PHNOM PENH: A cruise ship named “Westerdam” will revisit Cambodia late this month, bringing along about 4,000 international tourists to the country.

The ship is scheduled to arrive at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port in Preah Sihanouk province on Dec. 28.

On Feb. 13, 2020, during the COVID-19 outbreak, Cambodia authorized the cruise ship to dock at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port after it was declined by ports in many countries due to suspicion that people on the ship were infected with the deadly disease.

Back then, the ship carried 1,455 multinational passengers and 802 crew members.

It had spent 12 days on the ocean before docking at Cambodia's port, thanks to the kind heart of former Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.

The return of the cruise ship will be warmly welcomed by Cambodia.