Dutch Harbor, Korsakov, Russian Federation - What To Do?

[MalibuCA]

My husband and I will be cruising from Tokyo through Alaska and the Russian Federation to Vancouver, and one of the ports that the Crystal Symphony will call upon is Korsakov, Russian Federation. Has anyone been to this port? What is there to do? Any "don't miss" sights?

 

Thanks,

Shelley

[Sidney24]

Hi,

 

Trust you enjoyed your cruise back in 2014.

We also will be visiting this Russian Port and would be interested to hear of your experience there.

 

We will be on Princess who do not have any tours listed as yet and my understanding is that you either need to take ship tour, book a Russian visa free tour or arrange a visa and DIY.

[soccerref]

Hi Malibu and Sydney,

I may be able to help as we visited Korsakov in October 2014 as part of a cruise round Japan on Diamond Princess. I am a compulsive note taker and diary writer so below is a copy of the notes that I made.

I have tried to upload pictures but without much success but I do seem to be able to attach a link to my photos so they might give you an idea of the town and what it has to offer.

 

WEDNESDAY 1ST OCTOBER.

CRUISE DAY 5.

KORSAKOV, RUSSIA.

A.M. Cool with sea mist but once that cleared it warmed up and we had clear blue skies.

P.M. Sunny with a cool breeze but warm in sheltered places.

Sea conditions: It calmed down during the night and was flat calm this morning. It got choppy again in the afternoon.

 

NB. clocks go back 2 hours tonight.

 

The alarm went off at 06.30 and after a shower etc. we went for breakfast and were greeted by a beautiful sunrise through the mist.

 

KORSAKOV.

Most foreign nationals need a visa to enter Russia. This can either be obtained for independent travel from the Russian Embassy in your own country before embarking. A Princess organised group visa is used if you are on a ship's tour.

 

Ship's tour passengers collect their tour group number sticker from the Wheelhouse Bar before proceeding to the theatre to wait to be called to the tender.

You retrieve your passport from a collection point on deck 6 as you go to the tender on deck 4.

Disabled passengers are escorted to a lift and assisted with passport collection and boarding.

KORSAKOV IS A TENDER PORT.

The passports were checked by Russian officials before we got on the tender.

The tender ride is approximately 15 minutes and the landing area is very industrial. The busses were waiting for us and our guide was there to greet us. The guides all used a microphone system so we could hear what was said.

There was a small waiting area at the tender dock with a small souvenir stall and 4 portaloos.

THE WALKING TOUR OF KORSAKOV.

The bus took 10 minutes to get from the port to the town centre. We passed several 'soviet style' blocks of flats and a small park on the way.

We had 90 minutes in the town.

It was a short walk from the bus stop to the main square where there is a statue of Stalin and a fountain.

From there we were taken to the Cultural Centre building where there were a variety of souvenir stalls which accepted Roubles or $US.

There were toilets but the ladies' ones were the 'squat plate' style and there were only 2 functioning cubicles so there was a long queue as usual.

After some time in the souvenir market we were taken through to a very nice theatre where some local people performed traditional songs and dances. They were dressed in traditional costume and allowed people to take photographs with them after the performance.

We then had 15 minutes 'free time' to get back to the bus.

 

Once back at the tender dock, my DH asked if he could stay ashore for a while and return on a later tender and this was allowed.

 

The guide explained that this was the first year that KORSAKOV had welcomed tourists and the locals were very happy to have people visit them. They showed us the best they had which, by western standards, wasn't a lot but our guide was very proud to show us.

 

I was back on the ship for 12 noon and Jim got back in for 1.00p.m.

 

https://flic.kr/s/aHskuW14gi

[ROCruiser]

When we called for Korsakov, Russia on our Grand Japan cruise on Diamond Princess, we joined the Princess excursion for a short trip to Sakhalinsk. Here are some pictures of our tour.

[io15721]

Hello soccerref,

 

Thanks for posting your note. If I may ask, did your husband walk about the pier when he stayed back ashore?