Cruising continues to grow as a go-to travel choice for South Africans, delivering luxury and unmatched value for money – and with new ships, experiences, and itineraries debuting in 2025, there’s never been a better time to plan a holiday at sea.
Sue Garrett, GM Supply, Pricing and Marketing at Flight Centre Travel Group South Africa, attributes this growth to the all-inclusive value and accessibility of cruising.
“Local cruises, particularly MSC’s Durban- and Cape Town-based options, remain incredibly popular for first-time cruisers or those on a budget, due to their affordability, ease and convenience, after all, it’s a great way to avoid a long-haul flight as well as the costs of travel visas!”, says Garrett.
According to Garrett, cruises proved popular with both couples and families in 2024.
“On international cruises, our split was 65% couples, 28% families, 5% solo travellers, and 2% groups,” says Garrett. “We saw very similar figures on domestic cruises, with couples making up 62% of cruisers followed by families (29%), solo travellers (6%) and groups (3%). Interestingly, our average length of cruise was 10 days, with cruisers really embracing time on the ocean!”
Read on, because Garrett has the inside scoop for those looking to ‘seas the day’ in 2025!
What’s new in cruises for 2025?
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
More at Sea Package (debuting January 2025): NCL is simplifying its offerings with the all-new ‘More at Sea’ package, which replaces their ‘Free at Sea’ programme.
Premium drinks: Guests can now enjoy an expanded selection of beverages, including over 100 specialty cocktails.
Specialty restaurants: Indulge in more meals at specialty restaurants.
Improved internet access: Make the most of additional minutes and faster Wi-Fi.
“NCL’s new ‘More at Sea’ package does exactly what it says: it delivers more value than ever before. It also simplifies the experience for guests, making it easier for them to relax and enjoy their cruise,” says Garrett.
Norwegian Aqua Launch (March 2025): The cutting-edge Norwegian Aqua will feature:
- The world’s first Aqua Slidecoaster, an exhilarating mash-up of a waterslide and rollercoaster.
- Expanded family-friendly zones with recreational activities.
- NCL’s first-ever upmarket Thai specialty restaurant, Sukhothai, and first plant-based eatery, Planterie, debuting on board.
MSC Cruises
South Africans love MSC’s themed cruises, and they’re back with a bang in 2025!
- Super Sokkie Cruise (21–24 February 2025): Who doesn’t adore that ‘local is lekker’ vibe, complete with energetic sokkie music and dancing?
- Bhangra Boat (28 February – 3 March 2025): Bollywood-themed festivities promising world-class entertainment.
- Jazz Cruise (16–22 March 2025): Coinciding with the inaugural Namib Desert International Jazz Festival, this voyage is a must for jazz fans and desert adventurers.
Costa Cruises
Cape Town cruises: Costa Cruises will offer departures directly from Cape Town for the first time, making it easier for South Africans to embark on exciting global itineraries with this respected cruise line. For example, Cape Town to Genoa (20 days) departs 18 March 2025, with stops in Walvis Bay, Tenerife, Tangier, and Corsica.
Royal Caribbean International
Debut of Star of the Seas (August 2025). The second ship in the Icon Class, Star of the Seas will feature:
- Category 6 Waterpark and Crown’s Edge aerial adventure.
- New Broadway hit, Back to the Future: The Musical.
- Eight unique ‘neighbourhoods’.
- Allure of the Seas refurbishments (April 2025): This $100 million upgrade introduces:
- The Lime & Coconut Bar and Perfect Storm water slides.
- Redesigned spaces for kids/teens, including Social298 and Splashaway Bay.
Princess Cruises
- Star Princess Launch (October 2025): Marking the second Sphere Class ship, Star Princess will have:
- Eco-friendly LNG propulsion systems.
- The Dome – the first at-sea geodesic dome.
- Expanded non-smoking casino areas.
Emerging cruise trends for 2025
- Digital detox cruises: Wi-Fi may be improving across fleets, but 2025 will see an increase in cruises designed to help travellers disconnect and unwind.
- Culinary-focused voyages: Food-themed cruises are big right now. Expect ships to offer more local ingredients, specialty menus, special guest celebrity chefs, and cooking workshops.
- Women-only cruises: These cruises, like Uniworld River Cruises’ women-only cruise, have a strict ‘no boys allowed’ policy – designed for women, by women.
- Workations cruises: When you can work from anywhere, why not work at sea? Before booking, check the Wi-Fi quality and cost (if applicable) of your chosen cruise line or ship.
- River cruising: Smaller and often more personal, river cruises are also on the rise.
“2025 is an excellent time to hop aboard the cruising trend. First-time cruisers can start small with affordable, local cruises, while seasoned at-sea holidaymakers can look forward to various upgrades, along with longer, multi-continent itineraries. As the industry continues its climb, travellers can rest assured there’s a cruise itinerary out there to float everyone’s boat!” Garrett concludes.
