Tours in Cape Town

Posts Tagged ‘deoarture of the Queen Mary 2’

The Queen Mary 2 at its mooring at the foot of Table Mountain

The visit of the Queen Mary 2 was too short. She spent  only two days and one night in Cape Town’s Duncan dock before she sailed away on Friday evening.

The ship was treated like royalty while here. A lot better than the passengers who had to stand in long queues to board her, thankfully on a day when it was cooler than what we have been experiencing here of late.

Cape Town came out if force to bid the Queen farewell

I was privileged to get an invite to go on a harbour cruise to see the ship leave port.

What an experience to be out on the water waving goodbye to such a magnificent ship.

The sun setting over the Queen at her berth in Cape Town

As is usual in the holiday travel industry there is always some one who is late getting back from a trip or tour somewhere  in our beautiful city and causing those who took the trouble to be on time to wait for them to arrive.

In this instance 3000+ people on the Queen Mary 2, two tugs and the pilot boat, an assorted array of boats in the bay and a number of helicopters, plus thousands of people lined up outside the Port authority building and on jetties around the harbour had to wait for an hour longer than was necessary due to two people being late back from a tour, for the great ship to slip her moorings and leave the harbour.

The Queen Mary being turned

Her bows nearly clear of the jetty where she was moored

Her bows now clear of the jetty where she was moored

Just about ready to leave

After the tugs had moved her away from her berth they had to turn her stern towards Table Mountain and then move the whole ship northwards before she was able to set sail.

The send off fit for a Queen

Her final sendoff after dropping the lines from the tugs and the pilot was one of the tugs sending a magnificent spray of water into the air to say farewell.

The Queen Mary 2 with Table Mountain and Lions Head in the background

The upper decks with passengers lining the rails

The Queen Mary  2 answered by blowing her horn, causing a large cheer from the crowds and the waiting boats in the bay to go up.

The Queen Mary 2 sailing off into the sunset

With the sun setting over Table Bay the magnificent Queen Mary 2 made her way slowly out into the bay to continue her world cruise with her next destination being the islands of St Helena.

What a fitting departure for a queen.

Cape Town is such a magnificent destination that even royalty come to stay here and enjoy our hospitality.

Let’s see you all here soon for the world’s largest sporting event.

The FIFA World cup.

Cape Town is ready and waiting for you to arrive.

While here take some of the day tours available ,  see some of our magnificent scenery, discover our wonderful wines,  and after your visit send all your friends back  to visit us.

Book your Cape Town Day Tours early to avoid disappointment.

We would love to show you around our beautiful city.

Related Blogs

• Video: Queen Mary 2 Leaves Durban Harbour 23 March, 2010 |   Warwick Bruce Chapman
• CTICC raises the bar for sustainable action in Central City – Cape Town Partnership
• Green Point Stadium in Cape Town :The World Cup Champion » blog.lonelynot.org
• Queen Mary 2 in Durban | Marc Forrest.com
• Cunard Blog: We Are Cunard: Alastair Greener » Queen Mary 2 Hosts Archbishop Desmond Tutu
• Green Point Stadium in Cape Town :The World Cup Champion