Silversea
You are guaranteed a life of luxury aboard the Silversea, offering one of the highest space per guest ratios of any cruise line. Silversea is known for its outstanding shore excursions, giving guests the chance to make unforgettable memories as they stay well away from tourist traps and absorb themselves in local culture at every stop.
Have the trip of a lifetime with Silversea’s Magical South Africa cruise. Indulge in a 1 night pre-cruise stay at Kensington Place before you start your cruising journey with Silversea’s Silver Spirit. Setting sail from Cape Town guests will then travel to Walvis Bay, Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, and Durban before returning back to Cape Town where you will enjoy a 1 night post-cruise stay at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel before heading home.
Day 1
Begin your trip with a one night pre-cruise stay in a Standard Room at Kensington Place. This chic luxurious boutique hotel is hidden away in the leafy Cape Town suburb of Higgovale on the slopes of Table Mountain. The hotel contains just eight beautiful suites which feature an abundance of local artwork, lavish amenities, and the ultimate personalised service.
Day 2
Explore Cape Town before embarking on your cruise at 6pm. A mixture of breath-taking mountain scenery, multiculturalism and peaceful ocean charm, this beautiful city has it all. Spend the day exploring the cool urban culture, visiting the rolling vineyards, or dine in laid back sea suburbs. For those looking for a bit of adventure be sure to head to Lion’s Head. Be prepared for a sharp hike and an early start but the magnificent views of the morning sun from the top of the mountain will be worth it.
Day 3
Relax on your first day at sea aboard the Silversea’s Silver Spirit. Spend the day working up a sweat in the gym, pampering yourself at the spa, savouring mouth watering cuisine, or relax by the pool.
Day 4 - 5
The first stop is Walvis Bay, the second largest city in Namibia and the largest coastal city in the country. Walvis Bay features a spectacular landscape with a gorgeous lagoon, washed pale pink by a colony of resident flamingos. The city’s name is derived from Whale Bay and, as you can guess from the name, is the perfect place for whale watching. Also home to hundreds of thousands of birds, it is a bird lovers paradise. Be sure to take a boat tour where you will escape the crowds and get a good viewpoint to admire the flamingos. Also not to be missed is Pelican Point which is home to pelicans, bottlenose and Heaviside’s dolphins, black-backed jackals, flamingos, pelicans, brown hyenas, in addition to more than 50,000 Cape Fur seals.
Day 6 - 7
The next two days are days at sea aboard the Silver Spirit, which offers the perfect time to relax, balancing out the busy days spent exploring.
Day 8
Dock at Mossel Bay, a harbour town located on the Southern Cape of South Africa. This stop is perfect for adventure lovers with an abundance of activities guaranteed to get your heart racing including shark cage diving, wreck diving surfing, snorkelling, bungee jumping and skydiving. For those looking to relax, head to the golden sandy coast which stretches for more than 60km. Mossel Bay is also drenched in history, so be sure to visit the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex which centres on modern history, the exploits of Portuguese explorer Bartolmeu Dias, who landed and named the bay in 1488 while searching for India.
Day 9
Next stop is Port Elizabeth, a major seaport and the most populous city in the Easter Cape region of South Africa. This city has a stunning landscape with unspoiled beaches and rolling sand dunes in addition to being a post-industrial migrant city with a rich heritage. Featuring a pedestrianised central zone, galleries selling local artworks, mouth-watering South African fusion food restaurants, award-winning buildings that house museums, and restored Victorian terraces, there is plenty for guests to explore. Port Elizabeth is also known as Nelson Mandela Bay with there being an abundance of things to celebrate him, such as Route 67 which is a collection of 67 artworks honouring the 67 years that Mandela dedicated to achieving South Africa’s freedom.
Day 10
The next day is another day of relaxation at sea aboard the Silver Spirit.
Day 11 - 12
Dock at Richards Bay, situated on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal and founded in 1879. Known as the official gateway to Zululand, this town has transformed from being a small fishing village into a lively harbour town. Guests can appreciate the beautiful wetland scenery in addition to the untouched beaches and game reserves. Be sure to visit Dumazulu, the only Zulu village opened up to tourism by King Goodwill Zwelithini and the only authentic example of Zulu traditions which tourists are allowed into.
Day 13 - 14
The next stop is Durban, the third most populous city in South Africa and the biggest city in KwaZulu-Natal. Here guests will experience the vibrant waterfront, complete with street performers and sand artists and an easy going laid back lifestyle. The city has always been a beach city but the huge investment for the 2010 World Cup really put it on the map. The massive revamp of the promenade brought about mouth watering cafes and restaurants serving a variety of dishes including bobotie (a sweet spiced mince dish with egg toping).
Day 15 - 16
Experience two more days of indulgence aboard the Silver Spirit before arriving back in Cape Town.
Day 17
Your cruise will end in Cape Town where you can experience all the city has to offer before heading home.
Day 18
Enjoy a one night post-cruise stay in a Superior Room at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel. This hotel is one of the trendiest and most luxurious hotels in all of Cape Town. Dine in one of the exceptional restaurants in the hotel featuring delicious and innovative cuisine made by world class chefs. The hotel also features a spa, pool, Tennis court, hair salon, and kid’s club.