The Ultimate Guide To South Africa Cruises

Forbes

25-05-2025

South Africa cruise with Azamara Cruises.
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dging the sun-kissed shores of South Africa on a sumptuous voyage—where dwarfing mountains meet pristine beaches and rolling vineyards—is both a rebirthing and beguiling journey, even for the most seasoned of cruisers. Here, you'll sit at the epicenter of South Africa's most sought-after wildlife—from Africa's 'Big Five' to the endangered African penguin—but without the lofty planning usually needed to see these majestic creatures up close and personal, exploring lesser-visited game reserves far from the swathes of selfie-snapping tourists.
Azamara Quest
If you're looking for a way to explore South Africa more in-depth, among a group of well-traveled guests, with more time in ports (and even overnight stays), without compromising on luxury—Azamara is the cruise line for you.
Destination immersion goes far beyond its well-curated excursions—from breath-taking safaris to sensory-tickling tastings at world-famous vineyards—with its renowned 'AzAmazing Evenings' (held once per voyage) offering an intimate slice of local culture. Imagine attending a glittering Xhosa Cultural Concert at the Feather Market Center in Port Elizabeth, where you'll gawp at Xhosa Warriors, Nguni stick-fighting, and graceful Grass Maidens as you hear the pulsating beat of the djembe drums and songs of the marimba players—and you're thinking in the right direction.
Onboard, personal service is at the heart of the boutique cruise line—and you'll be surprised by just how quickly the crew will learn your name and remember your favorite aperitif—serving it to you, before you even order.
You won't find any kids clubs or teen hangouts—but as the teens creep into their mid-20s, it becomes the perfect multi-gen holiday as millennials and their grandparents share a life-changing experience—exploring and immersing deeply into South African culture, together—and sharing a cosmopolitan or two up on deck at night.
Azamara Quest
Carrying just over 700 passengers, Azamara Quest is a chic, boutique cruise ship—serving as your home while exploring the sparkling shores of South Africa. Small enough to access lesser-known ports around the world, you won't find skydiving simulators, robot bartenders, or 10-story waterslides.
Instead, you'll immerse yourself into a relaxed, floating country club—think cozy library lounges, boutique shops, sexy cocktail bars, expert-led talks, and a large crowd-gathering pool guarded by twin whirlpools, where mixologists waltz from behind the Pool Grill with platters of champagne.
Here, you'll also join the famous once-a-cruise 'White Night'—a celebration under the stars, where you'll sit at white-clothed tables, all dressed in white, as the crew parade around with flags of the world, chefs prepare global cuisine, and traditional dancers step aboard for a blood-pumping performance.
Wellness junkies will adore the Azamara Spa—complete with its private Sanctum Terrace with a bubbling salt water bath and powerful massage jets. Here, you can opt for Elemis volcanic stone and seaweed massages, BIOTEC 'Firm-a-Lift' facials, manicures, teeth whitening, and even acupuncture. But if you want to stay active during your voyage, join group classes like al fresco yoga, pilates, cycling, and core workouts—or make use of the ocean-view Fitness Center, with personal trainers and a dedicated Body Sculpt Boot Camp.
You'll find 352 staterooms onboard Quest, from Interior Staterooms to World Owner's Suites—while its Ocean Suites are rich and jazzy, set across 734 square feet, boasting a sweeping wraparound balcony with twin sun loungers and al fresco furniture.
Club Ocean Suite
Spill into your spacious suite, and you'll find a cozy nook with a comfy sofa and armchairs (with a bottle of champagne waiting on your arrival) and a little dining table—perfect for hosting intimate dinner parties. Plus, a fully-stocked minibar with soft drinks, tonics, and premium beers—as well as four complimentary liter bottles of spirits (of your choice) from Gordon's London Dry Gin to Johnnie Walker Red Label scotch whisky.
A sliding door reveals a master bedroom with a floor-to-ceiling wardrobe, a writing desk, and a wingback queen-sized bed (adorned with nightly turndown treats) gazing out of a giant porthole as you sail by crimson sunrises and sunsets.
Club Ocean Suite
While its rich marble ensuite is virtually the size of a stateroom itself—with a deep soaking tub, a walk-in rainfall shower, and a nifty sliding door—cutting the bathroom in half—perfect for offering a private guest bathroom when hosting sunset soirees or champagne receptions.
Staying in an Ocean Suite, you'll also be allocated your own personal butler. They'll serve you daily afternoon tea on your balcony as you snuggle up in fluffy Terry bathrobes—grazing on delicate finger sandwiches, decadent cakes, and fresh scones—and replenish your minibar with your favorite tipples.
While 24-hour room service, shoe shine service, one free bag of laundry service per suite (every 7 days)—and complimentary wifi, specialty dining, and access to the Thalassotherapy pool and spa deck, complete a weighty list of suite-level perks.
Azamara Butler
Surf through seven restaurants, cafes, and lounges onboard Quest—starting your mornings at Windows Cafe, bright and elegant, known for its panoramic views and expansive buffet breakfast (plus an outdoor Sunset Bar at the back of Quest) serving global cuisine—while sometimes highlighting ingredients from your sailing's ports of call. Or, simply opt for a butler-served breakfast on your sun-kissed balcony, for the more discreet traveler.
At night, Forbes readers will want to make the most of Aqualina and Prime C—two specialty restaurants onboard Quest. While the cuisine is certainly nothing subpar in Quest's main restaurant, Discoveries, choosing the specialty route makes for a more serene, intimate atmosphere. It is offered complimentary all voyage long for suite guests—feasting on gourmet Italian delights in Aqualina and some of the finest steaks at sea at Prime C.
