Cape Town's 2025/2026 cruise season officially kicked off this week with the arrival of MS The World, one of more than 70 vessels scheduled to call at Cape Town in the coming year.
Traditionally, the Western Cape cruise season coincides with the summer months between November and April. The record R1.79bn economic boost from the 2024/25 cruise season, up from R1.32 billion the previous year, indicates it's set to be a bumper cruise tourism season.
According to the latest Western Cape Cruise Liner Industry Report, the sector welcomed 79 cruise ships (83 vessels for the season) and 127,000 passengers, marking year-on-year increases of 18% and 16% respectively. Total expenditure by vessels and passengers reached R1.99 billion, a 32% rise on the previous season's R1.5billion.
READ: MSC Opera to sail from Cape Town this Summer
Cruise tourism has proven to be a powerful catalyst for visitor spending. “The 2024/25 season has been a successful year for Cape Town and the Western Cape’s cruise industry. With record passenger numbers and expenditure, the industry is showing its ability to create jobs and stimulate growth across the province," according to Wesgro CEO Wrenelle Stander, who highlighted the benefits extending beyond Cape Town.
Smaller municipalities such as Mossel Bay, Hermanus, and Saldanha Bay welcomed 32,000 passengers across 26 ship visits, generating R47.5 million in local spending. This supported small businesses, created temporary employment, and boosted these towns' visibility as tourism destinations.
"Local businesses are gaining exposure and income from international visitors, which strengthens the overall tourism ecosystem,” Stander added.
“The City is proud to be part of the Cruise Cape Town initiative that continues to attract vessels and unlock extraordinary benefits for our economy. Each ship that docks injects millions into local businesses, sustains jobs, and enhances Cape Town’s global profile as a tourism hub. With another record-breaking season behind us, our focus remains firmly on building on this success," added City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos.
With its dedicated cruise terminal at the V&A Waterfront, world-class infrastructure, and ever-expanding itinerary of global routes, Cape Town is cementing itself as a must-do cruise stop - not just for international luxury liners, but also for homegrown themed experiences, all set to return aboard the MSC Opera in 2026.
“The arrival of The World is a proud milestone for Cape Town. With our Cruise Terminal ranked among the most attractive globally, each vessel docking here supports our hospitality, retail, and cultural sectors while showcasing the city as a leading international port," says V&A Waterfront CEO David Green.
All eyes are on the 2025-26 season
Tourists can look forward to visits from Mein Schiff 4, AIDAprima, Costa Toscana, Queen Mary 2, Seven Seas Mariner and more - along with returning local favourites like MSC Opera’s Love Jazz Cruise.