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Out sailing on the sea
I am always fascinated by the sea. Though I am not a swimmer or much into water sports, I have a sort of fatal attraction to the sea. I can spend hours after hours with the moist wind caressing my face while my feet soak in the salty water and ears get soothed with the sensuous sounds of the sea.
So, when we had the chance to go on this sea cruise awarded by Citibank, I jumped onto my feet. Brushing aside numerous apprehensions of well-wishers regarding sea-sickness, storms and boredom, I started the countdown and finally we reached Mumbai to avail the cruise.
It was a bright afternoon of mid December when we reached Ballard Pier in Mumbai to board the ship. There were hundreds of people buzzing in the terminal to check in and we had to stand in a queue which was moving at a snail's pace.
I was on the verge of my patience when we had our turn for security check-in and finally, there was the ship in front of me -- Super Star Libra, one of the fleet of Star Cruises, the third largest cruise liner in the world. Wow! I was spellbound by the nice exterior of the ten-decked ship. Our destination was Lakshadweep, and then Goa along the south-west coast of India.
We entered the ship through the fourth deck, which had the reception. The ever-smiling crews welcomed us and completed the formalities. They exuded an aura of festivity in their Christmas caps which was intensified more by the resident pianist of the ship.
A nice, cosy cabin was waiting for us on the eighth deck. We checked it out and then had to attend the mandatory safety drill.
“What are they going to make us do exactly in this drill?” I asked my husband.
“Well, you have to practice to jump on the lifeboats,” he replied, making my heart pounding. However, to my relief, it was just a demonstration on how to use life jackets and lifeboats.
I couldn't feel it when the ship weighed anchor. Suddenly I found us gradually moving away from the shore. It was a starry night. I could hear the waves crashing on the sides of the ship. We began our journey in the Arabian Sea.
We were given the schedule of different activities the ship offered. There were dances, dramas, magic shows and comedy shows in two theatre lounges called 'Galaxy of the Stars' and 'Stardust'. The East European and Brazilian dancers enthralled all of us with their colourful outfits and dancing while Chinese acrobats mesmerised us with their skills.
Four restaurants offered sumptuous Indian, continental and Jain food. There were bars and poolside restaurants that offered drinks. Three main meals a day were included in the ticket, but one had to pay for any extra food or drinks. Also there is always a gala dinner with the captain and the crew.
There were separate swimming pools for adults and children and also a Jacuzzi. Even the non-swimmers used to have some real good time there. For those who like sports, the ship had a table tennis court, a basketball court, a jogging stretch, and even a gym and massage centre.
For me, the top deck was the best part of the ship where you could relax on a deckchair and watch the ship furrowing through the sea and creating different figures of foam.
After spending two nights and a day in high sea, we reached Lakshadweep, the tiniest Union Territory of India that
happens to be an archipelago consisting 12 atolls, three reefs and five submerged banks in the emerald Arabian Sea. It was an ultimate exotic location that enthralled us with its aquamarine water and the coconut grooves. Lakshadweep is a paradise for adventure seekers as they can do snorkeling, scuba diving, banana boat riding and many other water sports.
When the ship reached Goa the next day, we visited the Basilica of Bon Jesus and Sai Cathedral, the famous churches in Old Goa, and then were taken to Calangut beach in Panjim city. We had boundless fun and excitement while doing parasailing or banana-boat riding or riding water-bikes.
We walked along the shore enjoying the Konkani songs coming out from the wayside restaurants. We saw the sun gradually setting over the vast grayish blue sea leaving an enigmatic aura in the firmament. The darkness descended and we went back to our ship, our floating home for five days.
So, when we had the chance to go on this sea cruise awarded by Citibank, I jumped onto my feet. Brushing aside numerous apprehensions of well-wishers regarding sea-sickness, storms and boredom, I started the countdown and finally we reached Mumbai to avail the cruise.
It was a bright afternoon of mid December when we reached Ballard Pier in Mumbai to board the ship. There were hundreds of people buzzing in the terminal to check in and we had to stand in a queue which was moving at a snail's pace.
I was on the verge of my patience when we had our turn for security check-in and finally, there was the ship in front of me -- Super Star Libra, one of the fleet of Star Cruises, the third largest cruise liner in the world. Wow! I was spellbound by the nice exterior of the ten-decked ship. Our destination was Lakshadweep, and then Goa along the south-west coast of India.
We entered the ship through the fourth deck, which had the reception. The ever-smiling crews welcomed us and completed the formalities. They exuded an aura of festivity in their Christmas caps which was intensified more by the resident pianist of the ship.
A nice, cosy cabin was waiting for us on the eighth deck. We checked it out and then had to attend the mandatory safety drill.
“What are they going to make us do exactly in this drill?” I asked my husband.
“Well, you have to practice to jump on the lifeboats,” he replied, making my heart pounding. However, to my relief, it was just a demonstration on how to use life jackets and lifeboats.
I couldn't feel it when the ship weighed anchor. Suddenly I found us gradually moving away from the shore. It was a starry night. I could hear the waves crashing on the sides of the ship. We began our journey in the Arabian Sea.
We were given the schedule of different activities the ship offered. There were dances, dramas, magic shows and comedy shows in two theatre lounges called 'Galaxy of the Stars' and 'Stardust'. The East European and Brazilian dancers enthralled all of us with their colourful outfits and dancing while Chinese acrobats mesmerised us with their skills.
Four restaurants offered sumptuous Indian, continental and Jain food. There were bars and poolside restaurants that offered drinks. Three main meals a day were included in the ticket, but one had to pay for any extra food or drinks. Also there is always a gala dinner with the captain and the crew.
There were separate swimming pools for adults and children and also a Jacuzzi. Even the non-swimmers used to have some real good time there. For those who like sports, the ship had a table tennis court, a basketball court, a jogging stretch, and even a gym and massage centre.
For me, the top deck was the best part of the ship where you could relax on a deckchair and watch the ship furrowing through the sea and creating different figures of foam.
After spending two nights and a day in high sea, we reached Lakshadweep, the tiniest Union Territory of India that
happens to be an archipelago consisting 12 atolls, three reefs and five submerged banks in the emerald Arabian Sea. It was an ultimate exotic location that enthralled us with its aquamarine water and the coconut grooves. Lakshadweep is a paradise for adventure seekers as they can do snorkeling, scuba diving, banana boat riding and many other water sports.When the ship reached Goa the next day, we visited the Basilica of Bon Jesus and Sai Cathedral, the famous churches in Old Goa, and then were taken to Calangut beach in Panjim city. We had boundless fun and excitement while doing parasailing or banana-boat riding or riding water-bikes.
We walked along the shore enjoying the Konkani songs coming out from the wayside restaurants. We saw the sun gradually setting over the vast grayish blue sea leaving an enigmatic aura in the firmament. The darkness descended and we went back to our ship, our floating home for five days.
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Story & Photo: Sabrina Karim Murshed
Story & Photo: Sabrina Karim Murshed
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