Kochi opens its account as the First Cruise Port

Have you always dreamt of a holiday where you get to cruise but the add-on expenditure of flying to the nearest ports in Singapore, Hong Kong or Malaysia has you thinking? There is good news. Kochi has become the first port in India to start international cruise holidays to destinations in Sri Lanka and Maldives. Louise Cruises luxury liner Aquamarine MV set off on its maiden voyage to Male in The Maldives last week.

According to the Louis Cruises India, a subsidiary of Louis Cruise Lines, the fifth largest cruise operator in the world, there will be three sailings in a week: Kochi - Maldives (four days, three nights), Kochi - Colombo (four days, three nights) and Kochi High Seas (one night). The season for the first year will last till April 25. The second season will start in October 2010.

With 670 passengers and 350 crew on board, Aquamarine has many things to offer vacationers like enjoying a game of cricket on the deck, rejuvenating in the Swedish spa or splurging at the duty free shops on board. The ship also has two bowling machines and a cricket pitch for cricket enthusiasts. Apart from this, there are also three restaurants with a seating capacity ranging from 300 to 600 and a lounge with capacity of 600.

The ship will reach India from Colombo in 20 hours and from the Maldives in 24 hours. The cruise liner is selling its packages through a number of agents. There are two types of cruise packages - a one night option or a three night stay for which the price ranges between Rs 5,000 and Rs 12,000 per night per person.

The announcement has been enthusiastically received by the Indian travel industry who have been waiting for long to explore India's 7,000 km long coastline and strong port positioning.

Many even think that it is just a matter of time before a barrage of international cruise liners set their eyes over India. India's proximity to already popular cruise destinations in Southeast Asia just adds to its possibility of becoming a cruising hub shortly. Not that the footloose vacationers back home are complaining for they are always known to be looking for different options.

SOURCE:
Mail Today
Date - 6 December 2009
Edition - New Delhi