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Zimbabweans flock to cruise ships amid vast job opportunities

November 29, 2022 Staff Reporter Business 0

BULAWAYO – Zimbabweans are leaving the country in their droves to secure vast employment opportunities that have emerged on cruise ships in the United Kingdom, America and the Caribbean, among other places.

According to Lungelo Siziba, director with Team Cruise Limited, a local company that has been assisting Zimbabweans secure jobs on cruise ships, an average of 100 locals are being recruited on a monthly basis.

“We get enquiries mostly from young people across the country, especially those that graduated but are failing to get employed.

“We have managed to create relationships with various cruise ship management who alert us when there are vacancies.

“We simply direct those interested to the sites and individuals then apply for the vacancies.

“In a month, at least 100 people manage to get jobs on cruise ships,” said Siziba.

Among those flocking to cruise ships are the unemployed and employed locals hungry for better paying opportunities.

Cruise ship jobs require minimal qualifications.

“The advantage with cruise ship jobs is that no high qualifications are required. You can get employed on the low-level jobs such as housekeeping, laundry attendant, rooms division attendant, waitressing, bartender, and suite attendant amongst others.

“For these jobs, one may earn from US$800 to US$1,500 depending on the ship that recruits you,” he said.

While the wages may seem average by world standards, they are a windfall nonetheless when compared to those being earned by workers within Zimbabwe’s troubled public and private sectors.

Similarly, cruise ships have also become a God-given employment hub for qualified personnel such as nurses, doctors and dieticians whose services are in high demand on United Kingdom cruise ships.

Cruise ships that are on a recruitment drive include the Royal Caribbean Cruises, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line.

Early this month, thousands of unemployed youths thronged the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) offices in Harare where there were interviews with high hopes of securing the dream jobs.

The company pays US$1,500 to US$2,500 per month.

Zimbabwe is in the throes of a recurrent economic crises that has seen a lot of locals leave the country to secure jobs abroad. – ZimLive

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About ZimTrust

ZimTrust Recruiting and Hospitality Services Pty Ltd (ZimTrust) is an emerging small business which was established in January 2023. The company operates from Gweru ( Midlands Province ) , central part of Zimbabwe. The company specializes in recruitment and hospitality services.  ZimTrust started its operations in February 2023.It's a recruiting agency which seeks to assist the cruise ship sector find right employees that suits their requirements. We are able to search high skilled, quality and suitable people for the specific job. Having acquired much experience in the Cruise Industry and Hospitality business at large ,our team is ready to assist and create a long-lasting relationship with clients. Our commitment to our clients  is to assist in achieving their goals and providing the highest quality service. ​

We bring to life the vision of potential employers through innovative design solutions; providing right skills for the job and capture the attention of their customers and build a lasting impression.

Our services includes the following:

Massive recruitment

Individual recruitment, basic cruise ship tutorials, documents compiling, talent search.

Our Recruitment Process

​ Recruitment is one of our chore businesses; assisting people to find the right job and sometimes it involves fundamentally changing people's lives for the better. On an emotional level this is satisfying for both parties, and over time the honing of this art makes ZimTrust a greater recruiter who can achieve more both for themselves and their employer. Our 2 major roles are being a Resourcer or a Delivery Recruiter (helping people find work and building relationships with candidates) and being a Recruitment Consultant (seeking out new business opportunities and forming long lasting relationships with clients).

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To provide the best employees to the rightful employers and also provide world class hospitality services.

Delivering exceptional services and meet all the needs required by our clients.

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The CAST-A-WAY name is synonymous with quality, professionalism, and dedication within the cruise line industry.

Since 1998 CAST-A-WAY has continuously provided the industry with the highest quality crew, onboard crew and land-based staff for resorts. 

We love recruiting for major cruise lines, concessionaires and resorts, and we will always go above and beyond to meet our clients' expectations. It's part of our core values to provide exceptional customer service to our clients and candidates.

  CAST-A-WAY started in Canada and only hired for the entertainment and hotel divisions, but in the years since we have rebranded the company as a global organization and expanded our"wings" into all continents, and we increased the team of four to forty-two staff, otherwise known as the CAST-A-WAY Family. 

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"As one of the Casting and Booking Supervisors who oversees the recruitment and staffing of half of Carnival Entertainment, I can attest that CAST-A-WAY Hiring Agency is an absolutely pleasure to work with. I look forward to continuing our amazing relationship and look forward to what is to come between CAST-A-WAY and Carnival Cruise Line in the future."

