Pacific Jewel

The 1990-built (as "Crown Princess") cruise ship MS Karnika was part of P&O Australia's fleet (as "Pacific Jewel") between 2009-2019. In 2019, the liner left P&O AU, with its final cruise departing from Melbourne on February 24th.

History - construction and ownership

In late-August 2018, Zen Cruises (a new company established by Essel Group, India) was announced as buyer of the vessel Pacific Jewel. Essel Group (1926-founded, headquartered in Mumbai India) is an Indian conglomerate of several corporations with business divisions in media, news, technology, entertainment, packaging, infrastructure developments, financial services, precious metals (gold and silver refinery), education, charity. The Essel Group-owned Zen Cruises Pvt Ltd is lead by Jurgen Bailom (CEO and President).

In January 2020, Jalesh Cruises announced planned acquisition of a second ship to double the fleet's capacity. The second-hand vessel (the name was not announced) was scheduled to start operations in October 2020. In mid-October 2020, Jalesh announced in a statement that the company suspends operations permanently due to the ongoing COVID-related port closures and international travel restrictions.

Jalesh India suspended (initially temporarily) passenger shipping since March 12, 2020, mounting debts from creditors. The Karnika ship remained permanently docked at Port Mumbai (Bombay) with a skeleton crew of 60. In October, the company's creditors (via India's Admiralty Court) had the vessel arrested in Port Mumbai.

Jalesh Cruises planned to restart operations on November 6, 2020. India's Government permitted cruise vessels to start passenger shipping from October 1. The cruise ship's AIS transmitted for the last time on November 24, 2020, showing the vessel anchored near Alang Ship Breaking Yard. Unfortunately, this beautiful 30-year-old liner joined CruiseMapper's Scrapped Cruise Ships hub.

Jalesh Karnika ship (IMO number 8521220) was Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000892) and registered in Nassau. The vessel was last drydock refurbished (by P&O AU) in 2018.

Before Jalesh Cruises India, the liner's previous operator was P&O Australia - a subsidiary company fully owned by Carnival Corporation. The 1950-passenger ship Pacific Jewel used to be part also of the Carnival's German-based brand AIDA Cruises (as AIDAblu) and Ocean Village Holidays (now-defunct company), before joining P&O Australia in 2009. The "dolphin-like" ship was designed by Italian Renzo Piano. Its sistership is Pacific Dawn (now Ambassador Ambience).

The vessel was launched on May 25, 1989, as "Crown Princess", and delivered to P&O Princess Cruises on June 29, 1990. The inaugural voyage started on July 8. In 2002, the shipowner P&O Princess Cruises created A'Rosa Cruises (a Germany-targeting brand) and transferred the vessel, renaming it "A'Rosa Blu". In 2004, the new shipowner Carnival Corporation transferred the vessel to the AIDA subsidiary, increasing its capacity (to 2014 passengers, 621 crew) and renaming it to "AIDAblu". On April 24, 2007, started Ocean Village Two's Inaugural cruise (Mediterranean itinerary) following a drydock refit at Lloyd Werft (Bremerhaven Germany). The vessel joined its fleet mate Ocean Village One (currently Columbus).

Pacific Jewel cruise ship as the design was sister to Pacific Dawn (now Ambassador Ambience) and similar to Pacific Pearl (CMV Columbus since 2017) and Crown Princess.

In 2010, the Ocean Village company ceased operations. In November the vessel was refurbished in Singapore (at Sembawang Shipyards), renamed "Pacific Jewel" and started a South Pacific cruise itinerary program with departures from homeport Sydney NSW Australia.

Vessel's official delivery to Zen Cruises was on March 12 (2019), followed by a major drydock refurbishment. Renamed "Karnika", the liner started operations for Zen Cruises (via the brand "Jalesh Cruises") on April 17, 2019, from homeport Mumbai.

The christening ceremony was on April 19, 2019, held in Port Mumbai. Karnika ship's godmother was Mrs Shreyasi Punit Goenka. The naming ceremony was attended by five people credited to international fame as India's first/best in their fields - Mr Milkha Singh (Commonwealth Games 1958 gold medal winner), Mrs Subhash Chandra (Actor) Ms Sushmita Sen (Miss Universe 1994), Mr Mahesh Bhupati (Grand Slam Tournament 1997 winner) and Ms Mary Kom (boxer, Asian Games 2014 winner). The special event started with priests chanting hymns. After the head priest traditionally broke a coconut followed the maritime naming ritual with the Godmother saying "I name this ship Karnika. May God bless her, her officers, staff, crew and all who sail on her". Next was the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle on the bow hull. The ceremony also featured live performances by Aakriti Kakkar (singer), Papa CJ (stand-up comedian) and DJ Bally Sagoo.

The cruise ship is named after the celestial maiden/nymph Apsara Karnika (female spirit) who rewards with treasures and pleasures those engaged in hard labour. "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi" is a 2019-released Indian epic drama movie based on the life of Lakshmibai (Rani of Jhansi / 1828-1858, born in Varanasi). She was the Queen of Jhansi (reign 1853-54 and 1857-58). The Jhansi region is currently part of North India's Uttar Pradesh state.

Cruise itinerary program

Pacific Jewel itinerary program was based on Australia cruises from homeports Sydney,Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Fremantle, including roundtrip "South Pacific Islands" voyages to Fiji, Vanuatu, Santo, New Caledonia, repositioning, cruises to nowhere and short-breaks to Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, Papua New Guinea, Coral Coast and Indonesia.

