Pacific Jewel of P&O Australia has been handed over to Jalesh Cruises in Singapore ahead of her dry-docking and refurbishment for a new life as the cruise ship Karnika.

Jalesh Cruises, a cruise line start-up with the financial backing of one of the largest conglomerates in India, will launch the ship as Karnika at a gala event in Mumbai on April 19^th, 2019.

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The cruise line is the second homegrown cruise operator in the India market (after Angriya Cruises), but will cater to a more affluent sector of the Indian cruise source market, as well as international cruise passengers.

The 70,285-gross ton ship will be fully transformed to cater to the needs and tastes of Indian cruise passengers, Jalesh Cruises said in a press release.

Further details about the exact changes being made to the ship will be announced in the coming weeks.

She’ll sail her first revenue-generating voyage for Jalesh Cruises from Singapore, a 2-week itinerary visiting Colombo, Kochi, New Mangalore and Goa, before arriving in Mumbai.

Pacific Jewel was handed over to Jalesh Cruises in Singapore, she’ll be re-launched as Karnika in April

Karnika will then be christened and re-launched in the city, which will be her homeport for most domestic and international cruises for the coming year.

Carrying 2,000 passengers and boasting ample public spaces, lounges, bars and balcony staterooms, Karnika is considerably more upmarket than Angriya Cruises and its cruise ship of the same name.

That’s reflected in the starting price as well, with a 2-night roundtrip cruise from Mumbai to Goa and back starting at INR 18,800 per person sharing an inside cabin (US $227 or AED830).

Jalesh Cruises’ ship Karnika will cruise roundtrip from Abu Dhabi on Arabian Gulf itineraries later this year.

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“Today marks an important day for the Indian cruise tourism industry,” said Jurgen Bailom, President & CEO of parent company Zen Cruises. “We are going to offer a memorable vacation to passengers on board with exotic culinary experiences, international hospitality and best of entertainment shows.”

According to itineraries released by Jalesh Cruises thus far, Karnika will spend April and much of May cruising roundtrip from Mumbai to Goa on 2 and 3-night cruises, as well as 2-night party cruises to nowhere, before repositioning to the Arabian Gulf.

Throughout May, June, September and December, Karnika will homeport in Abu Dhabi, offering INR 38,000 (AED2,000) 4-night cruises from the UAE capital to Muscat and back.

She’ll also cruise 3-night itineraries from Abu Dhabi to Doha and Bahrain, and during September and December will cruise 7-night voyages between Abu Dhabi and Mumbai, visiting Muscat, Dubai and Sir Bani Yas Island along the way.

These 7-night cruises start at INR 56,000 (AED3,000), making Jalesh Cruises one of the cheapest cruise options from the UAE during the coming season.