By Tupou Vaiplulu Jr

The last cruise ship for the Port of Nuku'alofa for 2023, the SV AIDAsol docked at Vuna Wharf, at 8:00am this morning, after departing Rarotonga, Cook Islands.

The Nuku’alofa CBD was flooded with tourists, filling up cafes and restaurants, while some tourists went out to walk the coastline pathway from Kolomotu’a to Sopu.

With about 10-12 hours to in port, the passengers ventured out to different places in in the CBD to taste Tongan food and to experience the culture.

The vessel carries a about 2,381 people, 629 crew and 1,752 cruisers, mostly German nationals. The ship was scheduled to depart Nuku’alofa for Suva, Fiji, at approximately 8:00pm today.

The SV AIDAsol was built in the Meyer Shipyard in Germany and has been sailing around the world since 2011. The vessal has three “sister ships”, the AIDAblu, AIDAmar and AIDAstella, it offers its guests plenty of space for sports, wellness and culinary delights.

Out and about on Tongatapu, a family of three, the Buehls, said that they got to see the Blowholes at Houma and other scenic locations, and went to a traditional dance performance at a resort.

“It was beautiful and up next is we want to taste some of the Tongan traditional food,” said Mr Buehl.