Foreign Cruise Liner Costa Allegra visits Port Blair

Port Blair, May 20 (UNI) The cruise ship Costa Allegra, on a brief tour of Andaman and Nicoaer Islands, arrived here from Colombo last evening.

The massive cruise liner with 758 passengers and 400 crew members docked at Port Blair's Haddo Wharf.

The passengers from different countries visited places of tourist interest and historical importance like Corbyn's Cove, National Memorial Cellular Jail. the bewitching beauty and bounties of nature of the islands Amazed them. ''For me it is a dream come true to travel in the luxury liner in all its glory. The visit to these islands will remain etched in my memories,'' said Mr Simon, a young Romanian passenger.

Mr Keki M. Master, Vice President, S M Baxi&Co., Shipping Support Services, the man behind making the cruise liner halt at Port Blair, said, ''the A&N islands have tremendous tourism potential and if foreign cruise liners make these a permanent destination, the islands will be immensely benefitted. Apart from boosting tourism it will bring economic prosperity to the islanders.'' Mr Pepito Alvarez, Spanish showman, who will perform magic and juggling, boarded the cruise ship from here. He arrived here by Jet Airlines aircraft this morning to board the cruise ship. He has earned the distinction of being the first man, boarding any cruise ship from Port Blair.

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