After years (has it been years since this board started?) of posting on this board, I just booked my first cruise with B&K. Linda is terrific. Thanks Linda!
We will be taking the Silver Cloud from Mumbai to Singapore on Dec 11, 2006. I'm so excited about the itinerary! Has anyone been to Mumbai or Cochin? Any tips much appreciated!

Marcie was in Mumbai on the World Cruise last year. Her review had a lot of info and photos too!

Congrats, Julie. That sounds like a great cruise. Looks like more of us are trying Silversea in '06.

How great is that! I think often the Mumbai trip is merely an excuse to take you off for the day somewhere else, like the Taj Mahal. The downtown tourist part of Mumbai itself is quite beautiful, in its way, with some interesting sites. You'll have to wait and see what the ship offers, then perhaps people who have been there can give you some ideas. I was in Mumbai for a week on business, and only got to see the tourist part of Mumbai for one evening, so I am no expert.

Congratulations Julie! Sorry, I'm not familiar with that part of the world but I'm sure you'll get info from others here.

Welcome to B&K Julie. Linda is a great person and she lightens up each day with her humor. I wish I could come back with brillant things like she does - thats okay I just run along behind and soak up her humor. You are in good hands.

That sounds like a great cruise and one I have not done yet. It is on my list. The world is such a big and wonderful place - so much to see!!!

Great to hear of your cruise, Julie! You are indeed in good hands with B&K's entire staff, as I've stated in numerous emails to you in the past, as well as all the complimentary and glowing comments you read on LCT.

Can't wait to hear of your fantastic adventures!

Sounds like a wonderful trip! So excited for you...and you couldn't be in better hands than with B&K!!!

Travelled in India years ago and can't wait to go back ....it's an incredilbe, exciting experience! Get ready to SHOP!!!

Julie,
S0 great to hear about your first booking with B & K. You're in GREAT hands! I wouldn't consider booking anywhere else.

Yes, I've been to both Mumbai or Cochin. Both are incredible. Read my diary from the 2005 world cruise as I discussed both with photos. My husband (Tom) also worked in Mumbai (Bombay at the time) for 5 months in the 90's so he's very familiar with the city.

In a nutshell, while in Mumbai I went with a friend to the Taj Mahal (Tom had been there before) for the night while Tom stayed in Mumbai and spent the day with a private driver with Lars, Steph and Capt. Dag (they bought some rugs for the ship, some jewelry, had lunch and beers). In Cochin, we went with Capt. Dag on a chartered river boat touring the backwood rivers. It was amazing seeing how the locals live and fish. After cruising the rivers for a couple of hours we went to a beautiful large hotel where there was a W.C. function including an outdoor lunch and dancers (there is a photo of me on an elephant that was taken at this hotel). I have wonderful memories of both of these ports as I'm sure you will! EVERYONE should visit India at least once, it is like no where else in the world.

Congrats!! You are in the best hands!!

Marcie,
I read your review of the world cruise again. Your enthusiasm is contagious. I would love to go to the Taj Mahal but it's going to be difficult for me to get the time off work as it is. My sister lives in Scotland and gets seven weeks vacation a year. Oh well, it's going to be a terrific cruise. I love cruises with exotic destinations.

Julie,

Congratulations! Wishing you an amazing trip. It's really great to see so many LCTers trying Silversea. I'm really looking forward to reading all the reviews.

Kathy

Julie,
congratulations..........you will NEVER be sorry. We would never consider others. You will absolutely LOVE Silversea. I think alot of us have tried, and i have never, ever heard anything negative when comparing. Have a wonderful trip, enjoy.
cindy

There's more than enough to see in Mumbai to fill a day - spend some time in Church Street train station watching the rivers of people jamming onto trains - see the Gateway to India, and have tea at the Taj hotel. Tour guides tell tourists it's the Taj Mahal, so you can pretend you've seen the Taj! In Kochi [formerly Cochin] take the river cruise. Another fascinating thing to do is see the synagogue on Jew Street - it is very old and the members don't look Jewish! The food in Kochi is the best in India, especially the fish and masala dhosa. Once you've gotten this taste of India, you'll be back to see the Taj Mahal and all the other sites.

David