Thu Jul 03 16:19:23 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Puducherry is opening its sea lanes to tourists with the arrival of the M/V Empress, a luxury cruise liner operated by Cordelia Cruises. The ship will anchor near the coast on July 4th, 11th, and 18th, carrying over 1,500 passengers and crew. Passengers can take sight-seeing tours of Auroville, The Ashram, Manakula Vinayagar Temple, and Paradise Beach. The move aims to boost tourism, generate revenue, and create job opportunities for locals. The government has taken security precautions. Puducherry will be the seventh cruise destination in India.

**News Article:**

**Puducherry Welcomes Luxury Cruise Tourism to Boost Economy**

**PUDUCHERRY -** Puducherry is set to become a premier cruise destination as the Union Territory welcomes the M/V Empress, a luxury cruise liner operated by Cordelia Cruises, starting July 4th, 2025. The 210.8-meter vessel is scheduled to anchor one kilometer off the Puducherry coast at approximately 6:30 a.m., carrying 1,231 passengers and 574 crew members.

The move, greenlit by the territorial administration, aims to revitalize the local economy through increased tourism. The ship is also scheduled to anchor off the coast on July 11th and 18th.

“The Union government considers cruise tourism an important aspect to boost travel economy,” stated an official. Passengers will be transported to shore via boats to the Puducherry New Port, where luxury buses arranged by the Pondicherry Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) will take them to popular destinations, including Auroville, The Ashram, Manakula Vinayagar Temple, and Paradise Beach.

Tourism Minister K. Lakshminarayanan highlighted the economic benefits, saying, “It will certainly trigger more economic activity and provide job opportunities for the local people as luxury cruise travellers are high-spending tourists.”

Security measures have been implemented, with police and immigration officials tracking each passenger. The Port Department expects increased revenue from waterfront, godown, and parking charges.

Puducherry will be the seventh cruise destination in India and the second Union Territory to offer berthing facilities for luxury liners. “We expect more cruises to make Puducherry a part of their itinerary,” said an official.

Read More