"Norwegian Sky" Cruise Ship Arrives in Luanda with Nearly 2,000 Tourists

On Monday, the cruise ship Norwegian Sky docked at the Port of Luanda, bringing along 1,936 tourists from diverse nationalities for a nine-hour visit. The travelers hailed from countries including Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, Brazil, China, South Africa, and the United States.

During their time in the Angolan capital, tourists explored several key attractions, including Miradouro-da-Lua, Fortaleza de São Miguel, Palácio de Ferro, and Baía de Luanda, among others. The cruise began in Lisbon, Portugal, and is set to continue its journey to the Canary Islands, Madeira, Senegal, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

Among the visitors was Zuleide Porto from Brazil, who shared her excitement about her first trip to Africa and her eagerness to experience Angola. She remarked, "This warm welcome truly reflects that Angola is a friendly nation, with a culture that closely resembles Brazil's." Diana Trusk, an American tourist, noted that although she has many Angolan friends, she had never previously visited the country. Coincidentally, her trip coincided with the visit of President Joe Biden to Angola. She expressed hope that such visits would enhance the relationship between the US and Angola, emphasizing that Angola is a stable and promising nation.

Cristiane Erica, a tourist from Germany, admitted her limited knowledge of Angola but praised the warm reception she received, particularly enjoying the traditional dances that welcomed them. The cruise was organized by the Trave-Gest Tourism Agency. José Cabral, the agency's Director General, pointed out that this marks the second cruise ship to dock in Luanda, following the arrival of the Serenade of the Seas in June, which brought 767 tourists.

Since 2012, Luanda has welcomed a total of 51 cruise ships, reflecting ongoing efforts to promote tourism in Angola.