By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 12 January 2026 - When the luxury cruise liner Azamara Journey docked at the Port of Mombasa with 690 passengers on board, it was more than a routine port call.
It was a carefully choreographed moment in Kenya’s evolving blue economy story — one that the government is keen to frame as evidence that the country is finally turning its long coastline into a serious engine of growth.
The arrival marked the third major cruise ship to call at Mombasa this 2025/26 season, following the SH Diana and the Crystal Symphony, underlining a steady rise in cruise traffic that tourism and port authorities say is transforming Kenya’s profile in global travel circuits.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the visit reflected Kenya’s growing stature as a cruise destination and the success of deliberate efforts to diversify tourism beyond the traditional wildlife and beach packages.
“Today, we are thrilled to welcome the Azamara Journey and her passengers to the Port of Mombasa. This is a significant milestone for our tourism sector and a clear signal that Kenya is increasingly being recognised as a premier cruise destination,” Miano said.
She noted that cruise tourism has become a strategic pillar of the blue economy, delivering quick and visible returns to both the national and coastal economies.
According to her, Kenya recorded a 140% increase in arrivals by sea in 2024, a surge that helped push tourism earnings to a record KSh 452.2 billion.
“This growth contributed to a record-breaking year for tourism. These numbers demonstrate that our diversification strategy is working,” she said, adding that cruise tourism brings a unique mix of high-spending visitors, cultural exchange and international exposure.
At the port, Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director William Ruto said the growing interest by global cruise lines was a direct result of sustained investment in maritime infrastructure and operational reforms at Mombasa.
“The modern cruise terminal at the Port of Mombasa has changed how the world sees this port. We now have the capacity, security and passenger-handling facilities that meet international standards, and that is why major cruise liners are confidently adding Mombasa to their itineraries,” Ruto said.
He said KPA had deliberately positioned the port as a regional hub for cruise tourism, working closely with immigration, tourism agencies and private operators to ensure seamless processing of passengers and crew.
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“Cruise tourism is no longer a side activity for us. It is now a core part of our port business strategy because of the multiplier effect it has on the wider economy,” he said, pointing to the ripple benefits for transport, hospitality, tour guiding and the creative economy.
Miano echoed that view, saying the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation system and improvements at the port had significantly reduced barriers for tourists arriving by sea.
“Through improved port facilities and efficient travel processes, we are making it easier than ever for the world to discover the magic of Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline,” she said.
As hundreds of passengers disembarked to explore Mombasa’s Old Town, beaches and historical sites, the economic logic of cruise tourism was on full display. Every stopover translates into business for tour operators, souvenir sellers, transport providers and hotels, injecting money directly into the coastal economy in a way few other tourism segments can.
Miano said the government expects even greater visibility for Kenya as more cruise lines include Mombasa in their routes. “As more cruise liners include Mombasa in their itineraries, we expect increased visibility for Kenya as a diverse, competitive and sustainable tourism destination,” she noted.
For KPA, the rising number of cruise calls also reinforces Mombasa’s strategic position in the Western Indian Ocean.
Ruto said Kenya is increasingly competing with ports such as Zanzibar, Port Louis and Durban for cruise traffic, and that sustained investment will be key to staying ahead.
“Our goal is to make Mombasa the leading cruise hub in the region. That means not just berths and terminals, but efficient services, safety, and a great experience for every visitor who steps off a ship here,” he said.
As the Azamara Journey prepares to sail on, its brief stop in Mombasa leaves behind more than memories for its passengers. It strengthens a growing narrative in government and industry circles that Kenya’s future growth will increasingly come from the sea — and that cruise tourism, once a niche, is fast becoming one of the country’s most promising economic tides.
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