StoryInfinity for Daijiworld

Mangaluru, Mar 8: Cruise vessel MSC Lirica which was to dock at New Mangalore Port on February 7 at 6 am was denied permission leaving 1400 passengers stranded on the vessel.

While New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) traffic manager issued a press release on March 6 stating they were acting as per the directive of the ministry of shipping on the prevention of coronavirus, tour operators call the ‘last minute’ decision ‘unilateral’ and question as to who will make up for the losses they incurred.

Cruise ship at NMPT (file photo)

As many as 700 passengers aboard MSC Lirica had opted for ground tour and were scheduled to visit tourist attractions in and around Mangaluru. However, according to Globe Travels proprietor William D’Souza, intimation that the ship would not be allowed to dock was issued at the last minute.

"We received a message from the traffic manager on March 6 at around 8.30 pm via WhatsApp and SMS, stating that the ship would not be allowed to dock the next morning. However, this was too late, as we had done all arrangements," he told Daijiworld.

MSC Lirica departed from Dubai on Saturday February 29, had ported at Abu Dhabi (UAE), Khor Fakkan (UAE), Muscat, Oman and was to reach Mangaluru on Saturday.

Rajan Naidu, managing director of Shrine Voyages, responsible for handling the passengers of MSC Lirica, blamed NMPT for taking ‘unilateral’ decisions without taking stakeholders into confidence.

"We were just intimated via messages. The officials at NMPT were not picking our calls. The ship was near Mangaluru waters and was getting ready to dock when they were denied permission. However, none of the passengers were affected with coronavirus. Indian Immigration had allowed the ship and passengers to travel. The passengers were checked in Dubai and Muscat and given a clearance. However, lack of clear communication by NMPT has caused us embarrassment," he points out.

He further said that even if the decision was issued at the last minute, some consideration could have been given to passengers of the cruise which was ready to dock.

"On Saturday morning, a ship called Celebrity Constellation which was nearing Mumbai port was allowed to dock by the Mumbai port officials. They seemed to be more sensitive to the passengers. However, if a cruise was allowed to dock in Mumbai, why not in Mangaluru?" he questions.

"We had flown 25 language-speaking guides from Delhi, ensured buses were brought from Bengaluru for the cruise tour and due to the last-minute change, travel agencies have incurred a huge loss," he adds.

The cruise then skipped Mangaluru and proceeded to its next stop in Goa where again it was denied permission to dock. The cruise has now left back to Dubai.

Meanwhile, William D’Souza said that he agrees with the government’s decision on taking measures preventing coronavirus. However, clear communication, especially when there were last minute changes would have been more ideal.

According to an NMPT official, the last minute confusion could not be avoided as the ministry of shipping issued a directive, which was immediately conveyed to cruise ships.

The ministry of shipping issued a notice on March 5 that crew and passengers having travel history from the infected countries should not be allowed to disembark. "We were following instructions issued by the central government," the offical said.

Tourism Hit

Travel restrictions due to outbreak of coronavirus, is taking a toll on the tourism industry. Mangaluru, which usually sees a spike in tourists during summer, has also been hit drastically.

William D’Souza explains that with some countries issuing travel bans, people are struggling to get airline refunds.

“While some of the international flights have cancelled operations to India, passengers who had booked connecting domestic flights are told they will not be given a refund,” he said.

He also adds that many, who had booked international tours and group tours with travel agencies in April, are not sure about travel plans and are hoping airlines cancel tickets as they will not get full refund if they initiate cancellation.

The NMPT official said that the ban on cruise ships from international countries will be effective upto March 31. Four more ships, MS Albatros, MS Costa Fortuna, MS Vikingson, M V Seven Seas Mariner were supposed to call into Mangaluru port by March 31. However, these ships will not be given permission as per the directives issued by the ministry of shipping, he said.

William D’Souza said that on March 3, passenger ship Costa Victoria decided to skip Mangaluru port. On March 7, MSC Lirica was refused permission to dock. With four more cruises being denied permission, tourism scene in Mangaluru has been badly hit and chances of it improving over the summer looks bleak, he said.