Stakeholders in the tourism sector are expressing excitement and readiness for the 2025/2026 cruise ship season.
They have welcomed the start of the cruise season with enthusiasm anticipating increased tourism activities and significant economic benefits.
Industry players including port authorities, tour, travel and hospitality providers have emphasized their commitment to improve marine infrastructure and services to support the growing sector.
Stakeholders recognize the significant economic potential of cruise tourism and are out to attract more visitors to boost the coastal economy.
The excitement follows the arrival of the luxury expedition cruise ship christened SH Diana with 250 tourists that docked in Shimoni, Lamu and Mombasa seaports where it was greeted with jubilation.
The cruise ship first called at Shimoni port in Kwale county from Port Victoria, Seychelles before it set sail to Lamu and finally Mombasa marking the start of the cruise ship season.
SH Diana operated by Swan Hellenic that is flagged in Panama, measures 124 meters in length with a draft of 5.7 meters and features state-of-the-art hospitality facilities.The Ship’s Captain Jaanus Hannes said the SH Diana is the largest and most modern ship in the Swan Hellenic fleet.
Hannes stated that the cruise ship with 96 staterooms and suites typically visits destinations of historical, cultural and tourism significance.
He said the SH Diana offers a wide range of amenities including dining options like the Swan Restaurant and Pool Bar, numerous lounges, and a library. Onboard facilities include a spa, sauna, gym, swimming pool with a jacuzzi, and a lecture theater.
“This momentous occasion marks the ship’s third visit to Kenya with new and repeat visitors since 2023 with stunning destinations and excursions,” he said.
Hannes said the cruise itineraries have been designed to enable guests to maximize their time at the port-of-calls.
“The passengers are enjoying the ship’s luxurious amenities while exploring Kenya’s stunning coastline,” he said.
Kenya’s 640 km coastline stretches from Kiunga in the north (near the Somali border) to Vanga in the south (near the Tanzanian border) and is known for its scenic beauty.
In Shimoni, Lamu and Mombasa the ship was welcomed with colour, pomp and celebrations. In Kwale and Lamu the ship and the guests were welcomed by Governors Fatuma Achani and Issa Timamy respectively.
The jovial tourists toured the UNESCO-listed Lamu Old Town, exploring Swahili architecture, historic mosques, and Shela Beach- highlighting the island’s growing appeal as a global cruise destination.
In Kwale, Lamu and Mombasa the tourists had the chance to sample local delicacies and experienced the region’s rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality.
Governor Achani said Kwale is positioning itself as a top coastal tourism destination in the coastal region.
Achani said Kwale is showcasing its rich vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, pristine sandy beaches and warm hospitality to cruise line companies.
Governor Achani said Kwale hosts Diani and Tiwi beaches lined with white sand and tall palm trees and attracts hundreds of domestic and foreign of tourists every year.
Diani beach is the preferred holiday destination for many tourists and each year it receives a record number of holidaymakers arriving to savour its beautiful sandy beaches and tropical ambience.
Achani says Diani beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Africa and has been awarded the best beach destination in Africa for seven years in a row by the World Travel Awards.
The coastal county is out to promote its rich marine, cultural, heritage and historical sites.
“Diani beach with its stunning blue waters has now evolved into a much sought-after tourism destination in Kenya and we are proud of that,” she said.
She says Kwale also provides excitement to tourists through diverse experiences like vibrant cultural exploration and wildlife viewing in Shimba Hills National Reserve.
Governor Timamy hosted a welcoming ceremony for tourists, where he commended the ship’s management for once again including Lamu archipelago in their cruise tour itinerary.
Timamy described the visit as a positive sign of the coastal region’s growing appeal in the global tourism market, further appealing to the cruise operators to consider adding more stopovers in Lamu in the future.
“We are working to strengthen the Lamu archipelago’s attractiveness and tropical allure as an emerging cruising destination,” he said.
Kenya Tourism Federation Chairman, Mohamed Hersi welcomed the development saying cruise ship tourism is the way to go noting that tourism is on an upward trajectory.
