(EPT): The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will start India’s first indigenous cruise liner from September 18, the railway PSU said on Wednesday. In a tie-up with Cordelia Cruises, a private company, it will begin the first cruise from September 18.
Bookings can be done on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation IRCTC, website — http://www.irctctourism.com
The IRCTC said it has joined hands and signed the agreement with Cordelia Cruises for promotion and marketing of the first indigenous luxury cruise in India. “This is another incredible luxury travel offering under IRCTC’s umbrella of tourism services to the public,” the railway unit said in a statement.
“Cordelia Cruises is India’s premium cruise liner. It aspires to promote and drive the cruise culture in India through experiences that are stylish, luxurious, and most importantly, inherently Indian. It is a cruise liner for Indians catering to the way Indians love to holiday,” it said.
IRCTC said guests on board the ship will have an experience of sailing to some of the best Indian and international destinations like Goa, Diu, Lakshadweep, Kochi, and Sri Lanka.
Cordelia Cruises is starting its first journey from September 18 and in its first phase will sail through Indian destinations with its base at Mumbai, while later from May 2022 the cruise will be shifted to Chennai and set sail to destinations in Sri Lanka like Colombo, Galle, Trincomalee, and Jaffna.
Among the popular tour itineraries of Cordelia Cruises are: Mumbai-Goa-Mumbai, Mumbai-Diu-Mumbai, Mumbai-At sea-Mumbai, Kochi-Lakshadweep – At sea – Mumbai, Mumbai–At sea–Lakshadweep– At sea –Mumbai among others.
“While travelling on Cordelia Cruises, one can enjoy lot of recreational and leisure activities such as restaurants, swimming pool, bars, open cinemas, theatre, kids area, gymnasium,” the statement said.
As per Covid-19 protocol, crew members are fully vaccinated and daily health checks for the crew members, hourly sanitisation of the facilities, air-filtration and social distancing norms would also be followed.
The number of guests will also be limited according to the official mandate by the government.
There is also a fully-functional medical centre on board the cruise equipped with all the required medical essential items.
Besides the luxury cruises in India, IRCTC is also in the process of signing agreements with all major international cruise liners and will provide their bookings on its web portal as soon as the COVID-19 situation normalises and the international cruises start their operations.