Costa Cruises is gearing up its operation in the Indian Ocean by doubling the number of cruises for the winter 2016-2017 season, said the company.

The first of a total of 11 cruises is scheduled to depart on Oct. 14 2016 and the last on March 4 2017.The sailings are 14 days on the neoRomantica.

The cruise will depart from Mauritius and then sail to the Seychelles Islands, where the ship will berth for two days and two nights. The cruise will continue next to Madagascar, with day calls to Nosy Be, Diego Suarez and Tamatave; the next stop, one day and one night, will be Réunion island before returning to Mauritius, with a final overnight call.

The increase in the number of cruises in the Indian Ocean is the end result of an agreement signed today in Paris, during the IFTM/Top Resa travel trade show, between Costa Cruises, the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and the Vanilla Islands Organization.

The agreement calls for cooperation and investments for promoting tourism, for improving port infrastructures and guest hospitality facilities, as well as for flight connections and for the excursions offered to guests.