Boost as Norwegian cruise ship with over 2,000 tourists docks

Tourism sector got another major boost after the first 2023 Luxury cruise liner Norwegian Dawn called at the Port of Mombasa early yesterday, carrying over 2,300 passengers and 1,100 crew aboard.

Sailing to Mombasa from Seychelles, Norwegian Dawn, with an LOA of 294 metres brought the over 2,000 passengers from 54 nationalities to the Kenyan coast for excursions, to explore the pristine white sandy beaches and national parks.

Cruise tourism

Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Captain William Ruto who piloted the vessel to berth number one, appreciated the call, reiterating the Authority’s support for cruise tourism in the country through investment in infrastructure to position the Port of Mombasa as a cruise tourism hub.

 “This is just the beginning; we expect more vessels to call at the port. As KPA management and board we have put infrastructure to support cruise tourism. I want to assure all cruise lines that Port Mombasa is safe,” he said.

Benjamin Tayari, KPA board chairman said the visit is an affirmation of Kenya as a tourism hub in Africa. He said KPA has invested heavily in infrastructure development to aid in the growth of cruise tourism. The tourists will sample some of the tourism experiences the city has to offer.

The vessel master, Captain Asen Gyuruv, a Bulgarian national said that he was highly impressed with the reception the ship was accorded when it entered Kenyan waters.

 ‘’Right from the time Kenyan pilots boarded and guided us into the harbour to the wonderful reception as we received the certificate of the vessel’s first port call to the traditional dance song and music, we felt great,’’ the captain said, adding that they were looking forward to more return port calls.

Last December, the port received MV Bollete, a cruise liner with over 900 passengers, with Ruto confirming that Mombasa port will receive another cruise ship this month.