Kenya, 12 January 2026 – When the luxury cruise liner Azamara Journey docked at the Port of Mombasa with 690 passengers on board, it was more than a routine port call.
It was a carefully choreographed moment in Kenya’s evolving blue economy story — one that the government is keen to frame as evidence that the country is finally turning its long coastline into a serious engine of growth.
The arrival marked the third major cruise ship to call at Mombasa this 2025/26 season, following the SH Diana and the Crystal Symphony, underlining a steady rise in cruise traffic that tourism and port authorities say is transforming Kenya’s profile in global travel circuits.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the visit reflected Kenya’s growing stature as a cruise destination and the success of deliberate efforts to diversify tourism beyond the traditional wildlife and beach packages.
“Today, we are thrilled to welcome the Azamara Journey and her passengers to the Port of Mombasa. This is a significant milestone for our tourism sector and a clear signal that Kenya is increasingly being recognised as a premier cruise destination,” Miano said.
She noted that cruise tourism has become a strategic pillar of the blue economy, delivering quick and visible returns to both the national and coastal economies.
According to her, Kenya recorded a 140% increase in arrivals by sea in 2024, a surge that helped push tourism earnings to a record KSh 452.2 billion.
“This growth contributed to a record-breaking year for tourism. These numbers demonstrate that our diversification strategy is working,” she said, adding that cruise tourism brings a unique mix of high-spending visitors, cultural exchange and international exposure.
At the port, Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director William Ruto said the growing interest by global cruise lines was a direct result of sustained investment in maritime infrastructure and operational reforms at Mombasa.
“The modern cruise terminal at the Port of Mombasa has changed how the world sees this port. We now have the capacity, security and passenger-handling facilities that meet international standards, and that is why major cruise liners are confidently adding Mombasa to their itineraries,” Ruto said.
He said KPA had deliberately positioned the port as a regional hub for cruise tourism, working closely with immigration, tourism agencies and private operators to ensure seamless processing of passengers and crew.