Cruise dining gets a fillip in DK

Mangaluru: Abbakka Queen Cruise (AQC), which can accommodate 250 people at a time, is the biggest among three such cruises operating in Mangaluru. The cruise was started a month ago by Sweekrath B P, Laxman Kunder and Charan. According to the trio, they started this unique venture only to give a fillip to cruise tourism, which has not seen any development over the year, even though there is demand and a conducive atmosphere.
The two other cruises are both named Cruise and Dine, each of which accommodates about 100 guests. All three cruises operate from Old Port in Mangaluru.
“Most of the time, to get an experience of cruise dining, Mangalureans have to travel to Kerala, Goa or other places. We failed to cash in on similar opportunities available in this region. So we came together and started this venture,” says Sweekrath, adding that cruise dining is an altogether different experience for guests.
Laxman explained that the cruise boats sail on the Nethravathi River, which is close to the Arabian Sea, every Saturday and Sunday, and also on other days, depending on the bookings. It specially serves authentic coastal delicacies, especially fish items, on board.
“On Saturdays and Sundays, we sail on the Nethravati River, which starts at 8pm, and return to shore around 11pm. We also sail on other days, in the day or night, depending on bookings. One can celebrate any event on the cruise like birthdays, bachelor parties, company events, group outings and family get-togethers,” says Laxman.
One of the cruises, which was called as floating restaurant, capsized during the monsoon, a few years ago. The cruise dining concept commenced in 2011, and was operating without any competitor till 2019. The Captain Cook, which could accommodate 40 guests, was started a few years ago, but was discontinued.
Laxman said that so far the demand is good, and the cruise boats get packed on weekends.
Swarna Sunder, a hotelier, reacting to the increasing number of cruise boats with dining facilities, said that he has been pushing for the same to boost tourism in coastal Karnataka from the past two decades.
“As a member of the Dakshina Kannada Hotels and Restaurants’ Association and Tourism Advice Committee, I had always suggested for such inclusion to bolster tourism. However, it was never considered. Suggestions were restricted to meetings only, and never materialised. Currently they are getting wings and it’s a good sign,” he said.