Seychelles Cruise Calls Rise From Six to Over 40 in Season

Seychelles ended its 2025-26 cruise season at Port Victoria in late June with more than 40 ship calls, up from six calls in 2024-25, the Seychelles Tourism Department said. Viking Yi Dun, operating a repositioning voyage from Asia to the Mediterranean, made the final call of the season.

The season included eight maiden calls and the debut of several cruise operators. The department did not name the new operators. Tourism officials used the closing ceremony to connect the increase in calls with a longer-term cruise tourism strategy now moving through validation.

Officials credit collaboration and the vessel mix

"This success belongs to all of us," said Sherin Francis, Seychelles' principal secretary for tourism. "Once again, we have demonstrated what can be achieved through strong collaboration across government agencies, the private sector and our tourism partners."

Officials also pointed to the season's vessel mix, saying smaller, premium and expedition ships are more aligned with the archipelago's sustainable tourism approach because they place less pressure on infrastructure, visitor sites and the environment.

Strategy remains in validation

Seychelles has introduced its first Cruise Tourism Strategy, developed with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Francis said the proposed plan shows that success is "not simply about attracting more ships," but also about creating more value for the country, protecting the environment, improving the visitor experience and increasing benefits for Seychellois businesses and communities.

The Tourism Department described the plan as a roadmap for future cruise development. The document remains in the validation stage; tourism officials have not announced a final approval date or implementation schedule.

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