Cruising from South Africa or from anywhere else in the world offers an extraordinary way to explore coastal destinations across the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and Asia — all without the complexity of planning each leg of a holiday independently. Whether you are looking for a quick weekend escape along the South African coast, a 7-night Mediterranean cruise through Greece and Italy, or an adventure sailing the fjords of Norway and Iceland, Travelwings ZA has a carefully curated cruise package to match.
We work with six major cruise lines — MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Costa Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), and Resorts World Cruises — covering a range of budgets, destinations, and travel styles. All packages are priced in South African Rands, with flexible payment options and local support from our South Africa-based team.
Here is a summary of every cruise line available through Travelwings ZA, with real packages, ships, destinations, and starting prices as currently listed:
MSC Cruises is the standout choice for South African travellers who want to sail without flying first. MSC operates regular departures from Durban and Cape Town, covering South African coastal routes and Indian Ocean destinations. They also offer Mediterranean fly-cruise packages for travellers looking to explore Europe.
MSC's ships — including MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside, and MSC World Europa — are well-equipped with gyms, casinos, jacuzzis, waterslides, specialty dining restaurants, international cuisine, and unlimited buffet options. The line is particularly popular with families due to its strong kids' club programmes and affordable family cabin options.
Currently available MSC packages on Travelwings ZA:
Royal Caribbean is known globally for its innovative, activity-packed ships and exceptional range of itineraries. Travelwings ZA's Royal Caribbean packages are fly-cruise options, connecting South African travellers to embarkation ports in Europe and the United States. The line's ships — including Voyager of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, and the newly added Legend of the Seas — are among the most feature-rich at sea, with rock climbing walls, surf simulators, waterslides, Broadway-style shows, multiple dining venues, and more.
Royal Caribbean's Travelwings ZA packages span the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, and Alaska — making it the go-to choice for travellers seeking iconic international destinations with adventure-focused onboard experiences.
Currently available Royal Caribbean packages:
Costa Cruises brings Italian flair and 'La Dolce Vita' to every sailing. Founded in 1854, Costa is one of the oldest cruise lines in the world and operates some of the most modern ships in Europe, including the flagship Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana. Meals aboard Costa are crafted under the guidance of Italian Michelin-star chefs, and the line is known for its vibrant themed parties, live theatre shows, casino, wellness facilities, and onboard shopping.
All Costa packages on Travelwings ZA are Mediterranean fly-cruise itineraries, covering European coastlines including Spain, France, Italy, and beyond. Costa is an excellent choice for travellers who want a cultured, European-flavoured cruise holiday with strong culinary and entertainment credentials.
Currently available Costa packages:
Celebrity Cruises sits firmly in the luxury cruises category — a step above mainstream lines in terms of design, cuisine, and onboard atmosphere. Celebrity's ships, including Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Ascent, and Celebrity Edge, are known for their elegant interiors, award-winning restaurants, rooftop gardens, and the signature Infinite Veranda cabin concept. The line appeals to travellers who want a sophisticated, relaxed experience rather than a high-energy, activity-driven one.
Celebrity's Travelwings ZA package focuses on the Mediterranean and Greek Isles, offering South African travellers a premium European cruise experience via a fly-cruise package.
Currently available Celebrity package:
Norwegian Cruise Line pioneered 'Freestyle Cruising' — a concept built around flexibility, with open dining times, no formal dress codes, and a strong focus on guest freedom. NCL's ships, including Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Epic, are consistently ranked among the most feature-rich at sea, with the range including water parks, ropes courses, Broadway-style entertainment, multiple specialty restaurants, fitness centres, casinos, jacuzzis, and more.
NCL's Travelwings ZA packages cover two distinct destinations: the Mediterranean coastlines of Italy, France, and Spain — and the dramatic landscapes of Iceland and Norway. These are fly-cruise packages designed for South African travellers seeking European and Northern European adventures.
Currently available NCL packages:
Resorts World Cruises (RWC) is a unique offering in our portfolio — an Asian luxury cruise brand operating from Singapore aboard the Genting Dream, a spectacular ship with over 35 restaurants and bars across 18 decks. Notably, the Genting Dream is the first cruise ship in the world to be halal-friendly certified, making it an attractive option for Muslim travellers.
