The successful visit of 223.8-metre cruise ship Viking Sun has highlighted the infrastructure improvements at India's Chennai Port.
Dredging work has recently been completed as part of a ministry grant to encourage cruise tourism.
The existing cruise terminal has also been upgraded to international standards.
Awarded the 'Best Tourist Friendly Harbour Award' at the Tamil Nadu Tourism Award ceremony last month, Chennai Port handled the 845 tourists en route to Cochin on April 1.
The port has also started transporting up to 2,000 containers to Puducharry in neighbouring Union Territory in February, reducing the number of trucks on the road.