MV Empress on maiden voyage from Chennai to Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st); The maiden international cruise vessel between Chennai and Sri Lanka "MV Empress" was formally flagged off by the India Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday (5).

India's first regular international cruise passenger vessel MV Empress from Chennai Port will connect three ports in Sri Lanka. 

The newly-launched cruise service would sail to three ports - Hambantota, Trincomalee and Kankesanturai in Sri Lanka. 

The launch of the cruise service comes in the backdrop of the memorandum of understanding signed between Chennai Port and Waterways Leisure Tourism for domestic and international cruise service at the Incredible India International Cruise Conference in 2022.

The cruise service will sail to three Sri Lankan ports; viz. Hambanthota, Trincomalee, and Kankesanthurai. The tour packages on board MV Empress will be offered for 2 nights, 3 nights, 4 nights and 5 nights.

During its run at the sea, MV Empress will be touching Hambantota port in Sri Lanka on Wednesday, Trincomalee on northeastern coast and Kankesanthurai in Jaffna district, before heading back to Chennai