Cruises From Africa, India & Middle East

A stylish port city, located on the shores of Table Bay in South Africa. Surrounded by natural beauty on all sides, you'll find that Cape Town is a rather diverse city with an incredible dining, nightlife, and arts scene. Cape Town is filled with many exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, such as an aerial cableway, a wine tram, scenic drives, beaches, waterfall hikes, markets, and more.

Located on Western Africa’s Cap-Vert peninsula, Dakar is an Atlantic cruise port that also serves as the capital of Senegal. Quite the interesting destination, Dakar is a perfect blend of tranquil island life, vibrant city life, and local hospitality. History buffs may find Dakar especially appealing, as there are many opportunities to learn about the Atlantic slave trade, military history, and French culture. You will discover a number of excellent museums, landmarks, parks, markets, and beaches, as well as many colorful buildings, colonial architecture, and much, much more. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to try delicious Senegalese food, which highlights North African, French, and Portuguese influences.

Durban is the a great destination to visit during a cruise vacation if you want to experience some of the best highlights of South Africa. This coastal city boasts beautiful beaches, zoos, museums, nature reserves, and tons of exciting attractions. A few unique highlights of Durban include an innovative sports stadium, a beachfront casino complex, gondola rides, thrilling water/amusement parks, and a few nightlife hot spots. You can also discover a few open-air markets and religious sites, where you can easily get a taste of the local lifestyle. The city and surrounding area are easily navigable by taxi, which you should find to be a generally inexpensive mode of transport. While spending time in Durban, you can also enjoy some of the finest Indian cuisine, seasoned with authentic spices and flavored with adventure.

Originally founded as a gold-mining town, Johannesburg is now the largest city in South Africa and an excellent destination to include on your next cruise. Boasting a friendly atmosphere, you will discover many exciting things to do and see. History buffs are certain to appreciate learning the turbulent history of this city’s past, while the culturally curious will love admiring its thought-provoking street art over some local cuisine and shopping. Among the many things to do and see in Johannesburg include museums, entertainment complexes, safari tours, gardens, markets, archaeological sites, iconic landmarks, and more!

If your idea of a dream vacation consists of white-sand beaches, resorts, and a cocktail in hand, then the exotic Mahe Island (part of the famous Seychelles, in the Indian Ocean) is an incredible starting point for your next cruise! Surrounded by pristine natural beauty, Mahe Island is filled with beautiful beaches, parks, scenic viewpoints, shopping opportunities, iconic landmarks, and more! It is an especially great location for watersports, such as surfing, kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. You can also go hiking, watch wildlife, peruse open-air markets, or even drive around the entire island if you wanted! Plus, you can take in all the Creole architecture you can imagine. Also, there’s no need to worry about getting tired of the beach – Mahe Island is also home to a few casinos, temples, and rum distilleries, so there is truly something that everybody can enjoy.

For a vacation experience like never before, you might consider taking a cruise that visits Mombasa. This large port city in East Africa (Kenya to be exact) has something to appeal to travelers of all interests – from fascinating cultural attractions, historic neighborhoods, beaches, and more. Diving and snorkeling opportunities are abundant, as are native wildlife and local African and Indian cuisines. Mombasa is filled with beautiful parks, reserves, animal sanctuaries, temples, churches, iconic landmarks, local markets, entertainment complexes, and more. Plus, if you’ve ever wanted to safely get up close and personal with crocodiles and butterflies, you can do it in Mombasa.

Situated on the southern coast of Santiago Island (in the Sotavento Islands of the Republic of Cabo Verde), Praia is a great place to visit during a cruise, whether you're departing from it or visiting it during the cruise (the latter being the more common way). Praia is a very historic city with many landmark buildings (especially in its old town), a few notable museums, monuments, markets, and many beaches (Praia is Portuguese for “beach”). Those who choose to enjoy the beach will discover the water conditions perfect for sports such as surfing and water skiing. Being that Praia is located in the Atlantic and within close proximity to Africa, you will also discover mouthwatering seafood and African-style cuisine in the city’s numerous restaurants.

Zanzibar (part of Tanzania) is a hidden gem of an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, filled with gorgeous natural beauty. Watersport enthusiasts will especially revel in the crystal turquoise waters, which are perfect for fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Wildlife enthusiasts are certain to be impressed by the intriguing animals you can see in its many national parks and conservation areas. Or, you can simply find a nice spot on the beach to kick back and relax while surrounded by such natural loveliness! Plus, you can enjoy a diverse culinary scene, featuring many dishes based with coconut, seafood, and spices.

