Take a ferry ride to Maldives from Kochi
Published July 22, 2011 | 
For the first time in the maritime history of Kochi, a passenger-cum-cargo ferry service would soon be operated between Kochi and Male. A major initiative of the Shipping Ministry, it could boost the tourism potential of Kerala in general and the city of Cochin in particular in the days to come. This decision was taken at a high-level delegation meeting between India and Maldives to improve the bilateral maritime cooperation between the two countries. An agreement has also been made to promote leisure cruise service between India and Maldives.
Initially a regular passenger-cum-cargo ferry service will be operated between Kochi and Male, which would probably be a biweekly service run by a private operator. However, all the facilities on either port of call will be made by the concerned ports. The service is expected to be commissioned in two months. The shipping and trading relations between Kochi and Maldives has tremendous scope to be developed considering the fact that last year only 25,000 Indians visited Maldives against 1.55 lakh Chinese, mainly because of lack of awareness or convenient transportation facilities for the tourists. Only 10 percentage of Maldives’ imports are from India, which in turn is shipped through the Tuticorin port.
The Cochin Port is well poised to be a logistics hub in Asia after the commissioning of the Vallarpadom container terminal and Maldives could well be made the first focal point for the Kochi Port. The fun seekers and seafarers can indeed keep their chins up as world class cruise options are truly coming to their shores- finally!
Maldives, is a chain of over 1200 islands, most of them uninhabited and unexplored. Maldives touted as the tropical paradise is well known for its spectacular beaches and underwater coral gardens among others. The capital of Maldives, Male is the largest island and offers lots of shopping and fun apart from beach activities. Read more on the interesting things to do in this exquisite destination right here in Pushpitha’s Round the World Travel Blog.
Luxury cruise to be back in Kerala tourism circuits
Published July 7, 2011 | 
AMET group is picking up the cruise options from where Louis Cruise had left due to high berth charges! The AMET group has already started arrangements to operate the cruise by the first week of October , if everything goes on as planned .
AMET group CEO, P Bharathi held discussions with the officials of the Cochin Port Trust in this regard, a few weeks back. The final decision on berth charges and other related matter will be taken at the next board meeting of the Cochin port trust.
AMET is planning to start a cruise service from Kochi to Maldives ( 4 nights), Kochi -Lakshadeep ( 2 nights)and high sea cruise during nights. If there is one trip to Maldives and three high sea trips one week , in the next week it will be two trips to Lakshadeep and three high sea trips, which will be on a rotation basis. High sea trips will be conducted every week as it is the most attractive package and a handy get away for a day for the busy city folks.
The cruise liner will operate for 5-6 months a year and will make a minimum of 100 calls to the Kochi berth. At present there are over 50-60cruises calling at the Cochin port and once AMET starts its operations, it will go up to more than 150 a year. With the resumption of this service, cruise tourism is likely to gain more popularity and is expected to bring in huge revenue. State of the art facilities may be introduced at the berths to woo international tourists.
It may be recalled that when Louis cruise introduced their services nearly 2,50,000 people enjoyed the cruise in a matter of just 6 weeks, out of which more than half of the tourists were from states outside Kerala. The count down has already started. So, be ready to explore the high seas and the fun of a luxury cruise right here in Kochi in the days ahead.
Kochi's own luxury crusie liner – MV Aquamarine
Published December 2, 2009 | Kochi is home port for MV Aquamarine, a new cruise ship that will ply between Kochi and Maldives and Kochi and Colombo with prices starting from Rs. 5000 per day. This is the first international cruise ship to have a home port in India.
Union Minister for Tourism Kumari Selja officially launched the liner saying that this could very well be the beginning of unique Indian market. With the people of country especially the middle class looking for leisure trips.
Kochi will be home-port for Louis Sea Cruises’ MV Aquamarine from 2nd December to 25th April 2010 and will sail 3 times a week from Kochi. Tourists to the tune of 60,000 are expected to cruise this season. The crusie-liner will sail on her maiden voyage from Kochi to the Maldives today.
On board the MV Aquamarine is a casino, a swimming pool, several restaurants, massage facilities, and even duty-free shopping. Considering that the two itineraries are fairly of a short distance keeping to what Indians like the cruise liner is sure to be booked up to the monsoons next year.
Fly direct to the last paradise on earth of the Maldives
Published January 23, 2008 | 
Thiruvanathapuram: The national carrier of the Maldives, Island Aviation Services Ltd will fly direct flights from Male international airport to Thiruvananthapuram international airport with effect from January 25.
The Republic of Maldives is made up of a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean and is situated to the south of the Indian islands of Lakshadweep.
Touted as ‘the last paradise on earth’, Maldives flaunts endless stretches of white sandy beaches dotted with coconut palms and azure blue waters and lagoons, which offers post card settings to the tourists. The direct flight from Thiruvanathapuram would throw open the tourism channels of this stunning island nation to thousands of tourists from Kerala. It is estimated that over 30,000 Maldivians visit the city for treatment, shopping and for educating the children. The flight service would also make their transit hassle free.
The Managing Director of IAS Bandhu I. Saleem said that it is going to be the first ever international flight of this Government owned airline from the suuny island of Maldives. The airline, which at present is only operating inter-island services will be employing 50-seater Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft on this circuit.
The Q2 700 light from Male will depart at 3.30 PM. to reach Thiruvananthapuram at 5.40 PM. In the return, the Q2 701 flight will depart at 6.10 PM. to reach Male at 7.20 PM, traversing the 417 nautical miles between Thiruvananthapuram international airport and Male international airport within 80 minutes.
The airline has appointed Spencer’s Travel Services Ltd (STSL) as the General Sales Agent of the airline and V. Stanley Paulus as the Cargo Sales Agent in the city. The special introductory fare package of the airline has a one way fare of Rs.4,468 and two way fare of Rs.8,089. This direct flight is estimated to bring in a swell in the tourism prospects of Kerala in the days to come.