Cruise ship season is back and locals can look forward to seeing a number of beautiful ships sail into Cape Town from early October to late November.
So keep your eyes peeled and prepare to welcome the following vessels to our harbour:
1. The Greg Mortimer Expedition ship
The dazzling Greg Mortimer Expedition ship will make its way to the Mother City on October 6, 2019.
The Greg Mortimer was named after Aurora Expeditions’ adventurous co-founder, Greg. Construction of this technologically advanced ship started in 2018, and it can accommodate 120 passengers. Aboard the ship, guests can enjoy 24-hour complimentary coffee, tea and snacks.
It is expected to make its arrival at 8am at berth E and since it a new ship that only launched this year, will leave again on October 9, 2019.
2. MS Albatros
The elegant MS Albatros will arrive in Cape Town on October 21, 2019 at 8am after its visit to Lüderitz.
Built in 1973, the Albatros has a capacity to carry 830 passengers and 340 crew members. The MS Albatros has two dining Rooms (Seagull and Pelican) and other options include Lido Lunch restaurant and the Pizzeria.
Kids can enjoy a video arcade, movie theatre and kids club. The ship also features six bars for adults to enjoy. It has a length of 205 meters and a top speed of 19 knots.
She will set out again on October 23, 2019 at 5pm, bound for Port Elizabeth.
3. The Boudicca
Locals can look forward to the Boudicca arrival on October 30, 2019 as its sails in from Walvis Bay.
The Boudicca has a top speed of 19 knots and can hold approximately 880 to 924 passengers and 329 crew members. It has 10 decks and whopping 462 cabins! For fitness, guests can enjoy the gym, tennis court, exercise pool or walking track.
This classic vessel will leave again on November 1, 2019 at 6.30pm for Port Elizabeth.
4. MS Bremen
The MS Bremen will arrive on November 7, 2019 at 7am from Walvis Bay.
Bremen, a 29 year old voyager, discovered a previously uncharted Antarctic island in 2003 that was later named Bremen Island.
It is one of the smallest ships of the fleet with a length of 112m and a passenger capacity of 154. For the adventurous types, the ship is equipped with bicycles, kayaks and snorkelling gear.
This historical ship will leave again on November 5, 2019 at roughly 3pm destined for Port Elizabeth.
5. The Queen Elizabeth
A Captonian favourite, The Queen Elizabeth will finally visit the Mother City again on November 19, 2019, arriving at roughly 6.30am from Walvis Bay.
Renowned world wide, the Queen Elizabeth has always been an iconic attraction.
The newly built addition to the fleet was constructed in 2010 with similar features to its predecessors. A modern feature of this cruise liner is a state of the art Computer Centre.
The luxury ship can hold 2 000 passengers and just over a 1 000 crew members. She is made up of 12 decks and has an average speed of 24 knots.
The Queen will sail away again on November 20, 2019 at 11pm bound for Port Elizabeth.
6. MS Albatros
If you missed it the first time, the MS Albatros will visit the Mother City again on November 25, 2019 at 9am from Mossel Bay.
An interesting fact is that on February 3, 2017, the crew of the cruise ship saved six men from a leaky Tongan fishing boat, who had not had water for 3 days. New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre organised for the German cruise ship Albatros to change course after the fishing vessel crew set off an emergency rescue beacon 400 km south-west of Tonga.
The Albatros will set out again on November 27, 2019 at around 8pm to stop off in Lüderitz.
Pictures: Facebook