Once a small fishing village formerly known as Madras, Chennai is now a highly-sought capital city on Southern India’s east coast. Chennai represents the cultural, economic and educational influences of India, and features an incredible transportation infrastructure. You will discover numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, diverse villages and neighborhoods, mouthwatering culinary traditions, artistic and religious influences, and so much more! There are also beautiful beaches, museums, temples, parks, and tons of interesting sights.

There are a number of incredible reasons to choose a cruise that includes Delhi. In addition to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, Delhi is home to a modern metropolis, historic neighborhoods, iconic buildings, bazaars, and taste bud tantalizing cuisine! Perfect for those interested in history and architecture, you will discover a bunch of fascinating landmarks within the city. These include museums, tombs, towers, temples, memorials, and much more. Shoppers will love the many markets, and culture buffs will love all of the fascinating knowledge that awaits! Foodies won’t be able to get away from the mouthwatering street vendors, cafes, restaurants, and coffee shops. If you are looking for a true taste of culture and you opt to take a cruise that starts and/or ends in Delhi, you might want to consider spending additional time in Delhi before or after your cruise, since there is just so much to do and see.

Located on the southwestern coast of India, Kochi (also known as Cochin) is a melting pot of culture and an incredible destination from which to take your next cruise. If you’re interested in history, culture, and international cuisine, you certainly won’t be disappointed when spending time in this city before or after your cruise. Kochi is filled with many churches and synagogues, beaches, museums, historic landmarks, and much more! Foodies simply cannot miss the opportunity for local cuisine either – most dishes are based with coconut milk and/or seafood. For those interested in culinary arts, you might even consider taking a cooking class while in Kochi.

Kolkata (formerly named Calcutta) is one of the largest and most culturally captivating cities in India. Situated on the banks of the Hooghly River, this incredible city is filled with colonial-style architecture, lively bazaars, history museums, temples, palaces, churches, and more. Culturally curious travelers are certain to find Kolkata an interesting city to visit during a cruise, as there are many opportunities to learn and broaden your perspectives of the world.

Mumbai (formerly named Bombay) is a fabulous destination to visit during a cruise if you are looking to have an intensive cultural vacation experience. Mumbai is home to interesting local markets and rich culture, with some museums, landmarks, and plenty to do. You will discover a mixture of run-down cottages and opulent homes, decorative temples, and numerous spots that were the filming location of major motion pictures. Mumbai is an excellent city to spend some time in before or after your cruise, if you take a cruise from Mumbai, especially if you are seeking an authentic culinary adventure. Curry, lamb, and vegetarian dishes await!

The capital of Mauritius (an island in the Indian Ocean), Port Louis is a great city to explore before or after your cruise. Located right on the water, it is filled with tons of interesting things to do that you cannot experience elsewhere. Perfect for culture-seekers, this city is filled with French colonial architecture, local markets, historic sites, forts, museums, and much more!. Port Louis is also best known for its exceptional restaurant and shopping scene. The kinds of cuisine you can get in Port Luis include French, Greek, and Cajun/Creole, European, with an emphasis on seafood.

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates, as well as its largest and most developed territory. When spending time in Abu Dhabi, you can expect towering skyscrapers, upscale resorts, high-end shopping malls, pristine beaches, and a number of attractive golf courses. Their public transportation system of buses and taxis can bring you to some of the city’s most popular landmarks. Aside from the usual tourist attractions, Abu Dhabi is a fabulous city to have many unique experiences. For example, you can drive race cars, ride a camel through the desert, go on wild safaris, and of course, learn about the local culture and traditions.

Aqaba is located off the coast of the Red Sea and is rapidly becoming a modern travel destination. If you’re looking for a port city that has a perfect mix of desert and vibrance, with easy access to major attractions, and many stretches of sandy beaches, you might consider taking your next cruise from Aqaba, or taking a cruise that includes Aqaba in its itinerary. History lovers will especially love the opportunity to indulge in Aqaba and its surrounding region’s fascinating history, which dates back to over 5,000 years ago! Another great reason to start a cruise in Aqaba is that you can easily squeeze in visits to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Sinai, all of which are just a short drive from the city center.

