Cape Town South Africa Cruise Port Guide

Location:

The ships dock at E-Berth in the Duncan Dock. Ideally situated, within walking distance of Cape Town’s culturally-rich inner city, and on the doorstep of the magnificent V&A Waterfront, with its world class shops, restaurants, hotels and diverse entertainment options . The hop on/off buses (see below) make a stop here.

From the airport: You should pay 200 Rand for that trip (which is about $30). The safest taxis are those with a number alongside the roof Taxi sign. Noble Transfers charge 250 Rand (about $7.00) more.

Hotels near the Cruise Terminal

Webcams of the surroundings.

Printable map to take along.

Cruise calendar for this port.

Check here for festivals and events in Cape Town when you are in port.

Watch a destination video.

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers

Sightseeing:

Cape Town's setting ranks as one of the most beautiful in the world. Situated near the southern tip of the vast African continent, about 25 miles from the Cape of Good Hope, the city spreads between the 3,000-foot-high, flat-topped Table Mountain and the sparkling sea.

At first sight, Cape Town appears surprisingly small. The city center, lying to the north of Table Mountain and east of Signal Hill, is also referred to as the City Bowl. Its compactness makes for easy exploration on foot, starting with the historic company gardens.

Cape Town offers museums, parks and gardens in addition to numerous historical buildings such as the Castle, which is the oldest surviving structure in South Africa. It was built between 1666 and 1679, replacing Van Riebeeck's original mud-walled fort.

Cable Car to the top of Table Mountain Lower Cable Station, Tafelberg Road (take a free MyCiTi Bus 100 from the bottom of the hill to Upper Tafelberg)

Tours Excursions Transportation:

During the day, you can easily and safely walk from your ship to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront complex. Don't walk anywhere after dark.

See beautiful Cape Town in 4 routes available by hop on/off bus: the Red City Tour, the Blue Mini Peninsula Tour, the Yellow Downtown Tour and the Purple Wine Tour. Discover this mysterious, beautiful and exhilarating city!

It pays to compare your cruise line shore excursions here.

Nearby Places:

Outside of the city, attractions include impressive mountains, great surfing beaches, outstanding wineries and splendid scenery. A cable car ride up Table Mountain offers visitors a spectacular panorama on a clear day. (The cable car's operation is subject to weather conditions.)

Robben Island Ferries depart from the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront to the infamous island outpost, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for more than two decades.

Shopping and Food

Cape Town offers a wide range of crafts, often reflecting a blend of African and European styles. The Waterfront Shopping Complex, within walking distance from the pier offers some of the best African art plus a wide range of shops and restaurants.

Greenmarket Square This pleasant spot was created as a farmers' market in 1710; today it is home to a daily flea market, selling arts and crafts among other odds and ends.

Currency:

The currency is the Rand (ZAR) Automated teller machines (ATMs), linked to all major international networks, are available throughout the country. It is best to use only ATMs that are inside a mall or other building. Always be careful to make sure no one is watching you enter your PIN, and be vigilant about scams (e.g. machines that seem to eat your card and won't give it back after you enter the PIN).

Most retail stores accept credit cards.

Currency Converter

Communication:

South Africa has 11 official languages. Most people other than rural black Africans speak English, although not many as a first language. Afrikaans is also widely spoken, especially by the white and colored population.

Opening Hours and Holidays:

Shopping hours Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0900-1400, although there is an increasing trend to open later and all weekend in major tourist spots. Shopping malls often stay open til' 9PM.

January 1. New Years' Day
March 21. Human Rights Day
Easter weekend. ("Good Friday", "Easter Saturday", "Easter Sunday" and "Easter Monday"): a four day long weekend in March or April set according to the Western Christian dates.
April 27. Freedom Day
May 1. Workers Day
June 16. Youth Day
August 9. Woman's Day
September 24. Heritage Day
December 16. Day of Reconciliation
December 25. Christmas Day
December 26. Day of Goodwill

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