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Port Management Association of
Eastern & Southern Africa
Eastern & Southern Africa
MSC Orchestra kicks off 2019-20 Durban Cruise Season
November 19, 2019
The MSC ORCHESTRA carrying over 3000 passsengers arrived Durban on 16 November 2019 marking its maiden voyage to South Africa as well as the start of construction of the new Durban passenger terminal.
The cruise ship visit marks the beginning of the cruise season for Durban which is expected to host 17 cruise liners from October 2019 until late April 2020.
Mr Moshe Motlohi, General Manager: Port of Durban, said the port’s cruise sector developments reflected growing confidence in Durban as a cruise prospect.
“We thank MSC Cruises for continuously deploying their cruise vessels to the South African market, which has increased our country’s cruise competitiveness. MSC ORCHESTRA’s use of the Port of Durban as her homeport will see even more domestic and international tourists enjoying itineraries that take in our South African hub cruise ports of Durban and Cape Town, as well as ports in neighbouring countries such as Mozambique and Mauritius.”
He added, “TNPA, in partnership with the City of Durban and the province of KwaZulu-Natal, is growing Durban as a Smart Port City and a world-class cruise capital. This aligns with the KZN Integrated Maritime Industry Development Strategy launched onboard the MSC Sinfonia in 2013, which highlighted Maritime Tourism as a catalyst for economic development.”
The Durban visit ended a 29-night itinerary from Genoa in Italy and prior to Durban she had called in Reunion. The ship has been introduced on the local route following the success enjoyed by MSC Cruises with previous vessels including MSC SINFONIA, MSC OPERA and MSC MUSICA.
MSC ORCHESTRA was built in 2007 for MSC Cruises as the second ship of the Musica class and boasts 1,275 cabins.
During this cruise season, at least 23 luxury cruise ships operated by at least 17 international cruise lines are scheduled to call at South Africa’s six cruise ports.
The port’s 2018/19 cruise season figures were up by 29.4% from 197 382 in 2017/18 to 255 422 in 2018/19.
Durban has held the title of Africa’s Leading Cruise Port for three consecutive years in the World Travel Awards for Africa and Indian Ocean.