Seychelles Cruise Season Delivers a Record

The Seychelles just wrapped up one of its best cruise seasons ever. Here’s a look at what made the 2025-26 season so impressive.

Seychelles Sees a Massive Jump in Cruise Ship Visits

The island nation of Seychelles had a banner year for cruise tourism. Officials held a closing ceremony at the Port of Victoria in late June to mark the end of the 2025-26 cruise season.

The numbers tell a remarkable story. The Seychelles welcomed over 40 cruise ship calls this season. That’s a huge leap from the 2024-25 season, which saw only six ship calls.

Viking Yi Dun Was the Last Ship of the Season

The Viking Yi Dun sailed into the history books as the final ship to visit the Seychelles this season. The ship was on a repositioning voyage from Asia to the Mediterranean.

Eight ships made their very first visit to the Seychelles this season. Several new cruise operators also made their debut in the destination.

Officials Credit Teamwork for the Season’s Success

Seychelles’ Principal Secretary for Tourism, Sherin Francis, praised everyone involved in making the season work. “This success belongs to all of us. Once again, we have demonstrated what can be achieved through strong collaboration across government agencies, the private sector and our tourism partners,” she said.

Francis also highlighted the warm welcome visitors received. “Every successful port call reflects the commitment of everyone involved in delivering the warm Seychellois hospitality for which our destination is known,” she added.

Smaller, Luxury, and Expedition Ships Take Center Stage

The Seychelles made a point of focusing on smaller, premium, and expedition cruise ships this season. Officials say these ships are a better fit for the destination’s goals.

Smaller vessels put less strain on local infrastructure and natural sites. They also tend to have a lighter environmental impact, which matters a lot in a place as beautiful as the Seychelles.

A New Cruise Tourism Strategy Is in the Works

The Seychelles introduced its first-ever Cruise Tourism Strategy this season. The plan was developed with help from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and is currently being finalized.

The strategy lays out a clear path for the future of cruise tourism in the archipelago. It focuses heavily on sustainability, economic growth, and benefits for local communities.

Francis summed up the vision perfectly. “The proposed strategy reminds us that success is not simply about attracting more ships. It is about creating greater value for our country, protecting our environment, improving the visitor experience and ensuring that more Seychellois businesses and communities benefit from cruise tourism,” she noted.

The Seychelles is clearly thinking about the long game. For cruise travelers, that means a destination that should only get better with time.