48 Hours in Mumbai Before My Cruise: Where I Stayed, What I Did and Travel Tips
Puerto Rico → New York → Doha → Mumbai
If you're embarking on a cruise from Mumbai, my biggest piece of advice is simple: arrive at least one or two days early.
Not only does it give you a buffer in case of flight delays, but it also gives you time to recover from jet lag and experience one of India's most vibrant cities before setting sail.
I recently spent 48 hours in Mumbai before boarding my 12-Day Cruise from India to Singapore. While this wasn't my first trip to India, it was my first time visiting Mumbai, and it couldn't have been more different from my previous visit to Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. This time, I experienced a modern, coastal city with luxury shopping, incredible food, rooftop views, and iconic landmarks.
If you're planning to sail from Mumbai, here's exactly how I spent my two days and what I'd recommend if you're doing the same.
New here? Before reading this post, check out my 12-Day Cruise from India to Singapore where I share the full itinerary, every port we visited, and my favorite excursions throughout India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Why I Arrived Early
Getting to Mumbai was an adventure in itself.
My journey took me from Puerto Rico to New York, then to Doha, and finally to Mumbai, where I arrived at my hotel around 5:00 a.m. local time. After nearly two full days of traveling, I knew there was no way I'd be ready to immediately jump into sightseeing.
This is exactly why I always recommend arriving a day or two before an international cruise. It gives you time to recover from the journey, adjust to the time difference, and actually enjoy the departure city instead of rushing straight from the airport to the cruise terminal.
Where I Stayed
For my pre-cruise stay, I booked the Fairfield by Marriott Mumbai International Airport.
Since my priority was convenience and comfort after such a long journey, it ended up being the perfect choice. The hotel is only a short drive from the airport, making check-in quick and easy after landing.
One unexpected highlight was the breakfast buffet. There was an excellent variety of both Indian and Western breakfast options, so every morning I was able to try something different before heading out to explore the city. After arriving exhausted, having breakfast included made my stay even more enjoyable.
Why I'd Recommend It
Convenient location near Mumbai International Airport
Comfortable, modern rooms
Excellent breakfast buffet
Great option for a one- or two-night pre-cruise stay
Easy Uber rides to the city and cruise terminal
Day One: Rest, Recharge & Ease Into Vacation
My first day in Mumbai was intentionally slow.
Instead of trying to cram in a full day of sightseeing after arriving at 5:00 a.m., I focused on recovering from jet lag. One of the things I love most about solo travel is having the freedom to listen to my body instead of sticking to a rigid schedule.
After getting some much-needed rest and enjoying breakfast at the hotel, I slowly eased into vacation mode before heading into the city later in the day.
Giving myself permission to slow down ended up making the rest of the trip much more enjoyable.
Exploring Mumbai
Although I'd visited India before, Mumbai felt like an entirely different experience.
My previous trip focused on India's Golden Triangle—Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur—which are located more than 20 hours away from Mumbai. If I'm being honest, that trip included a pretty rough case of "Delhi Belly," so I was a little hesitant about returning to India.
I'm so glad I did.
Mumbai completely changed my perspective. The city feels modern, energetic, and cosmopolitan while still holding onto its rich history and culture. It's a place where luxury shopping malls, colonial architecture, bustling streets, and historic landmarks all exist side by side.
One Thing That Surprised Me: The Smog
One thing I knew to expect but still wasn't fully prepared for was the smog. I'd seen photos and read about Mumbai's air quality before my trip, so it wasn't a surprise that there would be haze. What did surprise me was just how noticeable it was in person.
Most of the time, the skyline was barely visible in the distance, and you could actually see the layer of haze hanging over the city. It's one of those things that's difficult to appreciate until you're standing there experiencing it yourself. While it didn't stop me from enjoying Mumbai or exploring the city, it's definitely something to be aware of if you're visiting, especially if you have asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions. If that's the case, you may want to pack a high-quality mask and any medications you might need.
Phoenix Palladium & AER Rooftop Bar
One of my favorite afternoons started at the biggest shopping mall in Mumbai, Phoenix Palladium Mall. Even if shopping isn't your thing, it's worth visiting. The mall is beautifully designed and filled with luxury brands, restaurants, cafés, and plenty of places to simply walk around and people-watch.
From there, I walked over to AER Rooftop Barat the Four Seasons Hotel. If you only have time for one rooftop experience in Mumbai, make it this one.
Watching the city skyline from above while enjoying a drink was the perfect way to begin my trip. It was a completely different side of Mumbai than I'd expected and one of my favorite memories from my stay.
Visiting the Gateway of India
No visit to Mumbai feels complete without seeing the Gateway of India. Standing in front of one of India's most iconic landmarks while looking out over the Arabian Sea was one of my favorite moments before boarding the cruise. The surrounding area is lively and full of history, making it a great place to wander, take photos, and soak up the atmosphere.
If you only have 48 hours in Mumbai, I'd definitely put this at the top of your list or consider booking a Highlights of Mumbai Sightseeing Tour.
Getting Around Mumbai
Getting around the city was incredibly easy. I used Uber throughout my stay and never had any issues. Whether I was heading to Phoenix Palladium, the Gateway of India, or back to my hotel, Uber was reliable, affordable, and convenient.
The only thing to keep in mind is that Mumbai traffic is no joke. Always give yourself more travel time than Google Maps suggests, especially if you're trying to get somewhere by a certain time.
Ordering Food & Last-Minute Essentials
One app that quickly became one of my favorite travel discoveries was Swiggy. Not only did I use it to order meals directly to my hotel, but it also came in handy for those little things I forgot to pack.
Instead of trying to find a nearby pharmacy, I ordered a Celsius energy drink, razors, and a few other travel essentials and had everything delivered right to the hotel.
As a solo traveler who was still recovering from a long journey, this was incredibly convenient. Think of it as a combination of Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Instacart all rolled into one app.
Embarkation Day Tips
If there's one thing I wish I had known beforehand, it's just how much traffic there can be on the way to the cruise terminal. The drive to the port took much longer than I expected because of heavy traffic, and it reinforced why arriving early is so important.
My advice:
Leave for the cruise terminal earlier than you think you need to. Don't underestimate Mumbai traffic.
Build in plenty of extra time so you're not feeling stressed on embarkation day.
Starting your cruise relaxed is always better than worrying about making it to the ship on time.
Final Thoughts
I'm so glad I gave myself two full days in Mumbai before boarding the ship. It gave me time to recover from an incredibly long travel day, explore a city I'd never experienced before, and begin my vacation feeling relaxed instead of rushed.
Mumbai surprised me in the best way. It was energetic, modern, welcoming, and offered a completely different perspective of India than I'd experienced before. Looking back, I'm thankful I didn't treat it as simply a departure port, it deserves to be a destination in its own right.
If you're sailing from Mumbai, do yourself a favor and arrive early. You'll start your vacation feeling refreshed, you'll have time to experience this incredible city, and you'll board your cruise already feeling like your adventure has begun.
Ready to Plan Your Own Cruise Vacation?
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