After years of dormancy, cruise tourism along East Africas coastline is finally showing signs of revival. Once a vibrant route for global cruise liners, the regions potential dimmed in the late 2000s when piracy off the coast of Somalia cast a long shadow over maritime travel. Ships rerouted to safer waters and ports like Mombasa, Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam saw a steep decline in calls.
But with piracy now largely contained and countries investing in port upgrades, a resurgence is taking place and Kenya, in particular, is leading the revival.
According to Kenyas Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, the country welcomed 6 561 cruise tourists in 2024 a 163 increase from 2023.