IOL
Showing articles for tag 'cruises'
iol.co.zaHere is the latest I could gather based on available public reports:
- MSC Cruises’ South Africa program has historically involved ships like MSC Musica and MSC Opera operating from Durban and Cape Town, with seasons typically running from late year into the following spring. In recent seasons, MSC Musica has been the primary ship in Durban on some summers, while MSC Opera has rotated back into South Africa for additional sailings in later seasons.[2]
- The 2024–25 South Africa summer season concluded with MSC Musica’s operations ending and MSC Opera anticipated to return for the 2025–26 season, with plans for 37 sailings from Durban and Cape Town between November 2025 and April 2026, and the addition of Mamoudzou as a new destination noted by management.[2]
- Official statements from MSC Cruises South Africa during the COVID period indicate temporary suspensions and subsequent resumption plans, including adherence to authorities’ approvals for cruises during the pandemic, but those events are from 2020 and earlier, not the latest seasonality.[3]
- Recent local media and industry coverage continue to report MSC Cruises’ presence in South Africa, with ongoing discussions about port development (e.g., Durban terminal enhancements) and continued regional itineraries focusing on Durban–Mozambique, Durban–Mauritius, and Cape Town–Walvis Bay routes.[1][7]
If you’d like, I can perform a quick update search to pull the very latest press releases or news articles from MSC Cruises South Africa, Cruise Industry News, and Cape Town/Durban tourism outlets, and I can summarize any changes for the upcoming season, including ship deployments and itineraries.
Would you like me to fetch the newest updates now?