Royal visitor affirms cruise sector growth
Queen Anne returns to Cape Town this week
SOUTH AFRICA: Cunard’s newest ship, the Queen Anne will return to Cape Town tomorrow before heading to the Eastern Cape for the first time.
After docking in the Port of Cape Town, she will head to Gqeberha on 2 February and Durban on 4 February.
Spanning 14 decks, Queen Anne features elegant interiors, with art deco finishes, refined details, and thoughtfully curated artwork. Guests can choose from elegantly appointed staterooms, spacious suites, and exclusive penthouses, with private balconies and even a personal butler service.
Onboard entertainment and dining are unrivalled, with 15 venues ranging from formal multi-course restaurants to casual cafés, traditional British pubs, and specialty restaurants. Guests can also enjoy live performances, gala evenings, casino-themed nights, and vibrant bars, while the outdoor spaces include spectacular ocean views and multiple swimming pools. The ship also offers the most extensive wellness and fitness facilities ever seen on a Cunard vessel, alongside curated shopping with over 115 luxury brands.
With her elegant design, world-class amenities and capacity for 2,996 passengers and 1,225 crew, Queen Anne is also the largest within Cunard’s fleet to have completed a full circumnavigation of the globe.
“We cannot wait to once again see Queen Anne sailing into Cape Town’s magnificent harbour. She really is quite a sight to behold,” says Shaun McCarthy, Managing Director at Whitestar Cruise & Travel, Cunard’s South African representative.
“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.”
“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,” he added.
In 2024, the global cruise industry carried a record 34.6 million passengers, an increase of 9% from 20,231. Within the same period, the luxury cruise segment welcomed over 1.5 million passengers globally.
A strong post-pandemic travel recovery, new ships and experiences, a broader appeal across generations and growing interest in experiential and luxury travel are some of the reasons attributed to this steady increase. Another reason is value for money, with many cruises offering packages that include accommodation, meals, entertainment and transport, making a holiday at sea even more appealing.
Recognising this trend and without sacrificing any of the elegance, innovation, and exceptional service across their four luxury liners, Cunard have recently launched Cunard’s new Inclusive Signature packages. For guests who enjoy the ease of inclusive travel, these packages offer remarkable value, and include an onboard drinks package, Wi-Fi plan and dining credit, which can save guests up to 30% on their travel costs.
PHOTO: The Queen Anne will return to Cape Town and visit Gqeberha as well as Durban before continuing to Singapore.
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