From the left are Captain Robert Fronenbroek
(Captain of the vessel), Cllr. Mongameli Bobani (Executive Mayor) and Captain Brynn
Adamson (Harbour Master, TNPA).
Nelson Mandela Bay and the Transnet National
Ports Authority (TNPA) celebrated the official launch of the Port of Port
Elizabeth’s 2019/20 cruise season graced by the arrival of the MS Albatros,
whose entry was greeted into the port with a tug ballet – tugs spraying water
with their fire monitors.
MS Albatros is a cruise
ship, operated by the German based travel agency Phoenix Reisen. She was built
in 1973 by Wärtsilä Helsinki New Shipyard, Finland for Royal Viking Line as
Royal Viking Sea, and has also sailed under the names Royal Odyssey, Norwegian
Star, and Crown. She arrived at 07:00 having called at the Port of Cape Town.
Showing confidence in our city
Port Manager, Rajesh
Dana said that the port is scheduled to receive altogether 39 cruise vessel calls
this season between October 2019 and April 2020. This is almost double the
number of calls from the 2018/19 season. Of these, nine vessels will call more
than once throughout the season. We are also excited to welcome MEIN SCHIFF
HERZ, calling for the first time in South Africa.
"Cruise liner tourism
is aligned with TNPA’s vision of transforming the port into a Smart People’s
Port. The cruise season provides a big boost for Nelson Mandela Bay’s economy,
allowing tourists to access recreational, leisure and wildlife experiences in
and around our city,” Dana said.
"We are delighted that
during this season, the Bay will also enjoy a period when two vessels are
docked in the port at the same time. The increase in the number of vessels
calling the Port of PE is a clear indication of the attractiveness of Nelson
Mandela Bay as a tourism destination.”
Highlights during the season
Provisional schedules
indicate that at least 23 luxury cruise ships, operated by 17 international
cruise lines are scheduled to call at the country’s six cruise ports this
season.
Highlights to
look forward to this season for Nelson Mandela Bay include the maiden voyage of
the MSC ORCHESTRA, return calls to PE by QUEEN MARY II and QUEEN ELIZABETH, two
of the most popular and largest cruise ships to visit South Africa. Other cruise vessels
scheduled to visit PE are NAUTICA, LE LYRIAL, BOUDICCA,
AZAMARA QUEST, BREMEN, BREMEN, SUN PRINCESS, AIDAs MIRA and AURA and NORWEIGIAN
SPIRIT.
Official welcome
The passengers were
welcomed by traditional dancers on the quayside as they disembarked. The port
officially welcomed the cruise ship with a few special guests on board this
morning including Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor, Cllr. Mongameli Bobani who said,
"The work that TNPA, the city and other business partners are doing in the
development of the cruise line strategy, is testament to the fact that
collaborative partnership has the power to foster growth and deliver on the
mandate of ensuring a prosperous city for our people of Nelson Mandela Bay.”
Other special guests
included MMC Cllr. Marlon Daniels as well as Deputy Executive Mayor, Cllr. Tshonono
Buyeye. Port of PE Harbour Master, Captain Brynn Adamson and Captain of the MS Albatross,
Robert Fronenbroek exchanged welcoming messages and gifts. The captain very
courteously took the guests on a guided tour through the grand lady.
Six SA ports welcoming thousands of passengers
South Africa’s six cruise ports have begun
welcoming thousands of passengers to the country’s shores as the 2018/19 cruise
season got underway.
Provisional schedules indicate that at least
23 luxury cruise ships operated by 17 international cruise lines are scheduled
to call at the country’s six cruise ports this season.
Operators that have included South Africa on
their routes this year include: Semester at Sea, AIDA Cruises, Crystal Cruises,
Cunard Lines, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Peace Boat, Phoenix
Reisen, Ponant, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Saga Cruises,
Seabourn Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises and Viking Cruises.
Operators with multiple vessels
on the local route include Silversea Cruises, with four vessels – Silver
Discoverer, Silver Spirit, Silver Cloud and Silver Whisper - and Cunard Lines
with its impressive liners Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.
