The cruise ship Viking Venus docked at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port in Preah Sihanouk province this morning, bringing 808 international tourists from 20 nations to Cambodia for a two-day visit. This arrival, marking the first major cruise ship call of the upcoming 2026 dry season, signals a promising and significant start to Cambodia’s tourism high season.
The Norwegian-flagged vessel, measuring 288.3 meters in length, arrived in Sihanoukville at 7:00 AM, having sailed from a Vietnamese port. Immigration officials confirmed the ship carried 808 passengers (423 women) and 463 crew members (110 women) representing 40 nationalities.
The passenger manifest showed a strong North American presence, with the United States (671 passengers) and Canada (58 passengers) accounting for the overwhelming majority of tourists.
Multi-Destination Appeal Highlighted
The visit underscored Cambodia’s role in multi-destination regional tourism:
- Inland Connection: One passenger disembarked to travel inland for a visit to Angkor Wat in Siem Reap province.
- Outbound Flow: Conversely, 23 inbound tourists who had completed their visit to Siem Reap boarded the Viking Venus in Sihanoukville to continue their cruise journey.
The main group of visitors was provided with organized bus tours to explore the cultural, commercial, and coastal attractions of Preah Sihanouk province.
The Sihanoukville provincial administration extended a warm welcome to the tourists, and local authorities ensured that all security and safety measures were fully implemented, guaranteeing a smooth and hospitable experience before the ship’s scheduled departure for Thailand at 2:00 PM on October 31.