Explora Journeys to cruise from Durban, Cape Town and Kenya in 2025

Explora Journeys second cruise ship, Explora II, will cruise from Mombasa in Kenya, as well as Durban and Cape Town in South Africa during 2025.

The four African cruises aboard Explora II will come directly after her series of Middle East itineraries out of Dubai, and form part of a globe-trotting program of cruises that take in almost every region of the world.

Explora II’s Durban cruise departure is unique as the 14-night voyage ends in Cape Town, which is traditionally just a two-night voyage along the coast, but instead Explora II will take in a range of Southern African cruise destinations during a leisurely two weeks.

The first of the four African cruises aboard Explora II is a 14-night voyage from Mombasa to Durban. The cruise departs February 1st, 2025 but the first night is spent in port in Mombasa. It’s a somewhat unique itinerary as the ship doesn’t hug the east coast of Africa, but instead heads out into the Indian Ocean beyond Madagascar.

Port calls include Nosy Be and Diego Suarez in Madagascar (with an overnight stay in Nosy Be), Port Louis in Mauritius (also an overnight stay), and Saint-Denis in Reunion before the ship heads west again for Durban.

Then on February 15th, 2025, Explora II departs Durban bound for Cape Town, but the 14-night itinerary first heads north for Portuguese Island, Maputo and Pomene in Mozambique, before turning back for South Africa to call in Richard’s Bay and Port Elizabeth before Cape Town.

All four of the South African port calls for Explora II (Durban, Richard’s Bay, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town) are overnighters, providing ample opportunity for exploring ashore and discovering the region’s Zulu, Xhosa and other cultures, as well as the famed Big Five game animals.

On March 1st, 2025, Explora II departs Cape Town for Mombasa, a 13-night cruise that takes her back along the coast of South Africa. This time, the ship does hug the East African coast, providing opportunities to explore Zanibar in Tanzania, in addition to Maputo and Portugese Island in Mozambique, and of course the South African cruise ports of Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth and Durban.

Surprisingly, Cape Town is the only port on this itinerary where the ship stays overnight.

On March 14th, 2025, Explora II departs Mombasa in Kenya for a port-lean 15-night cruise to Jeddah. The ship first heads out into the Indian Ocean bound for La Digue and Mahe in the Seychelles (staying overnight in the latter), before spending several days at sea cruising directly north for Salalah, Oman.

From Salalah, its then another four days at sea as the ship transits the Bab al-Mandab Strait and enters the Red Sea, bound for Jeddah, from which she will then sail two cruises before returning to Europe.

Explora Journeys is the new luxury subsidiary of MSC Cruises. The cruise line will feature all-suite ships and individualised service similar to that found aboard Carnival’s Seabourn brand, Royal Caribbean’s Silversea, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Regent Seven Seas.

No details have been announced aboard Explora II yet, but Explora I will feature 11 dining experiences across six restaurants, as well as in-suite dining, and 12 bars and lounges (eight outdoor and four indoor).

This is in addition to a chef`s kitchen, with all dining and beverage options intended to provide guests with a range of culinary options from across the world.