Cruise around South Africa for the 2010 World Cup
Preparations for the 2010 World Cup are in full swing with a strong focus on capacity, especially in the hospitality industry. German promoter, One Ocean Club, aims to play a part in filling this gap, offering World Cup tourists premium full-service accommodation on-board luxury cruise liners.
Operating as a full-service hospitality partner during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, One Ocean Club is offering 4,600 additional beds for World Cup guests on two of the world´s largest cruise liners. This service will be supplemented by a full-scale premium hospitality programme drawn up in close co-operation with its South African partners and local authorities.
From the start of the World Cup on 11 June, the two luxury cruise liners MS Westerdam and MS Noordam, chartered by One Ocean Club from Holland America Line (HAL), will be lying at anchor in the harbours of Port Elizabeth, Durban and Cape Town and offering approximately 4,600 extra beds, along with top-quality five-star service.
To realise this, One Ocean Club staff have been in South Africa for three years, exchanging information with the authorities and establishing a sound basis for close co-operation with local companies. As a result, around 80 percent of the food used on board over the four-week period in June 2010 is to be supplied by local partners. Regional cultural events, excursions organised in partnership with South African operators and numerous other co-operation projects round off the programme.
In addition to its top-class hospitality offerings, One Ocean Club guarantees guests the highest level of safety during their entire stay on board and the best possible on-shore escorts. A high-quality security concept, including controls in the harbours and on the ships, as well as shuttle services between the airports, ships and stadiums, will provide visitors with round-the-clock protection. An on-board hospital offering a 24-hour stand-by service and arrangements with local hospitals will ensure prompt medical attention in emergencies.
Werner von Moltke, initiator of One Ocean Club, said: "The One Ocean Club offering is a high-class addition to the services provided by local hotels and tour operators during the World Cup. To this end, we are working closely with the South African authorities and numerous local partners. Our aim is to forge links between our guests and the host country, allowing them to experience South Africa both on board and ashore. In this way, we hope to make an active contribution by supporting South Africa as a successful World Cup venue."
Jeremy Scott, Managing Director of BAway, added “As an agent recognised as one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists and having extensive knowledge of operating within the sports tourism market we believe we are ideally placed to create a superb Fly/Cruise programme to these excellent ships during the excitement of the World Cup in South Africa. The security, comfort and exceptional value for money as well as being in the heart of the media action on-board will make for a superb overall experience at the world’s premier soccer event.”
