India receives its first international luxury cruise liner

[Kunoichi]

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By Damanjeet Kohli, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 11 January 2010 1132 hrs
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NEW DELHI: India has received its first international luxury cruise liner.

Luxury cruise liner, M.V. Aquamarine, has started operations from the southern Indian port city Kochi. It offers top-notch facilities like a spa, gym, swimming pool, bars, casinos, duty free shopping and a cricket pitch.

The cruise liner is wooing tourists to exotic locales such as the Maldives and Colombo.

The Mediterranean-based Louise Cruises that owns the Aquamarine hopes to reap the rewards of India's holiday season. It is targeting the burgeoning Indian middle class with rising incomes.

Rama Krishna, a passenger, said: "It is my first time in a cruise, so I was very excited. I need to take my family along with me and I want them also to enjoy a cruise travel. Great experience it is."

Prices range from US$100 to US$2000 per person per day, for a three-night tour of the Maldives.

With the economy starting to recover from the recession, there is hope that the cruise industry will appeal to more luxury travellers.

Southeast Asian countries are the top holiday destination for most Indians. And the cruise operators hope that with India's proximity to the already popular cruise destinations in Southeast Asia, a strong cruise circuit can be created over time.

Oneil Khosa, CEO, Louise Cruises, India said: "Since Indians are new to cruising, most people are not really used to the concept of cruising.

"We believe that one night concept will attract a lot of first time cruisers, who would actually be tempted to come on board and see what it is all about and that we believe will lead to a more sustainable long term cruising for India."

Some 36 luxury vessels dropped anchor at Kochi port in 2008. This number is likely to go up after it opens its US$86 million international cruise terminal.

The cruising industry is only in its infancy in India. The country has a 7000-kilometre long coastline and strong port positioning, which gives India a natural advantage to lure international cruise liners.

However, its ports are mainly used for cargo ships and lack infrastructure for cruise ships.

Many cruise operators have called for about 50 per cent reduction on port charges to draw more voyagers.

- CNA/sc


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