Visakhapatnam to receive 7 star cruise liner
Giving stimulus to the tourism industry, Visakhapatnam port to receive a cruise liner from Trincomalee (Sri Lanka) carrying around 100 foreign tourists. The seven starred cruiser – Silver Discoverer- will reach the port on Thursday morning for a dawn-to-dusk halt.
“It will be a special day to remember for all of us. The arrival of such a big cruise liner will also give impetus to our plan to construct a world-class cruise terminal between the Visakha Container Terminal Private Ltd and Channel Berth,” said P L Haranadh, Visakhapatnam Port Deputy Chairman.
The proposed cruise terminal will be built with cost of Rs 80 crore with almost 50 per cent funding from the Ministry of Tourism after studies by IIT-Madras and Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune.
Silversea Cruises, a Monaco-based owned luxury cruise operator, has a fleet of eight boutique cruise vessels, each carrying 100 to 540 guests. Silversea business model envisages operating ships in the small, ultra-luxury and all-suite categories. The firm offers all inclusive packages including food and beverages, insurance and complimentary shore excursions.
Viasakhapatnam Port with a Cruiser docked
JM Baxi & Co is the handling agent for the vessel, while the local arrangements are coordinated by Travel Link. As per reports, the passengers will be taken around the beach areas between Visakhapatnam and Bheemunipatnam, while they are on shore. There is also a plan to take them to Sri Varaha Laxmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Simhachalam. Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Gopal Krishna is also scheduled to interact with the passengers.
Talking about the arrival of the seven star cruisers, Captain Bhargava, in-charge of J.M. Baxi & Co in Visakhapatnam, said that they are very much thrilled at the ship’s arrival in the port.
“So far such cruise liner has been brought only to Mumbai and Kochi. Silver Discoverer’s arrival is a significant development in promoting cruise tourism in the eastern sub-continent,” said Bhargava