Tourism officials celebrated the 2025-26 cruise season in the Seychelles with a closing ceremony at the Port of Victoria in late June.

According to the Seychelles Tourism Department, the destination saw a successful season with over 40 cruise ship calls.

The figure represented a significant increase compared to 2024-25, when the Seychelles welcomed just six ship calls.

Offering a repositioning voyage from Asia to the Mediterranean, the Viking Yi Dun was the last ship to visit the Seychelles this season.

The destination hosted eight maiden calls, as well as the debut of several new cruise operators, officials said.

“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,” said Seychelles’ Principal Secretary for Tourism, Sherin Francis.

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

Other highlights of the season included a focus on what authorities called smaller, premium and expedition cruise vessels.

These ships are said to be more aligned with the destination’s sustainable vision for tourism, placing less pressure on infrastructure, tourism sites and the environment.

According to Francis, the archipelago also introduced its first Cruise Tourism Strategy, which is currently in the validation stage.

The framework was developed in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

The Seychelles Tourism Department said that the strategic plan “provides a clear roadmap for the future development of cruise tourism, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, economic value and community benefits.”

“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,” Francis noted.