The back story
Season: MSC’s South African season runs from November to April (msccruises.co.uk, Oct 2026); the Seychelles cruise season opens in October (Tourism Seychelles: the 2025–26 season opened on 12 Oct 2025, with 47 calls forecast) · Main ports: Cape Town, Durban, Walvis Bay, Lüderitz, Port Louis, Victoria (Mahé), Praslin, La Digue, Zanzibar, Mombasa, Nosy Be · Gateway airports: Cape Town International; King Shaka International (Durban); Walvis Bay International; Mauritius (MRU); Seychelles International (SEZ); Zanzibar (ZNZ); Mombasa (MBA) · Port Louis: Cruise Terminal Building at La Saline (2023), beside a cruise jetty for ships up to 345 m; 45 cruise calls in 2024/25 (Mauritius Ports Authority, Oct 2026) · UNESCO near the pier: Robben Island (1999), Aapravasi Ghat (2006), Vallée de Mai (1983), Stone Town of Zanzibar (2000), Fort Jesus (2011), Namib Sand Sea (2013) (whc.unesco.org)
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The back story
The Indian Ocean & Africa·In depth
Mountains, dunes, coral islands and Swahili ports: a voyage that crosses from the Atlantic into the Indian Ocean and changes scenery at every call.
The ports
Who it suits. On a budget: A short MSC round trip from Cape Town or Durban in the South African season, with Walvis Bay or the Mozambique coast, and Cape Town’s Watershed and Zeitz MOCAA on foot from the quay. Mid-range: A premium or luxury voyage between Cape Town and the Indian Ocean islands, with a night at the Labourdonnais in Port Louis or Eden Bleu on Mahé, and the Vallée de Mai booked for your Praslin call. Luxury: A small ship or yacht through the Seychelles and down to Zanzibar, with Aqua Lares, Emerald or a Ponant voyage, and nights at The Silo, Cape Grace or Mount Nelson before or after.
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V&A Waterfront
The Indian Ocean & Africa·Home port and port of call · South Africa
Cape Town’s cruise terminal, run by the V&A Waterfront, a short walk from the shops, restaurants and Zeitz MOCAA.
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MSC’s South African home port
The Indian Ocean & Africa·Home port · South Africa
The cruise terminal at the Port of Durban, used by MSC for its South African season.
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Berth 9 passenger terminal
The Indian Ocean & Africa·Port of call · Namibia
Namibia’s main seaport, with a dedicated passenger liner terminal since 2019: the gateway to Swakopmund and the Namib.
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Namport
The Indian Ocean & Africa·Port of call · Namibia
A small harbour town on Namibia’s southern coast, a few kilometres from the ghost town of Kolmanskop.
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Cruise jetty at La Saline
The Indian Ocean & Africa·Port of call and home port · Mauritius
A modern cruise terminal building beside the cruise jetty at La Saline, Port Louis, opened in 2023.
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Mahé Quay, 370 m
The Indian Ocean & Africa·Port of call and home port · Seychelles
The Seychelles’ cruise port in the capital, Victoria, run by the Seychelles Ports Authority.
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Small ships and yachts
The Indian Ocean & Africa·Port of call · Seychelles
The Seychelles’ second island, home of the Vallée de Mai and its coco de mer palms.
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Granite and white sand
The Indian Ocean & Africa·Port of call · Seychelles
A small granite island of white beaches and colonial houses, reached by yacht and small ship.
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Zanzibar Ports Corporation
The Indian Ocean & Africa·Port of call · Zanzibar, Tanzania
Stone Town’s harbour, the busiest passenger port in the region, a short walk from the UNESCO-listed old town.
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Berth 1
The Indian Ocean & Africa·Port of call · Kenya
Kenya Ports Authority’s solar-powered cruise terminal at Berth 1, with a passenger lobby, duty-free shops and restaurants.
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The scented island
The Indian Ocean & Africa·Port of call · Madagascar
An island off Madagascar’s north-west coast, known for ylang-ylang, vanilla and the Lokobe reserve.
