Two Cruise Ships Visiting Nuku'alofa
Cruise Ship Queen Elizabeth
The Cruise Ship Queen Elizabeth arrived in Tonga yesterday around 8:00 am and berthed at the Vuna Wharf as part of a day visit to the Kingdom of Tonga. She is the second largest ship to be constructed for Cunard, exceeded only by Queen Mary 2, and is capable of carrying up to 2,092 passengers. The ship is running mate to Queen Victoria who visited Tonga in 2014. This is the second time this majestic vessel visited the kingdom and the largest to berth at the new Vuna Wharf.
Queen Elizabeth departed Apia Western Samoa Sunday 22 February and arrived in the kingdom yesterday morning 24 February with 1811 passengers and 983 crews of different nationalities. Another cruise vessel from Japan Azuka II berthed at Queen Salote Wharf with 563 passengers and 472 crew members mainly all of Japanese origins. Azuka II departed New Zealand few days ago and is here in the kingdom as scheduled before heading to Tahiti. This the first time for this vessel to visit the Friendly Islands.
Cruise Ship Azuka II at Queen Salote Wharf
Feedback provided by visitors of their experiences in Tonga today is summed up in one phrase; ‘a beautiful place with friendly people’. They also enjoyed their tours with the taxis and a good number of visitors simply enjoyed the walking tour around Nuku’alofa.
As tourism is the leading sector and the biggest source of revenue for the country, cruise ship day is a big day for most people in Tonga especially those who engaged in the tourism industry activities. Handicraft producers, bus and taxi drivers tour operators, restaurant owners, flea market sellers amongst others are happy with the sales made on the day. “I always look forward for cruise ship day as I know for sure that I will get money” says Sione Fakataha a taxi driver.
