Largest cruise ship of Pakistan's history with 14 stories, 1400 rooms docks at Karachi

[ghazi52]

Largest cruise ship of Pakistan's history with 14 stories, 1400 rooms docks at Karachi


Web Desk
2 Dec, 2021

A 14-storey high-cruise Italian ship has arrived at Karachi’s Gadani Shipyard with no plans to return.

However, this ship would not be broken into pieces unlike other ships that arrived at this ship breaking yard in the past.

Celestyal Experience, formerly known as Costa Romantica, is a 1990s vintage ship built for Costa Cruises.

The 56,800 gross-ton cruise ship, launched in 1992, was built by an Italian shipbuilder. A Pakistani company, New Choice Enterprises, bought it for breaking but found it in a “good condition” later and decided to convert it into a hotel or cruise.

According to a report, the cruise ship underwent a significant modernisation and overhaul in 2011 as part of a life extension programme. The 14-storey ship has the following features: 1,411 rooms, a seven-star hotel, a shopping mall, a gaming zone, a swimming pool and three ballrooms.

The company says it had sought permission to anchor the cruise ship near Karachi Port Grand but the request was denied due to its massive size. The ship has now been anchored at Gadani Ship Breaking Yard.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1178301672577976

 

[ghazi52]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2023210137833639

 

[khansaheeb]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2023210137833639

They should dock it onto land by digging a channel and float the ship in and then drain the water and have it sitting on huge supports and use it as a hotel.

 

[Maula Jatt]

They should dock it onto land by digging a chqx qx qxannel and float the ship in and then drain the water and have it sitting on huge supports and use it as a hotel.

Or just build a hotel..

 

[khansaheeb]

Or just build a hotel..

A concrete hotel just wouldn't have that same attraction and tourist value as a ship on land.

 

[Falconless]

A concrete hotel just wouldn't have that same attraction and tourist value as a ship on land.

Yeah but she will start falling apart real quick, see how much or a headache it is to keep Queen Mary maintained.

 

[Goritoes]

I am waiting for a Makrani Jack and Orangi ki kate posing on this cruise ship.

 

[flameboard]

Great opportunity to boost tourism out of Gwadar

 

[ghazi52]

Government will not allow for Hotel or anchorage, finally it was allow to dock at Gadani beach, the final destination. Ship graveyard.

 

[Azadkashmir]

if you're stripping it, i give 1000 rupees for the chandelier lighting and i give generous 100 rupees if you carry on your back.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[KAL-EL]

That thing looks like it's the size of an Interstellar Starship

 

[ghazi52]

December 03, 2021

The magnificent cruise ship consists of 14 floors with 1,411 rooms furnished with luxuries and amenities. PHOTO: EXPRESS

KARACHI: One of the largest cruise liners in the history of ports and shipping in Pakistan has reached the Gadani ship-breaking yard, opening up a possible avenue for tourism in the region.
The massive 14-floor cruise ship has been brought to Pakistan for dismantling due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the shipping sector. However, investors in the country’s shipping sector were considering using the “magnificent” cruise ship for tourism and travel purposes.

Ahmadullah Khan, the new owner of the ship from New Choice Enterprises said that they wanted to use the cruise ship for tourism purposes and the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) chairman has assured them of all possible cooperation in this regard.

However, after talking to KPT officials, it was learnt that there was no place in Karachi where this cruise ship can be parked and it had been brought to the port city for dismantling through a private bank.

Khan said that a circular was issued for commercial import in 2018, stating that all ships or ferries that would be brought to Pakistan for commercial import were supported under the successful youth programme. "Corona[virus] affected the tourism and shipping industry, and the company sold the cruise to a ship-breaker," he added.

The magnificent cruise ship consists of 14 floors with 1,411 rooms furnished with luxuries and amenities. It was built in 1993 by an Italian company, and in November 2011, 90 million euros were spent on the renovation of the ship.

The cruise ship has a 7-star hotel, shopping malls, casinos, gaming zones and three large halls. However, the ship is no longer used for tourism.

Pakistani company New Choice Enterprises has bought the ship for dismantling. Upon arrival in the country, the ship was inspected, according to which, it is fit for the next 10 to 15 years.

In view of public interest, the request to anchor the ship at Karachi port was rejected due to its large size. According to shipping sector sources, the current value of a new cruise ship similar to this is Rs500 million. It is certified to operate as a cruise ship until 2023.

The cruise is 220-metre-long and has four diesel engines to propel it to a speed of 36 kilometres per hour.

Ahmadullah Khan said if given the opportunity, this ship could be a great place of entertainment for the citizens of Karachi, but in the end, it will have to be dismantled.

 

[Mohsin A]

Why not park it up at Gwadar and convert it into a makeshift hospital for a few years? Or at the very least, use it as a ferry service between Karachi & Gwadar? It's a good solid ship with plenty of life in it. Would be a waste to get it scrapped.

 

[Maula Jatt]

Why not park it up at Gwadar and convert it into a makeshift hospital for a few years? Or at the very least, use it as a ferry service between Karachi & Gwadar? It's a good solid ship with plenty of life in it. Would be a waste to get it scrapped.

It's not scrapping...