Azamara Cruises has marked a significant milestone for the African cruise landscape with the unveiling of its 2028 World Cruise. This ambitious 175-night journey, aboard the Azamara Onward, is set to depart from Miami on January 5th, 2028, and will traverse six continents, visiting 40 countries and 91 ports before concluding in Athens on June 29th, 2028. A defining feature of this extensive itinerary is its innovative segmentation into 14 bookable segments, offering guests the flexibility to customize their experience by joining specific portions of the voyage.

Crucially, Cape Town, South Africa, emerges as a pivotal embarkation and disembarkation point, anchoring two of these segments. This strategic inclusion significantly elevates South Africa’s standing in global cruise planning and provides unparalleled convenience for African passengers, enabling them to embark on a world-class cruise without the necessity of traveling to distant European or North American ports.

The journey commences with a vibrant exploration of the southern Caribbean and Latin America, featuring early stops in Aruba and Colombia, followed by a dramatic transit through the Panama Canal. The ship then charts a course along the Pacific coast, calling at Ecuador and Peru, before embarking on a transoceanic crossing to the South Pacific. Here, guests will enjoy overnight stays in the paradisiacal islands of Tahiti and Bora Bora, before continuing to the scenic shores of New Zealand and Australia. Asia forms the next chapter, with the Azamara Onward visiting a diverse array of ports in Indonesia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore. The itinerary then sweeps across the Indian Ocean, with scheduled calls in Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Mauritius, before making its way to southern Africa.

The African segment of the cruise is particularly significant, bringing the vessel directly into the heart of the continent’s tourism offerings. South Africa's prominence is further highlighted in Segment 9—a 14-night cruise that weaves together the exotic allure of Mauritius, Réunion, Madagascar, and South Africa, culminating in Cape Town. Immediately following is Segment 10, a 21-night adventure departing from Cape Town and tracing the Atlantic coast northward, with memorable stops in Namibia, the remote island of St Helena, and Cape Verde. This dual-segment structure positions Cape Town not merely as a transit port, but as a genuine turnaround hub, opening new opportunities for extended pre- and post-cruise stays, and stimulating demand for local accommodation, tours, and enhanced air connectivity.

For the African tourism sector, this development signals a transformative shift in how global cruise lines are integrating the continent into their long-haul itineraries. The inclusion of Cape Town as both an embarkation and disembarkation port is expected to drive increased international arrivals, foster deeper engagement with local suppliers, and encourage the development of new tourism products tailored to cruise passengers. The ripple effect is likely to be felt across the hospitality, transport, and cultural sectors, as businesses adapt to cater to the needs of high-value, long-haul cruise guests.

After departing Cape Town, the Azamara Onward continues its journey towards Europe, calling at the Canary Islands, Morocco, and Barcelona before meandering along the sun-drenched French Riviera. The Italian leg features iconic destinations such as Rome, the Amalfi Coast, and Sicily, followed by a cruise through the storied waters of Croatia, the Greek Isles, and Turkey, before the grand finale in Athens.

Beyond the core itinerary, Azamara is enhancing the guest experience with a curated selection of optional overland adventures. These multi-day excursions offer immersive encounters with some of the world’s most celebrated cultural and natural wonders, including the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, Cambodia’s Angkor temples, India’s Taj Mahal, the mountain monasteries of Bhutan, and Sri Lanka’s ancient cities and wildlife reserves. For those seeking a uniquely African experience, the program also features safari lodge extensions in South Africa, providing guests with the chance to explore the region’s renowned wildlife and landscapes in depth.

For Africa’s tourism professionals, the 2028 Azamara World Cruise represents more than just a high-profile itinerary—it is a catalyst for change and a harbinger of new business models. The segmentation of the cruise allows for greater flexibility and accessibility, making it possible for a broader range of African travelers to participate in global cruising. The focus on Cape Town as a turnaround port is likely to inspire other African destinations to invest in the infrastructure and partnerships needed to attract similar opportunities in the future. As the global cruise industry continues to evolve, African stakeholders are encouraged to think beyond traditional source markets and embrace the potential of long-haul, segmented voyages. The integration of local experiences, from cultural tours to wildlife safaris, will be key to capturing the imagination of international guests and ensuring that Africa remains at the forefront of the world’s most exciting travel trends. With the 2028 Azamara World Cruise, the continent is poised to play a more prominent role in shaping the future of luxury cruising, offering unparalleled opportunities for growth, innovation, and cross-cultural exchange.