The Port of Mombasa today (Sunday) marked the arrival of the first cruise ship of the year as the luxury liner MV Crystal Symphony docked with more than 1,000 tourists on board, signaling a strong start to the 2026 cruise tourism season.

The 238-metre-long vessel, arriving from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, is on its second call to Kenya after making its inaugural visit last year and is scheduled to spend a full day at the port before proceeding to India.

Speaking on behalf of Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director Captain William Ruto, KPA Corporation Secretary and General Manager Board and Legal Services Turasha Kinyanjui said the authority remains committed to positioning Mombasa as a preferred cruise destination in the region.

“We are dedicated to continuously improving the guest experience by upgrading port facilities and strengthening collaboration with all stakeholders involved in cruise tourism,” Kinyanjui said.

Kinyanjui noted that the arrival of MV Crystal Symphony reflects growing confidence in the Port of Mombasa and Kenya as a tourism hub.

“This visit is a clear indication that our efforts to promote cruise tourism are bearing fruit,” he said, adding that several more cruise ships are expected in the coming weeks, which will “provide a significant boost to the local tourism economy and livelihoods that depend on it.”