Published on February 14, 2015
The cruise ship MV Albatros, carrying 830 passengers on board, is expected to call on Ambon in the Maluku Islands on 27 February in its inter-continental voyage. said Ambon Mayor Richard Louhenapessy, as reported by Antara News.
According to schedule, the ship will tie up at the Yos Sudarso harbor of Ambon for 10 hours from 08.00 hrs to 18.00 East Indonesia Time, much longer than othercruise ships before, that used to stay for 6 hours only.
All necessary facilities for the visitors are ready, said the Mayor, and they will have a choice of three tours.
The first geoup will visit the sub-district of Nusaniwe which has a beautiful beach and a museum at Siwalima, then on to Sirimau sub-district where stands the World Peace Gong, the Pattimura Park, and the cemetery of slain Australian soldiers who died during World War II.
While those touring the island of Ambon itself will first be taken to the beach at Natsepa, then on to Liang, Fort Rotterdam at Hilla, and visit the oldest church and oldest mosque in the Moluccas.
” Upon arrival, passengers will be warmly welcomed with a cultural dance and then they will be taken on a city tour of Ambon by bus and. tourist trishaws,known as Becak.
The 28 thousand tons GT MV Albatros sailed out of Auckland (New Zealand) on 10 February and is on a 28 days cruise voyage calling at Australian ports, Indonesia, then up north to the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan. Passengers will disembark in Shanghai, China on 10 March.
On this voyage the Albatros will call on Sydney (Australia), Brisbane (Australia), Cairns (Australia), Thuesday Island (Australia), Saumlaki (for Immigration clearance ) and Ambon (Indonesia), Puerto Princesa (Filipina), Coron (Philippines), Manila (Philippines), Kaohsiung (Taiwan), Shigaki (Japan) and finishes in Shanghai (Tiongkok).
With Ambon and the province of Maluku now increasingly becoming a chosen port of call on intercontinental cruises, this confirms that Ambon is today emerging as a choice destination. A growing tourism sector will certainly bring improved economic welfare to the community of Ambon , said Mayor Louhenapessy.