MSC Cruises to restart South African cruise travel

MSC Cruises is to become the first cruise line to restart cruises from South Africa, with MSC Orchestra departing on the first voyage from the new KwaZulu Natal cruise terminal in Durban on 6 December 2021. 

The resumption of cruise operations follows approvals from the South African Government after the 21-month hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. MSC Orchestra will homeport at the KwaZulu Natal terminal for the winter 2021-2022 season, as well as embarking passengers in Cape Town. She will offer 41 voyages up to 11 May 2022 around South Africa for the country’s citizens and residents, along with visits to Mozambique. The vessel has recently undergone a dry dock refurbishment programme and replaces MSC Musica that was originally scheduled to sail from South Africa in the upcoming cruise season. 

MSC Cruises plans to implement health and safety measures onboard MSC Orchestra and all destinations that the ship will call based on its protocol introduced in August 2020 for the well-being of passengers, crew and the destinations served by its vessels. The cruise line is now waiting for the relevant authorities in South Africa to issue specific details of their health and safety guidelines that can be built into the protocol if required.