“Mombasa, Lamu and Shimoni seaports should tap into cruise ship tourism by upgrading marine infrastructure and creating new attractions to capitalize on the new economic benefits of the industry,” he said.
Hersi has encouraged the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu to collaborate to help deliver a quality experience to cruise visitors.
Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Allan Njoroge said the arrival of cruise ships will boost the country’s tourism sector and bring economic benefits noting that tourists disembarking from ships spend money across various sectors of the economy.
Njoroge said the cruise tourism industry has the potential to become an important catalyst for the country’s economic growth, create jobs and empower local communities.
He highlighted the boost to the local economy through visitor spending, job creation and the promotion of the coastal region’s unique cultural heritage.
“The arrival of SH Diana demonstrates the coastal region’s increasing appeal as a world class cruise destination, the guests onboard will experience our unique coastal culture, cuisine, heritage and rich history and the warm hospitality that define the Kenyan people,” he said.
He said the arrival of SH Diana in Mombasa, Lamu and Shimoni is an indication that Kenya can be at the forefront of maritime tourism.
The KTB boss said there is a lot of potential and interest from overseas cruise liners to call at the local ports because of ‘our dedication to providing world-class facilities and services for cruise tourists’.
He said the visit reflects growing international confidence in Kenya as a premier cruise destination on the Indian Ocean coast.
The KTB CEO said cruise tourism is a vital pillar in the tourism diversification strategy from beach and safari experiences, boosting visitor arrivals and stimulating local economic growth.
“Positioning Mombasa, Lamu and Shimoni ports as burgeoning tourism hubs will definitely rejuvenate our local tourism sector,” he said.
He said cruise tourism benefits multiple sectors including hotels, restaurants, tour operators as well as cultural artisans and coastal communities’ livelihoods.
Njoroge said cruise tourism is making giant steps and that KTB will be working with all the stakeholders to ensure smooth and welcoming receptions.
“We are happy Mombasa, Lamu and Shimoni seaports are driving our growth in the cruise tourism sector’, he said.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director (MD), Capt. William Ruto, said the arrival of the passenger cruise ship marks the start of a cruise ship season that will welcome numerous other cruise ships to Mombasa, Shimoni and Lamu seaports.
Capt. Ruto expressed appreciation for the surge in cruise tourism at a time Kenya is positioning itself as a premier cruise destination in Africa.
He said they are also excited that the Shimoni fishing port, once a small fishing harbour, has undergone many transformations to turn it into a maritime tourism hub and has welcomed its first-ever cruise liner SH Diana.
The KPA MD said the growth in cruise tourism is seen as a key element in the broader strategy and diversification efforts in the country’s tourism and maritime sectors.
Ruto said KPA is poised to increase the capacities of Mombasa, Lamu and Shimoni seaports to enable the facilities to welcome even more cruise ships in the coming decades.
The MD reiterated the Authority’s commitment to investing in maritime infrastructure that supports the cruise tourism sector, positioning Kenya as a premier destination in the region.
He praised the collaboration between local tourism stakeholders and the national government, particularly in ensuring security and safe waters along the Indian Ocean coast, key factors in building confidence with cruise operators.
The KPA MD said the three seaports have modern amenities and deep-water capabilities to accommodate modern cruise ships.
Ruto said the cruise industry holds immense potential and is capable of bringing hundreds and thousands of visitors in a single trip unlike chartered flights.
Ksenia Smirnova and Elena Karmanova, from Russia said they were excited to visit Kenya for the first time.
“It was always my wish to come to Kenya and experience its beautiful scenery and see its lovely people,” said an excited Smirnova.
Dr. Michael Frey and his wife Sarika Frey form Canada also said they are happy to have a chance to mix with Kenyans and are enthralled by the country’s beauty.
Dr. Frey said as a couple they have previously been to South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe and were now excited to have added Kenya onto their itinerary.
KPA Chairman Benjamin Tayari praised the government’s ongoing efforts to streamline the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, which has notably improved the efficiency of processing travel documents for international travelers to Kenya.
Tayari pointed out that such initiatives are already yielding results, as evidenced by the growing number of tourists arriving by sea.
By Hussein Abdullahi