South African cruise schedule
Typically running from
late October to late May, the South African cruise season will include the following calls in
2019/20, although details may be subject to change.
|
Vessel
|
Cruise Line
|
Calls
|
|
ALBATROS
|
Phoenix Reisen
|
Cape Town – 21 to 23 October
2019 (16 days to Mahe Island, Seychelles) including:
Port Elizabeth – 25 October 2019
East London – 26 October 2019
Durban – 27 October 2019
Richards Bay – 28 to 29 October
2019
19 days from Mahe Island,
Seychelles to Cape Town including:
Durban – 21 November 2019
East London – 22 November 2019
Port Elizabeth – 23 November 2019
Mossel Bay – 24 November 2019
Cape Town – 25 to 27 November
2019
|
|
BOUDICCA
|
Fred. Olsen Cruise
Lines
|
Cape Town – 30 October to 1
November 2019 (14 days to Mahe Island, Seychelles) including:
Port Elizabeth – 3 November 2019
Richards Bay – 5 November 2019
Durban – 8 December 2019
|
|
MS BREMEN
|
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
|
Cape Town – 4 to 5 November
2019
Port Elizabeth – 7 November 2019
Durban – 9 November 2019
Durban – 16 December 2019
Port Elizabeth – 18 December 2019
Cape Town – 20 to 21 December
2019
|
|
MSC ORCHESTRA
(will cruise the popular Mozambique, South African
Coastal and Namibian itineraries, before returning to Europe on 18 April
2020)
|
MSC Cruises
|
Durban – 16 November 2019
Durban – 17 November 2019 (4
nights to Pomene)
Durban – 21 November 2019 (3
nights to Pomene)
Durban – 24 November 2019 (5
nights to Portuguese Island and Pomene)
Durban – 29 November 2019 (3 nights Oh Ship Cruise with DJ Fresh &
Euphonik (theme cruise)
Durban – 2 December 2019 (4
nights to Pomene)
Durban – 6 December 2019 (3
nights to Pomene)
Durban – 9 December 2019 (4
nights to Pomene)
Durban – 13 December 2019 (3
nights to Portuguese Island)
Durban - 16 December 2019 (4 nights to Pomene)
Durban - 20 December 2019 (3 nights to Portuguese Island)
Durban - 23 December 2019 (5 nights Christmas Cruise)
Durban - 28 December 2019 to 8 January 2020 (11 nights New Year's
Cruise)
Durban - 08 January 2020 (4 nights Durban to Cape Town via Port
Elizabeth (one way)
Port Elizabeth – 10
January 2020
Cape Town - 12 January 2020 (5 nights Love Jazz Cruise | Cape Town to
Walvis Bay and Luderitz (Namibia)
Cape Town - 17 January 2020 (4
nights Bok Radio Cruise, Cape Town to Walvis Bay (Namibia)
Cape Town - 21 January 2020 (3 nights to Durban (one way)
Durban - 24 January 2020 (3 nights to Portuguese Island)
Durban - 27 January 2020 (4 nights to Pomene)
Durban - 31 January 2020 (3 nights to Portuguese Island)
Durban - 03 February 2020 (4 nights to Pomene)
Durban - 07 February 2020 (3 nights to Portuguese Island)
Durban - 10 February 2020 (4 nights to Portuguese Island & Pomene
Durban - 14 February 2020 (3 nights to Portuguese Island)
Durban - 17 February 2020 (4 nights to Portuguese Island & Pomene)
Durban - 21 February 2020 (3 nights to Portuguese Island)
Durban – 24 February 2020 (4 nights to Pomene)
Durban - 28 February (3 nights Finesse Cruise)
Durban 02 March 2020 (4 nights to Pomene)
Durban - 06 March 2020 (3
nights to Portuguese Island)
Durban - 09 March 2020 (4 nights Gospel Cruise)
Durban - 13 March 2020 (3
nights to Portuguese Island)
Durban - 16 March 2020 (4
nights to Pomene)
Durban - 20 March 2020 (3
nights to Portuguese Island)
Durban - 23 March 2020 (4
nights Kids Cruise)
Durban - 27 March 2020 (5 nights to Portuguese Island & Pomene)
Durban - 01 April 2020 (4 nights to Cape Town via Port Elizabeth (one way)
Cape Town 05 April 2020 (5 nights RSG FM Oppiwater Arts Festival
Cruise)
Cape Town – 10 April 2020 (4 nights to Walvis Bay)
Cape Town - 14 April 2020 (4
nights to Durban via Port
Elizabeth (one way)
Durban – 18 April 2020
|
|
QUEEN ELIZABETH
|
Cunard Lines
|
Cape Town – 19 to 20 November 2019
Port Elizabeth – 22
November 2019
|
|
AZAMARA JOURNEY
|
Azamara Cruises
|
Port Elizabeth
– 4 December 2019
Port Elizabeth
– 14 December 2019
Port Elizabeth – 24
December 2019
|
|
Costa neoRiviera
|
Costa Cruises
|
Cape Town – 22 to 23 December 2019
Cape Town – 30 December 2019
Cape Town – 7 to 8 January 2019
Cape Town – 13 January 2020
Cape Town – 22 to 23 January 2020
Cape Town – 27
January 2020
Cape Town – 5 to 7 February 2020
Cape Town – 16 to 17 February 2020
