Carnival UK commences operating luxury cruise vessels via Colombo

Two more luxury cruise ships MV Aurora and MV Queen Elizabeth operated by the P &O Cruises will call Colombo in the first quarter of 2012.

Cruise vessel MV Arcadia operated by P&O Cruises was recently welcomed by Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

The vessel MV Arcadia is a luxury cruise ship sailing under the Bermuda flag and can carry 2388 passengers at full capacity. It has 11 decks with a state-of-the-art swimming pool, an auditorium, a gym and a restaurant. The vessel touches Colombo mainly on its voyages in the winter season. MV Arcadia is the third largest of the seven ships currently in service with P&O Cruises. The ship officially entered service with the company in April 2005.

Commenting on the occasion, SLPA, Managing Director Capt. Nihal Kappetipola said, “The improved economy of the country resulting from the dawn of peace has created a conducive climate for a boom in the once-lucrative tourism industry in Sri Lanka. This trend heralds a new era for the tourism industry in Sri Lanka which is on the threshold of an economic renaissance with huge maritime-related infrastructure development projects”.

According to highlights posted by Cruise Market Watch in November last year., the worldwide cruise market is estimated at $ 34.1 billion and the number of prospective cruise passengers worldwide in 2012 is estimated at 20.3 million, a 5.6% increase over 2011.

“Direct spending by passengers and crew at all cruise ports in the world is estimated at $ 15.5 billion. Therefore, it is important that our ports and coastal destinations are carefully managed and smartly promoted for the sustainable growth of this important market.

“This apart, for Sri Lanka to fully capitalize on this growing tourism sector, it is extremely necessary to examine the current trends and future direction of the worldwide cruise industry”. he further said.

A plaque exchange ceremony was held on board the cruise vessel MV Arcadia in celebration of its inaugural call at the Passenger Jetty of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), on February 2.

The agency services for this cruise line will be provided by Shipping Agency Services (Pvt) Ltd., a reputed Sri Lankan Shipping Company.