Cruise Line Reroutes 2026 Voyage Around Africa, Spotlighting South Africa
MSC Cruises has revised its 2026 World Cruise itinerary aboard the MSC Magnifica, opting to bypass the Red Sea due to regional instability and instead rerouting the return leg around Africa. The extended 118-night journey, now 12 days longer, will depart on 5 January 2026 from various European ports. Key additions to the revised route include the Seychelles, Mauritius, La Réunion, South Africa, Namibia, and Cape Verde, with Cape Town expected to feature prominently.
This shift underscores the growing importance of Africa in global cruise tourism. South Africa, in particular, is set to benefit from increased port calls, tourism spending, and visibility as a safe and attractive destination. MSC Cruises has confirmed full refunds for cancelled port excursions and extended onboard packages at no extra cost. The rerouting presents new opportunities for African coastal destinations to engage with long-haul cruise travellers and expand their offerings in a fast-changing market.
Source: Cruise Arabia & Africa
