MS. Costa Neo Classica makes second port of call to Sri Lanka

MS. Costa Neo Classica, the 722 feet beauty with a crew of 610, called to port on 5 December and returned around at 5 p.m. on the same day to India. She had 1,200 passengers on board and 600 passengers joined for excursions in Sri Lanka. The itinerary included a visit to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, a visit to Kelaniya Temple and Tea Estate on Akuressa, which ended up with a Colombo City Tour. This gigantic vessel will sail for seven nights starting from Maldives, via Sri Lanka, Goa, Mumbai and Maldives. 

The vessel belongs to Costa Crociere, and the local excursion agent for this cruise liner was Exotic Holiday International, which takes a major effort to bring cruise liners as these to develop cruise tourism which brings a major income to the country’s economy from high spending tourists. With regard to food and dining, the passenger ship has two main restaurants, and seven bars and cafes. In health and fitness, there are two swimming pools, four jacuzzis, jogging track, spa with Turkish bath, beauty salon and a fitness centre. It includes entertainment facilities such as a shopping centre, photo gallery and other essentials such as a meeting room and a medical centre. 

This cruise comes to Sri Lanka in every two weeks in this season combining Maldives, Sri Lanka and different ports in India and heading back to Maldives getting tourists from Maldives and majority of tourists on board this time were Italian nationals. This signifies a great impact on cruise tourism sector, since it is becoming a highly developing segment of tourism. Continuous arrival of these passenger vessels will enable more industry stake holders and long term foreign investments to take place in the country which will enhance the country’s economic growth as well. 

Furthermore, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau has taken measures to entertain visitors who arrive in Sri Lanka via passenger cruises with cultural performances on each visit, to showcase a glimpse of Sri Lankan tradition and culture.