GERMAN company Moltke Promotion has partnered with Cape Town-based tour operator iKapa Tours & Travel to bring two of the world’s largest passenger ships to SA for next year’s Soccer World Cup.
The ships, the MS Noordam and MS Westerdam, will make their way to Cape Town ahead of the tournament in June , before separately heading for Port Elizabeth and Durban for the duration of the tournament.
The ships, which each have about 1100 berths, will provide vitally needed accommodation in three of the host cities.
“We do not see ourselves as competing with local hotels and tour operators, but rather as a supplementary offering aimed at satisfying the large demand,” said Werner von Moltke, MD of Moltke Promotion.
The cruise ships, owned by shipping group Holland America, have been chartered by One Ocean Club, a subsidiary of Moltke Promotions, for the World Cup, while iKapa has been contracted to provide transport for passengers.
“The ships will arrive in Cape Town from Europe before the tournament starts, bringing with them thousand of tourists. The ships will stay in Cape Town for a few days before the MS Noordam heads for Durban and MS Westerdam travels to Port Elizabeth,” said Desmond Windt, business development manager of iKapa.
Windt said soccer fans would be able to buy three- day to week-long packages, which would include a stay on the ship as well as transfers to various matches being held around the country.
The two ships, which will be berthed in Cape Town harbour’s Duncan Dock, are unlikely to be the only cruise liners to make the trip to the mother city. Dubai World is pressing ahead with plans to bring the QE2 to SA.
“We are in detailed discussions with Transnet, and QE2 is currently being prepared to ensure her certification is in place and up to date should she need to sail to SA,” the Dubai- based company has said .
Windt said Moltke Promotion had not signed up with Match, the Fifa agency tasked with securing 55000 rooms for the World Cup, but he said that the parties had held informal talks.
baumannj@bdfm.co.za