The cruise liner Queen Anne, the newest ship in the Cunard Line fleet, has called in Durban for the first time, marking her maiden call at any South African port.

Queen Anne is Cunard’s newest luxury vessel and the second largest in its fleet at 113,000 gross tons and accommodating over 3,000 guests at full capacity. 

Her arrival in Durban on Monday marked the first South African port call of her 107-night inaugural World Cruise, which includes stops at more than 30 ports across 18 countries.

The call also marked one of the largest cruise ships to dock at Durban’s newly launched Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal, a state-of-the-art facility developed to position Durban as a hub for cruise tourism in Southern Africa. 

The terminal is a key part of the city’s waterfront regeneration and was designed to handle the increasing size and volume of modern cruise vessels, making it perfectly suited to accommodate vessels such as Queen Anne.

The ship’s arrival drew significant attention from local media, residents, and port authorities, with many gathering to witness the ship as she berthed in the harbour, while a ceremonial plaque exchange ceremony was also held onboard. 

Shaun McCarthy, Managing Director of Whitestar Cruise & Travel, Cunard’s general sales agent in South Africa, said the arrival marked a major milestone. 

“Durban has a long and proud maritime history, and welcoming Queen Anne is a symbolic moment for the city and for Cunard. It’s a sign of renewed investment and confidence in the cruise sector here,” he said.

Passengers disembarked for a variety of curated excursions in and around Durban, including visits to local heritage sites, wildlife parks, and guided township experiences. The influx of cruise guests provided a welcome boost to the local tourism economy and hospitality sector.

Following her stop in Durban, Queen Anne continues to Cape Town, where she will dock at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal before embarking on a 16-night voyage to Southampton. The segment includes calls in Walvis Bay, Namibia; Banjul, The Gambia; and the Canary Islands.

Queen Anne’s visit is part of a broader uptick in cruise activity across South African ports, with increased calls from international lines rerouting around the Red Sea due to regional security concerns. 

Her presence signals growing demand and long-term potential for South Africa’s cruise tourism sector.