Comic Con Africa takes to the seas from Durban with MSC Cruises in 2024

Comic Con Africa has announced an exciting new addition to its line-up of events for next year, with the exhibition taking to the seas with MSC Cruises from March 15th to 18th.

The Comic Con Cruise will sail from Durban to Cape Town in 2024 in partnership with MSC Cruises and Super Events aboard MSC Splendida, the largest cruise ship ever to homeport in the country.

The three night voyage will feature themed dress up (cosplay) dinners, fandom specific meetups, kids gaming competitions, karaoke, geeky quizzes, and of course the opportunity to meet and mingle with other fans.

The cruise is an opportunity to meet new friends from different fandoms including Comics, Tabletop Gaming, Film and TV fanatics, Cosplay, Sci-Fi & Fantasy book lovers, Anime & Manga as well as Gaming, according to MSC Cruises.

“We’re really excited to be able to offer this unique experience to our fans,” said Carla Massmann, ShowDirector for Comic Con Cape Town and Comic Con Africa. “In addition to two live festivals in 2024, the Comic Con Cruise really broadens the scope of Comic Con in South Africa.”

“We are so excited to take Comic Con to the seas, and for the opportunity for the fans from all over the country to come together in this first ever experience,” Massmann added.

Afrikaans music icon and CEO of the Comic Con Cruise partner Super Events, Kurt Darren added, “Being a massive Comic Con fan myself, I am so excited to see this cruise come to life.”

“There will be something for every fan to do on this cruise and another excuse to dress up as superheroes or pop culture characters,” he added. “Space is limited so ensure that you reserve your cabin to avoid disappointment.”

Fans can secure a Comic Con Cruise cabin now at MSC Cruises with a R3,000 deposit. The full price for the cruise started at R7,437 per person sharing at the time of writing.

The Comic Con Cruise falls during MSC Cruises’ annual South African cruise season. Between November, 2023 and March, 2024, MSC Splendida will homeport in Durban, sailing roundtrip itineraries to destinations in the Indian Ocean.

These voyages will last between 2 and 14 nights, visiting Inhaca Island near Maputo, Pomene Bay in Mozambique and Mauritius.

From Cape Town, she’ll sail a range of cruises to Walvis Bay in Namibia and Mossel Bay in South Africa.

MSC Splendida replaces MSC Orchestra on the SA circuit, she carries 1,000 more passengers at full capacity, and is more than 40,000 gross tons larger in total size.

There are 6 dining rooms, 13 cafes and bars, 5 pools, and 14 Jacuzzis, in addition to a full-size spa, gym and beauty salon, two-deck theatre, 4D Cinema, adventure zones for toddlers, children and teens, a retail area and more. The ship is so big, it has its own bowling alley.