Our Travels

Our Lakshadweep Trip - 03 February to 07 February 2025.

06 and 07 FEBRUARY 2025.

Our Lakshadweep Trip is over; now, only 36 hours of sailing (two nights and one day) is left before we reach Mumbai for our Cruise to be over.

06 FEBRUARY 2025

IN five posts on FB uptill now, I have described/covered most of the aspects of ship operations, bar services, and other general subjects, which will not only help the reader to know our experiences, what to expect, and to make the best use of facilities available if and when they decide to take a cruise.

Entertainment, Dining halls, and Food were not touched upon in those posts.

These are the most vital aspects of the whole cruise that decide whether you have a successful and enjoyable trip or a failed trip.

ENTERTAINMENT.

With water - water every, nothing to see or do in the waking hours besides having three meals and one high tea, entertainment forms a vital function of keeping the passengers engaged on the cruise. A fact very well realised by the cruise operators who try to make an interesting and varied activities/ events calendar to keep everyone happy.

A photo shot of a typical day's calendar is attached, along with cruise photos.

On 3rd Feb 25, the First day of the cruise, after lunch, we settled in the cabin till the time for high tea on deck 10. At that time, the stage by the pool was being set up with music and a PA system for the use of DJ and MC for the evening's entertainment programme.

When the programme started and was gaining momentum, we joined the crowd after having finished our dinner.

DJ was doing his stuff, and the MC was very enthusiastic and very, very loud. The crowd of younger passengers than us, which most of them were, were enjoying themselves and dancing away to the music and MC's calling. Everyone was being blasted by huge 5- 6-foot-tall speakers. The music was so loud that the air was literally shaking and vibrating the atmosphere all around.

Even though I was hard of hearing, the music was so loud that I was developing a headache and just could not bear to stay there for long. Priti and our friend were in no better condition. We retired to our cabin.

That evening had put such a scare in me that we did not attend any of the entertainment programme other than " Bridge Tour" a paid event to the bridge of MV Empress, which thanks to our onboard friend we did it on the house.

On the 6th of February, the last day of the cruise, with nothing much to do, we decided to check out the entertainment for the day.

I scanned the day's programme and selected entertainment events/games of "Treasure Hunt" and "Letter Dash" from the entertainment programme, which I thought would not be too loud and would have reasonable decibel levels. I was right. To our great relief not only were the decibel levels very normal, but the games were quite entertaining and enjoyable. Our team won in Treasure Hunt which gave every one immense pleasure.

In the game Letter Dash, we went down fighting and, in our opinion, due to the partisan attitude of the judge

In the evening there was a show, "Rzzamtazz", 'Sothern Xtravanganza'.

A dance drama programme based on the songs and dance scenes from the films of the superheroes of South Indian cinema at The Marquee Theatre.

SO, in the evening went to the Marquee Theatre to see the "Rzzamtazz" show.

This was our first visit to the theatre. It is as good a theatre as in any city on shore.

Very plush and comfortable sofa sets were laid out on the ground floor. I have no idea about seating arrangements on the balcony .

I found the sound system and lighting, which included coloured and laser beam lighting very professionally managed and effective.

The show was power-packed and featured very energetic dances by a large cast of artists.

Visually very engaging and very entertaining as well. Enjoyed it.

An evening well spent. See photos & video.

Later, there was a paid show, "Burlesque - The Bollywood Way". It was exclusively for an 18 + audience. Considering the audience age limit, I will leave the show contents to your imagination

For this show, on our on-board friend had sent us invitation cards, which entitled us for a free entry. Unfortunately, the show timings were 11:30 PM. It is in a time window when, for the last so many years, I am in the dream world for more than two hours

It was with regret that we declined the invitation, much to the disappointment of our onboard friend.

After these experiences on board, when we had enjoyed all the games/ events on the offer, In hind sight, I feel and would like to suggest to all those planning to go on a cruise to make a round of all the

Venues. Sample what is on offer. If you don't like it, move on. If you don't like anything, go back to the cabin and relax. You would not have missed anything.

