Giurgiulesti (Moldova)

Giurgiulesti is a Danube River cruise port and town in Moldova (Cahul District), with a population of around 3,000. The town is also a crossing point on the Moldova-Romania border, located approx 10 km (6 mi) from Galati Romania. The riverport is located at the confluence of two rivers (Danube and Prut) and on the Romania-Ukraine border.

The landlocked country Moldova has river access for only about 500 m (1570 ft) making Giurgiulesti country's only Danube River port. The economy is based on shipping trade and an oil terminal ((opened in 2006). During the Ottoman Empire (1299-1919), most of the country's current-day territory was a part of the vassal state of Moldavia. In 1812, it was ceded to the Russian Empire (1721-1917) and named Bessarabia. In 1917, Bessarabia became autonomous until 1918 when it was integrated into Romania. In 1924, Soviet Russia established the Moldavian Republic (MASSR) within the Ukrainian Republic. During WW2 (1939-1945), in 1940 Romania ceded Bessarabia to the USSR, which established the Moldavian SSR. In August 1991, Moldova declared independence.

As a cruise port, Giurgiulesti is included in the regular schedule of one of Europe's largest river cruise companies - Phoenix Reisen. The company in 2019 included Lom in the itineraries of 4 of fleet's newest riverboats - Adora (2019), Asara (2017), Anesha (2015), and Aurelia (2007). The next table shows the ports sequence of Phoenix Reisen's 16-day cruise tour itinerary roundtrip from homeport Passau.