Cape Town’s 2024-25 cruise season sets new records with 83 ship calls, growing regional influence

SOUTH AFRICA – Cape Town’s 2024-25 cruise season has marked a significant achievement for the city’s tourism sector, welcoming 83 ship calls, including 11 inaugural visits.

This milestone is a key step toward establishing Cape Town as a premier cruise destination on the African continent.

March stood out as a historic month, with 22 ship visits, the highest number ever recorded in a single month, demonstrating the city’s rising prominence in the global cruise industry.

In addition to Cape Town’s success, the Port of Mossel Bay also played a vital role, receiving 15 cruise ship calls during the season.

This further strengthens South Africa’s position as an emerging cruise hub, expanding opportunities for tourism growth beyond the Western Cape’s main city.

Wesgro CEO Wrenelle Stander emphasized that these impressive figures represent more than just statistics; they reflect the dynamic growth of Cape Town’s tourism industry, which is progressing steadily toward the 2035 goal of doubling visitor numbers.

Stander noted that the cruise sector’s expansion highlights Cape Town and the Western Cape’s increasing influence as a top African cruise destination, contributing significantly to the local economy and job creation.

The Cape Town Cruise Terminal also experienced a 16% increase in passenger and crew numbers compared to the previous season, underscoring the growing demand for cruise travel in the region.

The season concluded with the departure of the Crown Princess on 29 June, capping off a record-breaking period.

The arrival of Cunard’s Queen Anne on 10 April, marking its first visit to South African shores, was a highlight of the season and symbolized Cape Town’s growing appeal to prestigious cruise lines.

Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr. Ivan Meyer, highlighted the cruise industry’s alignment with the province’s Growth for Jobs Strategy.

He noted that the sector supports around 2,000 jobs and injected over a billion rand into the economy during the previous season, reinforcing its role in fostering a resilient and inclusive regional economy.

As Cape Town continues to attract more cruise visitors and expand its port capabilities, the city’s cruise season success is expected to have lasting positive effects on tourism, employment, and economic development throughout the Western Cape and South Africa.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.