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Epic Wildlife Safaris & Lake Kariba Cruises

One of Zimbabwe’s leading hospitality groups – Zambezi Cruise & Safaris – offers unique land and lake experiences. Join us for a safari at any one of our lodges around Zimbabwe or a cruise on the iconic Lake Kariba .

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Destinations

Mana Pools National Park, located in the northern region of Zimbabwe is one of the most remarkable conservation areas in the World.

Lake Kariba cruise wedding on the majestic Zambezi Trader

The Zambezi Trader, cruising Lake Kariba, allows for unique destination weddings.

Conferences

Executive outdoor safari conference venues near Harare

Pamuzinda Safari Lodge’s outdoor safari conference venues Pamuzinda Safari Lodge is one of the top executive outdoor safari conference venues in Zimbabwe. Up to 60

Slept over for one night on a business trip, venue is fantastic and rooms are immaculate. Very friendly and helpful staff

If you haven’t been to this place, I’d suggest you put it on your bucket list. Merci beaucoup for the wonderful experience.

Rauhallinen, kaunis lodge, jossa tilavat huoneet ja omat, isot terassit. Näkymä Sambesi-joelle. Lyhyt matka ajoille. Mukava nuotiopaikka, jossa upea tunnelma nauttia vaikka sundownerit. Hyvä ruoka.

Es war einfach super, die Zimmer sind ein Traum. Nachts hörte ich die Löwen. Die Lodge war zum Wasser nachts offen. Morgens kamen die ersten Elefanten bis zum Haus. Das Essen war sehr gut. Sehr zu empfehlen.

Wonderful food and service

Looking fresh with the recent works on the place.

Marvelous place to be. Beautiful lakeside view.

Fantastic venue and rooms.

Awesome place, great location for good views of the lake from the rooms or dining area. It’s a safari lodge so some hotel amenities are not found here. …..

I have to come here once more Exquisite service and luxurious rooms…it was the best vacation of my life, I hope I go back soon

Excellent and refreshing wilderness area

Wonderful safari lodge, the team makes you feel at home and very friendly and welcoming. Keep it up team. The game tour guide is awesomeness, uyayitshaya into yakhe, keep it up.

I loved every moment of being there. Going up and down the rooms and the eating area felt like a good a much needed exercise. Oh the showers were nice too. When there get them to explain what Matusadonha is 😉

Spacious and very comfortable

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Built in 2020, the RV Zimbabwean Dream is one of the gems of the CroisiEurope fleet with a magnificent setting for a dream safari-cruise in Southern Africa, overflowing with history and wildlife. A real cocoon of charm and elegance.

Combining elegance and exoticism, comfort and refinement, the RV Zimbabwean Dream is a luxury cruise ship, which sails on Lake Kariba. The ship measures 33 m long and 8 m wide, and can accommodate 16 passengers, in 8 cabins with a size of 17 m2. Of all cabins, 6 are with a French balcony and 2 with a small private terrace, offering amenities and providing guests with all the comforts they need during their stay. The spacious areas and large windows give the ship a bright  appearance. The interior is decorated with noble wood and local fabrics and blends in perfectly with the splendid surrounding landscapes. Situated on the upper deck are a small pool, the restaurant and lounge / bar where binoculars are available for wildlife and flora watching. The sun deck remains the ideal place to relax and admire Southern Africa’s magnificent sites, which are among the most beautiful in the world.

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CABIN FOR TRIPLE USE ON BOARD THE ZIMBABWEAN DREAM If two adults and one child are sharing one cabin, the spare bed will measure 150cm x 80cm (59 in. x 31 in.).

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Cruise ships shun Zim applicants

SOME recruitment agencies have blacklisted Zimbabweans for cruise ship jobs due to a history of absconding when the ships dock on foreign lands.

There have been reports of several incidents of Zimbabwean employees not returning to their respective ships, causing significant inconvenience and financial losses to cruise ship operators.

In a notice on its website, one of the leading employment agencies, Safe Cruise Agency, confirmed the freeze on employing Zimbabweans.

“We are not authorised to recruit citizens of Zimbabwe. We are not considering the new curriculum vitaes as we do not have open positions for this year for African passports. We will post new positions as we have them, but not before 2024.”

In February this year, reports suggested that the United States government was considering deporting Zimbabwean cruise ship workers due to perceived “migration risk”.

According to a leaked internal human resources email dated February 20, Celebrity Cruises, a luxury ocean liner, informed its staff members about a directive from Miami Customs and Border Control officers stating that Zimbabwean workers would no longer be allowed to disembark from cruise ships in Miami, Florida.

