Namibians welcome affordable boat cruises

NAMIBIANS are excited about the idea of a boat cruise company at Walvis Bay that offers special rates for local customers.

The Lady Victoria boat cruise tours introduced low rates when it started operating last month, to allow Namibians, especially those living at the coast, to enjoy boat cruises with their loved ones.

The company has not stopped taking bookings from Namibians since the start of the special rates, especially for their N$200 hourly cruises.

Tours are mostly booked by locals from Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Windhoek for relaxing, family time, and celebrations.

The company’s marketing manager Alcino Maxim, said that he was puzzled to see mostly tourists using the boat services, when he came to Namibia from South Africa last year.

“I asked Boas why there were only tourists on boats, and why local people do not support the boat companies. I then noticed the cost of the cruises, starting at N$650 per person was too steep. I immediately got an idea that we need to focus our business on the local communities and introduce the everyday worker to this industry. We lowered our rates to cater for them. This move is also to give back to our regular customers,” he said.

The owner of the boat, Boas Naanda, who welcomed the idea, said it also came at a time when the country is facing an economic crisis.

I Naanda said locals especially, need a stress reliever from troubles they are facing due to the impact of Covid-19.

“Covid-19 has thrown the whole world under the bus. As our bodies are becoming immune to the disease, our businesses should also become immune and adapt to the current economic crisis. Let’s all stand with one another and lend a helping hand where we can,” he said.

The building of the boat started in 2018, after the owner went on a boat cruise at the harbour town. He did not like the service, and decided to come up with something that offers value for money, and a different way of providing services.

“After that, I frequently visited South Africa, to look for boats. We could only get catamaran sharp boats, while I wanted something different. Eventually, I met a boat consultant who introduced me to the boat builder that built the Lady Victoria.” He said.

Clients usually take advantage of the special rate on Saturdays and Sundays. Some residents applauded the boat owner for the initiative, saying more Namibians will be able to experience sea life, instead of reading about it in the media.

“I love it! Can you think of all the happy people who would enjoy it? Not everybody can afford it, but with this price you can make 100 dreams come true for cruising on a boat. What a wonderful thing to do.” said Norma van der Merwe.”

“It was my first time going on a boat trip. The experience was wonderful. The tour guides were very friendly and informative. It was even my first time tasting oysters. After that, a lot of people who saw my pictures were calling me to ask for contact details, as they also wanted to experience it. With that low rate, I am planning to go back and treat some of my friends. We only saw these things on television, yet we are Namibians.” said Paulus Ndiweteko.

The boat recently hosted Zimbabwean minister of transport and infrastructural development, Felix Mhona on its first cruise.