Mangalore: Now, Cruise as You Dine on this Unique Restaurant
 
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Apr 30: It is a dream come true for all those want to experience a dinner date even as they float on serene waters. A floating restaurant named ‘Cruise and Dine’ started operations on Sunday April 29 from Bunder. It is the first such restaurant in the whole of Karnataka.
 
The double decker cruise boat will have the dining-on-the-water experience where a variety of local vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies are served to titillate the taste buds of visitors. It is almost a three and a half hour sailing experience along the humming Phalguni River. As per the partners of this unique venture, this restaurant is ideal for family get-togethers, birthday parties, corporate meetings, and kitty parties. Sea food like fish, prawns, squid, oysters, and crab are made available depending on the season.

On the top floor, ‘Kudru’ restaurant lets the voyager enjoy a soft sea breeze, and it has been furnished to cater to 125 persons.
 
‘H2O’, the air-conditioned hall, which is the lower deck has a rustic look with a dais and green room and is fitted with the best audio and video system. There are separate toilets for gents and ladies.
 
The DJ music provides awesome entertainment and a dance floor is also provided.
 
This ‘dhow’ (cruise) made of teak wood purchased from Dubai where it was floating earlier, and it has floated on Maldives’ waters. This vessel has the capacity to accommodate 250 tons, but if 250 persons are taken on a cruise it is only 10 percent of its total capacity. Further, there are life jackets and fire extinguishers placed on this vessel, keeping in mind security concerns.
 
After the formal inaugural programme held at the A/C hall (lower deck), the national anthem was sung and the first floating restaurant sailed in the water for about one hour. Young girls and boys danced to the music on the dance floor situated on the lower deck while others opted to sit on the top deck to feel the cool breeze.
 
Speaking to Daijiworld, J P Rao, one of the six partners, (other partners Soniya Bangera, Yogish Karkera, Dinesh Bekal, Philip J Periera, and JK Rao), said that they expect good prospects for this venture as tourism in the region has good potential. Also, this can be used by corporates for holding meetings. He added that already the vessel has been booked for a wedding.
 
However, there were demands for a separate jetty to anchor this boat by the organizers of this cruise, for which MLA Krishna J Palemar said that arrangement can be made at the new jetty. Also, removal of sand (dredging) was another demand of the owners of this boat.
 
Deputy speaker N Yogish Bhat, present during the inaugural ceremony, said that this was a feather in the cap as the tourism sector has greater potential in the coastal region.
 
There will be two trips from Bunder (old port) with the first trip taking off at 11.30 am, returning at 3 pm, and second trip taking-off at 7.30 pm and 11 pm. As an inaugural offer, Rs 250 is being charged per head and Rs 100 for children below six years.