By Devashree Sanghvi.
We recently embarked on an unforgettable voyage full of adventure and excitement on board India’s first luxury cruise liner, Cordelia Cruises. From Mumbai to tropical Lakshadweep, this 5-night journey was the epitome of luxury travel with opulent accommodation offering mesmerizing ocean views, world class dining, amazing entertainment and lots more.
Get ready to be awestruck as you set sail on this captivating journey from the bustling Mumbai and sail through the blue waters of the Indian Ocean to mesmerizing Lakshadweep via Kochi.
With an array of onboard activities, this cruise has something for all ages, making it the perfect option for an incredible family vacation.
Here’s the complete itinerary with inclusions, shore excursions and the overall cost:
Cordelia Cruise Itinerary (Mumbai-Kochi-Lakshadweep).
Day 1 : Embark in Mumbai :
Our journey began at the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal located in South Mumbai at Ballard Pier. Once all our documentation like our Aadhar cards, cruise tickets, etc were verified and bags checked in, we got a cruise card that had our names and cabin numbers. This needs to be kept with you throughout your cruise vacation as that is your main point of accessing rooms, embarking/disembarking at ports, purchasing items and more on board the ship.
Mumbai International Cruise Terminal.
We were then warmly welcomed on board by the friendly and hospitable crew followed by which we checked into our gorgeous cabins to relax. Cabin types and details mentioned further below.
We had a hearty lunch and then just wandered around the ship, exploring the mighty ‘Empress’ getting ourselves familiarized with all the decks. We then just took a dip in their rooftop pool + jacuzzi followed by a fun sail away party at sunset on the top deck.
This was followed by dinner, a thrilling show at Marquee theatre and a good night’s sleep.
Day 2: At sea in the Indian Ocean:
The second day is at sea which is the perfect opportunity to unwind and explore the many luxurious amenities and fun activities on board Cordelia cruises. More details of the entertainment, food, activities and amenities on board are mentioned further below.
Day 3: Welcome to Kochi, Kerala.
On the third day, we docked at the vibrant city of Kochi in Kerala. Here you can either explore the city on your own or hop onto a shore excursion from the ship which is what we did. Everything is so well organized including a pick up and drop from the port with a really nice tour of this beautiful city that has so much to offer. Visit the iconic Chinese fishing nets, the historic Forte Kochi area & the ancient Mattancherry Palace along with the local market that is great for shopping for the best quality spices.
Don’t miss trying the amazing local food at the many seaside restaurants and cute cafes that Kochi has.
Day 4: Experience turquoise bliss at Lakshadweep.
Finally, we arrived at the most awaited destination of our trip, the immensely beautiful Lakshadweep. You cannot go here independently and need to book a shore excursion with the cruise to disembark. You can either book it in advance on their website which is cheaper or on the cruise. I would recommend booking it on the first day before it gets too full.
A small boat takes you from Cordelia to Kadmat island where a local van/bus will transport you to the stunning white sand beach. Here you can just swim or relax on the beach, do lots of fun water activities like snorkelling/kayaking/glass bottom boat or also learn how to do scuba diving.
Here is the cost for all shore excursions in Lakshadweep that start from INR 1500:
- No 1: USD 16 for basic excursion that includes a transfer to beach by jetty & local vehicles, cultural program with free time on beach or for shopping.
- No 2: USD 46 for all of the above + two water sports (snorkeling/kayaking/banana boat/glass bottomed boat).
- No 3: USD 57 for all of the above + snorkeling (3 activities in total).
- No 4: USD 114 for beach access (with transfers) + cultural program + two of the above water activities + SCUBA for beginners under PADI certified instructors.
Day 5: At Sea.
The second last day on board is filled with lots of fun entertainment shows, amazing dining experiences, fun workshops and more. We got a chance to click lots of great pictures, chat, relax and rewind amidst the blue seas.
Day 6 : Back to Mumbai.
Arrive back to Mumbai after an unforgettable family vacation.
After reading the itinerary I’m sure you want to know more about everything that an Indian cruise vacation on board Cordelia Cruises has to offer and what all is included in your ticket cost.
Here you go:
Accommodation :
The Empress has many family friendly accommodation options on board with 5 main cabins namely the interior stateroom, ocean view stateroom (this is the one we chose), mini suite, suite & Chairman’s suite. All cabins are equipped with attached bathrooms and can also accommodate kids in extra beds/bunk beds if required.
Our stay on board Cordelia Cruises was extremely comfortable and pleasant and the large window in our ocean view stateroom offered stunning views of the sea throughout the cruise. The room service was efficient and smooth and we didn’t have any complaints. The cabin was thoughtfully designed with ample space including a spacious bathroom, a cozy bed, a dressing area and cupboard too.
Dining experiences on board the Empress:
There are a multitude of amazing dining options on board Cordelia Cruises with something for everyone’s tastebuds. There are two inclusive restaurants, ‘Food court’ and ‘Starlight’ along with some great specialty restaurants too. Our cruise ticket included all 5 meals a day.
Food court is on the top deck and has both an indoor and al fresco section with a splendid buffet spread. Starlight is an indoor restaurant with mesmerizingly beautiful interiors and incredible food too. It also has a separate buffet section only for vegetarian and Jain food.
We got plenty of good vegetarian options at both restaurants and the buffet spread was nothing short of a top 5-star hotel. From Indian to Mexican to Italian to Chinese, they had so many F&B options that we were spoilt for choice.
The Empress by Cordelia Cruises is a true foodie heaven.
Entertainment & Family Activities :
Prepare to be bedazzled with the fabulous dance performances, theatrical shows, live music events, parties and workshops on board Cordelia Cruises.
Our days on board were packed with so many fun events like the super duper exciting magic show by celebrity magician Tejas, theatrical production shows like Balle Balle, amazing performances like Romance in Bollywood and so much more.
We also had really exciting Karaoke nights, DJ nights on the deck and in their nightclub, talent shows, salsa workshops, mega housie, acting workshops, antakshari and lots more.
For kids they have a special ‘Cordelia Kids Academy’, a gaming arcade and lots of cool activities with the crew on board to keep them entertained.
My favourite activities on board were rock climbing, yes you can do this in the middle of the Indian ocean on the top deck of the ship which gives you such an adrenaline rush & the bridge tour (chargeable) where we got a chance to visit the main bridge of the ship from where it is controlled, meet the captain and learn more about how this city on the sea is run so smoothly.
How to book your Cordelia Cruise Vacation :
Book your cruise vacation by clicking on this link here.
Currently, Cordelia is cruising from Mumbai to Lakshadweep via Goa/Kochi and there are also cruises only to Goa/ from Mumbai to Mumbai.
Upcoming cruises: Sri Lanka, Dubai, Khor Fakkan, Abu Dhabi, Sir Baniyas Island, Muscat, Bahrain and Doha.
Total Cost for 5N Mumbai-Kochi-Lakshadweep in the ocean view stateroom cabin for 2 Adults is around INR 1,57,000 inclusive of taxes. This can change based on type of cabin, no of adults, dates and availability. Kindly check the link here to know about latest offers and tariff’s apart from sailing dates.
In conclusion, a cruise vacation on board Cordelia Cruises is something you must add to your bucket list immediately. It’s the perfect choice for families for a memorable escape that combines luxury with top notch service, incredible destinations, unparalleled comfort, amazing gastronomic delights and diverse activities. So go pack your bags and embark on a cruise vacation of a lifetime!