Kochi: The luxury international cruise vessel World Odyssey arrived off the Kochi coast on Tuesday, officially marking the start of the state’s cruise season. The 175.3-metre ship is carrying 709 passengers and 176 crew members. Operated as part of the “Semester at Sea” academic programme, the vessel will remain anchored at Kochi Port until Sunday before departing for Vietnam at 5 pm.

The next international cruise liner, Celebrity Millennium, is scheduled to reach the Kochi coast at 2 pm on Friday. The ship, which is 294 metres long, is carrying 2,034 passengers and 850 crew members. It will arrive in Kochi from Colombo and is expected to leave for Mumbai on Saturday night, port authorities said.

Officials noted that the steady arrival of international cruise ships is expected to boost t

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