Cruise ship companies rely on a diverse workforce from different countries to provide services to passengers during their voyages across the oceans. Zimbabweans were once sought-after for their skills and work ethic, but the frequent absconding incidents have led to a loss of trust and confidence in their reliability.

The ban is expected to have a significant impact on Zimbabwean job seekers who were previously attracted to the cruise ship industry as a means of employment and a chance to explore the world.

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Cruise Ship Recruitment Specialists

Finding quality talent is smooth sailing, cruise line recruiters.

As a leading cruise ship recruitment agency, Goodwin Recruiting understands the complexities of hiring for cruise lines. We have an extraordinarily vast pool of culinary, restaurant, and facility management talent. Many of these individuals are looking for their next gig and are open to the changes that working for a cruise line can bring. We have years of experience working with cruise lines to help them secure the high-quality talent they want and need to create culinary delights and impressive dining experiences.

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Briana Miller

Briana has been with Goodwin Recruiting since 2021. She has a degree in Human Resources and over 20 years of hospitality, education, and human resources experience. The Internal Recruiter role allows her to match all of those experiences and change candidates’s lives on a daily basis. Briana focuses on tenacity, truly listening to candidates, and building strong relationships as the keys to successful recruiting.

Charilynn McKennedy

Assistant Trainer & Senior Recruiting Partner

Charilynn joined Goodwin Recruiting in 2016. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Niagara University. She’s been in the hospitality industry since she was 16 and has always loved meeting new people on a day-to-day basis. Over the years, Charilynn gained experience in F&B Management, FOH Operations, BOH Operations, and Bar Management. This has made her extraordinarily successful in recruiting - finding the right fit for candidates and clients, and building congruent relationships along the way.

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Ling has been a part of the Goodwin Recruiting team since 2011. She holds a degree in Computer Science and has over 25 years of experience in administration, HR, sales, teaching, and accounting. Ling is detail-oriented, efficient, and a wonderful representation of our Core Value, Be the Best.

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David joined the Goodwin Recruiting team in 2021. He holds degrees in Arts, Spanish Language and Literature as well as History and Latin American Studies. As a System Administrator at Goodwin Recruiting, he assists with keeping all tools and resources updated and brand compliant. He enjoys finding efficiencies and creating processes that save time and provide improved results.

Sara Cauvin

Sara joined Goodwin Recruiting in 2021. She has a background of over 15 years of hospitality operations experience, from fast food to fine dining. Over her career, she has established professional skills and peer relationships that make her uniquely qualified for the recruiting sphere. At the core of her drive is the desire to help teach, train, and equip others to find success.

Kristi Preston

Kristi joined Goodwin Recruiting in 2021. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University. From a young age, was always passionate about the hospitality industry, and after graduating found herself drawn back to it. Kristi has over 20 years experience in a variety of hospitality roles - project manager, investor, guest relations, and ultimately, talent acquisition. In her role as an Internal Recruiter, she brings a tenacious work ethic into all she sets out to accomplish. 

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Social Media Manager

Kaitlyn joined the Goodwin Recruiting marketing team in 2022. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design from Rowan University, and has a background in design, healthcare, hospitality, and recruiting. She has a drive and passion to help others reach their goals, and has been a big part of taking our social media presence to the next level.

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Stacey Balzer joined Goodwin Recruiting in September 2016.

She spent over seven years as a TGI Friday's trainer and over five years in Beverage Sales with National Distributing. Stacey is also the Owner of Cruiting.com.

Stacey holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business from Florida Atlantic University.

Ben Irwin joined Goodwin Recruiting in March 2014. Ben has a wide range of experience in the hospitality industry. Before joining Goodwin, his career included 10-plus years in Beverage Operations and 7 years in Beverage Sales Consulting.

Ben has an AS in Culinary Arts from Sullivan University and a BS in Criminal Justice from theUniversity of Louisville.

Vincent Frankowski

Regional Director of Recruiting

Vince Frankowski joined Goodwin in 2018. He attended Temple University for business management, but his true training occurred in the real world, on the job. Prior to joining Goodwin, Vince was a Director of Operations for an eight-location restaurant group in Atlanta, and the bulk of his experience came with his 14 years of owning six restaurants in the Philadelphia market, as well as five years as a managing partner with Bloomin' Brands, Bonefish Grill division. He loves the recruiting industry, and the successes of others bring him true happiness. It is an awesome feeling to tell someone that they got the job.

