Cape Town's 2026/27 cruise season has opened with the arrival of the Pacific World at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal, carrying 1,397 passengers, predominantly from Japan.
Source: Archive
The vessel arrived during Tourism Month, marking the start of the new cruise season for the Western Cape. The previous 2024/25 season contributed R1.79bn to the province's GDP-R, according to the latest available economic impact assessment.
Japan passengers arrive
The Pacific World operates as part of the Peace Boat fleet, a Japan-based non-governmental organisation that promotes peace, human rights, sustainable development and international cooperation through global voyages and educational programmes.
Passengers were welcomed at the terminal with local music and entertainment.
Cruise Cape Town, powered by Wesgro, said the season opening highlights the role of cruise arrivals in supporting businesses and jobs across the tourism value chain.
R1.79bn economic contribution
The 2024/25 cruise season contributed R1.79bn to the Western Cape's GDP-R, supporting businesses and generating economic activity across the tourism value chain.
Economic impact data for the 2025/26 cruise season had not yet been released at the time of the announcement.
Cruise tourism brings spending to local businesses including attractions, restaurants, tour operators and accommodation providers.
Andre Blaine, executive for Marine & Industrial at the V&A Waterfront, which manages the Cape Town Cruise Terminal, said:
"Every cruise ship arrival creates value that extends far beyond the terminal. Cruise visitors contribute significantly to local businesses, attractions, restaurants, tour operators and accommodation providers, stimulating visitor spend throughout Cape Town and the wider region.
"We are proud to work alongside our partners to ensure that Cape Town continues to deliver a world-class cruise experience that benefits both visitors and the local economy."
Partnership drives cruise growth
Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro, said collaboration between government and the private sector remained important to growing the cruise economy.
"The cruise sector continues to contribute to tourism growth in the Western Cape. A key driver of this success is the strength of the public-private partnerships that underpin Cruise Cape Town. Through collaboration among government, industry, and private-sector partners, we can attract more cruise calls, grow visitor numbers, and maximise the economic opportunities that flow from the cruise economy.
"Cruise Cape Town demonstrates what is possible when partners work together with a shared vision to create lasting benefits for businesses and communities across our province."
Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth at the City of Cape Town, said: "The City of Cape Town remains committed to positioning Cape Town as a globally competitive tourism destination. Through strategic destination marketing and strong partnerships, we are working to attract more visitors and grow the tourism economy.
"Cruise tourism is a key contributor to this effort, generating jobs, supporting local businesses and creating economic opportunities for residents across the city."
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer said: "The arrival of the Pacific World marks an exciting start to the 2026/27 cruise season and demonstrates the impact of collaboration in growing our visitor economy.
"Cruise tourism contributes directly to the objectives of the Western Cape Government's Growth for Jobs Strategy by driving tourism growth, creating employment opportunities, supporting small businesses and stimulating economic activity across the province. We look forward to building on this momentum throughout the season."
Public-private cruise partnership
Cruise Cape Town is a public-private partnership focused on growing the cruise economy in Cape Town and the Western Cape.
The partnership includes Wesgro, the Western Cape Government, the City of Cape Town, Cape Town Tourism, Transnet, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), the V&A Waterfront and Kasada Asset Management, which owns the Cape Grace and Pullman Cape Town hotels.
The Pacific World's arrival marks the beginning of the 2026/27 cruise season, with further cruise calls expected in the months ahead.
