Topic: Fancy a cruise on Mangyongbong? The ultimate 'no frills' at sea

North Korea launched itself into the cruise industry yesterday with the inaugral celebrations of its first cruise ship - Mangyongbong.



Ok, so it's not the kind of cruising we're all used to - but I guess everyone's got to start somewhere?



The former cargo ship set sail carrying about 130 passengers from the rundown port of Rajin, near the China-Russia border.

Hundreds of locals waved off the ship in a choreographed performance on the pot-holed dock. They waved North Koreans flags and flowers, whilst carnival music blared from two minivans with speakers on their roofs.



Vice mayor Hwang Chol-nam of Rason City, gave a speech lauding the venture as part of the region’s push to attract tourism.

Hwang hailed his city’s rule which allows any nationality to visit the area visa-free. They must, however, arrange the trip through a designated tour companies. Mobile phones must be left behind in China.

'Any country, people from America, Japanese, Singaporean can come to Rason, that’s the reality today, and that’s the same for the Kumgang special economic zone,' he said.

'If any foreign companies have an interest in conducting tours they just need to contact our companies.'



The 9,700 tonne vessel then departed for a 21-hour trial voyage to the Mount Kumgang resort near the South Korean border.

Some passengers slept on bunkbeds while others were assigned mattresses on the floor. Simple meals were served cafeteria-style on metal trays.



Officials have promised a 'more luxurious' ship capable of carrying up to 900 passengers, perhaps next year. The goal is to bring as many as 4,000 visitors a day from Rason to Mount Kumgang during the peak summer season, up from some 500 per week now.



North Korea remains far off the beaten track for tourists - especially those from the U.S. and South Korea, whose nations fought against North Korea and China during the 1950-53 Korean War.

It remains to be seen how many Chinese tourists will be interested in the new tours. With incomes rising, Chinese are traveling abroad in rising numbers, thronging tour groups to Europe, Thailand, Japan and South Korea, with a small but growing number also making the short trip to nearby North Korea.

But Wang Zhijun, a Chinese hotel manager from Jilin province who joined the trip free of charge, said it won’t be hard to sell the cruise to tourists in his region, which has a large ethnic Korean population and lacks coastline of its own.

Source: Daily Mail

Interesting, think I'll pass on this one!

Didn't think it was that easy to get into PRK even for the Chinese!

Wot no link to a competition for a free cruise?

QUOTE:

Wot no link to a competition for a free cruise?

Well nothing surer, this is one that I would most definitely win!

For those who complain that on American ships there aren't enough 'greens' in the diet - this is the one for you!!

Jenny

No thanks, noy just yet!.................CG

Is this a joke as it looks like one!!?? If it was April 1st I'd think it was somebody playing an april fools trick!

Jennie

QUOTE:

Is this a joke as it looks like one!!?? If it was April 1st I'd think it was somebody playing an april fools trick!

Jennie

It does come over rather Spike Milligan doesn't it!

Seems to be pukka though.

For sure, not checked visa requirements though additional travel costs on scheduled flights (alas no Easyjet/Ryanair/Jet2 to North Korea) money would be best spent to secure a top grade (stateroom) for a mini cruise on your favourite cruise line.