Mombasa port receives first cruise ship in 2026

Passengers disembark from the luxury cruise liner Crystal Symphony after it docked at the Port of Mombasa on Sunday morning, January 4, 2026. [Robert Menza, Standard]

The cruise ship season started on a high note this year with the Port of Mombasa receiving its first vessel, Crystal Symphony, a regular caller laden with 1000 guests and crew for a 48-hour stay.

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) managing director, June Chepkemei, said that the cruise ship industry in Kenya was on an upward trend, with last year's growth in arrivals reaching 140 per cent.