First Foreign cruise vessel Bahamas Seven Seas Navigator called on the New Mangalore Port on Friday

A "Seven Seas Navigator" cruise ship carrying 500 passengers and 350 staff members was waved off by Bahama on Friday morning as it arrived at the New Mangalore Port. During the 2023–24 cruise season, when ten cruise ships are expected to arrive at the port, this is the first foreign vessel to stop at the port.

A traditional welcome complete with chenda and Yakshagana performance was extended to the ship guests. A selfie stand featuring Yakshagana drew a large number of visitors. Chairman of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA), A.V. Ramana, welcomed the guests and gave Captain Abhijeet Singh of the cruise ship a souvenir.

Medical screening was arranged by the NMPA. There were several immigration and customs counters set up to facilitate quick guest transit. There were buses and taxis available to transport guests across Mangaluru and its environs.

The Head Post Office at Pandeshwar's Philately Bureau was one of the locations that the travellers visited. At the Philately Bureau, five Americans, two Australians, and two Spanish nationals bought photo postcards to be sent to their home addresses. 

The passengers also visited the Gokarnanatha Temple, the Achal Cashew Factory, and the former St. Aloysius Chapel in Mangaluru. They also went to the Soans farm and the 1000 Pillar Temple in Moodbidri, as well as the Gomateshwara monument in Karkala.

The ship sailed at six o'clock in the evening, and Cochin Port is its next stop, according to an NMPA press statement.