Royal Caribbean cruise from South Africa aboard Voyager of the Seas sells out

Royal Caribbean International is set to return to South African waters, with passengers, for the first time in more than a decade when the Voyager of the Seas calls in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth this November, with the cruise already sold out amid growing interest in South Africa as a cruise destination.

The ship will sail the South African coast as part of a repositioning voyage between Barcelona and Singapore, arriving in Cape Town on November 14th and Port Elizabeth on November 16th, following a call in Walvis Bay on November 10th. 

Voyager of the Seas will then continue across the Indian Ocean with a stop in Mauritius on November 21st.

The last time a Royal Caribbean ship visited South Africa was in April 2024, when the Serenade of the Seas called in Cape Town as part of a world cruise rerouted around the Red Sea, and October the same year when Anthem of the Seas became the largest cruise ship ever to dock in a South African port.

Both ships were sailing without passengers, and made technical calls only in the city. 

Before that, Royal Caribbean’s most recent deployment in the region was during the 2011/2012 season, when Rhapsody of the Seas sailed from South African ports during the southern summer.

The arrival of Voyager of the Seas therefore marks a continuation of the gradual re-emergence of the brand in southern African waters.

“This is more than a port call, it’s a statement,” said Marco Cristofolli, CEO of Cruises International, which represents Royal Caribbean in the South African market. “The arrival of Voyager of the Seas marks the beginning of a new era for African cruising.”

“It demonstrates global confidence in our market and opens doors for leisure, business, and incentive travel (that balances work and play) unlike anything seen before,” he added.

Jacqui Mabuza, Head of Commercial for Cruises International, said Voyager of the Seas’ call in Cape Town with passengers reflected global confidence in the region’s cruising potential.

“As Voyager of the Seas sails east, she will begin a new cruise itinerary rarely seen within the Royal Group, and we are pleased to see the demand resulting in a now sold-out cruise,” she said. 

Voyager of the Seas’ visit underscores renewed momentum for South Africa’s cruise sector following several years of global route disruptions. 

While Royal Caribbean has yet to re-establish regular deployments in the region, the upcoming calls by Voyager of the Seas are part of the broader pattern of growing recognition of South Africa’s role as a key link between Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean cruise routes.