Cape Town – 25 February 2020
Cape Town – 1 to 2 March 2020
Cape Town – 1 to 2 March 2020
Cape Town – 9 March 2020
Cape Town – 13 March 2020
Cape Town – 15 March 2020
Cape Town – 23 March 2020
Cape Town – 29 to 30 March 2020
Cape Town – 6 to 7 April 2020
|
|
AIDAmira
|
AIDA Cruises
|
Port Elizabeth
– 25 December 2019
Durban – 27 December 2019
Durban – 9 January 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 11 January 2020
Durban – 23 January 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 25 January 2020
Durban – 6 February 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 8 February 2020
Durban – 20 February 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 22 February 2020
Durban – 5 March 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 7 March 2020
Durban – 19 March 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 21 March 2020
Durban – 2 April 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 4 April 2020
Port Elizabeth – 7 April
2020
|
|
NAUTICA
|
Oceania Cruises
|
Richards Bay – 1 January 2020
Durban – 2 January 2020
Cape Town – 5 to 6 January 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 12 January 2020
Durban – 14 January 2020
Richards Bay – 15 January 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 26 January 2020
Durban – 28 January 2020
Richards Bay – 29 January 2020
Cape Town – 2 to 4 February 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 6 February 2020
Durban – 8 February 2020
Richards Bay – 9 February 2020
|
|
AZAMARA QUEST
|
Azamara Cruises
|
Port Elizabeth
– 12 January 2020
Richards Bay – 16 January 2020
Durban – 17 January 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 19 January
Cape Town – 21 January 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 23 January 2020
Richards Bay – 25 January 2020
Durban – 26 January 2020
Cape Town – 29 to 31 January 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 2 February 2020
Richards Bay – 4 February 2020
Durban – 5 February 2020
Cape Town – 8 to 10 February 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 12 February 2020
Richards Bay – 14 February 2020
Durban – 15 February 2020
Cape Town – 18 to 20 February 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 22 February 2020
Durban – 24 February 2020
Richards Bay – 25 February 2020
|
|
AIDAura
|
AIDA Cruises
|
Durban – 27 January 2020
East London – 28 January 2020
Port Elizabeth – 29
January 2020
|
|
MV ARTANIA
|
Phoenix Reisen
|
Cape Town – 15 to 17 January 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 19 January 2020
Cape Town – 20 January 2020
Durban – 21 -22 January 2020
Richards Bay – 23 January 2020
|
|
Marco Polo
(last in SA in the 1990’s)
|
Cruise & Maritime Voyages
|
Cape Town – 28 January 2020
Durban - 1 February 2020
|
|
SEABOURN SOJOURN
|
Seabourn Cruise Line
|
Cape Town – 11 to 12 February 2020
Durban – 15 February 2020 (2 vessels in port –
also AZAMARA QUEST)
Richards Bay
|
|
SUN PRINCESS
|
Princess Cruises
|
Port Elizabeth
– 19 February 2020
Cape Town – 20 to 22 February 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 24 February 2020
Durban – 26 February 2020
|
|
CRYSTAL SERENITY
|
Crystal Cruises
|
Cape Town - 22 to 24 February 2020
|
|
LE LYRIAL
|
Ponant
|
Cape Town – 16 to 18 March 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 20 to 21 March 2020
Richards Bay – 23 March 2020
Durban – 24 to 25 March 2020
|
|
NORWEGIAN SPIRIT
|
Norwegian Cruise Line
|
Richards Bay – 18 March 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 20 March 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 24 March 2020
Richards Bay – 25 March 2020
|
|
QUEEN MARY 2
|
Cunard Lines
|
Durban – 27 March 2020
Port Elizabeth
– 29 March 2020
Cape Town – 31 March to 2 April 2020
|
|
PACIFIC PRINCESS
|
Princess Cruises
|
Durban – 31 March 2020
Cape Town – 3 to 4 April 2020
|
|
MEIN SCHIFF HERZ
(maiden visit)
|
TUI Cruises
(first time in South Africa)
|
Port Elizabeth
– 4 to 5 April 2020
|
|
INSIGNIA
|
Oceania Cruises
|
Cape Town – 8 to 9 April 2020
Durban – 12 April 2020
Richards Bay – 13 April 2020
|
|
MS AMSTERDAM
|
Holland America
|
Durban – 18 April 2020
Cape Town – 21 to 22 April 2020
|
Ends
Statement supplied by Transnet National Ports Authority.