Cape Town is preparing for a record-breaking cruise season with an estimated 23% growth in the number of passengers compared to last year.

The season opened with the arrival of the World Odyssey, which hosts the Semester at Sea Programme, and welcomed one of the world’s largest cruise liners, the Anthem of the Seas.

Speaking at the Cruise Cape Town season launch, Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro said Cape Town will host 97 ship calls this year – “the most in the cruise terminal’s history”. Of these, 36 will be turnaround calls for ships to refuel and restock.

David Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront, said the Anthem of the Seas holds 5 000 passengers and 1 200 crew. Although the vessel did not have passengers aboard on this visit as it was relocating between hemispheres, he said it was an opportunity “to impress her and her crew while they’re here”.

Green said the city anticipates 180 000 passengers this season – up by 23% – with the ultimate goal to reach between 250 000 and 300 000 passengers in upcoming seasons.

“It’s quite realistic to do that. The infrastructure is here.”

Cruise Cape Town, established to promote cruise tourism and operated by Wesgro, understands the negative impact of congestion, which requires changing mindsets and buy-in from the city, added Green.

“The business of tourism is the greatest possible opportunity to create jobs in South Africa in the shortest possible time.”

Cruise Cape Town recently released its economic impact report for the past season. In 2023/4, vessels and passengers spent R1.5 billion, translating into a R1.32 billion boost for the Western Cape economy compared with R1.2 billion the previous year, despite lower ship calls than 2022/3.

Stander said, for every 36 arriving passengers, one full-time job is supported.

The global cruise sector is growing rapidly – from an estimated 31 million passengers today, it expects to carry 39 million by 2027. Cruisers are also becoming younger with the average age now around 45, Stander added.

“Our studies show that international coastal cruises generate the highest value.”

Dr Ivan Meyer, Minister for Economic Development, Agriculture and Tourism in the Western Cape, said: “Cape Town’s high readiness and capacity, with its world-class port management and tourism landscape, makes it ideally positioned for sustainable cruise growth.”