the goan I network
VASCO
The luxury cruise liner MV Marella Discovery arrived on its maiden visit to Mormugao Port and berthed alongside the International Cruise Terminal on December 11 from Dubai, with 1,720 guests and 762 crew members.
The visiting guests hailed from UK (1,684), Ireland (20) and others, stated an MPT press note.
The guests and crew members were issued with e-Landing Cards and smoothly cleared by the officials from the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) at the ten immigration counters set up at the cruise terminal.
The entire Immigration clearance operations were carried out smoothly without any delay enabling the guests to embark on local sightseeing tours within the State.
Officials of the tourism department were present at the cruise berth terminal. The guests were given a warm and traditional Goan welcome. Goan folk dances and music with a live brass band were showcased to the passengers at the cruise terminal.
Since this was the maiden visit of cruise liner MV Marella Discovery to Goa, MPT Chairman Dr E Ramesh Kumar paid a courtesy visit to Captain Dodds Christopher Neil, master of the vessel, on board the ship.
Dr Mumar was accompanied by Vipin Menoth (Traffic Manager), Jerome Clement (Sr Dy Traffic Manager), Captain Arun Kumar (Harbour Master) and other senior port executives.
The MPT Chairman extended a warm welcome to Capt Neil and briefed him on the infrastructure facilities provided to visiting cruise liners at Mormugao Port.
Capt Neil appreciated the facilities provided at the cruise terminal and was happy with the services extended for safe docking of the cruise ship.
He said that he and his officers had visited Bogmalo beach and had a memorable experience.
Dr Kumar and Capt Neil later exchanged commemorative plaques as a token of goodwill and friendship.
The visiting guests and crew on landing availed the luxury coach facilities provided by local tour operators to explore the beaches and other tourist spots in Goa.
The visiting guests also hired the local tourists taxis for visiting nearby tourists spots in the state.
The vessel later sailed on its onward voyage to Mangalore Port later in the evening.
