When Cunard's largest ever passenger liner, Queen Mary 2, arrived in Sydney Harbour on its maiden visit in February, 2007, it was met by a flotilla of small boats, helicopters and tens of thousands of people.
Police struggled with massive traffic jams.
On a return visit in February last year, the police took steps to avoid some of the chaos that the ship caused in city streets, but still the people thronged the waterside.
In the US, on the west coast and in the east, and in Europe, tens of thousands turned out for each unique event.
Such is what lies ahead for Durban on Tuesday, March 23, when the 151 400-gross ton Queen Mary 2 "pulls in" for an all-too-brief visit.
Queen Mary 2 is scheduled to arrive at 6am and will leave at 6pm. It will be its maiden voyage to South Africa and the biggest cruise liner to dock in Durban.
The good news from the ship's agent, King & Sons, is that the ship will berth at the T jetty at O and O/P berths, which will give the public an excellent view.
The bad news is that there is still no clarity on whether the public will have access to a vantage point near the entrance channel to see the ship's arrival and departure.
The site contractors, who have little more than a week to go before they conclude their contract and move off the North and South piers, are reluctant to allow public access to what remains officially a construction site until the end of the month.
The Mercury has learnt that additional security will be engaged to prevent the public from gaining access to the pier from Mahatma Gandhi (Point) Road or from the beach on the day.
Port manager Ricky Bhikraj said at the weekend that the Transnet National Ports Authority was making every effort to find a suitable vantage point. The public would be notified through the press, he said.
The ship will be clearly visible from the esplanade. Another excellent place to see it would be from one of the many pleasure boats on Durban Bay. Enquire at the yacht mole, the Gardiner Street Jetty or Wilson's Wharf.
When the ship sails in the afternoon, an excellent vantage point will be along the beachfront at uShaka Beach.