Beypore-Kochi-Dubai cruise service: On December 15, 2023, Manorama reported that the Central government approved the Beypore-Kochi-Dubai cruise service, marking a new era for Malayalis venturing into the world of luxury sea travel. This is a significant development for cruise enthusiasts in Kerala.
Following repeated requests from non-resident Indian passengers, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal disclosed that the first steps towards launching the cruise ship service are currently under way. The article also stated that this revelation was made in response to a recent inquiry from Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden.
According to YA Rahim, the President of the Indian Association Sharjah, the ship will arrive in Kerala in around three days. In an additional interview with Khaleej Times, he stated, “The goal is to launch the service in time for the December school vacation. We aim to ensure that Indian expatriates residing in the United Arab Emirates can visit their hometown without incurring excessive airfare costs.”
The planned boat service is expected to relieve non-resident Keralites of their burden of paying exorbitant 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, travelers can have the ease of bringing three times the permitted amount of luggage on an aircraft.
Following talks in eminent venues like the Kerala Maritime Board, NoRKA-Roots, and the Shipping Corporation of India, the decision was made to approve the cruise service. Up to 1,250 passengers are expected to be accommodated by the service, which would make use of a fully outfitted vessel reserved for the Kochi–Dubai route. Interestingly, the ship was built in Kochi originally for a different state and is now being used for this vital Kerala Gulf service.
Relieving Foreigners of Increasing Air Travel Costs
The brunt of excessive airfares during the busiest travel seasons has fallen on many expats. By giving passengers a more affordable mode of transportation and a one-way ticket starting at ₹10,000, the cruise service seeks to offer a workable solution. The paper goes on to say that this partnership with freight businesses further improves the service’s viability and affordability. There are several airlines that provide economy class flights from Kerala to Dubai for between ₹11,000 and ₹20,000.
