KOCHI:
Packed with international tourists, MV Boudicca, the Bahamas-based luxury cruise ship, berthed at the Kochi port early Sunday morning, signalling the onset of the cruise season in Kerala.
MV Boudicca, a 1973-built cruise vessel, belongs to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, a UK-based, Norwegian-owned cruise shipping line. The cruise ship, with 506 international tourists and 389 crew members on board, touched the Kochi port at 0630 hrs. The luxurious ship, which began its journey from Abu Dhabi, UAE, on October 4, docked at the Mumbai port prior to its arrival in Goa where it berthed for a night. From Goa, it sailed to the Kochi port.
Officials of the Tourism Department were present at the cruise berth terminal to give a warm ceremonial welcome in a traditional style.
“The arrival of the first cruise ship marks the beginning of the cruise season in Kerala. It will provide a boost to the state’s efforts to attract more foreign and domestic tourists after the recent floods. It also sends out a message to the tourists from far and wide that Kerala’s waters are absolutely safe,” said Rani George, Secretary, Department of Tourism.
“The tourists’ inflow has already started and the arrival of the first cruise vessel will give a good start for the cruise season. We are expecting the arrival of more cruise ships in the coming days,” said P Bala Kiran, Director, Department of Tourism.
The tourists will visit different destinations in the state, including Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and Alappuzha, before leaving for Vizhinjam port on Monday.
MV Boudicca will depart from the Kochi port on Monday by 7 pm and would reach Vizhinjam port next day around 8 am. From Vizhinjam, the group will set off for Colombo in the evening.
