For the very first time, two of Cunard Cruises’ Queens, the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria, are gracing the same African port simultaneously.
The Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 docked at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal in the early hours of Friday morning in all its splendour.
🚢 Historic moment for Cape Town as both Queens Cruise liners dock, bringing thousands of visitors & waves of economic benefits! Proud to support this initiative as we facilitate growth in the cruise sector. A stunning sight at our V&A Waterfront terminal! #ChooseCapeTown pic.twitter.com/FhQDyK2pEI
— James Vos (@VosJames) April 12, 2024
Wesgro says this unprecedented event is a monumental milestone not only for the Port but also for Cruise Cape Town, the public-private partnership dedicated to nurturing the cruise economy and sustainability of the industry in Cape Town and the Western Cape.
Queen Mary 2, concluding her 30-day voyage from Hong Kong, will undertake a turnaround call in Cape Town, facilitating the disembarkation and embarkation of passengers for her next voyage bound for New York, USA.
Meanwhile, Queen Victoria, on a 55-day journey from Sydney to Southampton, will also make a brief stopover in Cape Town for a turnaround call before continuing her voyage to Walvis Bay, Namibia.
Both the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government has lauded the economic significance of this unprecedented event.
The cruise industry has emerged as a significant contributor to the Western Cape economy, with the 2022/23 season alone generating R1.2 billion.
This includes substantial contributions from international visitors, local spending, and cruise lines’ operational costs, highlighting the sector’s pivotal role in fostering economic growth and employment.
The current 2023/24 season is seeing 65 confirmed ship visits, attracting an estimated 90,000 two-way passengers and 38,000 crew members, underscoring the industry’s resilience and potential for further growth.
The MEC of Finance and Economic Development Mireille Wenger says during this cruise season alone, roughly 3000 new permanent jobs have been created.
The Queen Victoria is expected to depart at 17:30 on Friday, while the Queen Mary 2 departs on Saturday 18:00.
