Mombasa cruise terminal came alive with colour, pomp and celebration as the luxury cruise ship SH Diana docked into Mombasa Port.

The luxury cruise liner operated by Swan Hellenic Expeditions and Nisomar Shipping Lines, arrived in Mombasa from Lamu with 121 passengers and 129 crew members on-board.

The passenger cruise ship had on Sunday called at the Shimoni Seaport in Kwale County making it the first time the new Ksh2.6 billion facility was receiving a cruise ship. The vessel measures 124 metres in length with a draft of 5.7 meters and features state-of-the-art hospitality facilities.

The arrival of the passenger cruise ship marks the start of a cruise ship season that will welcome numerous other cruise ships to Mombasa, Kwale and Lamu seaports. The docking event was marked with an elaborate welcoming ceremony, local entertainment and hopes for future tourism growth.

The tourists were received by Kenya Port Authority (KPA) Managing Director William Ruto, KPA Board Chairman Benjamin Tayari and Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Acting Chief Executive Officer Alan Njoroge, among other senior tourism stakeholders.

The cruise ship called at Shimoni Seaport from Port Victoria, Seychelles on Sunday 26, 2025 marking the official start of the 2025-26 cruise ship season.

The ship’s Captain Jaanus Hannes said it’s the third time that the SH Diana – a luxury expedition cruise ship – was coming to Kenya, having previously docked in Mombasa in 2023 and in Lamu in 2024 adding its itinerary in Shimoni this year.

He said the cruise ship with 96 staterooms and suites typically visits destinations of historical, cultural and tourism significance.

Hannes said the SH Diana offers a wide range of amenities including dining options like the Swan Restaurant and Pool Bar, numerous lounges and a library. On-board facilities include a spa, sauna, gym, swimming pool with a Jacuzzi, and a lecture theatre.

David Mackay, the director and shipping agent of Nisomar, said the advantage with SH Diana is that it has been visiting Kenya since 2023 and is scheduled to call at the port of Mombasa next year.

“This shows that the cruise tourism sector is on an upward trajectory and that international visitors have confidence in the local tourism industry,” said Mackay.

KPA MD said the country is poised to become a premier cruise tourism destination in Africa with the Mombasa, Lamu and Shimoni sea ports receiving cruise ships. Capt Ruto said the cruise industry has the potential to do more than just bring in foreign guests by creating jobs, elevate local heritage, culture and promote Kenya to the world.

The MD says the authority is working with all the tourism stakeholders to boost cruise tourism as a new economic catalyst. He stated that it is not only about attracting tourists to the country but also giving visitors a chance to experience what the country has to offer in terms of beach, wildlife and safari.

“Kenya has long been an attractive destination for beach and safari tourism but we want to diversify and tap into the cruise tourism sector by enhancing our port infrastructure,” he said, underlining Kenya’s emergence as a regional cruise hub.

He said KPA is excited that it is the first time that an international cruise liner has docked in Shimoni, Lamu and Mombasa Sea ports on its voyage to Kenya marking a significant milestone in the expanding cruise tourism industry.

Ruto noted that Shimoni, once a small fishing harbour has undergone many transformations to turn it into a maritime tourism hub and change tourists’ experiences.

“The ship will be docked in Mombasa for two days before it departs the country and that also makes it the longest time a cruise ship liner with passengers has stayed in Kenyan waters,’ he said.

Ruto said the development will encourage KPA to develop and enhance its maritime infrastructure at Mombasa, Lamu and Shimoni ports to make Kenya a world class destination for cruise ships.

“We want to thank SH Diana and the crew for smooth docking and arrival, and we want all the tourists to feel safe and welcomed,” he said.

KPA Chair Benjamin Tayari welcomed the efforts to increase the capacities at the three seaports to accommodate more and larger cruise ships.

“Cruise ships with large foreign tourist arrivals would bring more economic benefits as passengers will disembark for local excursions and spend money,” he said.

Tayari exhorted stakeholders in Mombasa, Kwale and Lamu counties to make sure all tourism-related infrastructure is ready to receive foreign tourists.

KTB CEO Allan Njoroge said the arrival of cruise ships will boost the country’s tourism sector and bring economic benefits noting that tourists disembarking from ships spend money across various sectors of the economy.

Njoroge expressed optimism about the growing appeal of the coastal region to cruise operators and visitors alike. He said the cruise tourism industry has the potential to become an important catalyst for the country’s economic growth, create jobs and empower local communities.

“The arrival of SH Diana demonstrates Mombasa’s increasing appeal as a world class cruise destination, the guests on-board are here to experience our unique coastal culture, cuisine, heritage and rich history and the warm hospitality that defines the Kenyan people,” he said.

He said the arrival of the vessel in Mombasa, Lamu and Shimoni is an indication that Kenya can be at the forefront of maritime tourism. Njoroge said cruise tourism is a vital pillar in Kenya’s tourism diversification strategy from beach and safari experiences, boosting visitor arrivals and stimulating local economic growth.

“Position of Mombasa, Lamu and Shimoni ports as cruise hubs will definitely rejuvenate our tourism sector,” he said.

He said cruise tourism benefits multiple sectors including hotels, restaurants, tour operators as well as cultural artisans and coastal communities’ livelihoods.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Hussein Abdullahi and Hassan Bahati