‘My name may have buoyancy enough to float upon the sea of time.’
Quoted by Gladstone, Eton Miscellany, Nov. 1827.
Let it never be said that Waterfront Charters rest on their laurels. The history of our family-owned company goes hand-in-hand with that of the V&A Waterfront, in a way mirroring the growth and expansion of the iconic Cape Town development. Our presence here has been felt since the early 1990’s, providing harbour tours and sunset cruises that are now a staple in the V&A experience.
Those who visited the V&A in those formative years will look back with nostalgia – and some wonder – at the then small development around the Victoria and Alfred docks. But the founders had dreams and plans, and the decades that have passed have seen stupendous growth and the realisation of all the visions that drove the concept. Echoing that development has been Waterfront Charters burgeoning presence. As the Waterfront grew, so did our fleet and our variety of cruises. Our twin-masted schooner was augmented by a sailing catamaran; our cruising vessels were partnered by two powerful Rigid-hulled Inflatables – RIB’s – that provided thrills and ocean safari options. Through all this the mistress of the fleet, the venerable double-decked Southern Cross, has hosted guests numbering in the millions on Harbour Tours and Sunset Cruises, and our original catamaran, Sea Princess, has hosted innumerable groups and private charters.
The luxurious catamaran fleet has been augmented too; we can boast of no less than four beautiful, sleek twin-hulled boats that can host any number of guests from an intimate handful (you know what we mean) to 140 dancing partygoers. These boats lend themselves to special events: summer seasons saw added to our scheduled cruises a range of themed cruises; from rip-roaring Clifton parties to gourmet Mimosa-fuelled brunches in Table Bay; tequila themed evenings and Prosecco Morning Cruises.
We didn’t stop there either: our name still reflects our other passion – providing superb private charters – so we recently added Luna, a mono-hulled yacht to the fleet for the ultimate private charter experience for smaller groups. It can be said without fear of contradiction that our fleet of vessels are ideal for any form of celebration, be it private or corporate. With a wide range of add-on options covering music and catering, we will ensure that any event flows seamlessly as it cruises gently off one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines.
And talking of not stopping there…Waterfront Charters are expecting again! We have ordered the construction of yet another incredible catamaran, and this bespoke 40 ft state-of-the art wonder is being assembled by one of South Africa’s top boatbuilding companies here in Cape Town. She has a main deck as well as a fly-deck and, it goes without saying, will be packed with 21st century navigation and power accoutrements. Looking at computer representations of the finished vessel leaves us champing at the bit to see her launched and take up position at Quay 5 here in the V&A Waterfront, but building a boat of this stature is like creating a fine wine: it cannot be rushed. We watch every strut, every moulding and every advancement with huge anticipation; it’s one thing purchasing a fully formed vessel but something else completely observing every step in the construction of your dream boat.
A dream boat that is currently unnamed, and this is where our guests past, present and future come into the picture. We have launched (pun intended) a competition to name this great addition to the Waterfront Charters fleet, and anybody can enter. We are looking for a name that befits this new boat; that ties her in with our current fleet; that resounds with a sense of history and future joy…well, you get the picture. Your first stop could be to check the names of our current vessels: a wander through the website will give you all you need to know. A Waterfront Charters cruise is highly recommended too; get the feel of what will be experienced. But don’t be limited: your imagination is the best reference source you have.
Of course, the person who provides us with that ideal monicker will be amply rewarded: we are offering a two-hour private charter to that insightful person, and they will be able to treat friends and family to a Waterfront Charters special cruise. And – given that this is certainly not the last addition to our fleet – we’ll give the second-choice winner a one-hour charter! They won’t have to wait until that boat is launched, either.
Become part of the Waterfront Charters history: we look forward to reading all the suggestions and know that choosing will be difficult, but enormous fun too.
Watch this space!
