A programme of new cruises around the islands is set to commence at the beginning of November 2008.

This expansion follows on from two highly successful years where the company focused solely on cruises along the Malabar Coast of southern India.

Port Louis in Mauritius has now been established as the home port for the programme of year round cruises in the Indian Ocean.

The MS Ocean Odyssey as a heritage cruise liner with a maximum of 200 passengers.

The Group has invested $10 million on the vessel which will offer a highly personalised service and luxury facilities at affordable prices. Each cabin has a private bathroom and shower, hotel-style beds, telephone, flat-screen television and air conditioning.

On-board facilities include a four-star restaurant offering a range of local and international cuisine, observation lounge and bar, coffee bar, gymnasium and fitness centre, sauna and spa, sun-deck, library and hospital.

A range of itineraries, all based from Port Louis will be offered, focused on the three islands of Madagascar, Reunion, and the Agalega Islands.
Sanjeev Goswami, Joint Managing Director of Foresight Smart Ventures said,

“Our programme of cruises is a major step in the branding of Mauritius as one of the most exciting cruise and vacation destinations in the world. The MS Ocean Odyssey introduces an outstanding level of personalised hotel and cruise management expertise to this market, offering travellers the opportunity of a wonderful vacation on land combined with a luxury cruise on the Indian Ocean at an affordable cost. Together with the Government of Mauritius and Air Mauritius we will be making Mauritius one of the hottest destinations for the cruise market.”

“We have invested $10 million and have plans to make further significant investments over the next 3-5 years with the aim of establishing a world class cruise operation in the Indian Ocean. We are currently in discussion with a number of leading tour operators in India, the UK Mauritius, Germany and the UAE setting-up a sophisticated and dedicated network of marketing and distribution channels.”

Mauritius is expected receive just over 1 million visitors this year and is targeting over 2 million by 2015. Indian Ocean Cruises intend to play a major role in achieving that aim.