The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town is a bustling place. Shops, restaurants, entertainers and attractions all vie for your attention and dollars. If you’re traveling to South Africa, a trip to Cape Town is a must… and a stop at the V&A Waterfront is a necessary part of your itinerary. And if/when you do make it there, you can not pass up the opportunity to take a harbor tour on the Steamboat Vicky (only a facebook page is available).

Judging a Book by it’s Cover

Now at first glance, the Steamboat Vicky looks like a rust bucket… and it is. One look at it and you’ll say to yourself, “self, can that thing actually float”? And after that brief conversation, you’ll walk right past the hawker trying to convince you to go on the Steamboat Vicky.

Big Mistake

At friend of mine who had made a previous trip to Cape Town assured me that I must pony up the $5 fee. So dear readers, I assure you, it’s worth the price (I think it’s about $7 now – which is still a steal).

The Steamboat Vicky is modeled after the boat Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn took in the film, the African Queen and is one of a plethora of harbor cruise options. It certainly isn’t the fanciest or finest, but it’s the cheapest and hilariously awesome.

Like Disney’s Jungle Cruise

As you climb aboard you are met with Vicky’s engine. It’s sitting there, right in front of you. It’s loud, hot and squirts oil everywhere, but that’s what gives the Steamboat Vicky her charm. It’s the little engine that could. Sometime the driver had to “convince” Vicky’s engine to start running. Most of you would probably be returning to the dock right about now and asking for a refund.

Now as Vicky putt putts away, you are met with near water-line views of Table Mountain and the rest of the harbor. And this is where the fun begins.

The tour guide onboard begins to spiel about the sites around you during this 30-minute tour. But it’s not a simple point-and-talk tour, but rather a tongue-in-cheek, corny , sorta funny, joke-filled tour. I recall some Bill and Monica reference as we passed the Cape Grace Hotel where the President stayed on his visit to Cape Town.

Later on, some “seal of approval” reference was made as to why the sea lion chose to sleep in the old mining tires on the pier.

You see what I mean? Pure corn. It was like riding on Disney’s Jungle Cruise attraction.

The truth of the matter is, you do get some unique perspectives of the waterfront for a bargain-basement price. And if you have some time to kill in-between dinner or another attraction, the Steamboat Vicky is a perfect choice. And if it stinks, you’re only out seven bucks.

I love it!

What’s the best, cheapest attraction you’ve ever spent your money on? Share by commenting.

I’ll see you out there…!

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