NMPT handles largest cruise vessel to call M. v. Aida Diva

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Nov 13, 2011: Cruise vessel M V Aida Diva with 1,975 passengers and 598 crew members anchored at NMPT here on November 12 Saturday.

The vessel started its journey from Muscat and called at Goa and from there to NMP. The vessel will be sailing out to Cochin the same evening. This is the biggest cruise vessel to ever call at the New Mangalore Port.

Of the 1,975 passengers from Germany, 1,200 opted for ground tour and enjoyed the scenic beauty and cultural heritage of Dakshina Kannada. They visited the Thousand Pillar Jain temple, the monolithic statue of Gomateshwara, Gokarnanatha Temple, St Aloysius Chapel, Kadri Temple, cashew factory, and also went shopping. These tourists were taken around in 40 air conditioned buses by local ground tour operators M/s Globe International. The agent of the ship is M/s J M Baxi & Co.

Tour operators M/s Royal Caribbean International, one of the leading cruise operators in the world, has visited the port twice this year and had discussions with the port chairman, traffic manager, and deputy conservator, and visited the port area and expressed happiness over the facilities available at NMPT for handling cruise vessels. They were impressed with the world class facilities available at the Cruise Lounge, the neat and tidy berth area, the concreted roads, security arrangements, emigration facility, the greenery in and around the port, the availability of local ground tour operators, the proximity to tourist areas, and other factors.

The liner has already planned to bring 12 more cruise vessels during the next year. The biggest vessel M V Brilliance of the Seas with a length of 293.5 metres and 3000 passengers is expected to call at the Port in April 2012 and will be the biggest cruise vessel ever handled at the Port.

Dr P Tamilvanan, while expressing happiness over the smooth handling of such a big cruise vessel, stated that the captain has expressed happiness over the facilities available at NMPT, especially the neatness and greenery in and around the port, the excellent security arrangement, and the world class cruise lounge.