Queen Mary 2 makes unexpected stop at Durban Harbour

The bustling Durban Harbour welcomed the majestic Queen Mary 2 for the second time in three months as the luxury liner made an unexpected stop on Wednesday, amidst its around-the-world voyage.

The renowned vessel was en route to Cape Town.

Originally slated to dock in Salalah, Oman, on April 10, followed by Aqaba, Jordan, on April 15, and then traverse the Suez Canal en route to Egypt on April 17, the Queen Mary 2’s itinerary took an unexpected turn.

Earlier this year, Cunard Lines, midway through its World Voyage, announced a change, redirecting the ship back to Durban and Cape Town, thereby cancelling its scheduled stop in Dubai and altering its original return route to the UK via the Suez Canal.

The alteration in routes comes amidst heightened security concerns in the Red Sea region, as Yemen-based Houthi rebels have been targeting ships, including container vessels and cruise liners, that traverse the Suez Canal for European destinations.

Ross Volk, CEO of MSC Cruises South Africa,said major shipping and cruise operators were still avoiding the Red Sea, leading to a migration southward around Africa.

Mr Volk said these changes had a positive economic spin-off locally, citing examples such as the recent docking of MSC Virtuosa at the Durban port, even though it did not accommodate passengers or land tours typically associated with cruise ship stops.

“The deliberate decision by MSC Cruises to showcase the Virtuosa and the Durban cruise terminal shows the importance of adapting to shifting maritime dynamics,” said Mr Volk.

Queen Mary 2 is set to depart from Cape Town on Saturday, embarking on a 16-day voyage back to its homeport of Southampton.