First Cruise Ship "Westerdam" of the Year Arrives at Sokcho Port... Opening the Door to a Global Tourism Era

by Lee jonggu

Published 18 Apr.2026 17:17(KST)

Westerdam, an 82,000-ton Cruise Ship, Docks at Sokcho Port
Over 2,000 Foreign Tourists Visit
Sokcho City Hosts Grand Welcome Events Including Military Band Performances

The majestic sound of a cruise ship horn echoed across Sokcho Port in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province as the first cruise ship of the year arrived. On April 18, Sokcho City announced that the large premium cruise ship "Westerdam," with a tonnage of 82,000 tons, had successfully docked at the Sokcho Port International Cruise Terminal, carrying about 2,000 foreign tourists.

The 82,000-ton large premium cruise ship Westerdam, the first cruise of the year, is docking at Sokcho Port in Gangwon on the 18th, carrying about 2,000 foreign tourists. Provided by Sokcho City

The 82,000-ton large premium cruise ship Westerdam, the first cruise of the year, is docking at Sokcho Port in Gangwon on the 18th, carrying about 2,000 foreign tourists. Provided by Sokcho City

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The Westerdam, operated by Holland America Line in the United States, is a large vessel measuring 285 meters in length and has been a regular visitor to Sokcho since 2023. This latest visit came via Hakata and Fukuoka in Japan, and after touring major tourist attractions in Sokcho, the passengers are scheduled to depart for their next port of call, Kanazawa, Japan, on the same evening.


Sokcho City, in cooperation with Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, the Gangwon Tourism Organization, and other related agencies, organized a variety of welcoming events for the arriving passengers.

The 82,000-ton large premium cruise ship Westerdam, the first cruise of the year, is arriving at Sokcho Port in Gangwon on the 18th, carrying about 2,000 foreign tourists. Provided by Sokcho City

The 82,000-ton large premium cruise ship Westerdam, the first cruise of the year, is arriving at Sokcho Port in Gangwon on the 18th, carrying about 2,000 foreign tourists. Provided by Sokcho City

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Following the arrival of the Westerdam (82,862 tons) on this day, Costa Serena (114,261 tons) is scheduled to arrive on May 12, The World (43,188 tons) on September 17, another visit by the Westerdam on October 17, and Seabourn Encore (41,865 tons) on both October 19 and 25.


With the arrival of the Westerdam marking the official start of this year's cruise season, Sokcho City expressed anticipation for a revitalization of the local economy. In particular, with a recent surge in inquiries from global cruise lines based in China, Japan, and Russia, Sokcho Port's international standing is set to grow even further.


A Sokcho City official stated, "By providing world-class tourism services and active marketing with differentiated tourism content, we aim to establish Sokcho as a leading cruise hub in the East Sea region and deliver the best possible visitor experience to tourists from around the world."

The 82,000-ton large premium cruise ship Westerdam, the first cruise of the year, is entering Sokcho Port in Gangwon on the 18th with about 2,000 foreign tourists onboard. Provided by Sokcho City

The 82,000-ton large premium cruise ship Westerdam, the first cruise of the year, is entering Sokcho Port in Gangwon on the 18th with about 2,000 foreign tourists onboard. Provided by Sokcho City

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The 82,000-ton large premium cruise ship Westerdam, the first cruise of the year, is arriving at Sokcho Port in Gangwon on the 18th, carrying about 2,000 foreign tourists. Provided by Sokcho City

The 82,000-ton large premium cruise ship Westerdam, the first cruise of the year, is arriving at Sokcho Port in Gangwon on the 18th, carrying about 2,000 foreign tourists. Provided by Sokcho City

원본보기 아이콘
The 82,000-ton large premium cruise ship Westerdam, the first cruise of the year, is entering Sokcho Port in Gangwon on the 18th, carrying about 2,000 foreign tourists. Provided by Sokcho City

The 82,000-ton large premium cruise ship Westerdam, the first cruise of the year, is entering Sokcho Port in Gangwon on the 18th, carrying about 2,000 foreign tourists. Provided by Sokcho City

원본보기 아이콘
The 82,000-ton large premium cruise ship Westerdam, the first cruise of the year, is docking at Sokcho Port in Gangwon on the 18th with about 2,000 foreign tourists on board. Provided by Sokcho City

The 82,000-ton large premium cruise ship Westerdam, the first cruise of the year, is docking at Sokcho Port in Gangwon on the 18th with about 2,000 foreign tourists on board. Provided by Sokcho City

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