Ashdod is the main cruise port serving Jerusalem and attracts a melting pot of cultural and religious entities. Filled with ancient ruins, holy sites, historic areas, museums, and more, Ashdod is a wonderful place to visit during a cruise. Whether you’re into learning about religion and culture, history, or nature, this port city is nothing short of your dream come true! Plus, there are enough parks and beaches between Ashdod and Jerusalem to provide you with the typical “vacationing experience” as you take everything in! Plus, you’ll discover a wonderful selection of cuisine that reflects Israel’s very diverse atmosphere. Salads, falafel, hummus, and shawarma are just some examples of the delicious local cuisine you can try. Since Ashdod is located about an hour away from Jerusalem, it is advisable to book excursions via your cruise line, or plan to take a taxi into the city.

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and is a world-famous and wonderful destination that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. Nearly everything about Cairo comes with a unique atmosphere – from the hot desert heat to donkey-herding street vendors to some of the most famous landmarks in the world. It is simply unlike anything you’ve experienced before! If you are fascinated by early world history, then this city is the perfect embarkation point for your next river cruise. A unique aspect of Cairo is that after you get to know its quaint historic side, you can check out its lively neighborhoods, which feature trendy bars, jazz clubs, and restaurants.

Doha is the stunning capital city of Qatar, famous for its stunning, skyscraper-lined waterfront (as well as its reputation for being one of the safest places in the world). Filled with many local markets, historic landmarks, museums, beaches, and children’s amusement parks (many of which are located in Doha’s famous shopping malls). While spending time in Doha, you can even trek a little further to experience the Middle East or one of the nearby islands. Since Doha is a Muslim city, it is important to ensure that you pack accordingly to adhere to their conservative traditions and dress code (for example, women are required to wear headscarves). If you are looking for a unique city to explore before or after your cruise, consider taking one out of Doha! Many more cruise lines offer cruises that visit Doha, rather that starting from it.

Dubai is famous for its big city glam and is a true "bucket list" vacation destination. Upon arrival in Dubai, you will be surrounded by upscale restaurants and hotels, five-star resorts, glistening beaches, high-end shopping malls, and historic neighborhoods. Despite being an ultra-modern mega-city, you will easily feel immersed in Middle Eastern culture and lifestyle. Dubai is filled with museums, mosques, churches, landmarks, and more. There will also be plenty of opportunity to explore the desert!

Haifa is a busy, resort-like city in Israel that is also an outstanding port city to cruise from! Whether you’re into beaches, museums, restaurants, or nature, there are attractions and activities to suit all travelers’ tastes. Discover a multicultural atmosphere accentuated by a breathtaking skyline, biblical sites, and historic landmarks so fascinating you might not want to leave. While the city of Haifa is easily walkable (be prepared for many hills), you can also take advantage of their railway system if you choose to explore further out (such as to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem). With so many things to do and see, plus the number of other desirable cities in the region, you might consider spending some extra time in Haifa before or after your cruise. This gives you plenty of time to get to know the area without dealing with the stress of having to make it to your ship on time,

Situated on the southeast coast of Cyprus, Larnaca is a delightful destination from which to take your next cruise. There are also several cruises that don't start in Larnaca, but do include it as a port of call within their itinerary. Whether you’re looking for a traditional beach day or craving to learn more about the city’s historic roots, you’ll get to enjoy all that and more. Larnaca is filled with iconic structures, museums, historic sites, archaeological sites (the city was built on the ruins of an ancient city), castles, and of course, beaches. While spending time in the city, you can also discover some delicious (and authentic) Greek cuisine. Seafood is also another staple of Larnaca, and there are many cafes where you can grab a coffee and pastry that you can take down to the water and enjoy.

Luxor is the primary point of departure for cruises along the Nile River. Having played a significant role in historic Egypt, Luxor is filled with endless remnants reminiscent of Egyptian rule. If you are fascinated by history, you will jump at your chance to explore ancient burial grounds, royal temples, tombs and ruins frozen in time, and more. In between an exciting day of taking in all that Luxor has to offer, you can find yourself enjoying some of the country’s local cuisine, complete with fresh pita bread. There are also restaurants that serve more familiar food, if you’re not much of a culinary adventurer.

If you are looking to experience the Middle East without the towering skyscrapers and glitz, then Muscat (the capital of Oman) is an excellent port of call to visit during a cruise vacation. Like other port cities in this area of the world, Muscat is as equally beautiful and fascinating. However, you will discover more of an emphasis on history and natural beauty rather than the bustling glamour of resorts and shopping malls. Simply put, Muscat is a different yet exciting way to experience the Middle East region. Muscat is brimming with mosques, palaces, cultural complexes, bazaars, museums, beautiful beaches, and so much more! If you take a cruise that starts from or ends in Muscat, you may plan on spending some additional time in the city before or after your cruise, so you can experience everything there is to offer.