Cruise Cape Town, powered by Wesgro welcomed the MV Pacific World. It is the first cruise liner to dock in Cape Town this season in 2024 with 1,486 passengers. The cruise will arrive from Qeberha and is heading to Las Palmas, Spain.
The ship marks the beginning of what is anticipated to be a stellar cruise season, with 87 ships expected for the 2024-25 period.
Reportedly, the cruise tourism is a vital part of the Western Cape economy. The arrival of these ships has boosted the local demand for goods and services, from food and beverages to entertainment and port facilities, which are ultimately creating the jobs across the province.
Arrival of the MV Pacific World cruise ship marks the start of the 2024-25 cruise season. It was originally built in 1995. The Pacific World operates as part of the Peace Boat organizations fleet.
It is a Japan based non-governmental organization that promotes peace, human rights and sustainable development. It is mainly, used for educational voyages, global peace missions and cultural exchange programs, the ship offers a unique travel experience that combines cruising with activism and learning.
Executive Manager of Marine and Industrial – Andre Blaine said that they are thrilled to kick off the 2024-25 cruise season, with 88 cruise visits which are scheduled and has expected 120,000 passengers passing through the Cape Town Cruise Terminal.
Blaine further added that the season marks a notable increase in both the number of cruise ships and passenger arrivals as compared to previous year. According to him it underscores the rising popularity of Cape Town as a premier cruise destination.
MV Pacific World was originally built as ‘Sun Princess’ in the year 1995. It is the first Sun-class vessel in the Princess Cruises fleet, with the sisterships ‘Dawn Princess’, now known as ‘Pacific Explorer’ and ‘Sea Princess’ now known as ‘Dream Charming’. The similar name now carries the Sun Princess which was built recently in 2024.
Notably, in mid-September 2020, Princess Cruises sold the Sun Princess. The company announced the liner which left the fleet in 2021 and was renamed as ‘Pacific World’.