New Cruise Line for DPRK

Exciting news from Young Pioneer Tours:

The DPRK has announced that they will be restarting cruises from Rajin Port, to the Mt Kumgang resort on 3 night, 4 day cruises starting from April. Singaporean cruise ship called the Royale Star has a capacity for around 800 paying passengers, offering monthly trips from April until October.

We have been given the confirmed dates for this cruise, and most excitingly that we will be able to sell foreign places (non-Chinese) on these trips. We are still waiting to have prices confirmed on this, but are hoping to have this done within 48 hours.

Apr 29-May 3, May 30-June 3, June 28-July 2, July 29-Aug 2, Aug 29-Sep 2, Sep 30-Oct 4, Oct 14-18

As a Master Mariner I have vowed never to take a cruise. Seven months a year on the ocean for my professional job is usually enough for me, but for a North Korea Rason cruise I will make an exception!

With this breaking news I’m already in touch with the office and developing a tour for May 30-June 3 (I guess Mongolia will have to wait until next year).

Get in touch with me if interested, plenty of time to customize the trip for a few days exploring the Rason region before sailing the North Korean waters with me, your very own maritime expert.

North Korea watchers will remember that this isn’t the first attempt North Korea made at launching a cruise route.   Below are pictures of the Mangyongbong cruise ship. Back in 2011 YPT was the only Western tour company to take the cruise from Rason to Kumgang.  Unfortunately it stopped operating after Western Journalists gave it too much stick.

Our lovely guide Shan with North Korean guides in front of the M/V Mangyongbong cruise ship.

M/V Mangyongbong gangway.

DPRK flag on the M/V Mangyongbong’s stack.

Lovely North Korean ship’s staff.

All pics thanks to the Young Pioneer Tours Facebook page.