Royal Caribbean aims to double the number of South Africans booking its cruises. While the company achieved double-digit growth in 2024, the South African market remained relatively stagnant.
However, what SA lacks in numbers, they make up for in spend. According to Natalya Whitfield, Head of Sales for Royal Caribbean EMEA, South Africans rank as the second-highest spenders on its cruises, behind only the Middle East and ahead of American passengers.
The cruise line’s average daily nett ticket revenue is approximately US$189 (R3 490), but for South Africans, it climbs to $222 (R4 095). The higher spend is largely attributed to pre-booked extras such as drink packages and WiFi.
Whitfield and Matt Irwin, Key Account Manager for the Middle East and Africa, visited Cape Town this week to outline the company’s outlook and plans for local agents.
Irwin said Royal Caribbean had seen an 11-percentage-point increase in guest numbers between 2023 and 2024, with 6,8 million passengers boarding the company’s ships in 2024.
SA growth a priority
Despite this growth, South African bookings had remained flat, said Whitfield. However, Royal Caribbean is now looking to double its South African business. “With increased volumes, investment will come,” she added.
Currently, the cruise line does not have plans to introduce regular sailings out of South African ports, but Whitfield said, as traveller numbers increased from the region, it was the kind of investment that could be considered. Currently, only one itinerary, a 17-night cruise from Cape Town to Singapore aboard the Voyager of the Seas in November, is scheduled to call on South African ports this year.
Whitfield said South Africans preferred European and Singaporean cruises, most likely driven by flights and visa requirements.
New ships and experiences
Irwin also highlighted new developments, including the launch of the Legend of the Seas, a 2 814-cabin ship accommodating 7 600 guests. The 20-deck vessel is one of the group’s low-emission LNG-powered vessels. It will start to sail from Barcelona and Rome in 2026.
The Allure of the Seas is currently undergoing a refresh and refurbishment and will be back on the water in April, also sailing out of Barcelona and Rome.
Royal Caribbean is also expanding its land-based offerings and exclusive access to its privately owned islands. In the Bahamas, the company intends to open its Royal Beach Club in Nassau by the end of the year. Operating on a day-pass system, the island provides all-inclusive activities, food and drinks for Royal Caribbean passengers. This will be the company’s second private island in the Bahamas, joining Perfect Day at CocoCay. In Mexico, a private beach club is slated to open in 2026, with a Perfect Day island opening in 2027. Irwin said the private islands offering helped to differentiate RCI from other cruises.
