Mumbai, India

[seahappy08]

Our ship arrives in port at 06.00hrs and it is our first port of call so we will have to go through immigration, an idea how long it will take so that we can book guides for tours?

Thanks, Lynda

[4774Papa]

Our ship arrives in port at 06.00hrs and it is our first port of call so we will have to go through immigration, an idea how long it will take so that we can book guides for tours?

Thanks, Lynda

We just completed a Celebrity Century cruise from Singapore to Dubai with four stops in India. Our last port was Mumbai.

 

Our first port was Cochin and just getting off the ship was not pretty. The Indian government brought on about 8-10 female immigration officers to meet each person leaving the ship face to face, inspecting our documents, etc. Many persons got in line two hours in advance to be able to leave early. We made the mistake of getting in line about the time the ship was cleared. It took us over 1.5 hours to get off the ship.

 

We have been to Russia and China and their visa process, that was a pain, but getting the Indian visa was the worst. I finally hired a visa company because of the picky rejection of our application. Also, we have waited in line to enter countries, with huge lines, but to me the Indian process is the worst.

 

The first port in India will be the worst. If you get up early and get in line and you should be off the ship about 30 minutes after the ship is cleared. Wait longer to get in line and you could be a couple of hours after clearance.

 

By the way, we had a great tour with Mumbai Magic (full day tour for $52).

[AussieVisi2r]

I agree with 4774Papa,

Your arrival day in India will be a pain. On Royal, our first day (Cochin) took a few hours. The delays were all due to Indian immigration not the ship.

You had to go through multiple queues. We had to line up to get our "papers" that you needed to produce about 10 times to get into and out of the port. Then a wait, then another queue and so on.

Even when we had been issued our papers and processed we had to queue again to get off the ship - cause we had to show papers again. People were snapping and snarling. Just embrace it and laugh at the fuss. We had priority with the Concierge taking us to the front of the line each time.

 

Plan on a few hours from when the ship docks. BUT - your tour guide will not mind waiting for you, so organise a time that will have him waiting not you - ie 90 minutes after docking. They want our money and will be more than happy to sit and wait if they have a guaranteed fare.

 

I guess you have started the planning to get your Visa. On our trip over 200 people didn't organise visas and spent four days sulking on the ship. Poor things. Depending where you are from it takes many weeks to organise.

 

On the other hand - the queueing and frustration IS SO WORTH IT! India is sensational. And Mumbai is amazing. Wait till you see Doby Ghat - the laundry.

 

 

Raina.

[Keith1010]

I would say you will be off the ship somewhere between 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM.

 

Keith

[General Max]

Is it really worth it to go to India?

[Keith1010]

Yes, it's a great opportunity to see places through your own eyes.

 

Mumbai is quite unique.

 

Keith