The coronavirus crisis claims a sixth cruise line
Add Jalesh Cruises to the list of cruise companies shutting down for good due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The India-based, one-ship cruise operator won't be emerging from a months-long, coronavirus-caused halt to departures, according to multiple news outlets in India.
Mumbai-based Mumbai Live reports that creditors have had the line's one ship, the 1,590-passenger Karnika, arrested in Mumbai through India's Admiralty Court.
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A skeleton crew that has been on the ship since it halted departures early this year has posted on Twitter in recent days that they have been left without a resupply of food or fuel, and they say they haven't been paid in months.
A spokesperson for Jalesh Cruises did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Points Guy.
Jalesh Cruises started up in 2019 to offer cruises from India, billing itself as the first premium cruise line in the region. The line's one vessel, Karnika, is a former Princess Cruises ship that also has sailed for Australia's P&O Cruises and several other lines.
Related: Why your favorite cruise line probably isn't going out of business
First unveiled in 1990, the 11-deck-high vessel originally operated as the Crown Princess. It operated in the Princess Cruises fleet for 12 years before transferring to German line A'Rosa Cruises and then German line AIDA Cruises. It also sailed for Ocean Village before ending up in recent years at P&O Cruises Australia.
At P&O Cruises Australia, it was known as the Pacific Jewel.
Jalesh Cruises is the first Asia-based cruise line to permanently shut down during the coronavirus pandemic.
Five other cruise lines -- four in Europe and one in the U.S. -- have announced in recent months that they are going out of business or filing for the equivalent of bankruptcy due to financial troubles related to the coronavirus outbreak. Like Jalesh Cruises, most are very small lines. But the list includes Cruise & Maritime Voyages, the second-largest cruise brand in the UK.
Related: Coronavirus claims its first U.S.-based cruise line
Jalesh Cruises reportedly has been in financial trouble for at least several months.
India's Economic Times said the cruise line this week had appealed to Indian authorities for help providing for the crew that remains on board the Karnika.
“We would like to reassure the crew and their families that we have not forgotten about them, hence, have put the right wheels in motion (for aid)," the news outlet quoted the company as saying in a statement. "We have asked for urgent indulgence with the relevant authorities and are waiting for their feedback."
The Mumbai Mirror reported earlier this week that the crew had been surviving for a week on cornflakes for breakfast, paani-puri for lunch and burgers for dinner as food supplies on the ship ran low.
Jalesh Cruises offered voyages out of Indian ports such as Mumbai and Goa to destinations in India and also Sri Lanka. It also offered sailings in the Middle East.
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.