Cruise liners to be operated from Visakhapatnam to Puducherry via Chennai and back to Visakhapatnam.

The services are to start soon, and the fares will be based on the class of travel chosen by the passengers. Cruise liner ‘Empress’ will sail from Visakhapatnam and can carry between 1,500 and 1,800 travellers.

The Visakhapatnam Port collaborated with the JM Baxi group to start the service. And representatives of the company have agreed to it, according to Visakhapatnam Port Chairman K. Rama Mohana Rao. Though ‘Empress’ is a foreign cruise liner, the authorities have obtained permission to operate it only in Indian waters for some time. Hence, travellers are not required to carry a passport. The ship has a host of attractions like food courts, restaurants, a swimming pool and a fitness centre. Casino, spa and liquor would be available onboard, but they would be charged extra.

The ship will leave Visakhapatnam on 8 June 2022 for Puducherry at 8 p.m. and reach its destination on the morning of 10 June. Travellers can go sightseeing till the evening in Puducherry. The ship will sail from Puducherry at 7 p.m. and reach Chennai the following day. This cruise liner would be operated on June 15 and 22 also. Visakhapatnam Port will not have any role in the sale of tickets.