The pickup point for cruise ships is by the main port gate 1A. The pickup point specified by the tour operator shows it as being right by the cruise terminal and it is a substantial walk along dangerous roads to get from the ship to the port main gate. The tour is specified as being 4 to 5 hours long, however this tour only lasted 2.5 hours and we did not go into the National Museum ( as advertised), but drove straight past it instead. Cruise passengers should note that you need to get any shuttle buses back to the ship from the City centre and not from the port main gate as they are not allowed to pick up from there.
Dear Sir/Madam, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We truly appreciate your comments and would like to clarify a few important details regarding your tour experience. Prior to your arrival, we were in contact with you, and the pickup was carried out smoothly as arranged. Your cruise was originally scheduled to disembark at 8:00 AM; however, the final disembarkation took place around 11:00 AM. Due to this delay, port authorities did not permit tour operators to enter the port area, as shuttle buses had already been arranged to transport passengers to the main exit. For this reason, we coordinated your pickup outside Gate 1A, which is the standard meeting point used by most tour companies. Our representative was waiting there with a name board, making the meeting point easy to locate. There was no need to walk along any internal port roads, as the shuttle service safely transported passengers directly to the gate. We would also like to confirm that no mistakes occurred during the tour itself. All arrangements, transportation, and guiding services were provided as planned, and there were no issues during the sightseeing. Regarding the National Museum visit, we sincerely apologize for any disappointment. On the day of your tour, it was a public holiday and the museum was officially closed, which unfortunately made an interior visit impossible. Nevertheless, all other locations mentioned in the itinerary were completed. As for the tour duration, it concluded in approximately 2.5 hours due to unusually light traffic conditions on the holiday. On normal days, Colombo traffic typically extends the tour to the advertised 4–5 hours. The shorter duration was solely due to the lack of congestion on the roads, not because any planned stops (aside from the museum closure) were omitted. Our goal is always to provide a smooth, safe, and enjoyable experience for every guest, and we regret any misunderstanding that may have occurred. If you feel your concerns have now been clarified, we would be very grateful if you would consider updating or revising your review, as guest feedback is extremely important to us.
