The Queen Mary 2 docked at Durban earlier this week. (Photo: EThekwini Municipality/Facebook)
One of the longest passenger ships in the world was greeted with singing Zulu dancers when it arrived at the Durban harbor earlier this week.
More than 1,000 crew members of the ship Queen Mary 2 and its more than 2,000 passengers went ashore to visit Durban.
Die Queen Mary 2 is 345 m long, barely 15 m shorter than the two longest ships in the world, Allure of the Seas in Oasis of the Seas. This is the first time in three years that this popular ship has docked in Durban again.
The mayor of eThekwini, Mxolisi Kaunda, and several other role players gathered at the port on Monday to welcome the visitors ashore.
Lindiwe Khuzwayo, spokesperson for the eThekwini municipality, says Kaunda highlighted Durban as a leading tourist destination during his welcome speech.
“He also presented a gift to the ship’s captain, Andrew Hall.”
The journey kicked off in New York and the ship will dock in Mauritius, Durban and Cape Town, among others.
The passengers from all over the world visited parts of Durban while the ship was anchored at the port. Some of the passengers visited the city by Rickshaw bus, did a cultural tour to the Victoria Indian Market or made a historical visit where attractions such as the Durban City Hall, the Playhouse Theatre, the KwaMuhle Museum and other historical areas were visited .
The mayor presented a gift to the captain of the Queen Mary 2. (Photo: EThekwini Municipality/Facebook)
Die Queen Mary 2 is a luxury passenger ship that makes frequent transatlantic voyages. The ship also has 13 levels that offer everything from restaurants, a theater, an art gallery, a giant library and spa and other recreational facilities.
The ship sails under the banner of Cunard and is one of 248 ships that sail the world in luxury.
During the golden age of cruises, many of Hollywood’s biggest names sailed with Cunard. Celebrities such as Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor and Charlie Chaplin were among the guests who regularly used these ships.
