[bangarchand]

Experiencing the sea journey was in the corner of my bucket list for a while now. The convenient option available is Cordelia cruise.

Now.. Cordelia cruise company is from Bahamas and they conduct sea cruises for tourists all over the world. They change location depending upon the season of countries. For example, when the monsoon is at its peak in India they shift to other countries like Dubai, Egypt etc..

Our trip was to start from Bengaluru as the trip was conceptualised by my daughter there. So we meaning me, wife sadhana and daughter drove to Bangalore in our new hycross. At Madikeri, I called friend Khushwant when we were ordering tea and idli sambar in the east end hotel. Major Saab, whose hospital is a stone's throw away from there, briskly hopped in with two of his subordinate doctor/students. As energetic as ever and brimming with enthusiasm, doctor Saab chatted/discussed/argued so many things in a span of ten minutes which would have required an eternity for other mortals. After khushwant swung out and disappeared in the mist of Madikeri, we continued towards Mysore.(200 kms from puttur).

For a change we took left at Ilavala and drove towards srirangapatna inter section and in fact went inside the temple as well. Temple looked worn out and the crowd was very sparse. Then we rejoined the expressway and zipped away to bengaluru in no time.

Now back to Cordelia. The bookings are to be done online in their portal. They keep conducting trips one after another. It could be Mumbai..sea…mumbai or Mumbai..goa..kochi.. Lakshdeep etc. Ours was the former. They charge around a lakh for three for a better grade of rooms/cabins for two nights with all food and entertainment being free.

We, now with daughter Pwdmini, Son in law, Ganesh and master adityaraj, hired a crysta for our airport trip early in wee hours at 4.45 pm.

The indigo flight left bengaluru at 8.15 and at 9.30 was in Mumbai. Our breakfast was done in the KIA airport lounge as few of ours cards had access to that. We hired a pre-paid taxi at the airport and went to Bombay dock. On the way we pass through worli sea Link bridge road and under sea tunnel road towards marine drive. At the starting point of marine drive, we take left towards the flora fountain and reach the harbour after passing CST.
Boarding the flight


Boarding the ship




The entry is strict , first by the security and then by the Cordelia team. But arrangements by Cordelia are immaculate with welcome drinks, cool surroundings etc..

At 12 pm we boarded the Cordelia cruise and the inside of the ship was breathtaking. It is fine,neat, luxurious and very disciplined. It is as good as any five star hotel if not better.
We had booked a sea view cabin for three each. Our rooms were near to the front side of the ship. Cabins are smallish as expected. The third person will have to sleep on the upper berth. Bathrooms are clean and modern. It is served by central ac.

After a while the lunch was announced. There are two restaurants, one at the 4th deck for pure veg. And one at the 10th for NVs.The place and food is very similar to star hotels. There are usually 32-38 items on the menu.

Inside the ship





By now the ship started its journey. While the ship is on the move you will slightly feel the oscillating feeling. The feeling will be more pronounced if you stand at the side and look at the sea. The sea is very calm and clean. After an hours journey you will see…. sea..sea.. and nothing else. In comparison the famous pangong lake or Tso moriri lake of leh look like ponds.

There is a swimming pool in the top deck and master aditya played in the water a lot. And then there is a bar adjacent to it. There are a lot of playing areas, gym, theatre, rock climbing and such others. The trained crew engage children in many games, singing and such other activities.

The ship stops in the middle of the sea at dawn and during the next day it remains stationary. When asked they said that if it keeps on travelling many passengers will get sea sickness. In fact my wife had it in no time. But doctors are available and they give medicines for that.

Next day programmes comprised of roaming around 10 floors, music, dance etc. During that night when you are sound asleep, the ship travels back and reaches Mumbai harbour. We have to finish the breakfast early and get ready at the exit counters.

The formalities are not very taxing while de-boarding and in no time we were outside the harbour gate. We hired a taxi and asked him to show us around for three hours and then drop us at airport terminal 1. He took us to gate way of India, marine drive, nariman point, ambani and lata mangeshkar house, malabar hills, hanging gardens and sri siddi vinayaka temple. And by 1 pm we were at the airport, having finished our lunch in a veg restaurant near the temple.

Mumbai meri jaan



The return journey was routine and by 7.30 we were at BTM layout at my daughters place.

The short trip is a new experience for all of us or for that matter for everybody. We have been tuned for long drives in our own car for the last 30 or so years with occasional journeys by aircraft. A journey by sea in a luxurious ship is a different cup of tea. Actually after driving a car, ship experience is better than flights. Especially for my differently abled daughter, who just hates aircrafts and the sky.

Few more photos

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[bsdbsd]

Thank you for posting a nice travelogue. I believe this will result in increased awareness of cruise options and will set expectations with would-be-travelers.

[handsofsteel]

Originally Posted by bangarchand

By now the ship started its journey. While the ship is on the move you will slightly feel the oscillating feeling. The feeling will be more pronounced if you stand at the side and look at the sea.

Even on a ship, the middle part of the ship is relatively more stable than the extremities. similarly, the lower decks are relatively more stable than the superstructure.

Originally Posted by bangarchand

The ship stops in the middle of the sea at dawn and during the next day it remains stationary. When asked they said that if it keeps on travelling many passengers will get sea sickness. In fact my wife had it in no time. But doctors are available and they give medicines for that.

I guess they pulled a fast one on you with this response. A stationary boat/ship bobs/ rolls/ pitches /yaws more than when it is underway.
They probably stopped to conserve fuel (must be their SOP as it was a return to the same port)

[bangarchand]

Originally Posted by handsofsteel

I guess they pulled a fast one on you with this response. A stationary boat/ship bobs/ rolls/ pitches /yaws more than when it is underway.
They probably stopped to conserve fuel (must be their SOP as it was a return to the same port)

Yes. That could be true also. However one of my friend's son who is working with merchant navy gave the same opinion

[handsofsteel]

Originally Posted by bangarchand

Yes. That could be true also. However one of my friend's son who is working with merchant navy gave the same opinion

Maybe our Merchant Navy brethren can enlighten us more. My perspective is limited to lighter ships

[Rodie09]

Originally Posted by handsofsteel

Even on a ship, the middle part of the ship is relatively more stable than the extremities. similarly, the lower decks are relatively more stable than the superstructure.


I guess they pulled a fast one on you with this response. A stationary boat/ship bobs/ rolls/ pitches /yaws more than when it is underway.
They probably stopped to conserve fuel (must be their SOP as it was a return to the same port)

Having served on ships for 5-6 years, I agree that a ship without propulsion will be more uncomfortable unless the sea is extremely calm with a mirror like finish. Have seen that in pacific many times where we'd float for carrying out some repairs - mostly when we are ahead of time and have to kill time at sea.

Cruise's reason is very obvious to save fuel as anyway this was supposed to be circular return trip back to Mumbai. Then why go farther and spend more fuel to return? Pretty simple.

[handsofsteel]

Originally Posted by Rodie09

Having served on ships for 5-6 years, I agree that a ship without propulsion will be more uncomfortable unless the sea is extremely calm with a mirror like finish. Have seen that in pacific many times where we'd float for carrying out some repairs - mostly when we are ahead of time and have to kill time at sea.

Cruise's reason is very obvious to save fuel as anyway this was supposed to be circular return trip back to Mumbai. Then why go farther and spend more fuel to return? Pretty simple.

Good to see that the laws of physics are the same for vessels of all sizes. As I said my perspective was limited to 45000T with widely flared hulls. A Cruise ship drifting was a no brainer.