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Seychelles Closes 2025-2026 Cruise Season With 41 Ship Calls and Bold Sustainability Vision Seychelles Closes 2025-2026 Cruise Season With 41 Ship Calls and Bold Sustainability Vision

Seychelles has officially wrapped up its 2025-2026 cruise ship season on a triumphant note, with the berthing and departure of the MV Viking Yi Dun from Port Victoria on Saturday, 27 June 2026, marking the final cruise call of the season. The closure represents another successful chapter for the archipelago's cruise tourism industry and offers valuable insights for African travel professionals watching the continent's rapidly evolving maritime tourism landscape.

A formal closing ceremony held at Port Victoria brought together key figures from the tourism and maritime sectors to celebrate the season's achievements. Among those present were the Mayor of Port Victoria, Ms Josy Michaud-Payet, the Principal Secretary for Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr David Bianchi, the Principal Secretary for Tourism, Mrs Sherin Francis, and the Chairman of the Seychelles Ports Authority, Mr Charles De Clarisse. They were joined by the Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Ports Authority, Mr Pierre Prosper, the Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Ms Vesna Rakic, the Deputy Chief Executive of the Seychelles Ports Authority, Mr Ronny Matatiken, the Harbour Master, Captain Jean-Paul Fanchette, and the Master Mariner of MV Viking Yi Dun, Captain Henrik Alexander Sehlstedt, along with representatives of the Tourism Department, shipping agencies and destination management companies.

Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions that disrupted global cruise itineraries and caused numerous cancellations worldwide, Seychelles welcomed a total of 41 cruise ship calls during the season, up from 35 the previous year. The season also included eight maiden calls and welcomed several new cruise operators visiting the destination for the first time. This growth stands as a strong testament to the resilience of Seychelles' cruise industry and the collaborative spirit between public and private sector partners.

The 2025-2026 season also marked a strategic turning point for the archipelago. Seychelles welcomed a growing number of smaller, premium and expedition cruise vessels, reflecting the destination's clear commitment to attracting travellers who align with its sustainable tourism vision. These niche cruise ships deliver high-quality guest experiences while placing far less pressure on infrastructure, tourism sites and the fragile marine environment, contributing to a more balanced and future-focused model of cruise tourism. For African destinations exploring how to grow cruise arrivals responsibly, the Seychelles blueprint offers an inspiring case study.

Addressing the ceremony, Principal Secretary for Tourism Mrs Sherin Francis thanked all stakeholders whose dedication ensured the smooth operation of the season, describing the results as a collective success. She stressed that every successful port call reflects the commitment of everyone involved in delivering the warm Seychellois hospitality for which the destination is celebrated, from government agencies to private sector operators and tourism partners.

Mrs Francis also highlighted a landmark development for the sector: the creation of Seychelles' first Cruise Tourism Strategy, currently at validation stage, produced in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The proposed strategy provides a clear roadmap for the future of cruise tourism, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, economic value and community benefits. She underlined that success is not merely about attracting more ships, but about creating greater value for the country, protecting the environment, improving the visitor experience and ensuring that more Seychellois businesses and communities benefit from cruise tourism.

Through the proposed strategy, the Tourism Department will continue to work closely with industry stakeholders to strengthen coordination, enhance the visitor experience, expand opportunities for local businesses and reinforce Seychelles' position as a premier destination for high-value cruise tourism. The department extended its sincere appreciation to the Seychelles Ports Authority, the Ministry of Transport, Ports and Civil Aviation, shipping agents, destination management companies, tour operators, transport providers, guides, immigration, customs, police, health services, local businesses and all partners whose continued collaboration made the season a success.

For sub-Saharan Africa's travel trade, the Seychelles experience carries important lessons. As cruise tourism gathers pace along Africa's coastlines, from Cape Town and Durban to Mombasa, Zanzibar, Maputo and beyond, the ability to attract quality-focused cruise lines while safeguarding local ecosystems will define which destinations succeed in the long run. Seychelles is demonstrating that strategic partnerships, sustainability frameworks and coordinated stakeholder engagement can turn a mid-size island economy into an increasingly influential player on the global cruise map.

Looking ahead to the 2026-2027 season, the focus in Victoria will remain on building a cruise industry that is sustainable, authentic and resilient, delivering lasting benefits for the country's economy, communities and environment while reinforcing Seychelles' reputation as a world-class destination. For African tour operators, DMCs and travel professionals building maritime tourism products or integrating cruise arrivals into wider Indian Ocean itineraries, Seychelles' balanced approach offers both inspiration and practical direction for the years ahead.