Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Feb 19: New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) welcomed the second cruise vessel of the current season, MS Island Sky, on Thursday, February 19. The vessel, sailing under the Bahamas flag and managed by Salen Shipmanagement AB, arrived at the port at 7:30 am from Mormugao.

The cruise ship arrived with 95 passengers and 70 crew members, who were greeted with a warm traditional welcome at the port’s cruise terminal. Extensive preparations were made by NMPA and stakeholders to ensure a seamless experience for the visiting tourists.

Additional features for the passengers included a meditation centre set up by the ministry of AYUSH, free Wi-Fi provided by NMPA, and a selfie stand depicting Mangaluru’s Yakshagana art form installed by the ministry of tourism.

During their stay, passengers undertook guided tours to prominent destinations in and around Mangaluru, including the Kudroli Gokarnath Temple, St Aloysius Chapel, local markets, and the Kalbavi cashew factory.

To ensure a smooth immigration process, NMPA undertook advanced planning and coordination, which significantly reduced waiting times. Following the successful port call, the vessel departed at 1:00 pm for its next destination.

The arrival of such vessels highlights the port’s growing role in promoting cruise tourism and boosting the local economy. The NMPA remains committed to providing world-class infrastructure to strengthen the region’s position as an emerging cruise tourism destination.