Silversea to cruise Cape Town to Saudi on first Africa/Arabia grand voyage

Silversea Cruises is returning to Saudi Arabia in 2024 with two new grand voyages to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, with the first departing from Cape Town.

Silversea Cruises sailed roundtrip from Saudi Arabia in 2020 under charter with a Saudi tour operator, now in 2023 it will return to the country under its own banner.

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The new Arabian and African grand voyages were released as part of a wider 2023/24 cruise line-up for Silversea that features 690 destinations in 125 countries.

The cruise line says the new itineraries are in response to strong demand for extended voyages to far-flung destinations.

There are over 280 new voyages for 2023/2024, including two new grand voyages to Africa & the Arabian Peninsula and the Mediterranean.

Silversea’s first-ever grand voyage to Africa and Arabia will combine new-world modernity with fascinating glimpses into the region’s storied past.

Embarking Silver Spirit in Cape Town on January 27th, 2024, Silversea’s guests will travel deep into 28 destinations over 62 days, charting their way through Namibia, South Africa, Madagascar, Réunion, Mauritius, Seychelles, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Egypt, before concluding their voyage in Greece on March 29th.

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Calls in vibrant, iconic cities will complement maiden calls in remote destinations, such as Dhiba in Saudi Arabia. From Dhiba, guests will discover the ancient region of Al Ula, including Mada’in Saleh—the first site in Saudi Arabia to earn UNESCO recognition.

Here, travellers will witness preserved tombs, historic dwellings, and breathtaking monuments—both natural and human-made—that hold 200,000 years of largely unexplored human history.

As well as UNESCO World Heritage sites, guests will enjoy immersive cultural experiences, from the shamanistic ceremonies of the Sangoma spiritual healers in Durban to the mesmerising dance rituals of the San of the Kalahari Desert.

Guests will witness the incredible variety of wildlife in South Africa, the Seychelles, and Madagascar, as well as the vast landscapes of the Namibian and Saharan deserts.

Extended stays in Walvis Bay, Durban, Richards Bay, Antsiranana, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, Dhiba, and Safaga will enable travellers to explore deeper.

Silver Spirit was recently cut in half, lengthened, and completely overhauled to bring her up-to-date with Silversea’s new cruise ships Silver Muse and Silver Moon.

The 2018 refit saw her length increased by 15 metres, giving her more cabins and more public spaces and amenities.