LUXURY LINER QUEEN ANNE MAKES MAIDEN CALL AT PENANG PORT

GEORGE TOWN, March 27 (Bernama) -- Cunard’s newest luxury ship, the majestic Queen Anne from Southampton, the United Kingdom, made its maiden call at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) at Penang Port here today, marking a significant milestone for Malaysia’s cruise tourism industry.

Tourism Malaysia, in a statement today, said the visit to SPCT is part of her 107-maiden grand voyage encompassing over 30 destinations across more than 20 countries, celebrating Malaysia’s growing prominence in the global cruise tourism market and its ability to attract world-class cruise liners.

According to the statement, the Norwegian Sun would also dock in Penang on March 30 to complement Queen Anne’s arrival, further solidifying Malaysia’s status as a premier cruise destination.

“The Norwegian Sun is embarking on a 17-night transoceanic cruise with an expected 3,950 passengers from Singapore to Cape Town, featuring a captivating itinerary that includes strategic ports, including Penang, Port Louis, Mauritius and Port of Durban in South  Africa,” it said.

Tourism Malaysia deputy chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin attended a welcoming ceremony for the ship today, which featured Malaysian cultural performances and presented the 5,094 passengers onboard with local treats.

Yeoh, in the same statement, said the maiden call presents a unique opportunity to showcase Malaysia to a global audience, especially the country's rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes and warm hospitality.

He said this would prompt visitors to return and explore the country further during the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.

Penang Port has recently welcomed several international cruise ships, including Azamara Pursuit, MS Blue Dream Melody, AIDAStella and Norwegian Sky.

In 2024, SPCT handled 1,046,165 passengers, including 650,518 international transit passengers and 4,840 home port passengers.

-- BERNAMA