Masala Cruises

SonaliPop

My boyfriend's Mom's is turning 50 this year and we wanted to look into sending them on a surprise vacation. The only place they've ever really been to is India and his Mom has always wanted to travel. The problem is, his Dad is a 'shaak and rotli' kind of guy and NEEDS proper Indian food (can't say I blame them, even I can't stand pasta and pizza after a few days) and also hates to travel. So, the trip is a surprise. However, we are trying to search for a place to send them that will have Indian food or Indian accomodation and the idea of a Masala Cruise dawned on me. I wanted to know...has anyone on here ever been on one or sent a relative on one? It's not something he and I would do but it has the best of both worlds to make both of them happy. I just wanted to see if anyone had any view on the cruise or knew of anybody who went on one. Alternatively, if you have another idea on something that would work, that'd be great. We just really want to avoid India, give her a trip she will love, and make sure his Dad is happy.

Thanks

Bhanu&Anuj

I'm sorry hun...I've heard of them (I think I saw the commercials) but have never been on them or known anyone who has been on them?

Are they are for all age groups or are they geared more towards a certain age crowd?

Hinaj

Hi Sonali,

I think my FSIL has done it, but I never asked her about her experience, I think FI and I were making too much fun of her for some reason.  I don't know anything about it at all, except what I have seen on their commercials which are hilarious!!  I mostly saw young people dancing, so I don't know what they have geared towards the parents and older people, but I think they claim its a family vacation so I am sure there must be something.   I would research and look up review about them. 

Personally, I never understood the concept of masala cruise and it being geared together for the younger generation, but for the older generation who won't travel far and to different places because they don't want to be  without desi food is perfect. 

SonaliPop

They have a bunch of stuff for everybody apparently. My worst fear is sending them somewhere where they will be unhappy or poorly fed. I don't like doing business with Indian people because I don't like people not being held accountable for their actions (from a bad experience or two I have had), but I understand my boyfriend's dilemna. They need to be able to eat things they enjoy, and that's a big part of fun on vacation. I also don't understand them but we have no other ideas. I also make fun of them as an option for us...and now we're a little stuck.

Hinaj

I know what you mean Sonali, desi people and accountability is rare but thankfully there are some good ones out there.  I would say read reviews and ask around of whoever took a recent trip with them and what they thought of the quality of their vacation.  I checked out their website and majority of the reviews were positive which doesn't say much about them since they won't post bad reviews.  Search online for other reviews. 

raangoli

My parents went on a Carnival cruise last year with some old high school classmates of my dad's. It wasn't a masala cruise but they still were able to eat shaak, rotli, etc and all kind of other desi khanna while on board for dinner , so it's possible even if you're not on a masala cruise. You would just need to make sure you contact the cruise line ahead of time to make the special request.

I personally would avoid the masala cruise like the plague. I have my own reasons for that, but cruises in general are a great vacation.