First local cruise ship set for maiden voyage
By Lee Hyo-sik
For years, Korean tourists seeking to travel onboard a cruise ship had to head overseas, with no liners operating here. The majority of them went far as southern Europe or the Caribbean, spending thousands of dollars.
But after Feb. 16 they can take a luxury cruise ship from the southeastern port city of Busan and spend several days onboard while calling at Japanese port cities.
Harmony Cruise, Korea’s first cruise ship operator, held a launch ceremony Wednesday for its first ship, named Club Harmony, at the Busan International Cruise Terminal. The 26,000-ton vessel, manufactured in Italy, is 174 meters long and 26 meters wide with 383 cabins. It can accommodate up to 1,300 passengers and crew members. It is equipped with an outdoor swimming pool, movie theater, fitness club, spa, restaurants and other amenities.
``We have spent several years to introduce this unprecedented cruise program here by linking Busan with Fukuoka and several other Japanese port cities,’’ a Harmony Cruise spokesman said. ``Club Harmony will set off on its maiden voyage on Feb. 16
Feb 2, 2012By Lee Hyo-sik