MSC Cruises sees rich waters in South Africa after pandemic woes
● MSC Cruises SA expects a full recovery from the effects of the pandemic by 2025 as travellers increasingly see cruise holidays as more affordable than other options, according to the company.
Since 2022, when cruises resumed after pandemic-induced shutdowns, MSC SA has hosted about 300,000 holidaymakers on its vessels.
Globally, about 35.7-million passengers are expected to cruise in 2024, up from 31.5million in 2023 — and 6% more than the number of passengers who set sail in 2019, Reuters reported, citing data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
The South African market is now off-season until later in 2024. MD Ross Volk said while recovery in South Africa is slower, bookings for next summer look strong.
“The South African situation has a double impact, it was Covid-19 and now the economy — high inflation, high interest rates and living expenses have gone up. Recovery has been a lot slower compared to the rest of the world. But we are certainly seeing positive trends. Last year with [our MSC] Splendida vessel] we had a successful season,” Volk said.
The recovery is not only about pre-pandemic numbers but also “about rand value spend. In terms of demand and spending, it’s probably around 2024/25 being what I would like to see as the turning point to recovery.”
Volk said though disposable income for local travellers has shrunk, cruising still represents the “best value proposition for a holiday because it’s all-inclusive [food, drinks and entertainment are part of the package]”.
MSC runs four routes in South Africa — Durban to Mozambique, the most popular passage with locals; Durban to Cape Town; Durban to Mauritius; and Cape Town to Walvis Bay in Namibia, which is popular with tourists from Europe, the US, Australia, and Canada.
Volk said South Africa is a top 10 market by volume for MSC group. In the rest of Africa, there has been an increase in travellers from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Next season, MSC will bring back the Musica vessel, which was last in South Africa in 2018. Volk said the ship’s functionality provides more space to accommodate different entertainment requirements.
MSC runs a number of themed cruises, which Volk said have been a strong drawcard over the past decade.
The themed cruises are unique to South Africa and are mostly done in partnership with radio stations.
“The idea is to create exclusivity. We have been very fortunate over the last decade to develop strong relationships with various radio stations around the country to pull listeners,” he added.
Commenting on trends, Volk said there has been a spike in women travellers. “While it has always been heavily slanted towards women, now it is more evident and the majority are groups.
“There are 60% female travellers ... There is also a big family trend around the December and March school holidays. We expect to see that continue, especially with Musica,” Volk said.
The MSC group operates 22 vessels globally, which are rotated across different markets.
In 2024 the Switzerland-based shipping line said the latest traveller trends include greater demand for products offering extended stays and holidays rich in cultural experiences.
Customers are also eager to explore new cultures and experience new destinations.
“Travellers are no longer content with just visiting well-known attractions; instead, they seek to experience destinations in a way that reflects the local lifestyle,” the company said in a report earlier in 2024.
Cruising is gaining popularity among Gen-Xers and millennials, who are considering a cruise holiday for the first time.
“More and more individuals are recognising the inherent value of a cruise holiday compared with land-based options,” MSC said.