Rico Villavicencio

Area Developer & Senior Recruiting Partner

Rico joined Goodwin Recruiting in 2021 after 20 years in the Entertainment industry. He started in the music business as a Royalty Manager, then moved to Disney in 2006 as a Finance/Accounting analyst. In 2009, Rico moved to Technicolor Home Entertainment Services as an Account Finance Manager, where he managed the relationship between Disney and Technicolor as it relates to the physical media business of Disney. He was later on involved in Logistics, Supply Chain, and Operations as he got promoted to Account Director. Rico shifted gears into recruiting where he has found great success. He is relentless while having the ability to understand your needs and requirements, whether you are a client or candidate.

Director of Client Relations

Miko joined Goodwin Recruiting in 2021. She has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and is also a Court of Masters Sommelier. Her background is in entrepreneurial leadership, sales, marketing, and recruiting. Miko owned a Sales, Marketing, and Recruiting firm for seven years, opening offices across the country. Her company motto was "Promote Altruistically," which means to help people achieve success without wanting anything in return. She has spoken at Leadership Conferences about mutual respect, developing positive environments in the workplace, and business ethics. After changing careers, she was a Managing Partner for an upscale restaurant group, where she spent ten years providing leadership for multiple teams across the country.

Kevin Kusinski

Passionate. Motivated. Professional. Creative. Trustworthy. These words describe me the best. My ultimate goal is to provide exceptional customer service.

Kevin Kusinski joined Goodwin Recruiting in September 2020. As a self-starter, Kevin values hard workers and leaders with a passion for helping others achieve their fullest potential. His "No Quit" and "Never Satisfied" attitude drives his work and personal life, and he loves to align himself with like-minded individuals.

Troy Bartee

Troy joined Goodwin Recruiting in 2014. He has a background of 30 years experience in hospitality operations, starting in Charleston, SC, where he was born and raised, and moving into management and corporate roles traveling across the U.S. He quickly fell in love with recruiting, finding that the ability to fill roles for clients and assist clients with their job searches was a perfect fit.

Susan joined Goodwin Recruiting in 2019 after a career in hospitality. She always appreciated how no two days were the same, and that still rings true in the recruiting world! Susan has worked for some amazing hotel and restaurant brands in a variety of roles, including VP of Training & Development, F&B and Rooms, New Restaurant Openings, and VP of Operations. Recruiting allows her to stay connected to the industry she loves while helping to provide exceptional clients and candidates opportunities for brand and career growth.

Steve Farrahi

Steve joined Goodwin Recruiting in 2017. The son of a chef, he spent more than 25 years in restaurant operations in Chicago - primarily in upscale dining, hotel, casino, and private club operations. Recruiting the best talent was always top of mind in creating the right culture for Steve's establishments. He has taken that experience into the recruiting sector, where he enjoys getting to find the right talent for many of the country's top companies.

Marcel Kuenzler

Marcel joined Goodwin Recruiting in 2009. He has a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, and extensive experience as a Corporate Restaurant GM, F&B Manager, and Executive Chef for restaurants and hotels internationally.  Whether your company is seeking the next top-notch management member or you are seeking your own career opportunity of a lifetime, Marcel and his team are here to assist with energy, attentiveness, and compassion.

Joy Schneiderman

Joy joined Goodwin Recruiting in 2011, coming from a background in full-service, upper-polished dining. She is a Level 1 Sommelier. According to Joy, her career choice has truly changed her life, as recruiting provides a unique and exciting opportunity to create an impact for all parties—her team, clients, and candidates. Working with passionate, caring individuals as they help candidates advance their careers and support business growth at both a local and national level is so rewarding.

James Schreck

Jamie joined the Goodwin Recruiting team in 2018. He has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including Multi-Unit, Director of Operations, and General Manager/Managing Partner experience. Jamie enjoys helping his team find the right talent for our clients job needs, and building strong relationships with our clients, candidates, and recruiting partners.

Chuck Jaloski

Chuck started with Goodwin Recruiting in 2018. He attended the Florida Culinary Institute and has over 20 years experience in hospitality, including VP of Culinary, Executive Chef, General Manager, Regional, Corporate, and Ownership roles. He enjoys helping his team match great candidates with great clients, and to have the opportunity to make life-changing, positive impacts for candidates and their families.

Carl Koebel

Area Developer & Senior Recruiter

Carl joined Goodwin Recruiting in 2019. He comes from a background working with large corporate brands and independently owned concepts. As a first-generation college graduate who paid his way along the journey, he knows hard work and has been in positions from hourly to owner throughout his career. Carl works hard to add value to candidates' lives and clients' lives through his earnest and genuine approach to building long-term relationships.

