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Cruising to India

Every week millions of us Brits get a taste of India via a trip to our local curry house. But what do we really know of this distant and mysterious land?

Well having spent some time in India I can tell you that visiting it is like stepping into another universe, but with the advantage that many of the locals speak pretty good English. All of which makes it an ideal destination for British cruisers.

If you’re planning to cruise to the subcontinent, prepare to have your senses assailed at every level, but mostly in a positive way.

If you’ve not been before, this rapidly emerging superpower – home to nearly one-fifth of the human race – should give you one of the most fascinating holidays of your life.

Eyes firmly shut

It’s hard not to be charmed by the upbeat attitude that seems to be a characteristic of much of the Indian population. At the same time, however, you might find their white-knuckle style of driving – especially in the big cities – leaves something to be desired.

During my first few trips in an auto rickshaw I must confess I kept my eyes firmly shut. But once you get used to the way Indian traffic operates, it’s worth opening them to observe what happens.

You’ll be amazed at the extraordinary sights you witness as you speed through the streets.

Reconnaissance mission

The great benefit of cruising to India is that you get to experience the full-on Indian way of life in several different cities. But at the end of each day you can retreat to the relative tranquillity of your ship.

You might want to think of your trip as a reconnaissance mission because it gives you a chance to check out several locations on one holiday. If any particular city takes your fancy, you can always return another time for a longer stay.

So what can you expect from a cruise to India?

Well here are two packages that caught my eye. Both will give you a good introduction to this extraordinary corner of civilisation, which is so rich in culture and steeped in history.

A tale of four cities

Actually you’ll visit six cities in all, with four of them being in India – an itinerary that gives this 12-night cruise on Brilliance of the Seas a nice balance, I think.

You’ll start your holiday in Dubai on 26 March 2012. After three days at sea, you’ll reach your first Indian city, Mumbai (formerly Bombay), in the north west. From there you’ll sail onto Mormugao, Mangalore and Cochin, before heading back to Dubai via Muscat in Oman.

All this can be yours starting from just £1,649 per person.

April in India

This 12 night cruise on Azamara Quest sets out from Singapore on 12 April 2012 and then moves onto Phuket in Thailand. After that the holiday becomes an entirely Indian affair.

Your first encounter with the country comes when you visit Port Blair, a city to the west of Thailand in the Indian Andaman Islands. Then, after a few more days at sea, you’ll reach the mainland via the city of Cochin.

From there you’ll sail onto the port of Mormugao in the ever popular state of Goa, before heading north to your final destination, Mumbai. Because it comes at the end of the voyage you have a chance to spend a bit more time exploring this historic city.

Prices for this cruise begin at £2,810 per person.

From Bollywood to biryani

I don’t know about you but I reckon the country responsible for inventing the modern numbering system as well as for giving us Bollywood dancing and chicken biryani is always worth a visit.

If you’re looking for a holiday packed with stimulating experiences that will transport you to a completely different world, then a cruise to India has to be a top contender.

In case the dates of the cruises I’ve mentioned don’t fit your schedule here are three more India cruises to consider in 2012:

• Brilliance of the Seas, 7-17 April, £1,652

• Celebrity Solstice, 12-23 November, £1,750

• Azamara Journey, 29 November to 6 December, £3,176

All packages include flights to and from the start and end points of each cruise. Prices given are the cheapest available.

And finally, talking of Bollywood, here’s a quick reminder of what it’s all about.