Royalty berths in the Bay

NELSON Mandela Bay’s welcoming of the majestic RMS Queen Mary 2 passenger ship with a royal golden sunrise was an honour for the city said Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism’s CEO Mandlakazi Skefile who was there to witness the berthing of the world’s fastest ocean liner.

The Queen Mary 2 sailed into Port Elizabeth Harbour for the first time on 8 April. Named by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth 2, it is the largest passenger ship to visit the Bay.

“It was a great honour for our city to have hosted the RMS Queen Mary 2, as well as be included on her itinerary. We hope the passengers enjoyed the diversity of our destination and friendly people,” said Skefile.

The Queen Mary 2, is not only the fastest ocean liner in the world reaching a top speed of 29.5 knots, it also has the largest library, ballroom and dance floor at sea. State-of-the-art facilities also include a 3D cinema, planetarium and Canyon Ranch spa. There is no shortage of entertainment. Passengers can dance the night away at the G32 nightclub, play at the Empire Casino or enjoy live musical or theatre performances in the Royal Court theatre.

With all this, one might think it a challenge to lure the 2 478 passengers and 1 253 crew members to  shore. But the city did, and the passengers from around the globe left their footprint in our city after having explored the Addo Elephant National Park, the Boardwalk, historical hot spots, city and township tours during which they absorbed the culture and flavour of Nelson Mandela Bay.

NMBT was well prepared to assist and welcome guests with two strategically placed visitor information desks. One was onboard the Queen Mary 2 and another at quay side. NMBT staff were able to assist with queries, concerns or bookings.

Information was supplied by distribution of the Nelson Mandela Bay Visitor’s Guides.

“It is of utmost importance that we are able to support and provide a quality experience for visitors to our destination and ensure that not only the Queen Mary 2 returns to the bay, but that our engagement with the passengers and crew contributes to our attracting more iconic ships into our harbour.”

NMBT will continue to offer assistance and support to passengers cruises in the Port Elizabeth Harbour, among which there have been the Symphonia and Silver Winds. In the year 2011/12 there were 11 cruises that docked in Nelson Mandela Bay with an increase in the current year 2012/13  to 17 cruises. This includes an average of 2000 passengers per cruise.

Queen Mary 2 is the only transatlantic ocean liner in line service between Southampton and New York, which operates for part of each year. The ship is also used for cruising, including this annual world cruise and other cruise packages that include stops in Caribbean, Ireland and Norwegian Fjordes to name a few. With numerous exquisite stops in so many world class cities it certainly associates Nelson Mandela Bay with the best.

Just as we welcomed the Queen Mary 2 with a golden sunrise, we bid her farewell with all her great splendour gleaming in the sunset as she sailed out of Algoa Bay in the hope that she will soon return.