Alan McArthur

Alan joined Goodwin Recruiting in 2014. He has a Bachelors of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan, and over 15 years of experience in the restaurant industry - including as a Managing Partner for Outback Steakhouse. Alan loves supporting his team as they work with all types of organizations. His goal is to help companies grow by bringing in the right people at the right time.

Dylan Minton

Director of IT

Dylan came on board with Goodwin Recruiting in 2020. He is a self-proclaimed ‘IT Junkie’, who fell in love with technology at a young age. What started as video games turned into programming, and what was once programming turned into system management. Dylan received his BA in Economics from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is Salesforce Certified.

Eric Goodwin

President & CEO

Eric’s career began as an entrepreneurial restauranteur, where he quickly learned the importance of finding the right talent. He founded Goodwin Recruiting in 1999 with a focus on prioritizing relationships and integrity. Over two decades later, Eric remains an active entrepreneur, owning several concepts throughout the New England area. He continues to find success by staying true to the core values he passionately penned for his business: integrity, dedication to diversity and inclusion, congruent relationships, extensive support, transparent communication, simplicity, and excellence.

Chief Operating Officer

Scott brings over 25 years of hospitality experience to the Goodwin Recruiting team, including over 6 years as a district manager and 12 years as a general manager for corporate concepts. He started with Goodwin Recruiting in 2006 and has had a tremendous impact on the growth and success of the company. Scott oversees our Operations, Marketing, and Training teams and makes sure our recruiting partners have the tools and support they need to find success for our valued clients.

Brandon Laverriere

Chief Financial Officer

Brandon comes from a background in finance and economics in a wide variety of industries - including non-profit, telecom, manufacturing, technology, and retail. He holds degrees in Finance and Economics, and is a licensed CPA and Certified Equity Professional. Brandon joined Goodwin Recruiting in 2021 with a passion to provide strategic financial guidance to attract business and grow market share in new, innovative, and profitable ways.

Jessica Diamond

Vice President of Training & Partner Support

Jessica began her career with the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia before transitioning to the recruiting industry. She joined the Goodwin Recruiting team in 2006 and has since become our VP of Training & Partner Support as well as a Certified Diversity & Inclusion Recruiter. She believes that with passion, persistence, and a plan, you can achieve anything you set your mind to, and helps our support team and recruiting partners as they work to achieve their individual goals. 

Vice President of Recruiting

Gary joined Goodwin Recruiting in 2018, bringing with him 40 years of business operations experience. He entered the business world at age 14, as his family owned a leather goods company for 125 years. From manufacturing to hospitality, owning restaurants, a catamaran charter business, a construction business, and more, Gary is a wealth of knowledge in endless areas. He passes that knowledge along to our recruiting partners, clients, and candidates on a daily basis and has been an integral part of our growth and success.

Jenny Battershell

Director of Marketing

Jenny has been with Goodwin Recruiting since 2008. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University, majoring in Hospitality Management and minoring in Entrepreneurship. Her background is in boutique and upscale hotels. Here at Goodwin Recruiting, she has built extensive experience in sales, client relations, and marketing - supporting our team across the nation and working to build brand awareness through SEO, videos, blogs, and more.

Director of Internal Recruiting

Phil joined Goodwin Recruiting in 2018. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Rider University and has a background in recruiting and business development. He works alongside our Internal Recruiting team to grow our team of Recruiting Partners nationwide. Phil’s passion is in building relationships, and he enjoys helping candidates become recruiters themselves - to have the opportunity to work remotely, build their earnings, and create the work-life balance they’re looking for.

Allegra Highsmith

Allegra comes from a background in hospitality management and started with Goodwin Recruiting in 2013. She found quick success, moving from a recruiting partner to the Director of Team Development, further leadership roles, and now a VP. Her passion for helping people reach their full potential has been evident throughout her career - helping candidates find new jobs, driving clients to bring on the best talent to propel their businesses forward, and supporting and developing the team at Goodwin. Her energy and expertise have shown through every stage of her career.

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Zimbabwean Dream

Cruise line CroisiEurope

• Kasane (Botswana)
• Chobe National Park (Botswana)

Current itinerary of Zimbabwean Dream

Zimbabwean Dream current cruise is 3 days, one-way from Kasane to Victoria Falls . Prices start from USD 5544 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 04 May, 2024 and ends on 07 May, 2024 .

