The vessel was purpose built as a state craft for visiting dignitaries and VVIPs for cruises in the Singapore Harbour. Dignitaries who have been aboard include HM Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, former President of Singapore Wee Kim Wee, former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, Chinese Premier Li Peng, and recently, Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chretien, among many others.

The Harbour Queen was built in Singapore in 1987 and is very well maintained. The craft is designed for comfortable seating of 86 passengers in two luxuriously furnished air-conditioned saloons on the main deck complete with bar counter and dance floor. A spiral staircase leads to the open-air top deck.