Cruise vessel M.S. Seven Seas Navigator called at New Mangalore Port on Tuesday. It was the fifth and last cruise vessel which called at the port in the current season.
The Bahamas-flagged luxury cruise vessel, operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, arrived at the port with 427 passengers and 372 crew members as part of its international cruise itinerary connecting Male, Kochi, Mangaluru, Goa, and Mumbai.
New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) and associated agencies welcomed the cruise guests in a traditional way. Tourism facilitation arrangements, sightseeing tours and guided meditation sessions were organised.
The current cruise tourism season ended at the port on Tuesday with a total of five vessel calls and 2,079 passengers handled during the season, a NMPA release said.
NMPA continues to work closely with tourism authorities, cruise operators, and stakeholders to further enhance cruise tourism infrastructure and position coastal Karnataka as a preferred cruise destination in the country, it said.
Meanwhile, K.V. Thrilok Chandra, Secretary, Department of Tourism, Karnataka, visited the port on Tuesday to review and discuss cruise tourism initiatives and future development prospects.
He met S. Shanthi, deputy chairperson, NMPA, H.V. Darshan, Deputy Commissioner, Dakshina Kannada, and others.
During the visit, detailed discussions were held on strengthening the cruise tourism potential of New Mangalore Port and enhancing Karnataka’s presence on the national and international cruise tourism map. The Secretary reviewed passenger handling facilities, immigration and Customs arrangements, cruise terminal infrastructure, and other operational facilities available for cruise vessel operations at the port.
Officials of NMPA highlighted the strategic advantage of New Mangalore Port as a gateway to the major tourist attractions of coastal Karnataka, including pristine beaches, temples, heritage destinations, eco-tourism locations, cultural circuits, and wellness tourism centres. Discussions were also held on attracting more domestic and international cruise liners to New Mangalore Port during the upcoming tourism seasons.