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Pionersky, Russia
Originally named Neukuhren when the region was part of Germany, the town was renamed to Pionersky after the Soviet Union annexed Kaliningrad Oblast in 1945 at the end of WWII. Wedged between Poland, Lithuania and the Baltic Sea, the Russian exclave boasts pristine beaches and is the largest exporter of amber in the world. Enjoy strolling along Pionersky’s extensive waterfront for sweeping views of the sea, shopping for amber jewelry and other locally crafted goods or journey to the ruins of castles and forts from old Prussia.
Pionersky Cruise Image Gallery
What you NEED TO KNOW
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Port Name & Location
Port of Pionersky. Ship will DOCK at this port. -
Time Zone
Two hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time UTC/GMT+2 -
Language
In Pionersky, Russian is the language spoken among locals. Some essential Russian phrases include “da” for yes, “nyet” for no and an informal hello is “privet.” -
Currency & Shopping
The Russian Ruble is the currency used for in-city shopping. With Kaliningrad Oblast being the largest exporter of amber in the world, you can shop at the source for amber jewelry at a number of stores in Pionersky and surrounding towns. -
Famous For
Pionersky and the greater Kaliningrad Oblast region are known for beautiful sandy beaches, its dramatic past and numerous historic sites. -
Fun Fact #1
To dive into the history and beauty of amber, visit the Museum of Amber in Kaliningrad where you can see amber sculptures, fossils suspended in amber and learn about the history and role of the gem in Russia. -
Fun Fact #2
An awe-inspiring 61-mile-long sand dune spit, the Curonian Spit separates the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon. Two countries share this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site — Kaliningrad Oblast and Lithuania. -
Fun Fact: Foodies
A popular savory dish to try is Pelmeni, which are dumplings commonly filled with fish, ground meat or mushrooms with mild to spicy seasoning.