The V&A Waterfront is playing host to yet another royal watercraft, the Queen Anne, who has made her maiden voyage to the Mother City today. The 249th ship in the esteemed Cunard fleet, the vessel arrived at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal after cruising from Durban, and is scheduled to leave for Namibia tomorrow, 11 April.
Her arrival follows the historic visit by Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria in April 2024.
That momentous occasion marked the first-ever simultaneous docking of two Cunard Queens in African waters, a milestone further enriched by Queen Anne’s grand arrival today.
“Wesgro extends a very warm welcome to Queen Anne, as she docks at the Port of Cape Town for the first time. This occasion highlights Cape Town and the Western Cape’s growing status as a premier cruise destination and reflects the collective efforts of our Cruise Cape Town partners in driving the growth and sustainability of the cruise industry.”
“The economic impact of cruise tourism is significant, with the 2023/24 season contributing an estimated R1.2 billion to the Western Cape economy, supporting local jobs, small businesses, and boosting visitor spend across the province,” said Wrenelle Stander, Wesgro CEO and Official Spokesperson for Cruise Cape Town.
KEY FACTS ABOUT QUEEN ANNE:
- Queen Anne launched on 3 May 2024 and is the latest addition to the renowned Cunard fleet.
- She accommodates over 3,000 guests across 14 decks, and 1225 crew members.
- The ship is 64 metres above water, is 322.5 metres long, weighs 113,000 gross tons, and has a maximum speed of 22 knots or 40.7 km/h.
Named in honour of Queen Anne, who reigned from 1702 to 1714, the ship celebrates a golden era of art and culture.
Rather than being named by a traditional godmother, Queen Anne was christened in honour of the city of Liverpool – Cunard’s historic home. The naming ceremony took place in June 2024, celebrating the city’s deep-rooted connection to Cunard, which dates to 1840 when the company launched its first transatlantic voyage from Liverpool. The city also served as Cunard’s global headquarters for over a century.
“Cunard vessels are globally renowned for their elegance and rich maritime heritage. Queen Anne’s arrival represents another exciting milestone for cruise tourism in Cape Town and we’re thrilled to welcome her to our shores for the first time,” concluded André Blaine, V&A Waterfront Marine Executive.
READ MORE: More than 20 cruise liners to stop-over in Cape Town
