On the 7th of December 2023, the prestigious luxury cruise ship M.V. Marella Discovery 2, operated by Marella Cruises, will mark its maiden call at the Port of Colombo. The vessel, boasting 1,800 passengers and 755 crew members, is scheduled to depart on the 8th of December. Aitken Spence Shipping serves as the local agent, facilitating the cruise liner’s activities, while Aitken Spence Travels acts as the shore excursion provider, offering excursion services in Colombo and Hambantota.
During its stay in Sri Lanka, Marella Discovery 2 will conduct a turn-around at Colombo, involving the disembarkation of 900 passengers and the embarkation of an additional 900 passengers. Marella Cruises has chartered three flights to facilitate this turn-around operation in Colombo.
Marella Discovery 2, one of the largest ships in the Marella Cruises fleet, offers an array of amenities, including an outdoor cinema, a rock-climbing wall, a mini-golf course, a five-story atrium, a fully equipped fitness center, and two pools – one indoor and one outdoor. With 918 cabins spread across 11 decks, the luxury liner has a capacity to accommodate 2,000 passengers, complemented by a crew of 750-770.
The vessel, sailing under the flag of the Bahamas, will arrive in Colombo from Mormugao, India, with its subsequent port of call being Georgetown, Malaysia. The visit marks a significant event in the maritime and tourism landscape, further enhancing the appeal of the Port of Colombo as a sought-after destination for luxury cruise liners.
