Travel mad Posted December 2, 2012 #1 Share Posted December 2, 2012 hi all, we are on Costa Atlantica leaving Dubai 12 April arriving Singapore 3 May. We booked the cruise as we wanted to visit all the ports en route. we are trying to do private excursions at each port but the roll call is so quiet and also it looks like an almost impossibility to DIY at so many of the ports. we have an overnighter in Male , and wanted to do day trips to any island but it appears that Maldives cater for longer stay hotel guests. What we really want to know has anyone done DIY styles ( not gangnam style) trips to Male, Mumbai, Kochi, Columbo, Phuket ,Port Kelang for KL. ? On all other ports stops we have managed to DIY except St P in Russia where to took a private tour with others we met via CC beforehand. we want to join a small group and do the same at the ports of call in this cruise too. Who's done their own private tours at these places. alternatively we will Havel title option but to join costa's own excursions... Any help will be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna_In_India Posted January 14, 2013 #2 Share Posted January 14, 2013 Hi - two companies I'd recommend in Mumbai are Reality Tours & Travel (http://www.realitytoursandtravel.com/) - love them - excellent tour and very reasonably priced. Another company is Mumbai Magic (http://www.mumbaimagic.com/) - a little more expensive but excellent as well. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travel mad Posted February 9, 2013 Author #3 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Thanks Donna I will contact them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nz yachties Posted February 9, 2013 #4 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Hi there on Google go to toursbylocalsmumbai You may get a local guide to take you to all the places you wish to see at a fixed price. Very helpful guides. Also local taxi will take you to your list of locations and wait while you hop out for photos. At Kochi use a local tuk-tuk with driver for a close and personal and exciting ride around the old city. The Chinese fishing nets and flame trees on the waterfront are very picturesque. If you go on deck prior to arrival you will get great photos of Kochi on starboard side. At Male there are dozens of small ferries going to various islands. We went to KUDA BANDOS ISLAND 30 minute ride and enjoyed snorkeling at coral reef with colourful fish, coral formations and warm turquoise water. Fabulous white sand beach and palm trees. Idyllic place. Male town has a vast Islamic Center and Mosque and give tours. Fully carpeted with prayer mats design, rich in wood carvings. We did a 45 day Indian Ocean Cruise in May- June 2009 on Sun Princess. Cheers, Trish and Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travel mad Posted February 9, 2013 Author #5 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Hi there on Google go to toursbylocalsmumbai You may get a local guide to take you to all the places you wish to see at a fixed price. Very helpful guides. Also local taxi will take you to your list of locations and wait while you hop out for photos. At Kochi use a local tuk-tuk with driver for a close and personal and exciting ride around the old city. The Chinese fishing nets and flame trees on the waterfront are very picturesque. If you go on deck prior to arrival you will get great photos of Kochi on starboard side. At Male there are dozens of small ferries going to various islands. We went to KUDA BANDOS ISLAND 30 minute ride and enjoyed snorkeling at coral reef with colourful fish, coral formations and warm turquoise water. Fabulous white sand beach and palm trees. Idyllic place. Male town has a vast Islamic Center and Mosque and give tours. Fully carpeted with prayer mats design, rich in wood carvings. We did a 45 day Indian Ocean Cruise in May- June 2009 on Sun Princess. Cheers, Trish and Keith ah Thank you , this is great comforting info. I will copy this over to our roll call page. BTW you live in an amazing country. so jealous!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulaJK Posted February 18, 2013 #6 Share Posted February 18, 2013 In Mumbai, we have done private tours with Mumbai Magic. You can customize it. We were pleased with the service. In Male, we took the ferry over to Kuda Bandos. Idyllic is the right description! Magnificent scenery but few facilities. Suggest that you wear your swimsuit under a cover up and take reef shoes as the water is crystal clear but rocky. In Phuket, we joined the ship tour on a catamaran which explored Phang Nga Bay and then stopped at 2 other locations for snorkeling. They supplied gear. It seemed the easiest way to these sights. Port Kelang is quite a distance from the city. If you get into the city early enough you can get a tour of the Petronas Tower. Other than that, it struck as as another busy city. Hopefully someone will add other ideas. We loved the ship tour which again contracted out to a Taj hotel's boat . We toured the backwaters, getting glimpses of village life, the architecture contributed by various countries and the Chinese fishing nets. You can also see much of this [minus the backwaters] by walking around or touring Fort Cochin/Kochi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travel mad Posted February 18, 2013 Author #7 Share Posted February 18, 2013 In Mumbai, we have done private tours with Mumbai Magic. You can customize it. We were pleased with the service. In Male, we took the ferry over to Kuda Bandos. Idyllic is the right description! Magnificent scenery but few facilities. Suggest that you wear your swimsuit under a cover up and take reef shoes as the water is crystal clear but rocky. In Phuket, we joined the ship tour on a catamaran which explored Phang Nga Bay and then stopped at 2 other locations for snorkeling. They supplied gear. It seemed the easiest way to these sights. Port Kelang is quite a distance from the city. If you get into the city early enough you can get a tour of the Petronas Tower. Other than that, it struck as as another busy city. Hopefully someone will add other ideas. We loved the ship tour which again contracted out to a Taj hotel's boat . We toured the backwaters, getting glimpses of village life, the architecture contributed by various countries and the Chinese fishing nets. You can also see much of this [minus the backwaters] by walking around or touring Fort Cochin/Kochi. Thanks for te feedback Paula, greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willwheels Posted February 20, 2013 #8 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Port Kelang is quite a distance from the city. If you get into the city early enough you can get a tour of the Petronas Tower. Other than that, it struck as as another busy city. Hopefully someone will add other ideas. I just checked your cruise itinerary and your cruise offers a KL "on your own" excursion, which is what we signed up for on our recent cruise (with RCI). The Lot 10 mall is convenient to the subway system, so you'll be able to get around easily. It is also possible to get to the commuter train station from the port, but we preferred being on the ship bus in case something went awry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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