Mombasa welcomes 1st cruise ship of year as Crystal Symphony returns to Kenya

The Port of Mombasa has marked the arrival of its first cruise ship of the year as Crystal Symphony of Crystal Cruises called at the island, opening what is expected to be a busy cruise tourism season for Kenya’s principal seaport.

The 238-metre luxury vessel, carrying more than 1,000 guests, made its second call to Mombasa, having previously visited the country during its inaugural call last year.

Arriving from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, the ship spent a full day in port before continuing its voyage to India.

Crystal Symphony is currently operating a 26-night Africa and Indian Ocean cruise from Cape Town to Mumbai, departing South Africa on December 23rd, 2025, and concluding in India on January 18th, 2026.

The itinerary traces the eastern coastline of Africa before crossing the Indian Ocean, offering passengers a rare long-form cruise route through the region.

Prior to reaching Kenya, the voyage included calls in Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth, East London, and Richards Bay in South Africa, followed by Maputo in Mozambique, and Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar in Tanzania.

Following its departure from Mombasa, Crystal Symphony will continue to the Seychelles, calling at Mahé, Praslin Island, and La Digue, before sailing onward to Malé in the Maldives.

The final stage of the voyage includes calls in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and Mormugao in Goa, before the ship arrives in Mumbai on January 18th.

The Mombasa call represents one of the central highlights of the African leg of the journey.

During their day ashore in Mombasa, passengers participated in a range of organised excursions, including visits to Kenya’s wildlife parks, guided tours of the city’s historic districts and sightseeing along the coastline.

Crystal Symphony’s Cruise Director, Vicky Vantassel, said guests were enthusiastic about returning to Kenya. “We’ve received such a warm welcome,” she said. “Everyone is excited to explore Kenya, even if just for the day.”

The arrival was formally received by officials from the Kenya Ports Authority, tourism stakeholders and representatives of the Mombasa county government. Kenya Ports Authority Corporation Secretary and General Manager for Board and Legal Services, Turasha Kinyanjui, reaffirmed the port’s commitment to strengthening cruise tourism in the country.

Speaking on behalf of Managing Director Captain William Ruto, Kinyanjui said the authority remains focused on enhancing visitor experiences by upgrading facilities and strengthening cooperation with all relevant partners.

The call by Crystal Symphony is the first of several cruise ship visits scheduled in the coming weeks, signalling growing interest in Mombasa as a regional cruise destination and delivering a direct boost to the local tourism economy.