Mangaluru (PTI): The sixth cruise vessel of the current season, ‘Silver Lines,’ called at New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) and docked at 8 am on Tuesday, port authorities said.

The vessel, carrying 497 passengers and 411 crew members berthed alongside berth No.4, NMPA release here said.

The overall length of the ship is 210.70 metre with a carrying capacity of 39,444 gross tonnage and having a draft of 6.60 metre. The vessel’s last port of call was Cochin Port and after leaving Mangaluru it will sail to Mormugao port.

The passengers were given a warm welcome by playing traditional drums (chende). Arrangements were put in place for the pleasant experience of the cruise passengers including medical screening of passengers, multiple immigrations and customs counters for swift movement.

A total of 25 coaches of bus including two shuttle buses were arranged for passengers visiting local market and shops in and around Mangaluru.

The cruise passengers also availed benefits of meditation centre set up by the department of AYUSH inside the cruise lounge. Cloth and handicraft outlets were also kept open for the tourists.

The passengers visited various tourist destinations including Achal cashew factory, Kudroli Gokarnatheshwara temple, Kadri Majunatheshwara temple, St Aloysius Chapel, local market, Pilikula artisan village, Thousand Pillars Basadi and the Soans Farm.

Souvenirs were given away to the cruise passengers while they were embarking back to their ship. The ship sailed at 6 pm to its next destination at Mormugao Port in Goa, the release said.