In November 2023, we had an amazing 4-night “Cruisecation” with Cordelia Cruises on the Mumbai – Lakshadweep – Mumbai route. After hearing about our experience, our family members were eager to try it too, and asked us to plan something together.
Read more about our 2023 Mumbai-Lakshadweep-Mumbai cruise experience
After considering everyone’s preferences and availability through several polls and video calls, we finalized the dates and selected a 2-night sailing package: Mumbai – High Seas – Mumbai.
We used the Cordelia app and coordinated with their representatives for booking. The process was smooth. We paid in two parts: 50% at the time of booking and the balance a month before sailing. Once again, we booked 4–5 months in advance to get a good rate. Instead of an overall discount, they offered us complimentary tickets to a magician’s show.
During our previous trip, we booked a Mini Suite that comes with a balcony. This time, given it was a group getaway, we chose the Ocean View Premier room that comes with a fixed window, considering we would spend most of the time outside.
We booked 7 cabins in total (6 Ocean Premium and 1 Interior Premium). These cabins come in two layouts: one that accommodates 4 people (with 2 bunk beds) and another that accommodates 2 people in either a queen bed or double bed configuration.
Embarkation Day
Four families were scheduled to travel from Vadodara on the day of the cruise. Unfortunately, one member of one of the families fell ill on the morning of departure, and the family couldn’t join us. We were all disappointed by the news, but the rest of us continued with the trip. We immediately informed Cordelia about the cancellation, and the family was allowed to reschedule their cruise for a later date in the coming months, provided they submitted the necessary medical documents.
In the end, the family was unable to travel due to prolonged health issues, and Cordelia processed a refund of nearly 80% for the two affected cabins after receiving the required documents. We truly appreciated this gesture—it reflected well on their customer service.
The remaining three families began their journey early that morning, taking the Vande Bharat Express from Vadodara and arriving at Mumbai Central by 11:30 a.m. From there, they took taxis directly to the Green Gate Cruise Terminal.
We all boarded the ship around 12:30 p.m. During check-in, our photos were taken (which later turned out to be quite expensive when purchased from the onboard photo gallery). Unfortunately, the experience at the photo gallery left something to be desired—a few staff members were unhelpful and didn’t pay much attention to customer requests while selecting photos.
Once on board, we were greeted with a traditional Indian welcome and served refreshing welcome drinks. After collecting our key cards, we made our way to the cabins. Each cabin was well-equipped with a dressing table, compact bathroom with a standing shower, storage compartments, a TV, and a wall-mounted thermostat for air conditioning.
While we initially had some reservations about booking rooms without balconies, it turned out to be a comfortable experience. The bunk beds were surprisingly spacious. Even though my parents and I tend to feel a bit claustrophobic in confined spaces, we all slept well. Our son especially loved the upper bunk, which came with a safety rail and felt like a fun little nook just for him.
After freshening up, we headed to Starline Restaurant on Deck 5 for lunch.
Dining Experience
The lunch buffet was fairly standard but quite satisfying, offering a good variety of options. The spread included:
- Two types of soups
- 2–3 starters
- Four main-course curries
- Two types of dals
- Steamed rice
- 4–5 dessert options
- A selection of pickles, salads, papad, rotis, and more
Starline Restaurant has separate dining floors—one exclusively for vegetarian and Jain meals, and another for non-vegetarian dishes. For those who prefer a combined menu, the Deck on the 10th floor serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
Exploring the Ship
After lunch, we spent some time exploring the ship. A few family members joined the guided tour offered by the staff, while the rest of us wandered around at our own pace. Later, we returned to our cabins to rest until the announcement for the mandatory safety drill.
The safety drill requires all passengers to report to their assigned muster station, as indicated on the key card. It was a quick and well-organized procedure.
With that done, we were excited to head up to the deck to watch the ship set sail, scheduled around 6:00 p.m. We enjoyed high tea on the deck while taking in the views and soaking up the festive vibe of the sail-away party, which had its own relaxed charm.
Later in the evening, we checked out several scheduled activities listed in the daily Cordelia Today newsletter. One highlight was a musical night at the Chairman’s Club, where some of us played table tennis while others kicked back with live music and drinks.
In 2023, on our Lakshadweep trip, liquor wasn’t included in the package. This time, unlimited liquor was included after sailing, which unfortunately created a bit of chaos at the bars.
Also, since this was a short trip, about 80% of travelers were either corporate groups or large family groups, which was a bit annoying for smaller families.
Tip: If you’re traveling in a small group of family and/or friends, we highly recommend choosing a longer sailing instead of the 2-night package.
After dinner around 10:30 p.m., we attended the dance show in the theater. For many of us, this was the highlight of the trip. The performers were energetic, and the show was executed beautifully.
A day on high seas
The next morning, we woke up to find the ship stationary, far from the Mumbai coastline. It had sailed overnight and was now anchored in the open sea, where it would remain for the entire day.
We spent the day indulging in delicious food and taking part in a variety of onboard activities. We enjoyed a magic show, did a bit of window shopping, and had a fun family photo session, making the most of the relaxing pace.
One of the most memorable moments was a heartfelt conversation with a cruise staff member, who shared insights into how they balance work and family life while spending extended periods at sea. It gave us a glimpse into the people behind the experience.
Tip: A beautiful and often-overlooked photo spot is the area behind Connexions on Deck 6—a perfect place for capturing scenic shots with the sea as your backdrop.
Although I had expected the ship to pause somewhere at sea, I found myself missing the experience of daytime sailing—sitting on the balcony, listening to the waves, and watching the ship leave a trail behind, just like we did last time.
Before we knew it, the day had passed. The next morning, we docked at the Mumbai terminal at 8:00 a.m. With our hearts full and phones full of photos, we said our goodbyes, already dreaming about our next short, fun family getaway.
Ocean View Premier vs. Mini Suite
Having stayed in both types of cabins, here are some key differences we observed.
- Deck: Mini Suites are located on Deck 9 and come with a small private balcony. Ocean View Premier Rooms feature large windows with unobstructed views of the ocean and are situated on Decks 8 and 9. In contrast, Ocean View Rooms-found on Decks 6 and 7, may have partially obstructed views due to the placement of lifeboats outside the windows.
- Space & Comfort: The Mini Suite offers noticeably more space, giving you the freedom to move around both indoors and on the balcony—something the window-only room doesn’t provide.
- Ideal for Longer Trips: If you’re sailing for more than two days with a small family, the balcony room is a great option. You can enjoy uninterrupted views and a fresh sea breeze anytime, right from your cabin.
- View Experience: The Ocean View Room allows you to see outside during the day, but at night, the view disappears, and you don’t get to hear the ocean either. In contrast, the Mini Suite balcony lets you step out anytime and feel more connected to the sea.
- Feeling of Space: If you’re prone to discomfort in confined spaces, the balcony room is definitely the better choice—it feels more open and less enclosed.
- Family Fit: The balcony room is well-suited for a family of three or four with young kid(s). While the window room can technically accommodate four adults (with bunk beds). The layout can feel a bit tight, something comparable to a second AC coach on an Indian train.
- Bathroom Size: The bathroom in the balcony room is slightly more spacious than the one in the window room.
- Amenities: Both room types offer the same set of amenities, so the primary differences come down to space, layout, and the overall experience.
If you enjoyed this, you might also like our detailed account of the 4-night Cordelia cruise from Mumbai to Lakshadweep and back.
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