Cape Town Sets Stage for Record Cruise Season with New Homeport Status and Expanded Itineraries

The Cape Town cruise sector is gearing up for what is anticipated to be its most dynamic and prosperous season yet in 2025/26, with larger vessels, an expanded range of itineraries, and rising interest from South African holidaymakers. Once known primarily as a picturesque stopover for repositioning voyages, Cape Town is now embracing its role as a dedicated homeport—a change that is already delivering significant economic and tourism dividends for the region.

The recently concluded 2024/25 cruise season provided a glimpse of this upward trajectory, with 83 ship visits, 11 maiden calls, and a robust R1.32-billion boost to the local economy. The momentum is unmistakable, and industry experts expect the coming year to bring even greater opportunities as top-tier cruise lines anchor their African ambitions in the Mother City.

Among the highlights of the 2025/26 calendar are scheduled calls from globally recognized brands such as Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Mariner, Navigator, and Voyager, and a series of special charters aboard the MSC Opera. Themed cruises are gaining traction, with unique offerings like the Love Jazz Cruise and Oppiwater Kunstefees adding a fresh dimension to the Cape Town cruise experience and drawing in diverse segments of the market.

The shift to a homeport model is fundamentally altering traveler behavior in Cape Town. Willie Williams, Director of Sales and Marketing at Pullman Cape Town, notes that cruise passengers are now more likely to arrive several days before setting sail. “They want the Winelands, the Waterfront, a cable car ride if the weather plays along, then a short hop to the terminal. It feels like two getaways in one,” he remarks. This pattern is creating new business for hotels, restaurants, and attractions, turning cruise passengers into extended-stay visitors who explore the broader region before or after their voyage.

This evolving dynamic is also reflected in the 2026 cruise roster, which already boasts an impressive lineup:

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 will make several calls to Cape Town, including a standout 17-night journey to Southampton departing on April 13th, 2026. Regent Seven Seas Cruises will dispatch the Mariner, Navigator, and Voyager for a mix of itineraries, such as a Cape Town to Doha sailing on November 25th, 2025, and a round-trip journey departing January 13th, 2026. Costa Cruises’ Costa Smeralda will visit as part of repositioning voyages that link Africa, Europe, and the Middle East—underscoring Cape Town’s strategic value amid ongoing Red Sea security concerns. TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 4 and 5 are scheduled for longer adventures, including a 38-night World Explore cruise ending in Cape Town on April 17th, 2026, and a 19-night trans-ocean journey from Cape Town to Palma set for March 29th, 2026. AIDAprima will embark on an 18-night repositioning voyage to Gran Canaria on March 10th, 2026. Meanwhile, MSC Opera continues to strengthen its South African presence with departures from both Cape Town and Durban to appealing Indian Ocean destinations.

This robust schedule is complemented by new consumer trends reshaping the South African cruise market. MSC Cruises reports that 65% of local bookings are made by women, predominantly between the ages of 30 and 60, and almost 40% of bookings are repeat customers—a testament to strong brand loyalty and growing confidence in cruise holidays. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) highlights demand from younger cruisers, with a typical age just over 35, and a clear preference for balcony cabins, which now account for the majority of its South African bookings. Ross Backman, National Sales Manager at MSC, notes that these high repeat rates signal “a confident cruise market coming back for more.”

Nirosha Sidat, NCL’s Country Manager for Africa, has observed a shift in traveler priorities, with passengers increasingly valuing the onboard experience as much as the destinations themselves. “Guests are talking about ships as much as the destinations,” she explains, reflecting a wider global trend toward cruise ships as floating resorts, packed with amenities, entertainment, and dining options that rival those of top hotels.

As Cape Town consolidates its status as an African cruise hub, the ripple effects are being felt well beyond the port. The homeport model is prompting visitors to spend more time and money in the city and surrounding regions, benefiting not just cruise lines but also accommodation providers, tour operators, and local businesses. The strategic location of Cape Town, combined with the allure of its natural and cultural attractions, is positioning the city as the launchpad for both regional exploration and long-haul itineraries connecting Africa to Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.

Moreover, the ongoing Red Sea security situation is prompting cruise lines to reevaluate their itineraries, often resulting in extended stays or alternative routing that favor Cape Town as a safe and attractive port. The city’s expanding cruise infrastructure, along with tailored experiences such as themed sailings and multi-night pre- and post-cruise stays, is enhancing its appeal for travelers and industry stakeholders alike.

For Sub-Saharan Africa’s travel sector, these developments offer a wealth of opportunities. The increasing popularity of cruises among South Africans—particularly women and younger travelers—signals changing preferences and the potential for travel professionals to expand their product offerings. The focus on experiential travel, both onboard and ashore, is likely to drive demand for curated excursions, local partnerships, and innovative packages that showcase the best of Cape Town and the broader region.

With the 2026 season on the horizon, Cape Town’s cruise industry is not only setting new benchmarks for visitor numbers and economic impact, but also redefining the way travelers experience Africa’s southernmost city. As global cruise lines continue to anchor their future plans in Cape Town, the city’s role as a gateway for both regional and international exploration is poised for lasting growth—heralding a new era for African cruising and the businesses that support it.