The Genting Dream is designed around resort-style living at sea. Highlights include 'The Palace' — a 10,000 square metre luxury suite-within-a-ship concept with 24-hour butler service, exclusive dining, and complimentary premium inclusions. Other features include a six-slide Waterslide Park, a 35-metre zipline above the ocean, the Zodiac Theatre for live world-class performances, Crystal Life Spa, and the Zouk entertainment venue with live music and film screenings.
RWC is a fly-cruise package for South African travellers, connecting via Singapore to destinations across Southeast Asia. It is the most affordable starting price in our portfolio and offers a genuinely different flavour of cruise holiday compared to the European-focused lines.
Currently available Resorts World Cruises packages:
Across our six cruise lines, Travelwings ZA covers an exceptionally wide range of destinations — from South Africa's own coastline to the ancient ports of the Mediterranean, the glaciers of Alaska, the fjords of Northern Europe, and the tropical shores of Southeast Asia. Here is a breakdown by region:
MSC is the only cruise line in our portfolio offering sailings that depart directly from South African ports. Durban and Cape Town serve as embarkation points for 3- to 5-night coastal and Indian Ocean sailings, covering Portuguese Island, Mozambique's coastline, and other regional stops. These sailings are ideal for first-time cruisers, families, and anyone wanting a quality sea holiday without flying overseas.
The Mediterranean is the most represented destination in our cruise portfolio, with packages from MSC, Royal Caribbean, Costa, Celebrity, and NCL all covering various corners of this iconic region. Itineraries include the Greek Isles (Athens, Santorini, Mykonos), the Turkish coast (Istanbul, Kusadasi), Italy (Rome, Civitavecchia, Genoa), Spain (Barcelona, Valencia), France (Marseille, Nice), and the wider Western and Eastern Mediterranean. A Mediterranean cruise is a natural bucket-list choice for South African travellers, combining ancient history, outstanding cuisine, stunning coastlines, and vibrant port cities into a single, well-structured holiday.
NCL's Iceland and Norway package opens up one of the most dramatic and sought-after cruise destinations in the world. Sailing through the Norwegian fjords — the steep, glacier-carved valleys that have made Norway one of the world's most photographed landscapes — and on to Iceland's volcanic coastline, this is a 10-night fly-cruise experience for travellers who want something genuinely different from a beach holiday. Best sailed between May and September for maximum daylight and accessible fjords.
Royal Caribbean's Alaskan Glacier Cruise from Seattle offers South African travellers access to one of the most extraordinary natural destinations on the planet. Sailing through Glacier Bay and along the Inside Passage, this itinerary combines glacier viewing, wildlife encounters, and visits to prospecting towns with the world-class amenities of Quantum of the Seas. A strong option for travellers who have done Europe and want a completely different adventure.
Resorts World Cruises offers South Africa's most affordable entry point into Asian cruise travel, departing from Singapore's Marina Bay Cruise Centre. Packages cover Thailand, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, offering a culturally rich, visually spectacular experience at a highly competitive price point. The best time to cruise this region is November to March, coinciding with South Africa's summer school holidays.
Across all six cruise lines, passengers can expect a wide range of onboard facilities that make the ship itself a destination. Standard features across most packages include:
One of the most common questions we receive from South African travellers is: what do cruise ship prices actually look like in Rands? The answer varies considerably depending on the cruise line, ship, destination, cabin type, and time of year — but the good news is that our cruise ship packages span a genuinely wide price bracket, making ocean travel accessible at almost every budget. Here is a clear breakdown of cruise prices currently available through Travelwings ZA, organised by tier:
These are the most accessible entry points into cruise travel — ideal for first-timers, weekend getaways, or South African families looking for a quality sea holiday without the price tag of a long-haul trip.
This is the most popular price band for South African cruise travellers — offering a full week or more at sea, with fly-cruise packages to the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean included. These cruise deals represent excellent value when you factor in accommodation, all main meals, entertainment, and flights.
For travellers seeking a premium or luxury cruise vacation — whether that means a larger ship, a more exclusive destination, or a longer voyage — this tier delivers exceptional quality and experiences that compare favourably with high-end land-based holidays.
