By
Rebecca Gibson |
Five cruise ships visited Valletta Cruise Port in Malta on 23 September as the port helped German investment company Deutsche Vermögensberatung (DVAG) mark its 40th anniversary.
AIDA Cruises’ AIDAaura, AIDAblu, AIDAdiva and AIDAvita berthed alongside Pinto Quays, bringing a total of 7,000 guests. The four ships were greeted with a full gun salute from the saluting battery at the Barrakka Gardens and a water display by tug boats.
Billed as one of the largest private events ever to be held in Malta, the anniversary celebrations were planned three years in advance and involved around 900 workers.
Several stakeholders organised the event including local destination management company On Site Malta, Valletta Cruise Port, Valletta Waterfront and local authorities.
“On Site Malta has done it, once again,” said Paul Selis, director of On Site Malta. “After three years of meticulous preparation by my dedicated team in close collaboration with local and overseas suppliers, we delivered not only the largest ever private event held in Malta, but also the most complex one. We thank DVAG for giving us and Malta this opportunity to showcase our know-how and capabilities.”
The celebrations included a light and pyrotechnic show on Valletta Waterfront, and musical performances on at stage over Laguna Marina from artists such as Gloria Gaynor, Kim Wilde, Sarah Connor, Captain Jack and David Garrett.
“We are proud to have hosted this event which puts our magnificent port, facilities and the Maltese Islands in the limelight,” said Stephen Xuereb, CEO, Valletta Cruise Port. “This event follows a similar event organised by DVAG some ten years ago in the same location. It reaffirms Valletta Waterfront as a prime destination for large-scale events. We hope that we will have the opportunity to welcome similar events in the future. Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the personnel at Valletta Cruise Port, who once again punched above their weight to make this event a successful one.”
Earlier this week, Valletta Cruise Port celebrated as His Royal Highness Prince William crossed Valletta’s Grand Harbour on a traditional Maltese boat, passing beneath Cunard’s Queen Victoria.