About 1 500 foreign fans will live in the lap of luxury while in Durban for the World Cup - but not at the city's top hotels. Instead, they will be staying on the MS Noordam, a vessel that caters for high expectations.

Journalists were treated to a tour on the smaller MS Amsterdam, just to get a taste of what the fans could expect. A Waterford Crystal chandelier will make up the centrepiece on the vessel.

The ship has 11 bars, two nightclubs, five restaurants and the standard casino and duty-free shops.

Werner von Molkte, the CEO of One Ocean Club, the company that put together the package, said the ship offered a "complete solution" to fans that went beyond its own facilities. It included travel to and from airports and stadiums for match days. There was also guaranteed safety and security on board.

It all comes at a price. For a five-day package, expect to pay between R40 000 and R150 000.

Von Molkte suggested that many of the visitors to South Africa would not have been to the country before and the only reason they were visiting was the football.

"They won't know what to expect. There are concerns about crime, safety, transport, infrastructure - but the big concern is that there is poor public transport. If they stay at a B&B, do they know that they will definitely be able to get to the games on time? We offer that solution. We offer the complete package, including airport transfers and a shuttle to all the matches. Everything is in one place, and a lot of people want that," he said.

"We have a lot of bookings, but we aren't full yet," he added.

One German couple will be on board for more than 60 days, including the 27-day stop in Durban.

While Von Molkte said he could not name the celebrities or high-profile guests on board, he confirmed that German footballing legend Franz Beckenbauer would stay for the first five days culminating in the match between Germany and Australia on June 13.

Von Molkte said the ship was not in competition with South African companies, but rather supplemented the number of four- and five-star hotels available.

"From our research, there are only 4 500 beds in this category in Durban... So we think the country has space for more accommodation like ours," he said.

The MS Noordam will be in Durban longer than in any other city. It will be here for all of the group games, then move to Port Elizabeth and return to Durban until the semi-final. "Durban has the best matches, by far. It has the crackers."

"Durban is the best place to be in winter, that's what we're telling all our guests. Apart from the climate, you also have the best South African experience. The weather allows for this," he said.
 

Source: IOL Travel - www.ioltravel.co.za

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