The Central government has approved the Beypore-Kochi-Dubai cruise service. This move by the government is aimed to boost tourism while simultaneously producing international travel under a budget. As per a report by Manorama on December 15, 2023, the project got a green signal because of huge demand from the non-resident Indian passengers in the region. Union Shipping Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, that the initial process to launch the service is underway.
Kochi-Dubai Cruise
The planned service is expected to relieve non-resident Keralites of their burden of paying airfares when they travel between Kerala and Dubai. If the cruise goes forward, it’s an affordable option that will only cost a third of what an airline ticket would cost.
Furthermore, as per the Manorama article, travellers can have the ease of bringing three times the permitted amount of luggage on an aircraft. According to the report, the cruise service is anticipated to accommodate up to 1,250 passengers at a time, offering them a smooth cruising experience.
Additionally, technology on board will provide comfortable travel for all passengers. Interestingly, the ship was built in Kochi originally for a different state and is now being used for this vital Kerala Gulf service.
The cruise once operational will take around three days to reach Kerala from Dubai. Khaleej Times quotes YA Rahim, the President of the Indian Association Sharjah, saying, “The idea is to get the service up and running before school break in December. We want to make sure that Indian expats in the UAE can travel to their hometown without paying exorbitant airline charges.”