The Karnika ship of Jalesh Cruises returned back in Mumbai on September 19 to sail to new Indian cruise destinations: Ganpatipule in Maharashtra and Diu. 

On Thursday evening around 800 visitors including travel agents, media and prospective customers were invited on board. Part of the evening’s programme was the premiere of a 45-minute long, high-energy song-and-dance performance that will be a regular feature on all the cruises over the next six months.

The Karnika sails later this week on its first itinerary to Goa. The ship will also become the first domestic cruise ship to take guests to Ganpatipule in Maharashtra in October and Diu in November. 

The vessel is owned by Zen Cruises and operated by Jalesh Cruises, a company of Subhash Chandra’s Essel Group.

Jurgen Bailom, president and CEO of Zen Cruises, revealed there would also be a ‘genteel burlesque’ show during each cruise. ‘We carried 43,500 passengers during the four months that we operated out of Dubai,’ Bailom said.

‘We will now serve the Indian source market for the next six months until end-March 2020, cruising along the Indian western coast, offering packages of 2 nights/ 3 days and 3 nights/ 4 days to destinations like Goa, Ganpatipule and Diu, as also ocean cruising ex-Mumbai,’ he said adding that he is now looking for a second cruise vessel to add to the Zen fleet.

The Karnika will be sailing from Mumbai to Muscat, Oman for a Diwali and Christmas special itineraries and it will sail from Dubai to Mumbai for the New Year trip.

Karnika, which entered service in April, is named after a celestial nymph that, according to legend, emerged when gods and demons churned the ocean for ‘amrit’, the elixir of life.

The 70,285gt vessel, originally built for Sitmar Cruises in 1989 by Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard, was acquired in 2003 by Carnival Corp, and sailed as Pacific Jewel between 2009 and 2019, before being purchased by Zen Cruises.

The ship can carry 2,000 passengers, housed in 36 mini suites and 162 balcony rooms, 430 ocean view rooms and 210 interior rooms.

On board are nine bars and three fine-dining restaurants. Indian cuisine is served at Waterfront and Chef’s Table, and Thai, Malay, Korean, Mongolian, Taiwanese and Japanese cuisine at Chopstix.

The ship also hosts nine buffet and food stations offering delicacies, ranging from street food and barbecue to international grill, patisserie and frozen desserts. The ship also has dedicated cuisine for Jain passengers.