First majestic cruise ship anchors in Lamu after 10 years of wait

MV SH Diana, a 126-meter long cruise ship docked at the Lamu port over the weekend.

Under the command of Captain Ali Abdile, representing the Kenya Ports Authority, the vessel brought in 165 excited tourists and crew to explore the island town.

According to residents, the arrival of the cruise ship marked a significant milestone for Lamu, as it had been a decade since the last vessel of its kind graced its shores.

Having embarked on a journey from Jeddah to Djibouti, Zanzibar, and finally Lamu, the MV SH Diana held the promise of transforming the tourism sector in this pristine destination.

Despite the inclement weather, the tourists were whisked away from the ship in tenda boats, braving the rain to reach the island.

In a ceremony to commemorate the ship's first call, Lamu Port General Manager Engineer Vincent Sidai presented the master of the ship with a certificate, expressing his gratitude for choosing Lamu as a destination.

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy extended his heartfelt appreciation to the tourists for choosing the island.

Chairman Ziwa Abdalla of the Lamu Tour Guide Association expressed his excitement, stating that the arrival of MV SH Diana was a tremendous boost to the sector.

He noted that such rare visits would have a positive impact on the community.

''We need more of this and I believe if in a year we can have 10 of this, then our lives will change,'' said Abdalla.

As the MV SH Diana set sail from Lamu, the ship left behind a renewed sense of hope and optimism for the future of tourism on the island.