Jalesh Karnika ship's itinerary program included itineraries between homeports Mumbai and Mormugao (inaugural season) and Middle East voyages. Jalesh Cruises shore excursions program includes tour options in large port cities like Kochi, Chennai, Vizag (Visakhapatnam), Mormugao, Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Colombo, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Singapore, Penang.

For summer 2019 season (June through September), the liner was homeported in Dubai UAE (Port Mina Rashid) for short-breaks serving tourists mainly from India and Persian Gulf countries (especially Muscat and UAE). The regularly-scheduled Arabian Gulf itineraries included two weekly departures from Dubai (homeport) to Abu Dhabi UAE and Mina Salman Bahrain. The Monday itinerary visited Oman (Khasab and Muscat).

Cabins

The cruise ship had a total of 837 staterooms (of which 36 Suites, 162 Balcony, 209 Inside) in 26 grades. Most cabins were 190-ft2 sized Oceanviews (436). Of all passenger accommodations, nearly 25% were with private (step-out) balconies. The largest were the Suites (560 ft2).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The cruise liner has 5 dining venues. P&O AU recruited its first-ever celebrity chef manager (Luke Mangan) to add his touches to the food menu in the Salt Grill (steakhouse and seafood restaurant). The ship also has a dedicated chocolate cafe serving chocolate ravioli, warm chocolate fondant, Belgium waffles, gourmet cookies. The buffet restaurant, a la carte Main Dining Room and The Grill add more fine dining options. For a fee is the Asian La Luna Restaurant with an 8-course banquet. VIP dining is offered by the 14-seat "Chef's Table" package (in the Galley/kitchen).

Follows the complete list of Pacific Jewel restaurants and food bars.

• Waterfront Restaurant (open-seating dining room; each of all three dining rooms on Pacific Jewel is operated with "Your Choice Dining" (a la carte) menus for breakfast and lunch, and offers a 4-course dinner menu. Tables seat up to 10 guests. Dining times vary according to sea/port days)
• Chef's Table (in the Waterfront Restaurant's Wine Room; speciality dining venue with gourmet private dining and tour of the galley)
• The Luna room (Asian-cuisine banquets; features Japanese and Thai specialities)
• Salt Grill (reservations-only speciality restaurant via a partnership with Australian celebrity chef Luke Mangan)
• The Pantry (self-service buffet restaurant with an open-air terrace)
• The "Shell & Bones" (a la carte pricing, at the rear of The Pantry)
• The Grill (lido BBQ)
• New Zealand Natural (ice cream bar).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The cruise ship features an exquisite Aqua Health (Spa and Fitness/wellness complex) that spans on 2 decks and is sized 1300 m2. It consists of 11 oceanview treatment rooms (for massages), Beauty Salon, Gym, Thermal Suite.

Daytime activities range from whiskey tastings and martini mixology classes to quilling and salsa dance classes. Passengers can enjoy karaoke, bingo and trivia games held daily. The daily onboard schedule on sea days is packed with activities. The poolside LED screen on Pool Deck is largely used for broadcasting full-length musical concerts, live sporting events, reality shows, movies.

Evening entertainment is standard cruise ship fare with a mix of guest entertainers and Broadway-style production shows. For kids, innovative activity clubs include Turtle Cove (ages 3-6-yo), Shark Shack (ages 7-10-yo) and HQ for teens. Adults can relax in the child-free Oasis on ship's top deck, while all ages enjoy the swimming pool on Lido deck and the adventures of P&OEdge program, held all over Jewel, with a climbing course on the funnel and a zip line across the top deck.

Follows the complete list of Pacific Jewel lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Atrium (3-decks central open floor area and social hub)
• Charlie's Bar; The Orient bar (English pub); MIX (speciality cocktails bar); Connexions Bar; The Cafe; Lido Pool Bar
• Essentials Store; Tax and Duty-Free Shops; PANDORA shop (jewellery); Aqua Hut (snorkelling equipment)
• The Marquee Theatre (2-decks, featuring large scale shows, magic and comedy acts; during the day, the theatre hosts Jackpot bingo games, trivia quizzes)
• Wine Room (boutique winery)
• The Big Screen (outdoor LED screen for movies, show programs, sports games)
• The Dome (indoor observation lounge with floor-ceiling windows, large dance floor and a full-service bar; transforms into a disco nightclub in the evenings)
• Players Bar and Casino
• Expressions Studio (Photo Gallery and Shop); Art Gallery; Internet Library; Internet Cafe
• The Oasis (adults-only relaxation complex)
• Promenade (deck 7), 2 pools, 2 jacuzzis
• Aqua HealthSpaFitness (Wellness Centre with Day Spa, Thermal Suites, Fitness Centre with a separate room for classes, Massage Rooms, Aqua Beauty Salon)
• Fun Zone kids' centre; Teen- and Kids club lounges (offering complimentary activities by P&O youth programme: "Turtle Cove"; "Shark Shack"; "HQ" lounge; "HQ+" teen lounge)
• P&OEdge Adventure Park experience ("high adrenalin" program with 20 different activities, such as climbing, jumping, racing, flying on ropes)
• Jogging Track; Traditional deck games area (Deck Chess, Deck Quoits, Shuffleboard); Sports Court (basketball, volleyball, tennis); Table Tennis; Golf Nets, Lawn Bowls (outdoor bowling green).