Sihanoukville: The cruise ship Viking Venus docked at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port in Preah Sihanouk province this morning, bringing 808 international tourists from 20 different nations to the Kingdom of Cambodia for a two-day visit. This arrival, the first major cruise call for the upcoming 2026 dry season, marks a significant and promising start to Cambodia’s tourism high season.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Norwegian-flagged vessel, measuring 288.3 metres in length, arrived in Sihanoukville at 7:00 AM after sailing from a Vietnamese port. Immigration officials confirmed the ship carried 808 passengers (423 women) and a crew of 463 members (110 women) representing 40 nationalities.

The overwhelming majority of tourists were from the United States (671 passengers) and Canada (58 passengers). While the entire group is scheduled to depart for Thailand at 2:00 PM on Oct. 31, the visit also highlighted Cambodia’s multi-destination appeal: One passenger disembarked to travel inland for a visit to Angkor Wat in Siem Reap province. Conversely, 23 inbound tourists who had completed their visit to Siem Reap boarded the Viking Venus in Sihanoukville to continue their cruise.

The visitors were provided with organised bus tours to explore the attractions of Preah Sihanouk province. The itinerary included a mix of cultural, commercial, and coastal sites. The Sihanoukville provincial administration extended a warm welcome to the tourists upon arrival. Local authorities and competent forces ensured security and safety measures were fully implemented, guaranteeing a smooth and hospitable experience for the international visitors.