Namibia, Walvis Bay“Surely of all the wonders of the world, the horizon is the greatest”, Freys Stark

Our schedule had us docking at Luderitz, Namibia but a few days before the captain changed the schedule due to the tides and sea conditions. We had a tour booked here with Across Africa going to Kolmanskop Ghost Town, the Luderitz Museum, Diaz Point, flami go sightings on the peninsula, Felsenkirche and Goethe House then lunch.  I share this for those of you reading this to gain information for your 2023 Grand Africa trip. You can read more about this trip and it’s details in the Across Africa site.  But the data stubbing part was that Across Africa would only refund us 60% of our payment!   They said their small print says that if the ship fails to dock their that is their procedure.  It may influence your business with Across Africa tours. I also want to share with you one if the passengers comments about this tour company.  I’ll try to copy and paste it to see if it shows up.  If not I’ll retype it.  

Here are their comments which I wholeheartedly agree with;

“Just a few thoughts about Across Africa from the perspective of a participant in numerous tours and an organizer of 2. We also have had tours with other operators and with HAL. We have also talked with other passengers and heard their excursion experiences.

HAVE LOW EXPECTATIONS AND YOU WON"T BE AS DISAPPOINTED.

First, we have learned not to expect the tour operator to be planning to do the same tour that we booked in the way it was described regardless of whether it is booked through Across Africa, another operator or HAL. There are many reasons for this, including: late disembarkation, inexperience, cutting corners, pandemic break, communication, inadequate resources for all the ship's passengers at once, etc.

Second, for the most part, nothing goes as expected anywhere in Africa. Clearance for disembarkation, vehicles, roads, skill in English, audio systems, air conditioning, food, etc. are all extremely variable and so are we. We have had last minute cancellations for a variety of reasons, too.

Third, with a little patience and persistence, the majority of tours have done most of the things that we wanted and all of them have been experiences to talk about. The first thing to do is review the itinerary with the guide and sort out any discrepancies before it is too late. This is Africa and you can't expect things to run like clockwork (or even a decent hourglass). Across Africa has generally been receptive to concerns and forthcoming with reimbursements when tour operators don't do the job in a major way.

Fourth, we probably wouldn't use Across Africa again for tender ports as they are inherently unpredictable and since their refund policy doesn't cover such port cancellations, I would look elsewhere.

I hope that this is useful for people who are thinking about using Across Africa or just cruising around Africa in the future.“

So instead we had a sea day.  That day they announced that there would be a complimentary happy hour on the Lido, Crows Nest and Ocean Bar.  It would be one hour.  Most of us expected we would get one drink.  But later we heard that passengers went from bar to bar ordering as much as they wanted and even took some drinks to their cabins for later!!!!  I guess it was a huge mix up and the bars lost a lot of money.  Next time I’m sure it will be done differently.

Our next port was Walvis Bay.  We had a tour booked here also with a company called All On.  We were to spend the morning touring the Harbour for three hours then see the lighthouse, tour an oyster farm, meander through Pelican Point and then leave the catamarans and go on 4 x 4’s and head to Sandwich Harbour.  We would have a snack along with beer, wine, water or soda which would last approximately 5 hours. Three days before the tour the organizer said the company was raising their rates another $20 pp!  None of us had paid prior to the tour.  Betsy, Chuck and Dan and I discussed it.  We felt it was unfair to make this change and if we went with it it would cost each of us $400 a couple!  So we told the organizer we were backing out.  She wasn’t happy but we told her we thought we could see a lot on our on for $800!  

We ended up taking the free shuttle to the drop off which was their mall.  We bought a few things at a drug store and wandered around.  Then we got back on the shuttle and it dropped us off at a marina with a restaurant and a small market mostly crafts, food and some music.   We could see the sand dunes in the distance.  It was kind of a cool cloudy day and we didn’t see much bird activity.  But we had a few beers and a good pizza!  We ended walking back to the ship and passed an interesting street market outside the gate.  People had come from several days travel to try and get some sales.  They laid blankets on the ground and people told us they would sleep there till the next cruise ship came.  In many ports we were the first cruise ship to come since COVID. 

Christmas tree at the mall

Pelicans at the marina. 

Sharing our pizza!!

The little restaurant that we ate at. 

Chuck bought one of these Prego and loved it!  He’s up for trying new things.  

The market was very small. Not much to explore. 


I couldn’t believe they still sell Tupperware but these folks were set up selling new items!

Chuck bought a few other things from sellers. 

Another pelican by the bay



Beautiful colors on these pelicans 


This group performed for us that night with traditional songs and dances.  They got a standing ovation and were impressive.