Specifications of Zimbabwean Dream

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Zimbabwean Dream Itineraries

Zimbabwean dream review, review of zimbabwean dream.

CroisiEurope's Zimbabwean Dream cruise ship (2020-launched) is one of the newest houseboats on the South African river cruising market. The vessel is a houseboat-type riverboat operating on Chobe and Zambezi river cruises leaving roundtrip from Kasane Botswana . Its fleetmate is also a newbuild - the 2017-launched African Dream .

Another famous African houseboat cruise ship on Chobe River is Zambezi Queen (chartered by AMAwaterways ).

The premium houseboat Zimbabwean Dream has max passenger capacity 18 (plus 16 staff-crew), 3 decks (1 with cabins) and a total of 8 staterooms . Of all cabins, 6x are French Balcony (with floor-ceiling sliding windows opening to a railing) and 2x are Forward-Facing Suites with Balconies. All staterooms are equally-sized (17 m2 / 185 ft2), but the Balcony Suites are with step-out verandas (forward-facing, sized 3,5 m2 / 40 ft2). All cabins are located on Main Deck and feature wall-to-wall windows.

Shipboard facilities

The Zimbabwean Deam ship has a midship staircase that interconnects all decks. All indoor spaces are air-conditioned.

Main Deck (deck 1) is the riverboat's Boarding Deck (with a starboard-midship entrance area) and the fore-located Navigation Bridge (aka Wheelhouse). On Main Deck are also all passenger cabins.

Upper Deck (deck 2) is the riverboat's Lobby Deck housing the Reception Desk and Cruise Director's Office. On Upper Deck are also the Dining Room Restaurant (midship) with an Aft Terrace (outdoor seating / alfresco dining) and the fore-located Bar Lounge. Adjacent to the Restaurant is the Galley (kitchen with drink and food storage rooms)

The midship Sundeck (deck 3) is dubbed "Chobe Space". This is a spacious Terrace (Observation Deck) with shaded seating (large umbrellas and premium garden furniture).

In addition to guests from France, CroisiEurope's African cruises attract international travellers, so all of the ship's crew are bilingual. Onboard announcements and itinerary/tours information are in English. English-speaking local guides lead all shore excursions.

Chobe and Zambezi river cruise itinerary

The CroisiEurope company offers an 8-nights / 9-days African cruise tour itinerary program visiting Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and South Africa. All itineraries start with an overnight Johannesburg hotel stay (in South Africa), followed by a 3-night cruise on Chobe and Zambezi rivers and a 4-night land stay (in lodge accommodation owned by CroisiEurope). African shore excursions program (cruise fare inclusive) includes visits to Victoria Falls, wine estate tour and African jeep safari tour in Chobe National Park (Botswana), home to around 130,000 elephants (nearly 1/4 of Africa's total elephant population).

• CroisiEurope's Chobe River cruise itinerary is themed "Southern Africa: travel to the ends of the earth".
• Itinerary length is 9-days. The itinerary with an extended stay at Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) is 11-nights / 12-days.
• Prices vary between EUR 4000-5000 (pp / 9-day cruisetours) and EUR 6000-6600 (pp / 12-day cruisetours).
• Next is shown CroisiEurope Zimbabwean Dream's river cruise itinerary map.

Follows the list of the cruise itinerary ports of call and land tours:

