Coast

Tourism boost as cruise ship MS Ambience with 1,700 travellers docks at Mombasa Port

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The vessel arrived from Victoria Port in Seychelles with the tourists from various countries who will spend two days in the coastal town.

The tourism sector at the coast has received another major boost after the cruise ship MS Ambience carrying 1,700 passengers tourists docked at the port of Mombasa Wednesday morning.

Announcing the arrival, the Kenya Ports Authority said the vessel arrived from Victoria Port in Seychelles with tourists from various countries who will spend two days in the coastal town.

“We have received a fleet of vessels since the circuit began sometime in September last year. The Port of Mombasa is honoured to receive cruise vessel MS Ambience on a maiden voyage to Mombasa,” KPA said.

KPA confirmed that additional ships are anticipated to arrive at the port before the cruise season concludes next month.

“This has been supported by the now operational ultra-modern Cruise Terminal which was developed by the Authority to enhance passenger experience at the Port of Mombasa and solidify Kenya's position as a hub not only for cargo operations but also for cruise tourism in Africa,” noted KPA.

Tourists disembark from MS Ambience after the ship docked at the Mombasa Port on March 27, 2024. (Photo: KPA)

The MS Ambience is scheduled to dock in Durban after departing from Mombasa.

Last month the Bahamas-flagged cruise ship MV World Odyssey 'Semester at Sea' made its third visit to the port of Mombasa.

Popularly known as “Semester at Sea” the World’s biggest floating campus which operates academic voyages for students was in Mombasa for six days.

KPA said the port of Mombasa has recorded an increase in cruise vessel calls pointing to improved connectivity at the port which has positioned it not only for cargo operations but also as a hub for cruise tourism in Africa.

A tourist dances after disembarking from MS Ambience at the Mombasa Port on March 27, 2024. (Photo: KPA)

The port has also received its first caller vessels since the beginning of the year.

First callers are vessels that dock at a port for the first time to load/discharge cargo or for passengers to embark or disembark.

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua last month said the government is expecting around Sh2 billion from cruise ship tourism.

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