Jalesh Cruises, India’s newest and first mainstream cruise line, has released a range of cruise itineraries sailing from April this year onwards, with Dubai included as a port of call on Mumbai departures.

Jalesh, meaning “Lord of Water” is a proudly Indian cruise line, catering to the domestic Indian cruise market and celebrating Indian culture, hospitality and food, while also giving international cruise tourists a fascinating way to tour the country in comfort.

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“Zen Cruises is pioneering cruise holidays for Indian passengers in both domestic and international waters,” says Jurgen Bailom, President and CEO, Zen Cruises, the parent company of Jalesh Cruises.

“Jalesh Cruises will be a wholesome experience to cruisers who will get the best of culinary experiences, accommodation, wellness and retail therapy, adventure and entertainment, all packed together in one exotic vacation,” he added.

Jalesh Cruises will be starting operations with one ship initially, the thoroughly refurbished former Pacific Jewel of P&O Cruises Australia. She has been renamed Karnika and is being sent on a range of exciting cruise itineraries from India.

Port calls in India include Chennai, Kochi, Mormugoa, and Vizag, predominantly sailing from Mumbai, while international locations include Colombo, Penang, and Singapore, as well as (most excitingly for the Middle East cruise market – Dubai).

On select voyages, Karnika will cruise an 8-night itinerary from Mumbai to Dubai, with the cruise ending in the city, and another return voyage returning to India.

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Port calls on this itinerary include Muscat in Oman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Abu Dhabi’s offshore cruise island of Sir Bani Yas. The first of these cruise departs from Mumbai in December, 2019, Karnika will spend two full days at sea before arriving in Oman.

According to Cruise Industry News, Ras Al Khaimah will also be added as a port of call on future itineraries. It’s most likely that this will happen in the 2020 itineraries, once the new Ras Al Khaimah Cruise Terminal is up and running.

Jalesh Cruises has previously indicated that it will expand its fleet in the near future, once it has established a stable base market. According to Bailom, the cruise line aims to carry at least one million passengers per year by 2025.

“Zen Cruises wants to grow the cruise market as a whole in India.  Our aim is to touch, delight and fulfil the lives of a million Indians and make them travel worldwide by 2025,” he said.

The cruise ship Karnika will feature a range of dining options, Broadway shows, plays, magic shows, live music concerts, dance shows, shopping and cultural enrichment experiences.