Sailings start November 2017
The second season of sailing to the Maldives via Kochi commences from 25 November 2017 to 21 March 2018, the luxury cruise liner, in association with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), will operate a 4N cruise to Kochi and a 7N cruise to Malé.
The Costa neoClassica has 654 cabins and suites and can accommodate 1,700 passengers. To keep them all busy and happy, the ship has a casino, theatre, library, discotheque, ballroom, a slew of dining options (some with Jain menus), a bar, and a wellness center complete with treatment rooms, sauna, a steam room, four Jacuzzis, two swimming pools and a gym.
A one-way cruise from Mumbai to Kochi will cost from Rs29,800 per head on a twin-sharing basis, inclusive of taxes. And a Maldives-to-Mumbai sailing is priced from Rs47,300. You can book right here.
Next: The Maldives and 9 other countries that give you visa on arrival:
Thailand: The visa on arrival for 15 days works well for last-minute party plans. Just be ready with an application fee of THB1,000 (Rs1,850) and a recent photograph. New rules allow you to enter with a passport that is valid for as less as one month. Details
Maldives: The country issues a 30-day free visa on arrival to tourists of all nationalities. All you need is a valid passport, a return ticket, and either a hotel confirmation or a proof of sufficient funds (US$100 + US$50/day). Check out this list of gorgeous overwater villas before you book. Details
Indonesia: You can obtain a visa on arrival directly at certain airports and seaports, whether you’re visiting for work or leisure. A nominal fee of US$35 (Rs2,300) will get you a stay of up to 30 days, extendable by another 30 days for the same amount. Details
Cambodia: Both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports issue visa on arrival valid for 30 days. You need a passport valid for at least six months and a recent passport-sized photograph. The fee for a single-entry visa is US$30 (Rs2,000) for tourists and US$35 (Rs2,300) for business travellers. Details
Comoros: This archipelago in the Indian Ocean has postcard-perfect beaches and some terrific hiking trails around Mt Karthala, one of the world’s largest active volcanoes. Visa application forms are available at the airport. Fly Kenyan Airways through Nairobi to land at Hahaia airport. You will need a passport valid for six months, two passport-sized photos, return ticket, and a visa fee of $100 (Rs6,600) payable in US dollars, euros or Comoros francs. The visa is valid for two weeks. Details
Laos: This gorgeous, underexplored part of Asia issues visa on arrival at four international airports: Vientiane, LuangPrabang, Champasack and Savannakhet. Validity is 30 days for both tourists and business travellers, with the option of extending it twice in Vientiane for 30 days. Details
Madagascar: This biodiversity paradise issues visas on arrival for visits of 90 days or less to citizens of all nationalities. You can get one at Antananarivo airport on producing a return ticket and a passport valid for at least six months beyond the last day of your stay in the country. Details
Palau: The waters around this group of 500 islands in Oceania are home to spectacular coral reefs, ship wrecks and hidden caves. You get a 30-day visa on arrival if you have a return ticket and a passport valid for not less than six months from the date of expiration. Details
Fiji: You will be given an entry permit on arrival. Ensure that you have return tickets, confirmed accommodation, a copy of your latest bank statement and a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Details
Tuvalu: Make a dash to this island nation in the Pacific before rising sea levels wipe it off the map. The country issues entry permits for stay of up to one-month. You will need a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, sufficient funds and a passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival. Details
