Port of call

Mumbai, Bombay, India

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Description — Mumbai, Bombay, India

Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is a city in western India on the Arabian Sea coast. It is the administrative center of the state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the most populous city in India. Together with its satellite towns, it forms the world’s sixth-largest urban agglomeration with a population of 21.3 million. Population density is 21,665 people per sq. km (by density, the city ranks second in the world after Manila).

Mumbai is located at the mouth of the Ulhas River, occupying the islands of Bombay, Salsette, and the adjacent coastline. Most of Mumbai lies at elevations of 10 to 15 meters above sea level. The northern part of Mumbai is hilly. Within the city limits there are mangrove swamps, lakes, and small rivers. The city’s coastline is indented with numerous creeks and bays. Mumbai is in an area with seismic activity.

Mumbai is a major hub of international transportation routes. The city has a deep natural harbor, making it the largest port on the west coast of India. Mumbai is one of India’s most important economic and cultural centers; it is a city of great contrasts, where luxury and wealth coexist with poverty. Mumbai is one of India’s most cosmopolitan cities. European and Asian cultural traditions coexist in the city. Many celebrations and festivals of various ethnic groups and religions take place.

Today, Mumbai is home to the most successful film company, some of the largest slums in Asia, and the largest tropical forest by area within the city. This city is India’s “financial aorta,” a fashion hub and a place where numerous religions intersect. Amidst fantastic architecture and modern skyscrapers, lively streets with luxurious restaurants, the bustle of the city and suburban glamour, playful and enchanting raaga motifs quietly resonate-complex music performed to the rhythm of dēsi drums.

Climate

The city is located in the subequatorial belt. There are two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The rainy season lasts from June to October, with particularly intense monsoon rains from June to September, causing increased humidity in the city. The average temperature is about 30 °C, with temperatures ranging from 11 °C to 38 °C. Annual precipitation is 2200 mm. Especially heavy rainfall occurred in 1954 - 3451.6 mm. The dry season from December to May is characterized by moderate humidity. Due to the dominance of the cold northern winds, January and February are the coldest months; the absolute minimum in the city was +10 degrees.

Mumbai, India
Victoria Station
India Gate
Haji Ali Mosque
Flora Fountain
Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Hanging Gardens
Water Kingdom Water Park
Elefanta Island

Location on the map

Sights

Victoria Station

This station is considered the most beautiful colonial building in Asia and is still one of the busiest transport hubs. The station is the brightest example of Victorian Gothic in Mumbai. It was opened on 1 January 1882. The architect took the London station of St Pancras as his model. However, the new creation was more grand and more lavishly decorated. The building stands out with a riot of colors in different sections of the stonework, decorative metal details, marble, mosaic tiles, and numerous sculptures. Much of the decoration was created by Indians-students of the Bombay School of Arts. The huge, extravagantly decorated station became a symbol of Bombay, and in 2004 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Gateway of India

A large carved arch opposite the splendid Taj Mahal hotel is one of the city’s symbols. It was built to commemorate a visit to India by the British royal couple in the early 20th century. And in 1948, during the country’s independence, the last British soldiers heading home passed through this arch symbolically. Today, locals and tourists stroll near the arch. You can hire a silvery horse-drawn carriage for a city tour. Or take a boat to Elephanta Island to see the wall paintings in the caves. Five minutes on foot from the Gate lies the tourist district of Colaba, with dozens of restaurants, hotels, and shops.

Haji Ali Mosque

The Haji Ali Mosque is located not far from the shore on a small island. The construction of the mosque began in 1431 with the participation of a wealthy merchant, who donated all his possessions before making a pilgrimage to Mecca, Haji Alishaha Buhari. After completing the hajj, he continued to wander and was counted among the saints. His followers and built this temple over his tomb, which is the place of worship. The complex, which includes the dazzling white beauty of the mosque, covers about 4500 meters, the main building of which is a minaret 26 meters high. The saint Haji’s grave is draped with red-green brocade, and framed with silver. The main hall is adorned with marble columns with colored glass.

What to see

Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Surprisingly, just a couple of hours’ drive from bustling Mumbai, an authentic tropical rainforest stretches across an area of more than a hundred square kilometers. Lush greenery, bright birds, giant butterflies and even wild leopards-everything can be seen in Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The park invites its guests to take part in the “Tiger Safari” - a 20-minute guided tour on a special bus through enclosures with tigers and lions. Another interesting landmark is located within the national park-the Kanheri Caves. From the 2nd to the 9th century, a large Buddhist monastery operated here. You can reach Sanjay Gandhi National Park by taxi or by train from Mumbai’s Churchgate station.

Water Kingdom Water Park

In Mumbai there is one of the largest water parks in all of Asia, with plenty of slides and water attractions for adults and children. Water Kingdom is a great way to cool off on a hot day. The least crowded time at the water park is in the first half of the day on weekdays.

Hanging Gardens

The Hanging Gardens were established in 1881 and are a landscaped park where an enormous variety of different flowers, trees, shrubs, and other vegetation grow, featuring unusual monuments and sculptures of Mumbai. The Hanging Gardens are famous not only for their terraces, adorned with flowerbeds and plant bushes trimmed into shapes of various animals. They are also known for their original sculptural compositions-for example, almost in the center of the park you can see a large boot, reminiscent of a house with a balcony, in the shape of a friendship tower.