Regardless of your budget, there are a few reliable ways to secure the best available price on your cruise ship vacation:
Please note: Package prices, availability, and itinerary details are subject to change. Starting prices listed reflect the lowest available fares at the time of writing and may vary by cabin type, departure date, and inclusions. Some packages shown as 'sold out' may have updated availability — contact us for current listings.
1. Which cruise line departs directly from South Africa?
MSC Cruises is the only cruise line in our portfolio with sailings that depart directly from South African ports, specifically Durban and Cape Town. All other cruise lines — Royal Caribbean, Costa, Celebrity, NCL, and Resorts World Cruises — are fly-cruise packages where Travelwings ZA arranges flights and transfers to overseas embarkation ports.
2. What is the most affordable cruise package available?
The lowest listed starting price is the 3-night MSC South Africa Easter 2027 Weekend Getaway from R 5,580 per person, followed by the 2-night Resorts World Cruises Genting Dream package from Singapore at R 5,999 per person. For longer voyages, MSC's local 3- and 4-night coastal packages start from R 6,822 to R 8,999 per person.
3. What is included in a cruise package from Travelwings ZA?
Inclusions vary by package but typically cover onboard accommodation, all main meals, entertainment, and access to onboard facilities. Fly-cruise packages also include return flights and airport transfers. Premium drinks, specialty dining, WiFi, shore excursions, and spa treatments are generally available as add-ons. Always confirm the specific inclusions of your chosen package at the time of booking.
4. Can I go on a Mediterranean cruise from South Africa?
Yes. MSC, Royal Caribbean, Costa, Celebrity, and NCL all offer Mediterranean cruise packages available to South African travellers through Travelwings ZA. These are fly-cruise packages — your flights to and from a Mediterranean embarkation port (such as Rome, Barcelona, or Athens) are included. Mediterranean packages currently start from R 13,200 per person for a 7-night Costa Cruises sailing.
5. Which cruise line is best for families?
MSC Cruises is the strongest family option in our portfolio, particularly for South African families as it offers local departures from Durban and Cape Town. MSC ships feature kids' clubs, waterslides, pools, and family entertainment. Royal Caribbean and Resorts World Cruises are also excellent family choices — Royal Caribbean's ships are among the most activity-rich at sea, while Resorts World's Genting Dream offers a waterslide park, kids' club (Little Dreamers Club), and a rope course with a 35-metre zipline.
6. Which cruise line is best for a luxury experience?
Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Prima offer the most premium experiences in our portfolio. Celebrity is known for its refined design, award-winning dining, and sophisticated atmosphere — particularly suited to couples and adult travellers. NCL's Norwegian Prima is the newest and most luxurious ship in the NCL fleet, with private suites, fine dining, and exclusive amenities. For ultra-luxury at sea, Resorts World Cruises' 'The Palace' concept aboard the Genting Dream also offers an exceptional all-inclusive suite experience.
7. What is Resorts World Cruises and where does it sail?
Resorts World Cruises (RWC) is an Asian luxury cruise brand operating the Genting Dream from Singapore's Marina Bay Cruise Centre. It is notably the world's first halal-certified cruise ship. Itineraries cover Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Hong Kong. Travelwings ZA builds fly-cruise packages connecting South African travellers to Singapore for embarkation. Starting from R 5,999 per person, it is one of the most accessible cruise options in our range.
8. When is the best time to book a cruise from South Africa?
For MSC local sailings, the December and Easter school holiday departures are the most popular and sell out the earliest — book these 3 to 6 months in advance. For Mediterranean cruises, booking 4 to 9 months ahead secures the best cabins and promotional rates. Off-peak sailings in April–May or September–October often offer the best value for Mediterranean itineraries.
9. Do I need a visa for cruise destinations?
Visa requirements depend on your nationality and each specific port of call. South African passport holders generally enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to most Indian Ocean and SADC destinations on MSC's local itineraries. European, Mediterranean, and Schengen-area ports (for Costa, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and NCL packages) may require a Schengen visa. Our team will advise on requirements for every port on your chosen itinerary and assist with visa applications.
10. How do I book a cruise package with Travelwings ZA?
Complete the enquiry form on this page, call us at +27 (0)12 006 0002, or email holidays@travelwings.com. Our cruise specialists will match you with the right cruise package for your dates, destination, group size, and budget — with flexible payment plans and full local support from start to finish.