GEORGE TOWN: Some 4,000 foreign tourists are expected to arrive in Penang in a cruise ship next month, says Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng.

       He said the tourists will arrive in Royal Caribbean's vessel Spectrum of the Seas from Singapore and dock at Port Swettenham on July 2.

       "The cruise ship will make a stop at Port Klang first before coming to Penang," he said on Saturday (June 11).

       Earlier in his Facebook post, Tan described the arrival of the cruise ship as good news for the tourism and service industry in the state.

       He said the Spectrum of the Seas was originally scheduled to arrive in Penang on June 18, but could not anchor at the port due due to several issues with the Immigration Department.

       “Now everything has been properly sorted out. PPC is fully prepared to cooperate when the cruise ship arrives," he said.

       “Two meetings involving the related government department and agencies were held recently to coordinate the preparation to welcome the ship,” added Tan.

       Tan said that after July 2, Spectrum of the Sea would visit Penang twice a week.