houseboat Cruise and Fort Kochi Tour). A group of 12 on the Brilliance has already signed up for this tour but does not want to add more people.

 

Is there interest in starting another group? Minimum size is 7 people.

Thanks, Norbert

[paul929207]

Norbert,

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic. You will probably find more fellow travelers on the Roll Call for your cruise.

 

To join, go to the Boards Menu, Scroll down to Roll Calls, click on your cruise line, Click on your ship. Find the thread for your sailing.

 

Which sailing are you on? We will be in Cochin on May 5, 2011 on the Ocean Princess and are interested in the same tour. I don't want to post it on the Roll Call if you will be with us. I would let you since you found it.

 

If you are on a different ship, could you post the website or email for Mumbai Magic? Thanks.

[nh905]

Paul, we are sailing on the RCI Brilliance of the Seas leaving Dubai on April 9th. The Mumbai Magic website is http://www.mumbaimagic.com/ - they are very helpful and can arrange private tours.

 

I will check out the 206-odd posts in the Roll Call for our ship :). I am still trying to figure out how to navigate and find things on the site.

Norbert

[paul929207]

Norbert,

I thought from your original post that you were on the BOS, but wanted to be sure. Have a great cruise. We will be sailing from Shanghai on April 13.

[jotabecu]

Are the churches in Goa open throughout the day? In particular the Se and Bom Jesus.

They are working churches.

 

Should I use a tour company for Old Goa or can I just get a taxi at the pier? I will be arriving on Costa Victoria mid April 2012.

[57thny]

We did Azamara's overnight from Mumbai to Delhi, then drive to Agra, stay overnight, see the Taj the next day, then reverse. Was unforgettable in every way imaginable. I would NEVER do it on our own. On the way back, the traffic was so horrific in Mumbai, they had to hold the boat. Because it was through the cruiseline, we had that luxury. The ship used Micato to book the tours through and I highly reccommend them if you really want to do it on our own. First class all the way.

 

Cochin is beautiful. We did the backwater tour which included lunch at a resort. Such an amazing way to spend the day. Have a great cruise!!!

[jaad4]

We will be on the RCCL Brillance of the Sea next April and I need help with trips on our own while we are in the ports of Cochin ( one day ) and Mumbai for two days.

Hello, Sorry if I have this all wrong, new to this!

We are doing the dubai to India cruise with RC sailing on 7 April 2012. Not really keen on doing ships trips as usually find we can see more of what we what on our own. Hoping we will get more info here.

What are you planning in New Mangladore, ships trips don't look very exciting!