You no longer need to travel abroad to board a ship that takes you to exotic international locales. Now, India has an international cruise vessel to take passengers on a journey from Chennai to Sri Lanka.
The MV Empress was formally flagged off earlier this week by Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The occasion also marked the launch of an international cruise terminal at the Chennai Port. The space has been set up at a cost of INR 17.21 crore, state reports. Spread over 2,880 square metres, it can host around 3,000 passengers.
All you need to know about the new international cruise from India to Sri Lanka
🎥 MV Empress – the first regular international cruise service from the @PortofChennai to Sri Lanka sets sail. A brand new addition to our cruise tourism sector. pic.twitter.com/aI8nYKZS9l
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) June 6, 2023
The cruise was launched after a memorandum of understanding was signed between Chennai Port and Waterways Leisure Tourism for domestic and international cruise service, at the Incredible India International Cruise Conference in 2022.
As per a release by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Sonowal says, “With our rich heritage and culture around our coastal region, the potential of cruise tourism in India is immense. Today (June 5), as we launch the maiden cruise service between Chennai and Sri Lanka, it has ushered a new chapter in the cruise tourism sector in the country.” According to the statement, the minister and port officials also planted 2,500 saplings at the port.
The newly-launched cruise is complete with all amenities pertaining to luxury and entertainment, as well as magnificent views, according to the release. The MV Empress offers packages for two, three, four and five nights. It sails to three ports in Sri Lanka, before returning to Chennai. These destinations are Hambantota, Trincomalee and Kankesanturai. Further, the minister added that three new international cruise terminals are expected to become operational by 2024.
The cruise would not only facilitate greater movement between India and Sri Lanka, but is also expected to let more people experience sea-based tours in the near future. According to the minister, the government expects that the volume of cruise ships would increase from 208 in 2023 to 500 in 2030 and to 1,000 by 2047, states the release. Additionally, the passengers onboarding the said ships would also rise.
Sonowal says, “Plans are afoot to develop new cruise tourism terminals in Andamans, Puducherry and Lakshadweep circuits. We are also studying the feasibility of developing ferry circuits across India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar.”
(Hero and Featured Image: Representative Image credit: Georgy Trofimov/Unsplash)
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Anushka has previously worked with publications such as the Times of India and Being Indian. A graduate from Xavier Institute of Communications, she specialises in entertainment, food and travel. She also likes to write about sustainability and beauty. When not working, you can catch her reading a book, tending to her plants, cooking or playing an instrument.
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