At 54, Jane Mwangi is preparing for her second cruise, this time from Seattle to Tokyo, with five close friends, all her age. Their 16-day journey aboard the Norwegian Sun starts in Juneau, Alaska, and will take them across the Pacific Ocean to Japan, with a stop at Petropavlovsk in eastern Russia.
“Last time, I enjoyed a whale-watching tour in Petropavlovsk. This time, I don’t know what to expect in Japan or Tokyo. It’s my first cruise to that part of the world,” says Jane.
Their itinerary includes hiking through the Glacier Gardens rainforest, soaking in views of the Mendenhall Wetlands, and standing at the base of the Mendenhall Glacier. It’s not just a holiday; it’s a ritual of adventure, exploration, and bonding.
Jane is part of a growing number of affluent Kenyans setting sail each year, following the rhythm of the seasons. As the northern hemisphere heats up, cruise ships shift course, sailing north to Alaska, the Caribbean, and even Asia.
“It’s now summer in Europe, and we’re seeing many Kenyans sign up for cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, and newer destinations like China and Japan,” explains Ruhan Shah, a cruise specialist and director at Holiday Bazaar, a company in the cruise business for 30 years.
Cruise travel, Ruhan notes, closely follows global weather patterns. Ships typically sail north during summer and shift south, toward South America, Africa, and Australasia, when northern winter sets in.
“By November, you’ll see many cruises heading to South America,” he says.
A sales agent from Kendirita Tours and Travel, who did not want to share his name since his employer has not authorised him to share company insights, confirms the trend: “We already have a good number of Kenyans signed up for Caribbean and northbound cruises. Alaska is especially popular for its scenery.”
Peter Ken, 52, is a cruise veteran. Over the last 20 years, he’s been on 17 cruises, usually travelling with a group of ten friends.
“Cruising with friends makes it more enjoyable. It never gets old,” he says. “It’s the easiest way to visit multiple countries, and each stop brings new experiences.”
Peter is especially fond of the Caribbean, where he says cruise lines enhance the experience with exclusive activities on private islands. “Many lines own their own islands,” he explains. “In Belize, for instance, you can go cave tubing, zip-lining, or walk through the rainforest. It’s one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.”
Caribbean cruises operate year-round, with trips departing from various US ports. Peter often flies to the US first to board. He recommends a minimum of 8–10 days to properly explore either the Eastern Caribbean (Antigua, Saint Lucia, and Grenada, among others) or the Western route (Jamaica, Grand Cayman, or Mexico’s Caribbean coast).
“Cruises to the Eastern Caribbean tend to be longer as it takes more time to get there,” he says.
The Caribbean remains the world’s most popular cruise region. According to the 2024 State of the Cruise Industry report, the region gained one million cruise visitors this year, outperforming even some continents in heritage, cultural sites, and national park experiences.
Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand attract Kenyans looking to escape the cold when the northern hemisphere dips into winter.
“The wave season in Australasia runs from November to April,” says the Kendirita agent. “That’s when cruising weather is ideal; mild temperatures, sunny skies.”
But even outside wave season, Australia offers year-round cruises. The Caribbean too. So does the Bahamas, although many wrongly assume it falls within the Caribbean. Geographically, it lies in the Atlantic Ocean and not the Caribbean Sea.
Still, the Bahamas is a favourite among Kenyan families.
Cruise specialist Ruhan Shah poses for a photo in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, during a round-trip cruise from Barcelona to Marseille, France in April 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
Jeremy Damaris recently cruised there aboard Freedom of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean liner with 1,017 staterooms and capacity for 4,515 passengers.
“This was my second cruise in four years,” Jeremy says. “I travelled with my wife and two children. It made economic sense. Had we flown and stayed in hotels, it would have been far more expensive.”
The four-day cruise departed from the Port of Miami. “At $650 (Sh85,000) per person, it was all-inclusive—and the ship had everything. There was food at all hours. The last time I cruised on Carnival Sunrise, it was just as incredible.”
Cost, however, is highly variable. According to Ruhan, cruise prices depend on ship type, season, and itinerary. “A seven-day cruise can start from $10,000 (Sh1.3 million), but older ships are always cheaper,” he says.
Back home, Africa remains largely off the cruise map, despite its beauty and potential. Cruise lines typically sail to Africa from October to May, when the weather is milder and safari season is in full swing. But sailings are limited.
“Most cruise lines offer only a few options in Africa, usually to South Africa, Mauritius, or Seychelles,” says Ruhan. “And the ships that come here tend to be older or near retirement. They’re cheaper, and often sell out.”
Why the snub?
Part of the problem is infrastructure. “Africa lacks modern cruise terminals,” Ruhan notes. But change is afoot. Kenya’s Sh1.3 billion cruise terminal in Mombasa has sparked fresh interest.
“This 2024/25 season, we saw major ships like Viking, Costa, and Crystal Cruises dock in Mombasa,” Ruhan says. “However, these were mid-voyage stops. We haven’t had a cruise begin or end here, yet.”
There’s hope. Cruise lines have announced plans to launch Mombasa-to-Seychelles itineraries by 2026. Earlier this year, Norwegian Dawn became one of the largest ships to ever dock in Mombasa. The 294-metre-long vessel carried 2,220 tourists from 54 countries.
Ruhan believes that home-porting cruises in Kenya will be a game-changer. “If cruises can start or end in Mombasa, it will double the business—boosting tourism, local spending, and regional appeal.”
He also credits the Covid-19 pandemic for raising cruise awareness. “When the pandemic hit, cruise ships were stranded at sea. Barbados took some in when the US refused entry,” he recalls. “These disruptions pushed cruise lines to diversify routes, and the global exposure made more people aware of cruising.”
Social media played a role too. “People were sharing their stories on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Suddenly, cruising wasn’t just for retirees—it became trendy.”
Cruise ship MV Norwegian Dawn docks at the Port of Mombasa with more than 2,000 tourists on board on January 14, 2024.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
In 2024, Kenya recorded 6,561 cruise tourists, up from 2,490 in 2023. The country’s total tourist arrivals rose by 14.8 percent, from 2.08 million in 2023 to 2.4 million in 2024, driven in part by cruise travel and global conferences.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano credited this growth with boosting sector earnings by nearly 20 percent, from Sh377.5 billion to Sh452.2 billion.
“Based on current trends and our growth strategy, we are optimistic that Kenya will welcome three million visitors by 2025, generating Sh560 billion in earnings,” she said.
Back on the Norwegian Sun, Jane Mwangi’s journey is just beginning. As the ship makes its way from Alaska to Japan, through Russia’s wild eastern frontier, she and her friends will soak in the views, memories, and laughter.
“It’s quite some sight-seeing,” Jane says of the freedom of the sea, the thrill of new places, and the joy of discovering them together.
