South Africa welcomed a new cruise line to its ports, with the maiden voyage of the state-of-the-art Viking Sun cruise liner, which sailed into the Port of Durban in KwaZulu Natal on April 12.

Operated by Switzerland-based owner, Viking Ocean Cruises, the award-winning cruise ship, which has a capacity for 930 guests, had added a feather in the Port of Durban’s cap, said Acting Durban Port Manager, Nokuzola Nkowane, “affirming the City of Durban as a cruise destination of choice, as reflected in our nomination once again this year as a finalist in the World Travel Awards category of Africa’s Leading Cruise Port.”

Nkowane said the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and Port of Durban expected to receive more world-class cruise ships at the new Cruise Terminal, which is being developed by KwaZulu Cruise Terminal.

After two days in Durban, the Viking Sun sails to East London on April 15, heads to Port Elizabeth on April 16, then finally to Cape Town on April 18. From there, she sails into the South Atlantic to Lüderitz and Walvis Bay. Across all Viking itineraries, guests receive a complimentary shore excursion in each of the ports, and free unlimited WiFi.

The Viking Sun’s maiden voyage brings the Western and Eastern Cape’s 2018/2019 cruise season to a close.

Viking Ocean Cruises operates global ocean cruises with a fleet of six ocean ships and river cruises, with a fleet of almost 60 Viking Longships. In September 2018, the company announced that it would be featuring South Africa heavily on its 128-day World Cruise from Miami to London, which includes 44 port calls in 21 countries on five continents.

Built in 2017, the cruise ship is 227 metres long, with a beam of 28.8-metres.