Pandaw Cruises India to offer shorter cruise itinerary from May 2011 to attract domestic tourists

Pandaw Cruises India Pvt. Ltd, is planning to introduce shorter cruise itineraries, in order to attract domestic tourists and is also looking at starting operations in South India in near future. The company, which operates a river cruise between Kolkata and Varanasi on National Waterways I (NW-I) route, plans to introduce two nights/three days itineraries covering places like Mayapur, Kalna and Chandernagore and also a day cruise around Kolkata. These shorter itineraries will be dedicated for the domestic market and will be introduced from May next year. This information was provided by Vishnu Singh, Director, Pandaw Cruises India. 

According to company officials, the decision to create short cruise itineraries for the domestic market is based on the preference of shorter holidays by Indians. Pandaw Cruises India, which commenced operations on the Ganges last year, will be commencing its regular cruise itinerary of 14 nights for foreign tourists from October 2010 and operations will last till March or April 2011 depending on weather and river conditions. The company has scheduled ten departures this year and the cost for the cruise is USD 14895 per person. The cruise will cover several places in Kolkata, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh like Chandernagore, Bandel, Kalna, Katwa, Murshidabad, Baranagar, Rajmahal, Vikramshila, Munger, Barh, Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Patna, Gazipur and Varanasi. Last season Pandaw Cruises India handled 500 foreign passengers from various countries like USA, UK, Germany, New Zealand, France and Australia. The cruise ship has twenty eight twin bed cabins, bar, shopping area spread across the main and upper decks among other facilities. Guests can also enjoy local cultural performances and yoga sessions on board.