The Hindu Business Line : Kolkata-Sundarbans luxury river cruise service soon

Two weeks from now, West Bengal can boast of the first luxury river cruise service from Kolkata to the Sundarbans. Vivada Cruises, in collaboration with the West Bengal Forest Development Corporation, will launch a three days-two nights luxury river cruise package from Kolkata to the Sundarbans. The cruise package combines luxury with eco-tourism, adventure sports, leisure and a nature trek.

Addressing a news conference here, Mr M.V. Nath, Chairman of Vivada Inland Waterways Ltd, the parent company of Vivada Cruises, said the cruising initiative has been packaged keeping in view the discerning needs of international clientele.

Facilities

A three-deck cruise vessel Paramhansa, with 32 air-conditioned rooms, has been built for the purpose. Larsen & Toubro was engaged for the naval architecture of the vessel.

The cruise ship will have facilities such as conferencing, Internet and mobile connectivity, global positioning systems, multi-cuisine restaurants, open air gymnasium, library and decks for sunbathing, star gazing, etc.

Heritage site

Sundarbans, with its unique ecosystem is home to the famous Royal Bengal Tiger. It has been declared as a World Heritage Site by Unesco and is among the world's most biodiversity-rich regions The Sundarbans attracts thousands of tourists each year. The launch of the luxury cruise liner is expected to attract more international tourists to the Sundarbans.

According to Ms R. Sushila, Executive Director of Vivada Inland Waterways Ltd, the round trip cruise would cover a distance of 400 km. There would be two categories of rooms, Comfort and Luxury. Passengers would have to pay Rs 15,000 per person for taking the cruise in a Comfort room and Rs 20,000 per person in a luxury room.

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