Bernhard Schulte Cruise Services (BSCS) has been awarded the technical management of Jalesh Cruises’ new vessel, ‘Karnika’ (formerly ‘Pacific Jewel’).
The 70,285 gt, 2,000 pax‘Crown Princess’-class cruise ship is presently undergoing a comprehensive refurbishment project at Sembcorp Marine Admiralty Yard in Singapore prior to entering service from Mumbai, India in mid-April, 2019.
‘Karnika’ will operate cruises from India and Dubai for the duration this year.
BSCS Managing Director, Les Royle and Deputy Managing Director, Martin Springer worked closely with Jalesh Cruises on the new partnership. “We are very proud and excited to welcome this fine vessel into BSCS’ management, and being part of the first dedicated, domestic cruise operation on the Indian sub-continent and the Middle East.”
Jalesh Cruises is sponsored by Amit Goenka of Essel Group, a multi-billion-dollar Indian conglomerate with interests in media, entertainment and tourism, which has recently received a $10 mill investment from a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Corp, India’s largest casino gaming company.
The Indian cruise business has been set up by cruise veteran, Jurgen Bailom, who has spent the past 12 months developing the onboard cruise product that includes unique entertainment formats, itineraries and shore excursion programmes.