MS Queen Victoria calls SLPA

MS Queen Victoria, the luxury cruise ship operated by Cunard Line, arrived in Colombo, at the Unity Container Terminal (UCT) of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) on her maiden call, on March 31, 2013. In January this year, she set off a stunning 105-night circumnavigation of the globe and arrived in Colombo from Port Kelang in Malaysia. She sailed from Colombo last evening, heading towards her next Port, Mumbai in India.

With a length overall of 294 m (964 ft) and a total of 16 decks, The “Queen Victoria” is a near identical sister ship of the “Queen Elizabeth”, which also made her maiden call in Sri Lanka, in March 2012.

Built at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard, Italy, the vessel was commissioned by HRH the Duchess of Cornwall, in December 2007. The facilities on board “Queen Victoria” include, seven restaurants and 13 bars, three swimming pools, a ballroom and a theatre.

To commemorate her maiden call in Colombo, a ceremony was held on board and the vessel exchanged plaques with The Sri Lanka Ports Authority and their local Agents, Shipping Agency Services (Pvt) Ltd. The plaques were exchanged between Harbour Master of SLPA Capt. R.A.Jayawickrama and Capt.Philpott – Master, “Queen Victoria”.

Speaking on the occasion, Capt. L.N. Jayasooriya of Shipping Agency Services (Pvt) Ltd, said that the call of “Queen Victoria” in Colombo, following the calls of “Queen Mary 2” and the “Queen Elizabeth,” indicated the commitment of Carnival Corporation, in including Colombo as a regular port of call, for their luxury cruise vessels/ liners. He also mentioned that they were pleased to be involved in the important contributions made to the Ports Authority and the Tourism Industry, by these high profile vessel calls in Sri Lanka. “We as agents in Sri Lanka , consider it a great privilege to be representatives of this prestigious Principal and are happy about the contribution made by these vessel calls towards the Sri Lankan economy. We look forward to the additional calls in 2014, which is a clear indication of the Line’s confidence in the Sri Lankan ports and tourist attractions. We have also introduced the port of Hambantota to them, with a view to the large cruise vessels calling there as well, in the future,” he added.

Carnival UK decided to send their vessels back to Sri Lanka last year, after a lapse of many years and in 2012, they had 3 vessel calls, namely “ Arcadia, ”“ Aurora ” and “Queen Elizabeth” in Colombo. Early this year the “Queen Mary 2” and “Queen Victoria” called in Colombo. Next year, Carnival have planned 5 vessel calls in Colombo and one in Galle.

D.W.Atapattu - Director (Logistics) SLPA, Major General Sanath Karunarathne - Director (Security) SLPA, D.Upali De Soyza - Chief Manager (Container Operations) SLPA, Jayantha Perera - Chief Manager (CCO) SLPA, Upul Jayatissa - Chief Manager (M & BD) SLPA, E.M.S.Edirisooriya - Acting Manager (UCT Terminal) SLPA, Gihan Nanayakkara – MD, Shipping Agency Services, M.Yaseen – Legal Consultant, Shipping Agency Services, Capt. Philpott – Master, “Queen Victoria”, Capt.L.N.Jayasooriya – Director, Shipping Agency Services were also present at the plaque exchange on board MS Queen Victoria at her maiden call at SLPA. Over a 1,000 passengers traveled on excursions to Kandy, Pinnawala, Ingiriya and on city tours. The ground tours were arranged by Gemini Tours and Travels (Pvt) Ltd.