Luanda: A cruise ship named ‘Norwegian Sky’ docked at the Port of Luanda, bringing 1,936 tourists from numerous countries for a brief nine-hour visit. These visitors hail from diverse nations, including Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, Brazil, China, South Africa, and the United States. They are set to explore several of Luanda’s notable attractions such as the Miradouro-da-Lua, the Fortaleza de São Miguel, Palácio de Ferro, and Baía de Luanda.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the cruise embarked from Lisbon, Portugal, and is on a journey that includes stops at the Canary Islands, Madeira, Senegal, and São Tomé and Príncipe. The visit holds special significance for many tourists. Brazilian tourist Zuleide Porto expressed her excitement about visiting Africa for the first time, emphasizing the cultural similarities she observed between Angola and Brazil.
American tourist Diana Trusk noted that her visit coincided with the day of American President Joe Biden’s visit to Angola. She e
xpressed hope that this would further strengthen the ties between the United States and Angola, especially given Angola’s stable and promising environment. Meanwhile, German tourist Cristiane Erica admitted to having limited knowledge about Angola before her visit but appreciated the warm welcome and traditional dances upon arrival.
This cruise is organized by the Trave-Gest Tourism Agency. José Cabral, Director General of the agency, mentioned that ‘Norwegian Sky’ is the second cruise ship to dock in Luanda this year, following the arrival of ‘Serenad of the Seas’ in June, which brought 767 tourists. The docking of Norwegian Sky marks the 51st cruise to visit Luanda since 2012, underscoring the nation’s ongoing efforts to promote tourism.