• Day 1 JOHANNESBURG - meet and greet at the hotel around 12 noon, coach travel towards Soweto, follows lunch before the tour to Freedom Park, next is dinner and overnight 4-star hotel stay.
• Day 2: JOHANNESBURG - KASANE - CRUISING- flight from Johannesburg to Kasane, airport transfer to the cruise ship Zimbabwean Dream, follow welcome cocktail, lunch and cruising along Kasai Channel. Follow the company's private mooring on Chobe River, dinner and overnight on the houseboat.
• Day 3: CRUISING - jeep safari in Chobe National Park, follows onboard lunch and afternoon cruising to Zambezi River (Zambia-Namibia border). In the afternoon there is a small motorboat (water safari) tour for wildlife viewing. Follows onboard dinner and overnight on the houseboat.
• Day 4: CRUISING to Kabulabula. The Chobe National Park cruise experience features unique wildlife (zebras, Cape buffalos, antelopes, various birds). Follows onboard dinner and overnight on the houseboat.
• Day 5: CHOBE RIVER - SEDUDU ISLAND - LODGE - morning disembarkation is followed by water safari (motorboat tour) to watch game animals. Follows "floating restaurant" lunch in the middle of Chobe River (featuring local delicacies), then is the travel to the CroisiEurope's lodge. The travel route includes Sedudu Island and wildlife viewing (hippopotami, water buffalos, crocodiles). After the arrival at the lodge, guests check into their rooms. Follow dinner and overnight at the lodge.
• Day 6: IMPALILA ISLAND - morning departure from the lodge on a tour visiting a local school. Follow the return to the CroisiEurope's lodge for lunch and free time afternoon at the lodge (has a swimming pool). After dinner follows a local storyteller time with region's mysterious legends, and overnight at the lodge.
• Day 7: IMPALILA ISLAND - morning tour to an authentic African / Namibian village. Follow the return to the lodge, lunch, free time afternoon, dinner (served under the stars), overnight at the lodge.
• Day 8: VICTORIA FALLS - coach travel for Victoria Falls, follows lunch cruise, afternoon walking tour to the waterfalls in Zimbabwe. Next, are the "Boma" dinner (with traditional dancing and music performances) and the overnight 4-star hotel stay.
• Day 9: VICTORIA FALLS - Breakfast and hotel check-out. There is an optional helicopter tour to Victoria Falls (in the morning).
• Notes: The order and port/tour times can change depending on the weather. Wildlife viewing in Chobe National Park is not 100% guaranteed. The Victoria Falls helicopter tour also depends on weather conditions.

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.

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More From Forbes

New cruise company explora journeys a potent luxury contender.

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The Explora I cruise ship built in 2023 heads out of port.

The arrival of enormous ships, like the 7,000 passenger/3000 crew member Icon of the Seas, is an effective way to promote the cruise industry. But cruise companies are also launching smaller vessels designed to give passengers more individual attention, like the new Explora I from Explora Journeys.

The Explora I, launched in 2023, is a sleek 63,000-ton ship designed for just 922 passengers, each housed in an oceanfront suite. Another important number is 1.32 to 1. This represents the crew to passenger ratio, showing the line’s commitment to passenger service.

Ship staterooms start with the Ocean Terrace suites, at 377 square feet. They feature amenities such as a king bed, a chaise lounge day bed, and big glass doors that make it true ocean front view. Bathrooms include European walk-in showers, heated marble floors, and Dyson hair dryers. The ship also has some 67 penthouses from 462 to 763 square feet, and the Ocean Residences, from 750 square feet up to 1600 square feet.

The Explora I has 12 bars and lounges, and 64 cabanas on deck for guests, with multiple indoor and outdoor whirlpools. The spa has a dry sauna, a steam room, Himalayan salt treatments and more, for “the gift of ocean wellness,” which also includes workouts with free weights, 30-minute yoga classes, Pilates, and rowing machines.

Explora Journeys, said to be the only major cruise line that’s privately owned, is part of the private shipping company MSC. The Italian owners made their private yacht a model for the type of service they planned to deliver. Explora I is the first of a planned six ships, with Explora II set to arrive in August 2024.

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Along with many travel agents, a key market for Explora Journeys, I was invited on an introductory cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver, Canada. Destinations enroute included San Francisco, Astoria, Oregon, and Victoria, British Columbia.

Focusing on luxury, Explora’s rates are all-inclusive, including gratuities, alcohol and its powerful Wi-Fi service. A handful of amenities, such as Anthology Restaurant, which features a rotating cast of Michelin-star chefs , have an addition price.

Michelin-star awarded Chef Claude Le Tohic, and staff at Anthology Restaurant on Explorer I.

Prices we found range from a ten-night journey from Barcelona to Barcelona for $3,835 (via Gibraltar, Seville, Madera, etc.) to a 44-night extravaganza “connecting continents” from Vancouver to Barcelona via the US West Coast, Mexico, the Panama Canal, and the Mediterranean for $18,450.

The Explora experience began at the Port of Los Angeles, a warehouse-sized building reminiscent of a bus terminal. However, Explora made check-in fast and almost fun, with friendly representatives using data tablets to check us in at small tableclothed tables, rather than at the clerk’s counter.

The commitment to meeting passenger needs shows up everywhere, such as in the availability of 24-hour room service. The restaurants were uniformly excellent, and the fast elevators quickly whisked you from deck to deck. Yet after a couple of days, I really enjoyed taking breakfast in my cabin, eggs, waffles, pancakes, and vats of coffee.

Explora was full of such experiences. I watched a chanteuse descending the staircase into the Lounge Bar singing jazz standards. Later, I smoked a Winston Churchill Petit in the fragrant cigar lounge at midnight.

