Mombasa: Kenya’s cruise tourism has reached a momentous milestone with the arrival of MS Viking Yi Dun, the first-ever cruise vessel to sail directly from Asia to the Port of Mombasa, bringing 717 tourists and 450 crew members in a breakthrough voyage that signals the country’s growing prominence as a global cruise destination.
According to Kenya News Agency, the vessel’s arrival raises the total number of cruise ships that have docked at the Port of Mombasa’s modern cruise terminal to nine during the October-to-June cruise season, bringing 4,889 tourists, an increase of 684 visitors compared to the previous cruise circuit. During the last cruise season, five vessels called at the port carrying 4,205 tourists. Before the end of 2026, Kenya is projected to receive a total of 20 cruise vessels.
The nine-year-old Norway-flagged luxury liner arrived at the Port of Mombasa early Tuesday morning carrying excited tourists, the majority from the People’s Republic of China, alongside visitors from 16 other nationalities. Stretching 228 metres in length and towering 10 decks above the waterline, the magnificent cruise ship cut an impressive silhouette against the Port of Mombasa skyline as it gracefully sailed into the modern cruise terminal. The vessel has a passenger capacity of 930.
The tourists received a colourful welcome from Mijikenda cultural performers, whose traditional music and dances showcased Kenya’s rich coastal heritage before the visitors embarked on excursions to some of the country’s iconic tourist attractions. The vessel’s Captain, Alex Sehlstedt, said the cruise began in Shanghai, China, and is sailing around Africa to South Africa before concluding its voyage in Tarragona, Spain.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director (MD) Capt. William Ruto described the maiden arrival of the cruise vessel from Asia as a testament to Kenya’s growing appeal as a global cruise tourism destination and increasing confidence in the Port of Mombasa as a strategic gateway to East Africa. He assured visitors that the Port of Mombasa remains safe and reaffirmed KPA’s commitment to guaranteeing the security and comfort of all cruise tourists. He noted that the authority is leveraging the modern cruise terminal to attract more international cruise liners.
The KPA MD further disclosed that another cruise vessel is expected within the next two months, attributing the sector’s growth to the collaborative efforts of the County Government of Mombasa and the Kenya Tourism Board in promoting cruise tourism. Capt. Ruto also appealed to the vessel’s management to consider extending future stopovers from one day to at least a week to allow tourists ample time to explore Kenya’s diverse attractions.
Pollman’s Tours and Safaris Group Director of Operations Mohamed Hersi commended the government’s continued efforts in marketing Kenya as a premier tourism destination, saying the campaigns have contributed significantly to the increasing number of cruise visitors. One of the tourists, Wu Haijeng from Beijing, China, said although it was his fourth visit to Kenya, it was his first time arriving as a cruise tourist. He said he was looking forward to experiencing the country’s unique attractions.