On the other hand, if you like some game/event, stick around. Take part and enjoy as many games/events as possible. See grown-ups behaving like children. You will be richer in enjoyment and experience for having taken part. (We did that but only on the last day). Our team won one of the two games we participated in. It was great fun.

The bonus is that participation in such games, if one is so inclined, forms the basis of on-board friendships.

So, the moral of the story is, without tiring yourself, participate in as many entertainment events/ games as possible.

Have a ball.

DINING HALLS & FOOD.

There are three dining halls:, one each on Deck 4, Deck 5 and Deck 10.

After coming onboard, we, like so many others, made a beeline for Deck 10 & Deck 11, the Sun Deck, which offered the best view of the ship and the surroundings. It was but natural that when lunchtime arrived, we had our lunch in the dining hall on Deck 10. We were one of the first ones. The Menu was varied and lavish. The food was tasty, not too spicy, not too oily. Enjoyed the meal. We also had our early dinner on deck 10. The next day's breakfast was again on deck 10.

When we again went there for lunch, we found it was very crowded, with people two to three deep trying to serve themselves. When we mentioned it to the staff there, he advised us to go to the dining hall on deck 4. We left for deck 4 to have our lunch there.

It was only after we had three meals in the dining hall on deck 10 and were told to go to deck 4, that we came to know that dining hall on deck 10 was general dining hall, open to all. It served veg as well as non veg dishes.

The dining hall on Deck 4 served non-veg, three types, chicken, mutton and fish, as well as veg meals. Whereas the dining hall on deck 5 served only veg meals and also Jain meals for those opting for that menu.

Dining halls on deck 4 & 5 had restricted entry with certain areas reserved for premier ticket holders. Tables in these reserved areas were laid with cutlery, knife, fork & spoon wrapped in a snow white serviette. Glasses were also filled up for you. There was not much crowd and we enjoyed a scrumptious meal. Things were peaceful for the next few meals.

Later, some adventurous souls came to the dining hall on deck 4 & 5 when they realised that restrictions were not strictly imposed and could easily gain entry. Word spread quickly around, and our last few meals in the dining hall on deck 4 were not as peaceful, and a second helping of our favourite dish was impossible.

In hindsight, advice for those contemplating a cruise: be the first in the dining hall for a peaceful meal; chances are that you may even manage a second helping without much trouble. In the event that place of your favourite dish is crowded, just request the catering staff to get you what you want, They will surely oblige.

FOOD.

On a cruise of four nights and two days

We had a total of 4 Breakfasts, 8 meals( lunch & dinner), 4 high teas and 4 morning teas.

The menu for all the meals was varied and prepared with care and imagination. Food Preprations for every meal were very good. The food was tasty. I do not think anyone can find fault with the way the cruise people fed their customers

07 FEBRUARY 2025.

Early in the morning, by sunrise time, we were entering the anchorage of Mumbai port.

Did our packing and widing-up of the cabin.

Went for breakfast at the usual time, and by around 9:00 AM, I went to deck 11 to have a look around. Not only was the ship at anchor, but all preprations for disambarking were completed.

With the help of our onboard friend, we were one of the first ones to leave the ship.

Arriving on the terraferma, I had a last look at MV Empress of Cordiala Cruises.

As we were leaving the port, we were leaving behind the cruise ship but carrying lifelong memories of a unique and pleasurable experience.

Last word about the management of the ship. It was evident that the crew had evolved time-tested Standard Operating procedures for every phase of the cruise.

It seemed to work and I do not think any of the passangers were put to avoidable in convenience.

In my opinion only two things need to improve

Their Crowd control in dining halls; and

Management of lifts in aft section. One of the two lifts was out of order throughout the cruise. The worst part, they did not seem to do anything to restore it to operations. With only one lift, transit between the decks was not only time consuming but frustrating as well.

OVERALL A MEMORABLE TRIP.