Costa Cruises officially launched its domestic cruise programme for Indian travelers with the arrival of the Costa Serena at its home port in Mumbai on Saturday. The Italian-flagged is poised to embark on a variety of sailings featuring 2, 3, and 5-night voyages departing from various ports, including Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, and the Island of Agatti in Lakshadweep. This enticing venture is scheduled to commence on November 4, 2023, and extend until January 11, 2024.

To commemorate Costa Cruises' 75th anniversary, an event was held on board the Costa Serena, graced by the presence of Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal. Also in attendance were Francesco Raffa, Asia Region & Growth Markets Director at Costa Cruises, and Nalini Gupta, representing Lotus Aero Enterprises, the General Sales Agent (GSA) of Costa Cruises, alongside other senior officials.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expressed his pride, remarking, "It is a moment of immense pride for us that, as the Mumbai Port celebrates its 150th anniversary, Costa Cruises has returned to offer domestic cruise options to Indian travelers." He affirmed the government's wholehearted support for cruise lines to establish their ships as homeport vessels at Indian ports, underscoring their readiness to enhance port infrastructure to accommodate larger cruise ships.

The introduction of Costa Cruises' domestic sailings represents the culmination of several government initiatives. These initiatives encompass ensuring dedicated berths for cruise ships, the elimination of eviction charges, the implementation of standardized rates for major ports, offering volume-based incentives for domestic cruise ships, and the streamlining of customs and immigration procedures. Concurrently, efforts have been made to modernize cruise terminals, enhancing passenger facilities and overall infrastructure to ensure a seamless and enriched cruise experience.