Cruise season is shaping up to be an exciting one for South Africa, with a fleet of international liners scheduled to dock in Cape Town from mid-2025 into early 2026.
Alonso Reyes/Unsplash
Whether you’re after themed fun on deck, a luxurious ocean escape, or simply want to explore Africa’s coastline from the comfort of a cabin, there’s something on the horizon for every kind of cruiser.
Themed cruises make a splash
One of the highlights of Cape Town in 2026 will be a series of themed voyages tailored for local audiences. Music fans can look forward to the Bok Boot 2026 Cruise (30 March – 4 April), a five-night party at sea hosted by Bok Radio, en route to Walvis Bay, Namibia. While the line-up is still under wraps, expect top South African artists and a festive onboard atmosphere, as reported by Time Out.
Prefer jazz over a big party? The Love Jazz Cruise (4–9 April), hosted by Clarence Ford, is all about smooth tunes and sandy landscapes. The trip includes live jazz performances and wraps up with a moonlit jazz festival in the Namib Desert – a rare musical-meets-travel experience.
Also sailing during this period is the ever-popular Oppiwater Kunstefees (9–14 April), presented by RSG and Lefra Productions. This floating arts festival serves up a diverse programme of theatre, opera, comedy, and dance – all while cruising the Atlantic.
These theme cruises will be onboard the MSC Opera, which will spend the tail end of the 2025/2026 season in Cape Town after completing her Durban-based itineraries. Her local stint begins with a repositioning cruise from Durban to Cape Town on 27 March and ends with a return voyage on 14 April.
ALSO READ: New travel requirement for visa-exempt visitors to Mozambique
Cape Town welcomes more cruise heavyweights
Beyond the themed sailings, Cape Town’s cruise terminal will host an impressive line-up of ocean liners in 2025. Confirmed calls, as previously reported by Cape Etc, include:
-
Sirena – 16 May 2025
-
Costa Toscana – 3 June 2025
-
Azamara Journey – 20 June 2025
-
Crystal Symphony – 23 June 2025
-
Crown Princess – 25 June 2025
-
AIDAstella – 30 June 2025
These vessels are known for refined service, world-class dining, and immersive shore excursions, offering something a little different to the themed party cruises. Whether you’re after smaller luxury ships or family-friendly mega-liners, the season will be full of options.
Plan ahead and save
Cruise-goers can benefit from early bird specials across multiple cruise lines, including discounts on drink packages, spa treatments, shore excursions, and WiFi. Many operators also offer seamless Stay & Cruise options with hotel packages, airport transfers, and city shuttles to help kick off your holiday stress-free.
With so many cruises setting sail from Cape Town – from musical themes to luxury escapes – 2025/26 is shaping up to be South Africa’s biggest cruise season yet. Whether you’re planning a full voyage or just watching the ships roll in, it’s worth keeping your eye on the horizon.
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
ALSO READ: This South African airport is up for a name change
