Russia's Kruzenshtern sailing ship starts on Tuesday the second stage of a voyage around the world, a spokeswoman for the ship said.

"Today, in the evening, the Kruzenshtern will set sail on the second stage of the International Trans-Atlantic Expedition," Tatyana Babushkina said.

She said the ship, with 120 naval cadets on board, is expected to visit Belgium, Spain, Peru, Venezuela, Panama and other countries during its six-month journey.

"The ship is also planned to visit Vancouver, where the 2010 Winter Olympic Games will take place," the spokeswoman said, adding the Kruzenshtern will stay in the port of Vancouver during the whole period of the Winter Olympics, due to take place on February 12-28.

The International Trans-Atlantic Expedition is dedicated to the 65th anniversary of victory in World War II, and is the vessel's third round the globe voyage. During the first stage of the expedition, which began in April, the ship covered 13,700 nautical miles, and visited seven countries and 12 ports.

The ship was given to the Soviet Union in 1946 by Germany as part of World War II reparations, and was renamed in honor of a Russian admiral of German descent, Johann Krusenstern (1770-1846), who performed Russia's first round world trip. Since the 1970s the ship has been used as a training vessel for naval cadets.

KALININGRAD, December 1 (RIA Novosti)