Indians to experience luxury cruise service from Sept 18 with IRCTC-Cordelia collaboration

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In a first of its kind, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC), a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Railway, has joined hands with Cordelia Cruises, a private company, to provide luxury cruise services in India from September 18, 2021.

“IRCTC has joined its hands and signed the agreement with Cordelia Cruises being operated by Waterways Leisure Tourism Pvt. Ltd for promotion and marketing of the first indigenous luxury Cruise in India”, Indian Railways’ catering arm said in an official statement.

First indigenous cruise liner

This is India’s first indigenous cruise liner and will be operational from September 18. With this, domestic tourists will get the taste of luxury tourism. The cruise will sail from Mumbai and visit Goa, Kerala, and Lakshadweep island. Further, the railway PSU iterated that it is focused to provide safety, luxury and convenience to passengers.

Cruise destinations

The IRCTC-Cordelia cruise will sail through Lakshadweep Island, Goa, Diu, Kochi, and Chennai. The cruise departs from the ports of Mumbai and Kochi and passengers have the opportunity to choose their destination of choice- Mumbai-Goa, Mumbai to Diu, Mumbai, and Kochi to Lakshadweep, or Mumbai to Kochi. IRCTC has also started bookings for the travel.

Other details

In the first phase, the cruise will sail through Indian destinations with its base in Mumbai. From May 2022, the Cruise will shift its base to Chennai and will sail to Sri Lanka including Colombo, Galle, Trincomalee, and Jaffna.

About the collaboration

IRCTC is venturing into the international and domestic cruise business to tap the domestic market including potential outbound guests. The luxury cruise service will give a boost to the tourism industry. IRCTC, an arm of the Indian railways, also provides hospitality, travel, and tourism services to rail passengers.

Meanwhile, Cordelia Cruises is India’s premium cruise liner and aims to promote cruise culture in India.