GEORGE TOWN: Penang Port celebrated a significant milestone on Sunday (Feb 8) with the arrival of AIDAdiva at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT), here marking the first-ever maiden call by a German luxury cruise ship to Penang.
Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said the Sphinx-class vessel berthed with approximately 2,000 passengers and 650 crew members, many of whom disembarked to explore George Town, providing a timely boost to Penang’s tourism economy and local businesses.
Yeoh, who is also Tourism Malaysia deputy chairman, said to commemorate the inaugural visit, the PPC organised a special Malaysian cultural dance performance at the terminal to welcome guests ashore.
"The warm reception highlighted Penang’s renowned hospitality and underscored the strong collaboration between port authorities and tourism stakeholders in showcasing the island’s living heritage to international visitors.
"Built by Meyer Werft in Germany, AIDAdiva is well known for its distinctive ‘kiss-lips’ hull design and its youthful, relaxed German cruising concept,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
Yeoh said the cruise features signature attractions such as the Theatrium theatre and a variety of cocktail venues, and although typically deployed in European and Caribbean waters, AIDAdiva’s maiden call to Penang represents a valuable addition to the island’s growing cruise calendar.
He added that AIDA Cruises, one of Germany’s leading cruise brands, is also recognised for integrating cycling tours into its shore excursion programmes, offering guided bicycle experiences that allow guests to explore destinations more intimately.
"In support of this initiative, the PPC invited the cruise line’s cycling tour planning team to conduct a bicycle-based site inspection, following a route from Swettenham Pier through the Esplanade and past key heritage landmarks including City Hall, the High Court and Harmony Street,” he said.
Yeoh said the PPC looks forward to working closely with Tourism Malaysia to develop distinctive low-carbon itineraries that combine cruise calls with cycling experiences, further enhancing Penang’s position as a sustainable and attractive cruise destination in the region.- Bernama
