Cunard’s Queen Anne docks in Durban on final South African call of World Cruise

Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne, docked in Durban Wednesday, marking the final South African call of her current World Cruise before she heads into the Indian Ocean as part of Cunard’s Cape Town leg.

The call follows earlier visits to Cape Town and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and represents Queen Anne’s second visit to Durban and Cape Town, after her first South African calls in April last year.

From Durban, the ship sails east, continuing a long-haul itinerary linking southern Africa with island destinations in the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, and onward to Australasia.

Launched in 2024, Queen Anne is the newest vessel in Cunard’s fleet with a capacity of 2,996 passengers and 1,225 crew, positioning her firmly within the contemporary luxury cruise segment while operating itineraries traditionally associated with classic world cruising.

Durban’s call sits within a Cape Town departure programme that Cunard is offering in three different voyage lengths, all having departed on January 31st, 2026. Each option includes South African ports before crossing the Indian Ocean, allowing passengers to embark in Cape Town and experience an extended intercontinental itinerary without committing to a full world cruise.

After leaving Durban, the ship calls at Réunion and Mauritius before continuing to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, underlining Durban’s role as a gateway port on eastbound global cruise routes.

The visit has been highlighted by local industry representatives.

Shaun McCarthy, managing director at Whitestar Cruise & Travel, Cunard’s South African representative, said: “It really is an exciting time for sea travel, and an opportunity for South Africans to experience her unique blend of sophistication and contemporary comfort, with value that exceeds expectations for luxury cruising.”

Local authorities have positioned the call within a broader tourism context. In its eThekwini bulletin, the municipality said the arrival of Queen Anne underscores the city’s “growing role as a premier destination in international cruising and brings significant economic benefits to local tourism and hospitality sector”.

Queen Anne’s call is part of a wider Cunard presence in South Africa this season. Later in the year, Queen Mary 2, Cunard’s only purpose-built ocean liner, is scheduled to arrive in Durban on April 6th, followed by calls in Gqeberha on April 8th and Cape Town on April 9th, as part of her ongoing World Voyage.

Together, these calls reinforce South Africa’s prominent position in global luxury cruise itineraries, with Durban serving as a key transition port between Atlantic and Indian Ocean cruise corridors.

Queen Anne Cape Town departure

22-night Cape Town to Singapore

Departs Cape Town: January 31st, 2026

South African calls: Port Elizabeth (February 2nd), Durban (February 4th)

Additional ports: Saint-Denis (Réunion), Port Louis (Mauritius), Colombo, Klang (Kuala Lumpur)

Arrives Singapore: February 21st, 2026

27-night Cape Town to Hong Kong

Departs Cape Town: January 31st, 2026

South African calls: Port Elizabeth, Durban

Additional ports: Saint-Denis, Port Louis, Colombo, Klang, Singapore

Arrives Hong Kong: February 26th, 2026

45-night Cape Town to Sydney

Departs Cape Town: January 31st, 2026

South African calls: Port Elizabeth, Durban

Additional ports: Réunion, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Bali, Darwin, Airlie Beach, Brisbane

Arrives Sydney: March 16th, 2026