Pacific World has opened Cape Town’s 2026-2027 cruise season, arriving at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal on September 17th with 1,397 passengers, predominantly from Japan.
The Peace Boat vessel’s call marked the official start of the new season and coincided with Tourism Month activities, with passengers welcomed at the terminal with local music and entertainment. Cape Town and the Western Cape are continuing efforts to attract international cruise calls and strengthen the city’s position within Southern African cruise itineraries.
Pacific World operates for Peace Boat, a Japan-based non-governmental organisation that uses international voyages and educational programmes to promote peace, human rights, sustainable development and international cooperation.
The new season follows the 2024-2025 cruise programme, which regional tourism authorities said generated R1.79 billion in contribution to the Western Cape’s regional gross domestic product. Updated economic impact figures for the 2025-2026 season are expected to be published at a later stage.
Wesgro CEO Wrenelle Stander attributed the sector’s performance in part to the public-private partnerships supporting Cruise Cape Town, which brings together government bodies, tourism organisations and private-sector companies involved in developing the Western Cape cruise industry. She said continued cooperation was intended to increase cruise calls and visitor numbers while expanding the economic benefits associated with cruise tourism.
The V&A Waterfront also highlighted the wider economic impact of cruise calls. Andre Blaine, Executive for Marine & Industrial, said passenger spending extended beyond the cruise terminal to local businesses, attractions, restaurants, tour operators and accommodation providers across Cape Town and the surrounding region.
The City of Cape Town considers cruise tourism part of its broader strategy for developing the visitor economy. James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, said destination marketing and partnerships were being used to attract additional visitors, with cruise activity contributing to employment, local businesses and economic opportunities across the city.
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Ivan Meyer similarly identified cruise tourism as a contributor to tourism growth, employment, small-business activity and wider economic development in the province.
The arrival of Pacific World marks the beginning of Cape Town’s latest cruise season as the city seeks to build on the economic contribution generated by international cruise traffic and further develop its role as a cruise gateway for the Western Cape and Southern Africa.