After sailing its first ever cruise from South Africa in 2020 aboard Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Cruise Line will be sending the even larger Norwegian Dawn to Cape Town in 2021 for a 20-night ‘African Safari’ cruise to Dubai.

The cruise itinerary is a reverse version of that due to be undertaken by Norwegian Spirit in 2020 (sailing from Dubai to Cape Town and then on to Singapore), with visits to some of South Africa’s key cruise ports, as well as the most famous and exotic Indian Ocean islands.

RELATED: Italian restaurant Onda by Scarpetta to debut aboard Norwegian Encore

RELATED: Norwegian Cruise Line announces new details for upcoming Norwegian Encore

Norwegian Dawn will visit 10 destinations along the route, staying overnight in Mahe in the Seychelles and Dubai (on the final night of the voyage), giving passengers more time to explore these key cities.

The ship will depart Cape Town on March 1^st, 2021, bound for Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth, and Richard’s Bay on the South African coast, before setting off into the depths of the Indian Ocean. After three days at sea she’ll arrive in Saint-Denis, Reunion, where she’ll stay until fairly late in the evening (8pm), before departing for Port Louis, Mauritius (another 8pm departure).

This will be Norwegian’s second ever cruise from Cape Town

In Port Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles two days later, she’ll stay overnight in port so that passengers can properly explore the archipelago of 115 islands, although shore excursions are likely to focus more on the island of Mahe, where the port is located.

Norwegian Dawn will stay overnight in The Seychelles

The Seychelles is of course famous for its pristine beaches and clear, tropical waters, but in Port Victoria passengers can also explore the Seychelle National Botanical Gardens full of flora, fauna and fruit bats, go street shopping at the Selwyn-Clarke Market or eat local Ladob, a dish that can be served either sweet or savoury.

Then settle in for some sun at Beau Vallon Beach or visit the Navasakthi Vinayagar hindu temple.

After the Seychelles, Norwegian Dawn will continue on to Muscat, the capital of Oman and an ancient trading outpost, Abu Dhabi (home to the famous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque), before ending the voyage in Dubai, the glittering tourism playground of the region.

RELATED: Norwegian Sky emerges from refit aimed at making her more Breakaway-like

RELATED: Norwegian Joy debuts ‘Footloose’ for first time at sea after $50m renovation

“Gaze skyward to see the tallest building in the world, the 2,722-feet-high futuristic Burj Khalifa tower, or walk over to the impressive Jumeirah Mosque,” Norwegian Cruise Line says of the city. “Seek out jet-set haunts or stroll through the heart of the old city, Dubai Creek, which is home to the Dubai museum as well as the labyrinth alleyways of gold, spice and textile souks, where bargaining is part of the fun and ritual.”

From Dubai, Norwegian Dawn will cruise to Asia, before returning to the city later in the year for her homeward cruise to Europe.

The atrium aboard Norwegian Dawn

The 20-night cruise will be operated by Norwegian Dawn, the cruise line’s 2002-built ship, which carries 2,800 passengers and at 92,250-gross tons is significantly larger than Norwegian Spirit.

This added size gives her a few more bells and whistles as well, with 11 dining venues, 12 bars and cafes, a large kids centre, teens club, video arcade zone, theatre, and an expansive pool area with three pools and 7 whirlpools.