German Cruise Ship AIDAvita with 1182 Passengers makes Maiden Trip of 2018-19 to NMPT

By
Alfie Dsouza, Team Mangalorean.
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German Cruise Ship AIDAvita with 1182 Passengers makes Maiden Trip of 2018-19 to NMPT

Herzlich Willkommen (Welcome) to Kudla! German Cruise Ship AIDAvita with 1182 Passengers plus 400 Crew members Makes Maiden Trip of 2018-19 to New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT). On the occasion, Karnataka Tourism also opened a Tourist Information Counter at the NMPT Lounge, which was inaugurated by DC Sasikanth Senthil at 8.30 am today (15 Nov).

Mangaluru: AIDA Cruises introduced the concept of modern club ships in the German market in 1996 and is still very successful with it until today. Instead of sticking to firm dining seating or dress codes, guests can unfold themselves on board the AIDA ships in a relaxed atmosphere. AIDA Cruises convinces with various buffets, good sports facilities and diverse entertainment. The passengers are predominately mixed, from mostly senior citizens (who are enjoying their retired life on the social security or pension they get), middle-age and young. AIDA Cruises is very popular with cruise newcomers. But even guests who have traveled with a AIDA ships once, returns enthusiastically. NMPT has seen many of AIDA ships, like AIDAbella, AIDAcara and others in the past, and today 15 November 2018 at 7.30 am AIDAvita docked at the NMPT berth.

The AIDAvita belongs to the first AIDA series and is identical in construction to the AIDAcara. It was put into service in 2002 and recently modernized in 2017. Cruise guests will find everything their heart desires on board. In addition to numerous entertainment options, such as a theater with varied shows, guests can enjoy sporting highlights, such as a golf simulator and a volleyball court. For relaxation there are plenty of oases, such as various saunas or massages. The AIDAvita has something to offer for everyone. With a length of 202.85 meters the ship can accommodate up to 1266 passengers plus a few hundred of crew members.

Onboard you will find a theater with well-staged, changing shows that offers the right program for everyone. The variety ranges from the popular opening show “AIDA Stars”, over the “Pool Show Rhythm” with Latin American beats to impressive musical representations. In the disco of the AIDAvita, you can dance the night away under the spangled sky. The large fitness area for sports enthusiasts, which is open around the clock, leaves nothing to be desired. In addition to state-of-the-art cardio and weight training equipment, various workshops and courses are also offered. Of course you will also find a large outdoor area for jogging, ball sports and courses. The relaxing spa offers massages and other treatments, attractive saunas (some with sea views) and a relaxation area where you can recharge your batteries.

Also on shore excursions sports activities are offered. For example mountain bike excursions, and 39 passengers took bicycle ride across the City of Mangaluru, wading through the chaotic traffic of Smart City. The AIDAvita implements the concept of modern club ships in a successful way. If you value a relaxed atmosphere and a variety of entertainment during your holiday, then you will feel well on board the AIDAvita. The ever-growing circle of AIDA fans proves this impressively.

Out of the 1182 passengers, 712 took a sight-seeing tour of Mangaluru/Dakshina Kannada/Moodabidri in 18 air-conditioned buses, 72 Auto-Rickshaws, and 15 Cars, while a bunch of them cycled through the Coastal city in 39 bicycles. All these passengers were welcomed by Globe Travels at the Port, which takes pride, having introduced New Mangalore Port to the world of cruise in 1970, and ever since then, the movement of cruises at New Mangalore Port, has increased by 400%. Today New Mangalore Port is having more than 50 cruise ships visiting between October –April every year, and for that matter Globe Travels is one of the Premier and a leading tour operator of Mangaluru city, having handled quite a number of cruise ships during all these years. And today, this German built cruise ship “AIDAvita” arriving and docked at New Mangalore Port, with 1182 foreigners of mixed nationals, mostly Germans along Swiss and Austrians.

Globe Travels took proud in being the ground handling agents, with 27 team members/tour guides, including seven staff from the Globe Travel office. While most of the passengers opted to take bus trip to Famous and historically important places like St. Aloysius Chapel, Kadri Manjunatha Temple, Gokarnanatha Temple, Artisan Village, local market- a few others took bus trips to Udupi Sri Krishna Temple, Thousand Pillar Temple, Dr. Soans Farm-Moodbidri, Bahubali Temple, Karkala etc. Apart from this option, a bunch of these foreigners hopped into 72 auto-rickshaws operated by our very own Auto Rajas and enjoyed the “Auto Tuk Tuk” ride across the city, with lunch being served at Hotel Taj Gateway-Mangaluru.

