For centuries Cape Town has been a safe and welcoming harbour for seafarers, giving rise to the Mother City’s other nickname: The Tavern of the Seas.
And this summer the modern cruise terminal in the V&A Waterfront – just a short walk from the Time Out Market Cape Town – will be more welcoming than ever, with the arrival of a brand-new ship to local waters!
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is no stranger to Cape Town and will return to southern African seas in November to begin a new cruise season, this time offering itineraries on two vessels: Norwegian Dawn and – on her South African maiden voyage – Norwegian Sky.
Although limited to the summer months – the Cape of Storms is the city’s winter nickname! – cruising has grown in leaps and bounds over the past decade. MSC Cruises pioneered cruising from local ports, but increasingly international cruise brands have seen the value in home-berthing vessels in South Africa for the summer. In the 2022-2023 cruise season 70 ships called at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal, and this summer is shaping up to be another bumper season.
While MSC Cruises has found a niche in shorter cruises, NCL plans to offer a range of longer itineraries ranging from 11 to 21 days, with departures from both Cape Town and Port Louis, Mauritius. NCL’s season runs from November 2024 until May 2025, and passengers can also sail aboard the ‘repositioning cruises from, and returning to, Europe.
While these local voyages are sure to appeal to international travellers combining time in Cape Town with a holiday afloat, they also offer local travellers the chance to experience an international cruise line without the expense of a long-haul flight.
‘Travellers have the chance to explore more of southern Africa, combined with a beach holiday in Mauritius (which remains South Africans’ top international travel destination) once their cruise comes to an end,’ says Kevin Bubolz, VP and Managing Director Continental Europe, Middle East, and Africa. ‘Alternatively, travellers can fly to Mauritius first and return home via one of our cruises, visiting Reunion, Madagascar, Mozambique, and other beautiful ports along the SA coast before disembarking in Cape Town.’
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