Royal Caribbean to operate 13 cruise vessels to New Mangalore

Royal Caribbean International, one of the cruise operators of the world, is likely to operate 13 cruise vessels to New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) in the next one year. Mr S. Gopalakrishna, Traffic Manager of NMPT, told Business Line that of the 13 vessels, eight vessels are likely to be called at New Mangalore Port during the current financial year. He said that a team from Royal Caribbean International visited the port on Tuesday and held discussion with the NMPT Chairman, Mr P. Tamilvanan, in this regard. Royal Caribbean International has already prepared its plan for bringing 13 cruise vessels during the next one-year period, he said.

The first vessel, m.v. Aida Diva, with 1,300 passengers is scheduled to call at the port on November 12 this year. The biggest vessel of the cruise liner, m.v. Brilliance of the Seas, with 2,000 passengers and 500 crew members on board is expected to call at New Mangalore Port on April 1, 2012. This will be the biggest cruise vessel ever handled at the port, he said. Mr Gopalakrishna said the port handled three cruise vessels till September during the current financial year.

During 2010-11, the port handled 14 cruise vessels with 5,854 passengers. Of them, 4,119 passengers opted for ground tour, he said.

Mr Gopalakrishna said that Mr Adam Sharp, Manager of Royal Caribbean, who met the port authorities, expressed happiness over the facilities available at NMPT for handling cruise vessels. The visiting team was informed about the cruise lounge at the port, security arrangements, immigration facility, and the availability of local ground tour operators, he added.

COMMENT NOW