Luxury cruise liner Silverseas Cruises docked its Silver Discoverer ship at Mongla Port in Khulna on Monday.
With 61 passengers, the cruise started from Chennai in India and will end in Yangon, Myanmar.
This is the third time the cruise liner has docked in Bangladesh in association with Journey Plus, the Bangladeshi partner of the tour.
The tourists are scheduled to visit Dhangmai Dolphin Sanctuary, Sundarbans Harbaria Forest office, Watch tower, Harbaria canal, Harmal canal, and Churaputia on Monday. On Tuesday they will go to Tikona Island, Kokilmoni canal, and Alorkol. On Wednesday their itinerary includes Hironpoint and Watch Tower.
They will leave for Yangon in Myanmar on Thursday.
“The tourists will not only enjoy scenic beauty but will also see the culture and heritage of Bangladesh during the trip,” said Towfiq Rahman, chief executive of Journey Plus, to Bangla Tribune.
In February 2017, 95 holidaymakers arrived in Bangladesh on the Silver Discoverer in Cox’s Bazar’s Maheshkhali. They were on the Colombo to Kolkata Asia Expedition Cruise.
After several years of efforts by Journey Plus, a Bangladesh tour operator, Silverseas agreed to open new routes in the region, adding Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh is now on the world’s cruise map and this voyage will help boost future tourism of the country,” said Tawfiq Rahman to the Dhaka Tribune.
"This is a major milestone in Silverseas’ history that underscores our commitment to exploring some of the world's most remote and secluded regions," said Conrad Combrink, global head of expedition planning and strategic development, reported Luxury Travel Magazine.
"Our inaugural call in Bangladesh is just one example of the many once-in-a-lifetime adventures that can be enjoyed aboard our expedition ships, which sail to virtually every fascinating corner of the globe," he added.
Earlier, Silver Discoverer visited Maheshkhali Island and the Sundarbans twice in 2017, carrying 162 foreign tourists from 17 countries. The Bangladesh Forest Department will provide the necessary security to the foreign tourists, they said.