Afterward, you can head to Cabaret Lounge, a cabaret-style theater serving up musical revues, comedians, and classical solo performers—or catch a live band and nightly disco in The Living Room (also housing the Card Room for bridge lovers) and retire to The Drawing Room for a whiskey or two as a pianist tickles the ivories.
The Cellars-Hohenort
Embarking in Cape Town, a cosmopolitan city on the southwestern tip of South Africa—where gliding cable cars climb to the top of Table Mountain, and ferries sail for Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was held until 1982)—you can opt for a sumptuous pre-stay at the Cellars-Hohenort.
Nestled in Constantia Valley, known as 'Cape Town's Vineyard' for its rolling vineyards and world-class wineries, the Cellars-Hohenort is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World—with its roster of exclusive, intimate, ultra-lavish properties.
Boasting just 51 elegant rooms and suites, an award-winning nine-acre garden, two swimming pools, a spa, a salon, and a full-size tennis court—it makes for the perfect pre-cruise escape, far away from Cape Town's busy thoroughfare—while offering complimentary shuttles to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Constantia Village, and the V&A Waterfront; the best of both worlds.
Liz McGrath Villa
Set across two floors, its two-bedroom Liz McGrath Villa is oozing country charm and elegance, hand-crafted for VIP guests—think cozy fireplaces, plump cushions and luxurious drapes, Bonnievale wines, Molten Brown products, deep soaking tubs and rainfall showers, a large private courtyard, and a dedicated concierge and personal shopper.
Saunter along to its snug spa where you can indulge in a myriad of treatments from skin peels to body scrubs, milk and mud wraps, manicures and pedicures, hot stone massages, and even a CBD-infused full-body massage ($75 for 60 minutes) for the ultimate level of slumber. Then, dine at The Conservatory, grazing on West Coast oysters, South Atlantic tuna tartare, and traditional Cape Malay bobotie—complete with sweet pumpkin tart or its famous Liz McGrath Chocolate Plate.
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Sailing onto Port Elizabeth, a major port city on Algoa Bay in South Africa's Eastern Cape, you can wander across its pristine golden sand beaches, such as King's Beach—named after King George VI, who frequented here with the Queen Mother, and a young Elizabeth and Margaret, during their Royal Visit of 1947.
Or, take a short 10-minute shuttle to Nelson Mandela Bay, where you'll hop on a speedy 20-passenger catamaran My China and set your sights on St Croix Island—home of the endangered African penguin—bouncing across the glittering waves as you're surrounded by soaring Cape gannets, scalloped hammerhead sharks, lazy sunbathing seals, and leaping bottlenose dolphins ($409 per person with Azamara).
Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve, South Africa
Sailing onto Richards Bay, one of South Africa's largest harbors, you can explore this bustling port town, watching surfers riding the rolling waves at the North Pier—or spotting luxury yachts nudging old fishing trawlers at Richards Bay Harbour.
Take a 90-minute coach transfer, passing forests of towering Eucalyptus trees and tiny rustic villages, and you'll reach Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve. Dating back to 1895, it's the oldest proclaimed reserve in South Africa (tied with the nearby St. Lucia Reserve) and the only park under formal conservation in the KwaZulu-Natal coastal province. Here, you'll hop onto canopied safari jeeps and journey across its impressive 96,000 hectares home to Africa's Big Five—prowling lions, herds of elephants, cheeky leopards, grunting buffalos, and munching rhinos—stopping for a myriad of photo-snapping opportunities along its dusty tracks and a sundowner on the savannah as you toast your gin and tonic to a blazing sunset ($299 per person with Azamara).
Mossel Bay, South Africa
Stopping in Durban, you'll journey onto Mossel Bay on South Africa's southern coast—with a history of Stone Age hunter-gatherers and early European colonization. Explore its Cape St. Blaize Cave, once home to shellfish hunters thousands of years ago, before meandering up a zigzag path to its clifftop Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse.
Or, you can join a cheese and wine tour at Reed Valley Wine Estate. Established in 1826, it is one of the oldest estates in Mossel Bay, enjoying a Mediterranean climate—ideal for its wine production. You'll sample a range of wines from the estate's Eden Valley Wines to its Zandvliets—paired with fine cheeses ($229 per person with Azamara).
Cape Town, South Africa
Back in sapphire-skied Cape Town, the 'Mother City' of South Africa, you'll enjoy one final overnight stay on your voyage—visiting its crowning jewels like the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (home to over 8,500 indigenous plant species), sampling fine Stellenbosch wines, or befriending the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach.
But if you're seeking a bit more thrill, hop on a helicopter flight (approx 1.5 hours) soaring above Cape Town along the Atlantic route as you hear the blades thundering in your ears, absorbing the sights of the towering Twelve Apostles and the wreck of Llandundo—before passing over the majestic Seal Island and tracing the curves of Chapman's Peak Highway (forged by Italian prisoners in World War II). You'll then glide over the lagoons of Noordhoek Beach and through Sun Valley, passing the lush Constantia Valley—with a grand finale hovering above the mighty Table Mountain—no better climax to your mighty South African adventure ($499 per person with Azamara).
Join Azamara's 15-night 'Africa Cruise' from $4,075 per person—including complimentary room service, beer, wine and spirits; signature AzAmazing Evenings, and all tips & gratuities. For more information, visit azamaracruises.com.