Explora is based in Geneva, so when I laid a couple of hundred-dollar bills on the blackjack table I was politely told to use my room card or change money at the cashier’s booth—euros only.

The friendly casino kept drawing me back, as the ship sailing north along the Pacific Coast would cruise 12 miles offshore. Of course, I ended up losing all my cash, but I made $200 last the entire six -day cruise. The dealers seemed much more concerned if I was having a good time than those in Las Vegas.

The service was excellent, with barmen opening “closed” bars to pour drinks. Even when the crew didn’t fully understand a request, they gave it their all. In one lounge, I asked for a martini with blue cheese olives, AKA ‘Maytag olives.” The server apparently rustled about the ship and returned with a small plate containing 4 ounces of blue cheese. I did not have the heart to tell him and instead, ate the evidence.

The ship has a well-equipped gym, but I also ran the marked jogging track on Deck 12 in my gray sweats in the wind, feeling like I was in CHARIOTS OF FIRE. I practiced hitting a pickleball over the net on the sports court and shot some 3-pointers.

Later, I sat in one of the Explora’s warm whirlpools directly overlooking the sea. The ship is said to have more water on board than any other.

The ship was so relaxing, in fact, that many passengers chose to stay on board during port days, taking advantage of massages and other services. With cruising, the journey is really the destination.

But they missed out on Explora’s well-organized excursions. In San Francisco, I took a coach tour into Marin County over the Golden Gate Bridge. The intrepid bus driver drove us safely over a zig-zagging road full of bicyclists to Muir Woods. The guide told us about the history of the redwoods, how 95% of the old giants were cut down, and how they were saved at national parks like Muir Woods. But once we got there, he left us alone with our thoughts, to walk the easy trail and admire the redwoods.

A view of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge as seen from Marin Headlands in Sausalito, California, ... [+] United States on January 27, 2023. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The intrepid bus driver found a parking spot at the Marin Headlands overlooking San Francisco Bay for selfies of the Golden Gate Bridge. Memorably, we had sailed under the bridge on Explora’s journey into the city.

I particularly enjoyed the day we spent in Astoria, Oregon, a 200-year-old port city on the south shore of the Columbia River where it flows into the Pacific Ocean. Astoria, founded in 1811, is a destination I might never have encountered if it were not for the cruise. Astoria got its name from wealthy New York entrepreneur John Jacob Astor, who monopolized the booming fur trade.

Our excursion took us to majestic views of the river dividing Oregon and Washington. We investigated the less-than-luxurious dwellings at the Lewis and Clark Fort where the expedition lived. At the Maritime Museum, we learned about the treacherous currents of the Columbia and the salmon cannery industry that once dominated the town.

Lunch at the Mediterranean Yacht Club with its fish, humus and other Mediterranean food was a treat. I enjoyed a great ribeye in Marble, the amazing steak restaurant on board. The fresh pizza on board was also great. Late at night, I thanked the servers who stayed open just for me, pouring a shot of McAllen.

The Explora makes a strong effort to keep the passengers entertained, with Broadway hits in the Journey Lounge, and individual performers in others. (I loved “Better Shape Up” from GREASE performed with just a guitar accompaniment). There are three Steinway pianos in different lounges. Explora also has alternate entertainment like silent discos, a tough trivia game, a cooking experience and “luminaries” on board to talk about various topics.

Cruise expert Chris Gray Faust, Executive Editor at Cruise Critic , says, “Explora Journeys is an entry into the luxury cruise world. Backed by the private shipping company MSC, the line has the money and ambition to fine tune its product to attract those guests who might normally choose a high-end resort or hotel, as opposed to a cruise.”

Before launching Explora, the founders interviewed 20,000 luxury travelers and 250 travel advisors. Chris Austin, Chief Sales Officer, said the idea was to “build a ship that’s like a private yacht. An intimate ship, with many, many spaces.”

What resulted, said Ausin, is something “that doesn’t feel like a cruise ship, it feels like a luxury boutique hotel.” In terms of onboard shopping, “We have Piaget, Cartier, Panerai and the only Rolex watch store at sea.”

According to Austin, just 4% of luxury travelers cruise. But “after 8 months of operating, we are seeing cruisers on second and third cruise.” He added, “There is no more stunning view than when you sail into a port, as opposed to catching a taxi from the airport. Ultimately, having 6 ships will allow us to discover the world together. We call it the Ocean State of Mind.”

The new cruise ship Explora One in the Meditterranean.

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