After two days at sea, the luxurious MV Crystal Symphony cruise ship docked at Mahe port in Seychelles at 8am, carrying an estimated 600 passengers, Kenyans among them.
But what made this voyage special was not just the popping of the champagne or the sea breeze.
For the first time, Kenyans did not need to fly to Europe or South Africa to begin their cruise holiday. The journey began at home; a drive or a 45-minute flight from Nairobi to Mombasa was all it took to step aboard.
The sail from Mombasa as a ‘start’ marked a historic shift. For decades, Mombasa had served merely as a brief stopover for Crystal Symphony and many other international cruise liners, but this time around, it was a ‘start’ for 13 nights toward its final ‘end’ in Mumbai, India.
“Crystal Symphony” had departed Mombasa on the evening of January 5 at 6pm, and by day 4 passengers stepped onto Mahé, one of largest and most vibrant island known for its powder-soft beaches, electric-blue waters with marine life, and mountains.
Here, 10 shore excursions awaited. Some guests headed the local Victoria market. Others wanted to try out Creole cuisines.
At 5am the following day, it was all hands back on deck as Crystal Symphony eased back into open waters. A good camera came in handy for the breathtaking scenes of the two mini-islands. Three days later, the ship glided into the Maldives for an overnight stay before continuing on Day 9 toward Asia.
Sri Lanka was the next destination, arriving on January 15, Day 11. Two days after that, the voyage reached its grand finale on Day 13, with Crystal Symphony docking in Mumbai, completing an oceanic trail that stretched from the Kenyan coast.
For the 13 nights from Mombasa to Mumbai, guests paid from $7,800 (Sh998,000) per person or $9,100 (Sh1.2 million if one preferred a double guest room with other luxuries.
Today, January 28, Crystal Symphony sets sail once again, this time beginning a fresh voyage from Mumbai, with Mombasa as its final destination on February 6.
The liner has mapped out five voyages in 2026 alone that will either start or end in Mombasa, the highest number of sailings the ship has ever planned, with the Mombasa port as more than a stopover.
But Crystal Symphony isn’t the only ultra-luxury liner cruising on this newly charted Indian Ocean trail.
Tourists disembark from MV Crystal Symphony, which arrived at the Port of Mombasa from Mahé, Seychelles, on March 31, 2025.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
“MV Azamara and MV Viking are other luxury cruise liners we expect in and out of Mombasa this year, depending on their scheduled routes and how well tickets sell,” says Ruhan Shah, marketing director at Holiday Bazaar, a travel agency.
Azamara is set to begin a Mombasa-to-Cape Town voyage in April, with prices starting at $5,839 (Sh750,000). Meanwhile, Crystal Symphony’s longer-haul adventures stretch even further.
Its Mombasa-to-Tokyo voyage in February spans 58 nights across 40 ports, with prices starting at $28,600 (Sh4 million). For those seeking something shorter, the Mombasa-to-Singapore sail launching next month starts at $13,500 (Sh1.7 million) for ocean-view rooms, $16,300 (Sh2 million) for balcony cabins, and $18,900 (Sh2.4 million) for suites.
“For someone with a bit of spare change lying around, a cruise from Mombasa to Seychelles at $5,600 (Sh716,000) per person for nine nights isn’t a bad deal. The fare covers accommodation, meals, onboard entertainment, and travel across 12 ports in four countries along the East African coast and the Indian Ocean,” says Hellon Eugene, a luxury travel agent.
Of course, there are extras to budget for, like the shore excursions, drinks, gratuities, travel insurance, and any required visas.
“If your sole goal is to get to Seychelles, flying is cheaper and faster. But if you value the journey, the variety of destinations, and slow, immersive travel, then a cruise is absolutely worth it. The real value of such cruises is the experience, waking up in a different port almost every day, exploring multiple countries without packing and unpacking, and enjoying a floating hotel that moves with you,” Eugene adds.
For Hellon , having Mombasa serving as a homeport could ignite curiosity among Kenyans and East Africans who have never considered life at sea.
“It gives people in the region a chance to explore 14 or so ports in East Africa, something very few people globally have done,” he says.
There is, however, a small trade-off. With cruises starting or ending abroad, passengers still need to budget for a flight back home.
But Ruhan sees the balance tilting in favour of Kenyans.
“You save on international flights, foreign hotel stays, and visa fees. You can get to places like Tanzania, Madagascar, and Seychelles without a visa. If you start your cruise in Europe or the US, you have to factor in flights, hotels, transfers, and all the small costs people don’t see until they add up. Starting from Mombasa cuts a lot of that out,” he says.
Despite the excitement about Mombasa finally becoming a start of luxury cruise sails, Ruhan remains cautiously optimistic.
“The East African cruise market is new. There isn’t enough data yet to clearly predict trends. It might take a few years to understand the impact, but this is a good sign. Not many international cruise lines have been keen on this market.”
He also notes that prices are still on the higher side.
“In Europe, you can find cruises starting at around $1,000 (Sh130,000). From Mombasa to Seychelles, you’re looking at around $5,000 (Sh640,000).”
Tourists who arrived on the MV Crystal Symphony cruise ship explore Old Town, Mombasa, during town excursions on April 1, 2025.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Even so, Ruhan believes the long-term potential is significant.
“This region has largely been unexplored by cruises. The more ships dock here, the more locals will start to see cruising as something worth paying attention to.”
International tour agent James Wambui agrees, with one caveat.
“This route makes the most sense for smaller cruise ships. Many mega-liners, like Royal Caribbean, are simply too big to dock in most African ports, including Mombasa, and that is why they don't sail here.”
However, from where June Chepkemei, the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) CEO sits, this ‘baby step’ is a bold statement of intent. According to her, homeporting changes everything.
“When Mombasa serves as a homeport, passengers spend at least two nights in our hotels before embarkation, and often more after the cruise. The economic multiplier effect is substantial,” says June.
More importantly, she adds, it reshapes Kenya’s image on the global cruise map. “We move from being just another exotic stopover to a recognised cruise hub. That attracts investment, creates jobs, and positions us competitively against regional players like Mauritius and Seychelles. But it doesn’t end there, many are adding three to four-day safari extensions, which means revenue flowing to destinations such as Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Tsavo, not just the coast.”
