South African ports are gearing up for a bumper cruise ship season, including East London.Port spokesman Terry Taylor said 12 luxury cruise liners would call at the port during the season, which runs from October to April.
“Last season we had seven passenger ships so we are excited at the increased opportunity for the city to showcase itself to international tourists.”
Two passenger liners – the MS Ocean Princess and the MS Amadea – have already visited East London since October 31.
According to Transnet National Ports Authority, at least eight luxury cruise liners and more than 10 passenger vessels will ferry both international and domestic tourists across the country’s port cities.
On Saturday the luxurious and recently refurbished Insignia berths in East London ahead of her voyage to Cape Town and on Tuesday two international cruise ships will sail in.
They are the elegant Nautica – which, like the Insignia, is run by US-based shipping company Oceania Cruises and features lavish suites, private decks, casinos, fitness centres and multiple restaurants, staterooms and bars – and the Bahamas-based Regent Seven Seas Mariner, which carries 700 passengers and will return on December 23.
On December 9, the Italian-owned Silversea Cruise’s Silver Cloud will arrive on route from Cape Town and Port Elizabeth to Durban.
Taylor said cruise ships have a “huge spin-off” for the local tourist industry. “They go to places like Khaya La Bantu cultural village, Mpongo Park and Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve and they also take city tours with registered tour guides to places of interest like Nahoon beach, Queenspark Zoo and Gately House,” said Taylor.
He said some passengers opted not to participate in organised tours and instead use either local taxis or the new tuk-tuk service to explore.
“The impact of the cruise ships is that we get thousands of visitors who spend money on crafts and go to our shopping centres and spend there.”
While only some of the luxury liners visiting South Africa call in at East London, Taylor said the city was on a par with PE, Richards Bay and Mossel Bay and received its “fair share” of cruise ship calls.
Durban has recently improved its cruise ship facility and a tender for upgrading Cape Town's E-Berth cruise facility has been awarded. But East London has no plans to upgrade. “Cruise ships use a couple of berths and that’s ample for now,” said Taylor. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Bumper cruise season ahoy
Port spokesman Terry Taylor said 12 luxury cruise liners would call at the port during the season, which runs from October to April.
“Last season we had seven passenger ships so we are excited at the increased opportunity for the city to showcase itself to international tourists.”
Two passenger liners – the MS Ocean Princess and the MS Amadea – have already visited East London since October 31.
According to Transnet National Ports Authority, at least eight luxury cruise liners and more than 10 passenger vessels will ferry both international and domestic tourists across the country’s port cities.
On Saturday the luxurious and recently refurbished Insignia berths in East London ahead of her voyage to Cape Town and on Tuesday two international cruise ships will sail in.
They are the elegant Nautica – which, like the Insignia, is run by US-based shipping company Oceania Cruises and features lavish suites, private decks, casinos, fitness centres and multiple restaurants, staterooms and bars – and the Bahamas-based Regent Seven Seas Mariner, which carries 700 passengers and will return on December 23.
On December 9, the Italian-owned Silversea Cruise’s Silver Cloud will arrive on route from Cape Town and Port Elizabeth to Durban.
Taylor said cruise ships have a “huge spin-off” for the local tourist industry. “They go to places like Khaya La Bantu cultural village, Mpongo Park and Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve and they also take city tours with registered tour guides to places of interest like Nahoon beach, Queenspark Zoo and Gately House,” said Taylor.
He said some passengers opted not to participate in organised tours and instead use either local taxis or the new tuk-tuk service to explore.
“The impact of the cruise ships is that we get thousands of visitors who spend money on crafts and go to our shopping centres and spend there.”
While only some of the luxury liners visiting South Africa call in at East London, Taylor said the city was on a par with PE, Richards Bay and Mossel Bay and received its “fair share” of cruise ship calls.
Durban has recently improved its cruise ship facility and a tender for upgrading Cape Town's E-Berth cruise facility has been awarded. But East London has no plans to upgrade. “Cruise ships use a couple of berths and that’s ample for now,” said Taylor. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
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