Cape Town’s cruise terminal is growing in popularity by the day and will be welcoming a number of luxury ocean liners this month that locals can keep an eye out for when they arrive at the harbour.
Here are a few luxury liners that will make their way to our shores in March:
1. The Seabourn Sojourn
Seabourn Sojourn welcomes guests with an unusual “living room” filled with comfy sofas and cocktail tables.
The 2010 model belongs to the Seabourn Cruise Line company and is the fleet’s flagship cruise ship.
With a length of 198 metres, she can carry 458 passengers. Two pools, a spa, casino,, and loads of entertainment keep guests happy during their trip.
This stunning ship will arrive at 6am on March 5 from Lüderitz and depart the next day at 11pm for Mossel Bay.
2. Saga Pearl II
The 165 metre Saga Pearl II passenger cruise ship was launched in 2010. She is owned by the Saga Group, has a speed of about 20 knots and can carry up to 449 passengers and 252 crew members. On board, guests can enjoy fine dining, a spa, gym, a fully-stocked library and an indoor as well as outdoor pool.
She will be berthing in our harbour from 5.30am on March 10 until 9pm March 11, when she will depart for Port Elizabeth.
3. The Crystal Serenity
Launched in 2003, the Crystal Serenity has capacity for 980 passengers and 634 crew members.
The 250-metre ship boasts a world-class spa, live entertainment, workshops run by experts, casino, and kiddie play areas onboard.
She has 13 decks and reaches an average speed of 22 knots.
You can see her at our harbour from 5am on March 11 as she arrives from Port Elizabeth. She will be leaving Cape Town for Lüderitz at 6pm on March 14.
4. Aegean Odyssey
The Aegean Odyssey is owned by Voyages to Antiquity and has a speed of 18 knots. She was built in 1971 and has a passenger capacity of 350.
At 141 metres in length, her smaller size allows her to sail rivers and berth in ports that are inaccessible to bigger ships.
During her trips around the world, guests can relax and enjoy the ship’s amenities, which include four bars, two restaurants, a beauty salon, and an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi.
The Aegean will arrive in the Mother City at 8am on March 10 from Port Elizabeth and leave again at 6pm on March 16 bound for Lüderitz.
5. The World Odyssey
The World Odyssey passenger ship was built in 1988. The 175-metre ocean liner has 10 decks and can travel at an average speed of 21 knots.
It will arrive in Cape Town from Mauritius on March 16, and will set off for Ghana from our harbour on March 16.
6. The Le Lyrial
Launched in 2015, the 142-metre Le Lyrial cruise ship belongs to luxury French cruise line Ponant, and onboard catering, entertainment and service is French.
The ship can accommodate approximately 264 passengers, has a total of seven decks and travels at an average speed of 16 knots.
Her journey from Gough Island will take her to Cape Town shores on March 23, and she will depart again on March 25 to Port Elizabeth.
7. The Silver Cloud
Privately owned by Silversea Cruises, the Silver Cloud is one of the fleet’s smaller elite ships. With a speed of up to 18 knots and a length of 157m, she can accommodate 240 guests and 212 crew members comfortably. She has eight luxury suite categories with seven passenger decks.
The Silver Cloud will come to Cape Town on March 27 from Nightingale and leave again on March 28, when it will head to Lüderitz.
8. The Astor
Rebuilt in 2010, the 177-metre Astor has a country-style feel on board. She has a carrying capacity of 600 passengers and 300 crew members, and is equipped with live entertainment, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a fitness centre. The ocean liner’s special feature is the jogging path for more active guests.
She will be arriving in Cape Town harbour from Mossel Bay on March 29 and will be leaving our city for Walvis Bay on March 30.
Picture: Facebook