In the first six months of the 2013 cruising season, the Passenger Port of St. Petersburg “Marine Façade” recorded a total of 192,567 passengers, an increase of 24.1% compared to the same six months last year.

By end of June the port had accepted 102 ships compared to 86 last year.

For the whole 2013 year “Marine Façade” is expecting 259 calls bringing in 504,000 passengers.

The port is built to accommodate some 2 million cruise and ferry guests per year.

A release cited a short cruise season, just five months, for the passenger figures.

“The port and the city of St. Petersburg are actually fully ready to accept and serve tourists thru full October but decision is still in hands of the cruise lines,” read a statement.