Also speaking to Team Mangalorean, William D’souza, the Managing Director of Globe Travels said, ” We feel proud to say that we introduced the arrival of cruise ships to Mangaluru Port decades ago. This season we will be handling approximately 40 plus ships between November 2018 to April 2019, with nearly 50,000 plus passengers on these cruise ships taking local tours. We are proud of our achievements and our staff and guides always do a great job in taking care of all these visitors to their sheer satisfaction. We are looking forward for a better season and will do our best to provide these visitors the best hospitality and courteousness while they are here in Mangaluru. We have received good compliments and star ratings so far from the cruise ship passengers, and we feel proud of our service that we provide very courteously”.

Speaking to Team Mangalorean, AIDAvita Senior Tour Manager said, “On 7 Nov AIDAvita we departed from Dubai, Port Rashid, UAE; on 09 Nov 08:00 – 17:00 reached Sir Bani Yas Island, UAE; on 11 Nov 07:00 – 19:30 reached Muscat, Oman; 14 Nov 09:00 – 19:00 Margao, Goa; on 15 Nov 08:00 – 18:00 we are here in Mangaluru; on 16 Nov 09:00 – 20:00 we will reach Cochin/Kochi; on 18 Nov 08:00 – 19 Nov 13:00 Male, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives; 23 Nov 08:00 – 16:00 Pulau Langkawi Island, Malaysia; 24 Nov 08:00 – 19:30 Klang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 25 Nov 06:00 – 18:00 Malacca, Malaysia; and on 27 Nov we will reach Singapore, after completing 20 days, one-way voyage from Dubai to Singapore. While few of the passengers will return to their respective hometowns, but bunch of them will spend time in the Maldives and other Asian regions. Apart from most of the passengers being Germans, there are also Swiss and Austrian nationalities. Everyone had a good time in India so far at the places where we had been. The William D’souza and his team of Globe Travels have been friendly and courteous, and we appreciate their kind hospitality and gesture at the Port here”

The 42,289-ton, 1,266-passenger cruise ship AIDAvita was designed as “club ship”, ultra-casual like all vessels in AIDA Cruises fleet. Besides the ship’s staff and crew, AIDA cruise passengers are also served by Peper robots – latest cyborg technology implemented fleet wide in 2016. These humanoid robots greet and guide passengers upon embarkation. They also assist them throughout the cruise by providing information and tips on onboard dining, entertainment, enrichment program (workshops, pre-scheduled events), casino and shopping promotions, shore excursions and tours. Pepper robots are mobile and communicate in three languages (English, German, Italian). They can also interpret human emotions by analyzing voice tones and face expressions.

While the foreigners who took the bus trip to Moodbidri and other places around had their lunch break at Soans Farms in Moodabidri, with catering provided by M D’souza Caterers where the Germans had to take a break from sausages, Bratwurst, Ham, and German delicacies like Sauerbraten, Spätzle, Leberkäse, Maultaschen, Currywurst, Königsberger Klopse etc- instead had to enjoy the Kudla delicacies like- Sanna, Apam, Sevio, Banana Sukha, Chicken Sukha, Anjal (Sear) fish fry, Lamb Curry, Sweet Pulav, Gherkins Cashew, etc- and for desserts they were all treated with Payasam and Gulab Jamun. And those who took the Auto Tuk Tuk trip had a sumptuous buffet lunch arrange at Hotel Taj Gateway- where the hotel management crew Peter Nirmal and General Manager, F & B Manager Noor Mohammed provided good hospitality along with other hotel staff.

On the occasion, Karnataka Tourism also opened a Tourist Information Counter at the Port Lounge, which was inaugurated by DC Sasikanth Senthil at 8.30 am. In conclusion, William D’souza, his staff members and the tour guides did an extraordinary job in providing exemplary service and hospitality to these foreigners during their visit to Mangaluru. Keep up the good work that you all are entrusted with-Great Job, keep it up! Three Prost! (cheers!)

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