Nine passenger ship visits lined up

The provisional port log released by the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) shows that an estimated 57 vessels could call at the Port of Walvis Bay in March.

This total includes nine passenger vessel visits, with the Island Princess being the first to arrive on 9 March. The Island Princess is currently on an Easter-themed, 89-day, one-way cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Civitavecchia-Rome. The itinerary, which will see the vessel visit more than 30 ports, started on 4 January 2024 and ends on 2 April 2024.

The vessel was constructed in 2003 at a cost of US$330 million and refurbished in 2020. It has 15 decks with 1 107 cabins. She was christened by David Pelletier and Jamie Sale and can carry 2 657 passengers and 900 crew members.

The Norwegian Dawn will call on 18 March and the MSC Splendida on 20 March. Norwegian Dawn will be on a 12-day Africa round-trip. She will call at the Port of Lüderitz on 17 March and set sail for the Port of Cape Town from Walvis Bay.

Norwegian Dawn was constructed in 2002 at a cost of US$450 million. The vessel, which was christened by Kim Cattrall, has 14 decks and 1 170 cabins. It can carry 2 808 passengers and 1 032 crew members.

The MSC Splendida will be on a four-night round trip from Cape Town. MSC Splendida is a Fantasia-class cruise ship currently operated by MSC Cruises. The ship has been in active service for 15 years and was christened by Sophia Loren on 12 July 2009.

The ship is based in Durban for the 2023/2024 cruise season and will serve the South African market, sailing to Mozambique, Mauritius, Reunion, Namibia, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town. The vessel is like a floating luxury resort and boasts all the recreation and entertainment options travellers hope to find on holiday, from the Broadway-style theatre, glamorous casino, and designer disco to a sports arena, high-tech 4D cinema, MSC Formula Racer simulator, and dedicated areas for kids and teens.

The MSC Splendida has 18 decks and can carry 4 363 passengers and 1 370 crew members. It is equipped with 1 637 cabins, including 43 for guests with disabilities or reduced mobility.

The ship’s horn system is programmed to play multiple songs, including “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions” by Queen, “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, and “Happy Birthday to You”.

The ice-strengthened expedition ship Silver Cloud will arrive on 22 March and Norwegian Dawn will also return for another visit on that day. Silver Cloud is on a 21-day, one-way cruise from Puerto Williams to Cape Town. The itinerary started on 2 March 2024, and ends on 23 March 2024.

Silver Cloud is the first hybrid ship in the Silversea fleet and brings the remote and remarkable to its guests in ultra-luxurious comfort. Her large suites and destination itineraries make her truly special.

The vessel is regarded as one of the most luxurious ships operating in Antarctic waters, and due to its size, it can visit landing spots that many luxury vessels cannot reach. Silver Cloud has nine decks and can accommodate 254 guests and a crew of 223. The ship’s maximum capacity on polar cruises (Arctic and Antarctic itineraries) is 200 passengers.

The vessel has been refurbished at a cost of US$40 million. With 20 brand new Zodiacs, four superlative restaurants, and a pole-to-pole expedition itinerary, Silver Cloud breaks the ice between expedition and luxury.

Splendida will return to the port of Walvis Bay on 24 March. Her visit will be followed by the arrival of Costa Toscan on 27 March. With its length of 333m, the Costa Toscan will be the largest of the passenger vessels scheduled to call at the Port of Walvis Bay in March.

The vessel was constructed in 2021 at a cost of US$950 million and was christened by Chanel. She has 20 decks with 2 663 cabins and can accommodate 6 338 passengers and 1 678 crew members.

Spendida will make another call on 28 March. SH Vega will arrive on 29 March

Other vessels due to call at the Port of Walvis Bay this month include ten container vessels, eight tugs, seven fishing vessels, six general cargo vessels, four bulk carriers, four multipurpose vessels, two RORO’s, one tanker, one seismic support vessel, one reefer, and one well stimulation vessel.

The container vessel Cosco Korea, with a length of 334m, will be the biggest vessel to visit the Port of Walvis Bay this month. The vessel was built in 2010 and can carry 8 501 TEUs. She currently sails under the flag of Hong Kong and left the Port of Kribi in Cameroon on 22 February for Angola, en route to the Port of Walvis Bay.