With beginning of cruise season ‘Aida Vita’ from Panama with 1,154 guests,became the first luxury cruise ship to berth at New Mangalore Port (NMP) on Monday. Around 400 of them disembark for sight-seeing, said Port Chairman A.V. Ramana.
The port authorities and agents welcomed the guests by traditional Yakshagana, ‘Pili Vesha’, ‘Kangeelu’ and colourful doll artistes.
While the port had been facilitating transport services like taxi and buses for the guests, the port trust has introduced a helicopter service for cruise passengers this year from its premises as part of its effort to boost cruise tourism.
Chipsan Aviation Pvt. Ltd. deployed a six-seater helicopter to ferry tourists to Bekal Fort near Kasaragod in Kerala, Sringeri, Chikkamagaluru, Dharmasthala, Belur, Halebid, etc.
Mr. Ramana said. “NMPT is prepared to receive as many cruise vessels as possible in furtherance of this initiative.”Also construction of a separate entry and exit for cruise vessel guests was in full swing, he added.
An excited passenger Sera from Germany said, she was happy to be in India and love the culture of the land.
