The Mother City has achieved a new milestone in global maritime tourism with the successful completion of its most dynamic cruise season to date. Cape Town welcomed 83 cruise ship calls during the 2024/2025 season, including 11 inaugural visits, solidifying its reputation as Africa’s leading cruise destination and a rising star on international cruise itineraries.
According to Wesgro, Cape Town’s official tourism, trade, and investment agency, March 2025 alone witnessed 22 ship calls — a monthly record. The season was marked by significant highlights, including the much-anticipated first visit of Cunard’s Queen Anne on April 10, 2025, symbolizing Cape Town’s growing prominence in luxury maritime travel.
“Cape Town is becoming a destination of choice not only for leisure travelers but also for the world’s leading cruise lines,” said Dr. Ivan Meyer, Western Cape’s Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. “We are witnessing the real economic power of cruise tourism — job creation, small business development, and positioning Cape Town as a gateway to Africa.”
Cruise Tourism Drives Jobs and Regional Economic Growth
The positive impact of cruise tourism on Cape Town’s economy has been tangible and transformative. The 2023/2024 season contributed more than R1.32 billion (approximately USD 70 million) to the Western Cape economy, according to Wesgro. This revenue came from direct and indirect spending, including passenger excursions, hotel bookings, dining, local transportation, and port services.
Importantly, over 2,000 jobs were supported, spanning sectors such as hospitality, guided tourism, port operations, logistics, and ground transportation. The cruise sector directly aligns with the Western Cape Government’s “Growth for Jobs” strategy, which seeks to build a more inclusive, resilient, and opportunity-driven economy.
Strategic Infrastructure at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal
Much of the success of the 2025 cruise season can be attributed to the robust infrastructure of the Cape Town Cruise Terminal, located at the V&A Waterfront. Designed to handle large-scale cruise traffic efficiently, the terminal is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, customs and immigration facilities, and seamless passenger processing systems.
“The Cruise Terminal continues to be an essential asset in ensuring Cape Town remains a top-tier global cruise destination,” said David Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront. “Its strategic location at the foot of Table Mountain and close proximity to downtown attractions allows tourists to begin exploring the city within minutes of disembarkation.”
With expanded berthing capabilities and passenger service enhancements on the horizon, Cape Town is set to accommodate even larger vessels and higher passenger volumes in upcoming seasons.
Iconic Arrivals and Global Recognition
Cape Town’s cruise calendar continues to attract prestigious international cruise liners. The 2025 season welcomed maiden calls from major operators including MSC Cruises, Silversea, Viking, and Cunard. The arrival of Queen Anne, Cunard’s newest flagship, was a landmark event, bringing thousands of international tourists to the South African coast and placing the city firmly on the map for future luxury cruise itineraries.
These maiden visits serve as a crucial component of destination marketing, offering international cruise lines a firsthand experience of the port’s capabilities and Cape Town’s allure.
Sustainability at the Forefront of Cruise Tourism
Cape Town’s leadership has emphasized the importance of environmentally sustainable tourism. In partnership with Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), the city is adopting measures to ensure that cruise activities are carried out in a manner that supports marine conservation, clean energy use, and responsible waste disposal.
The city’s cruise tourism stakeholders are collaborating on efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of port operations, integrate shore power supply for ships, and improve green certifications for cruise service providers. Cape Town is also working with global bodies like the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to ensure that best practices are adopted.
Looking to the Future: Doubling Tourism by 2035
Cape Town has set an ambitious goal to double its tourist arrivals by 2035, with cruise tourism playing a vital role in achieving this vision. With a combination of infrastructure investment, public-private partnerships, and marketing collaborations with international cruise lines, the city is well-positioned to capitalize on growing demand in maritime tourism.
Ongoing projects include:
- Terminal upgrades to accommodate ultra-luxury and expedition cruise ships
- Enhanced shore excursions into the Cape Winelands, Table Mountain National Park, and Robben Island
- Promotion of home-porting opportunities for cruise lines beginning itineraries from Cape Town
These initiatives will create a multiplier effect on job creation, skills development, and small business growth.
Conclusion
Cape Town’s record-breaking 2025 cruise season is more than just a numbers story — it represents a strategic leap forward for the city’s tourism future. With world-class infrastructure, rich cultural heritage, and a vision grounded in sustainability, the city is charting a clear course toward becoming one of the top cruise tourism hubs globally.
As more international cruise liners recognize Cape Town’s unique appeal and operational excellence, the local economy and communities stand to benefit immensely from this continued growth.
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