Cruise ship Crystal Symphony arrives in Mombasa with over 500 passengers
By Nancy Marende, January 4, 2026Cruise ship Crystal Symphony has docked at the Port of Mombasa, bringing more than 500 international visitors to Kenya as the country continues to position itself as a leading cruise tourism destination in the region.
In a statement on Sunday, January 4, 2026, the Kenya Tourism Board revealed that the luxury vessel made its second call of the current cruise season, arriving with 511 passengers of mixed nationalities, the majority from the United Kingdom, alongside 490 crew members.
“By early morning, 264 passengers had disembarked for curated shore excursions to Tsavo National Park and Amboseli National Reserve by air and guided Mombasa city tours,” the statement read in part.
Further, the Kenya Tourism Board CEO, June Chepkemei, together with officials from the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), addressed the media and highlighted the significance of the visit for the country’s tourism sector.
This comes a few months after a luxury expedition cruise ship christened SH Diana docked at the new Shimoni Port in Kwale County with 240 tourists on board.
There was excitement as the cruise ship made its inaugural call at the new Shimoni port, marking it the first cruise ship to do so since the completion of the port construction in June this year.
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA)in October 2025 said the vessel arrived from Victoria Port in Seychelles with tourists from various countries who would spend one day in Shimoni fishing village and its surrounding tourist sites.
The cruise ship called at Shimoni port from Port Victoria, Seychelles marking the official start of the 2025/26 cruise ship season. The vessel has been to Seychelles, Madagascar andSouth Africa.
The docking event was marked with an elaborate welcoming ceremony, local entertainment, and hopes for future tourism growth.
The ship’s captain, Jaanus Hannes, said it’s the third time that the SH Diana, a luxury expedition cruise ship, has come to Kenya, having docked in Mombasa in 2023 and in Lamu in 2024.
“This momentous occasion marks the ship’s third visit to Kenya with new and repeat visitors since 2023, with stunning destinations and excursions,” he said.
Hannes said the tourists would go snorkeling at Shimoni as part of tours to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, where he said they could experience vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life.
While some passengers rushed off to new adventures, some stayed on the ship to enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere, taking advantage of fewer crowds for the ship’s amenities.
He said the cruise ship with 96 staterooms and suites typically visits destinations of historical, cultural and tourism significance.
The SH Diana, operated by Swan Hellenic and Nisomar Shipping Lines, measures 124 metres in length, has a draft of 5.7 metres, and features state-of-the-art hospitality facilities.
The tourists were received by KPA officials led by Corporate Communication Manager Dave Buchere, Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, and Lunga Lunga MP Mangale Chiforomodo.