Recommended excursions

City sightseeing tour

The sightseeing tour covers virtually all the main monuments and historically significant places of South Mumbai, giving you the opportunity to learn about the city’s history and feel the momentum of its modern development. The tour route includes short stops for a more detailed and unhurried look at the monuments and historic neighborhoods. During the city sightseeing tour, you will see both iconic and famous landmarks and places that are important to Mumbai residents, but not always known to visiting travelers.

Excursion to Elephanta Island

The complex of Shaivite cave temples on Elephanta Island is one of two globally significant monuments in Mumbai, alongside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly known as Victoria Terminus or Victoria Station), listed by UNESCO as part of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity. You will have the opportunity to see the preserved monumental temple sculpture, featuring the most significant iconographic images of the Hindu god Shiva.

You can find a more detailed list of excursions and their prices in your “Customer Personal Account” after booking your cruise.

Cruises calling at this port

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04.01.2028 · 115 nights Civitavecchia, Italy ALL (NO DRINKS)

Civitavecchia, Italy, Genoa, Italy, Marseille, Provence, France, Barcelona, Spain, At Sea, At Sea, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos, At Sea, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Panama Canal (Cruising), Panama Canal (Cruising), Enter Panama Canal Balboa, At Sea, Manta, At Sea, Callao, Callao, At Sea, Arica, Chile, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Hanga Roa, At Sea, At Sea, Bounty Bay Passage, Pitcairn, At Sea, At Sea, Papeete, Tahiti French Poly, Papeete, Tahiti French Poly, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Nuku Alofa, Tonga, At Sea, At Sea, Noumea, At Sea, At Sea, Auckland, New Zealand, Tauranga, New Zealand, Napier, New Zealand, Picton, New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Sydney, Australia, Sydney, Australia, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Cairns, Australia, Cairns, Australia, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Lembar, Lombok Island, Indonesia, Benoa (Denpasar), BA, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, At Sea, At Sea, Hanoi (Halong Bay), Vietnam, Hanoi (Halong Bay), Vietnam, Chan May (For Hue), VN, At Sea, At Sea, Laem Chabang, Thailand, At Sea, Sihanoukville, Cambodia, At Sea, At Sea, Singapore, Port Kelang, Malaysia, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Colombo, Cochin, India, At Sea, Mumbai (Bombay), India, Mumbai (Bombay), India, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Dubai, U. Arab Emirates, Dubai, U. Arab Emirates, Muscat, Oman, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Aqaba, Jordan, Suez Canal at Port Said, Egypt, Suez Canal at Port Said, Egypt, Alexandria, Egypt, At Sea, At Sea, Civitavecchia, Italy

from €36,198

I Interior €36,198

O Ocean View €41,118

B Balcony €50,978

Press "Details" button to see an actual price. Price per cabin.

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MSC Magnifica

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05.01.2028 · 115 nights Genoa, Italy ALL (NO DRINKS)

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from €36,198

I Interior €36,198

O Ocean View €41,118

B Balcony €50,978

Press "Details" button to see an actual price. Price per cabin.

Details

MSC Magnifica

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from €36,198

I Interior €36,198

O Ocean View €41,118

B Balcony €50,978

Press "Details" button to see an actual price. Price per cabin.

Details

MSC Magnifica

World cruises

07.01.2028 · 115 nights Barcelona, Spain ALL (NO DRINKS)

Barcelona, Spain, At Sea, At Sea, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos, At Sea, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Panama Canal (Cruising), Panama Canal (Cruising), Enter Panama Canal Balboa, At Sea, Manta, At Sea, Callao, Callao, At Sea, Arica, Chile, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Hanga Roa, At Sea, At Sea, Bounty Bay Passage, Pitcairn, At Sea, At Sea, Papeete, Tahiti French Poly, Papeete, Tahiti French Poly, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Nuku Alofa, Tonga, At Sea, At Sea, Noumea, At Sea, At Sea, Auckland, New Zealand, Tauranga, New Zealand, Napier, New Zealand, Picton, New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Sydney, Australia, Sydney, Australia, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Cairns, Australia, Cairns, Australia, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Lembar, Lombok Island, Indonesia, Benoa (Denpasar), BA, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, At Sea, At Sea, Hanoi (Halong Bay), Vietnam, Hanoi (Halong Bay), Vietnam, Chan May (For Hue), VN, At Sea, At Sea, Laem Chabang, Thailand, At Sea, Sihanoukville, Cambodia, At Sea, At Sea, Singapore, Port Kelang, Malaysia, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Colombo, Cochin, India, At Sea, Mumbai (Bombay), India, Mumbai (Bombay), India, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Dubai, U. Arab Emirates, Dubai, U. Arab Emirates, Muscat, Oman, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Aqaba, Jordan, Suez Canal at Port Said, Egypt, Suez Canal at Port Said, Egypt, Alexandria, Egypt, At Sea, At Sea, Civitavecchia, Italy, Genoa, Italy, Marseille, Provence, France, Barcelona, Spain

from €36,198

I Interior €36,198

O Ocean View €41,118

B Balcony €50,978

Press "Details" button to see an actual price. Price per cabin.

Details

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