The Port of Walvis Bay — Local services in Erongo Region

We have made severel cruise ship journey already, but this port was one of the worst so far.

We were in this port on 24 Nov 2024

For the Namibia visa I was asked to fill out a double sided A4 form in weeks before, since the process takes long. The cruise ship had to scan and send it per email. No online alternativ was available. We were asked to gather at 8 am. to be picked up. The port employee showed up only after 15min waiting. She transfered us with a mini bus to an office inside the port. It was around 3 min by car. Next waiting again for 15min the next employee who was also late on his duty. After unclear statements where shall we wait,in which room, the visa process finally started one by one. They charged our credit card for 1600 NAD (84€). Only the third lady was asking, why do they charged 1600 NAD, if it was 1200 (62€) NAD written on the web page of Namibia for a 3 month visa. No 1-day visa was offered, just like in any other ports in the world, which we have already visited. Meanwhile the Taxi-lady was charging parallel for 30€ in cash-only for the 3min Port-transfer. After long argument she accepted my credit card, and was even ready to negotiat to accept less, just to make me silent. This extre fee was not mentioned earlier, neither by her, nor by the TUI Mein Schiff officers. At that moment the guests had not negotiation possibilities, no chance to say that I have made my mind. During the 1600/1200 NAD issue clarification, the TUI crusies ship officer asked the Taxi-lady, to pay out the wrongly charged extre fee in cash, 20€, from the Port-transfer cash register. Since they could not cancel credit card charges.

At the end I had to pay 92€ for a 3 mounth visa even if I was present only for a one day.

They made a different pricing for german and other european citizens crusing passengers for a one day stopover. It's not...

Pity. Hundreds of cruise passengers stayed aboard the ship due to the complicated, bureaucratic and expensive visa and immigration procedure which took 3+ hours for those going ashore.

If Namibia wants tourists spending money ashore, they must issue a visitor day pass charged to the ship allowing guest to walk ashore without immigration check or check passports while the ship is in port and guest ashore. Plenty of countries successfully implemented simplified procedures for cruise passengers since the ship takes responsibility to re-board everyone before leaving the port.

Guide to success: no visa / immigration check ship to guarantee all aboard visitor day pass usd 10 hop on hop off bus usd 10 free internet in port or shopping mall (ship staff) licensed taxis / tours with fixed and approved rates encourage cruise ships to...

Walvis Bay is a nice place to visit after all the burning hot desert sightseeing. This place is a good change of pace. The water was clear, the breeze was great. The shops were cute. You can enjoy taking a lot of photos there. Strongly recommend visiting in the morning though, because it will be pretty hot in the afternoon.

From that part, you can take a boat to see seals and pelican. If you have never seen one, just like me, you will...