AIDAsol 2026/27 World Cruise to feature several South African port calls

AIDA Cruises has opened bookings for its 2026/27 world cruise aboard AIDAsol, featuring multiple calls in South Africa, reflecting the country’s growing global position as a key cruise destination. 

The 126-day voyage departs from Hamburg on October 18th, 2026, and spans 20 countries and 43 ports before returning to Germany on February 21st, 2027.

As part of the Southern Hemisphere leg of the itinerary, AIDAsol will make three port calls in South Africa. 

Guests will first visit East London on January 27th, offering a gateway to the region’s unspoiled coastline and wildlife reserves. 

The following day, the ship arrives in Port Elizabeth for an overnight stay, allowing passengers more time to explore the city’s vibrant marine life and the safari opportunities in nearby Addo Elephant National Park.

The highlight of the South African segment will be an extended call in Cape Town on January 31st, where AIDAsol is scheduled to remain in port until just before midnight. 

Passengers will have the opportunity to take in the city’s iconic landmarks, including Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, and the historic Cape Winelands, as well as explore the emerging creative hub of Woodstock. 

The long stay allows for deeper exploration of Cape Town’s cultural and culinary offerings, reinforcing its status as a premier cruise destination.

The ship will then continue to Walvis Bay, Namibia, before beginning its journey back toward Europe.

Beyond South Africa, the itinerary includes two equator crossings, scenic passages around the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn, and stops in remote destinations such as Easter Island, Aitutaki, and the Cook Islands—which will be featured on an AIDA world cruise for the first time. 

The voyage also highlights South America, including a journey up the Amazon to Santarém and Boca da Valeria, as well as an extended stay in Sydney, Australia, to celebrate New Year’s Eve with the city’s renowned fireworks display.

AIDA Cruises expects strong demand for this once-in-a-lifetime voyage, which offers a rare opportunity to experience South Africa’s diverse landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage as part of an extended world cruise itinerary.

AIDAsol’s 2026/27 World Cruise is one of a dozen such voyages featuring South Africa in the coming years, as the country grows in prominence as a key cruise stopover destination amid the ongoing security uncertainty in the Red Sea.