Cape Town drawing niche expedition cruise lines alongside mainstream brands

Cape Town has confirmed 72 ship calls for the 2025/26 cruise season so far, with this figure expected to rise as the season progresses, according to Wesgro. 

The upcoming schedule reflects the city’s growing appeal to both major cruise operators and smaller expedition lines offering unique itineraries across Southern Africa.

Among the vessels calling this season is Le Commandant, a small ice-breaking ship operated by Ponant and best known for its polar expeditions. The vessel will undertake a 20-day voyage from Cape Town to Brest, France. 

Ponant’s Le Bougainville, a five-star boutique ship, will also visit the city during the season, Wesgro said.

The National Geographic Orion, an explorer ship operated by Lindblad Expeditions, is also set to arrive. The vessel will sail a new itinerary titled Southern Africa: Living History and Legendary Species, taking guests through South Africa and Zambia. 

“This new offering will allow our guests to immerse themselves in the majesty of Southern Africa while continuing National Geographic’s extraordinary legacy of global exploration,” said Nancy Schumacher, Senior Vice President and General Manager for National Geographic Expeditions. 

The nine-day journey will include visits to Table Mountain, District Six, and the penguin colony at Boulders Beach, before passengers travel to the Sabi Sabi Game Reserve within the Greater Kruger Park.

The season will also welcome Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, returning in April, while her sister ship Queen Anne will conclude its Southampton–Cape Town route in January.

According to the Western Cape Cruise Liner Industry Report, commissioned by Wesgro’s Cruise Cape Town, the 2024/25 season saw 79 ship calls, generating nearly R2 billion (US$116 million) in visitor spending. 

The 2025/26 season is expected to surpass this performance as Cape Town continues to establish itself as a key port for both regional and international cruise itineraries.

The city has also seen an increase in calls due to security-related rerouting in the Red Sea since 2023. While this has brought more ships to local waters, several vessels have arrived without passengers as operators adjust their deployment plans.

Beyond Cape Town, smaller coastal towns are sharing in the benefits of cruise tourism growth. The report notes that Mossel Bay, Hermanus, and Saldanha Bay collectively received 26 ship visits, generating R47.5 million (US$2.8 million) in local spending, underscoring the wider economic impact of the sector across the Western Cape.