Westerdam and Costa neoRomantica make historical double call to Vladivostok

Westerdam on a maiden call and Costa neoRomantica, both visited on Monday.

Passengers and crew from each ship were greeted with traditional welcome ceremonies, organized by Vladivostok Sea Terminal with the support of local tour operators and ship agents.

More than 3,000 cruise visitors

Drummers, singers and dancer from the Far Eastern State Technical Fisheries University presented a performance for more than 3,000 cruise guests aboard Westerdam and Costa neoRomantica.

Commenting on the welcome reception, Jacqueline Kembal from Ontario a passenger on the Holland America Line ship said, ‘It is very nice when you see such a real show at the port. This is unique. And immediately shows the hospitality of the city. The beautiful costumes, great dancing, music and you immediately immerse yourself in the culture. Believe me, tourists really appreciate this kind attention.’

Passengers were handed free city maps, guidebooks and information by the Primorsky Region Tourist Information Centre.

During organized shore excursions in Vladivostok, cruise passengers visited traditional tourist attractions such as Central Square, the Embankment, Orthodox churches, museums, a train ride on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Some tourists were hosted by Russian families in their homes.

To enable the port to handle two cruise ships at the same time on the 650mtr long berth, a significant amount of infrastructural work has been completed including both technical and logitcial measures, and changes in the regulatory framework governing accommodating and clearance of foreign ships in the seaport of Vladivostok.

Largest ships to visit Vladivostock

During the 2019 cruise season Vladivostock is set to welcome Spectrum of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas on maiden calls in September, becoming the largest cruise ships ever to visit Vladivostok but also a Russian port.

Another milestone this year will see locally sourced passengers able to buy a cruise ticket and sail directly from Vladivostock when Costa neoRomantica undertakes a partial turnaround on May 30 during a cruise to Korean and Japanese ports.

On September 9, 2019 Russian passengers will be able to join Spectrum of the Seas from Vladivostok to Shanghai with stops in Maizuru (Kyoto) and Fukuoka.