Kerala's luxury cruise ship ready for launch

Kochi: Nefertiti, the new luxury cruise ship of Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) offering a host of entertainment options, will soon be launched by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Four-star facilities are available on the ship, named after the legendary Egyptian queen. The three-deck Nefertiti can host 200 people and has an auditorium, a 150-seat banquet hall, lounge bar, restaurant, 3-D theatre, sun deck, and children’s play area.

Built at Vijay Marine Shipyard in Goa, Nefertiti is the biggest such ship under a government agency in India, said A P M Mohammed Hanish, the managing director of KSINC.

The fully-airconditioned ship has its interiors designed on the theme of Egyptian mythology.

Apart from the entertainment options, the vessel can be utilised to host meetings, corporate get-togethers, wedding ceremonies and birthday parties. Nefertiti will be able to spend about eight hours at a stretch in the deep sea.

According to officials, the lounge bar will start functioning after obtaining licence. Abad group has been given charge of catering in the ship, while Tisha shipping company will provide the crew.

KSINC already conducts the Sagara Rani cruise. Its success played a big role in launching Nefertiti, but the rates in the new ship will be significantly higher.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Hanish revealed that two more ships are being built for KSINC. Work on a solar-powered cruise ship is underway in Sri Lanka. This ship will conduct service in Kozhikode from August next year.

Tenders have also been invited for the construction of Andromeda, a long distance cruise liner which can accommodate 160 people.