hupla_4.7 stars4.6/5 by thousands of cruisers on MSC Cruises in Southern Africa

MSC Cruises to Nowhere from Durban or Cape Town

MSC Cruises offers two unique options for cruises to nowhere in South Africa. Departing from Durban or Cape Town, these round-trip journeys take passengers on a voyage without having to worry about where they're going or passport requirements - an ID card is all you need!

  • No passport needed
  • All meals & entertainment included
  • Have an experience of a lifetime
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Loved it - 5 star rating by Grace Biko - We had an amazing time on our 2-day cruise to nowhere from Cape Town. The staff was wonderful and the food was delicious. We will definitely be booking a longer cruise in the future!

Experience the Magic of a quick getaway with MSC

  • All your meals & entertainment are included*
  • A cabin steward will clean your cabin daily
  • Delight your senses with world-class dining and entertainment
  • Relax in style and enjoy all the amenities a cruise has to offer
  • Sip cocktails on the deck while enjoying the amazing views

hupla_4.7 stars4.6/5 by thousands of cruisers on MSC Cruises in Southern Africa

What is a cruise to nowhere?

A cruise to nowhere is a trip on a ship where you go out at sea (nowhere) for a couple of nights. You can relax and enjoy the ship without having to worry about where you're going. MSC Cruises offers two unique options for cruises to nowhere in South Africa.

Departing from Durban or Cape Town, these round-trip journeys take passengers on a voyage without having to worry about where they're going or passport requirements - an ID card is all you need!

Why do a 2 nights cruise to nowhere?

Nowhere cruises are the perfect weekend getaway experience for first-time cruisers. This quick escape is the ideal opportunity to experience life on board or get to know the cruise lines. Even though the cruise ship is not heading to a specific destination, there are still plenty of daily activities to do onboard, including watching live music on the deck or in the various lounges, enjoying the sun and water activities on deck, or spending quality time with your family at the restaurants.

Cruises to nowhere are also ideal if you do not have all your travelling documents in order. The cruise ship will only sail in local waters and you will not disembark at any port in a different country. Therefore, you do not need a passport to embark on all cruise ships with a cruise-to-nowhere itinerary. This also allows you to book your cruise without much planning beforehand.

There is no better place to celebrate any special occasion than on a cruise ship. Whether you are planning milestone birthdays, bachelor parties, or weddings your cruise line will help you plan a glamorous event. The crew onboard promises that you experience your perfect fun-filled break while enjoying your own personal occasions.

Your MSC Cruises Ship for a cruise to nowhere in South Africa

MSC Splendida:

MSC Splendida offers guests an array of onboard entertainment options, from Broadway-style theater shows and a glamorous casino to designer discos and dedicated areas for kids and teens. There are also plenty of restaurants to choose from, with different cuisines to explore ranging from Mediterranean specialties to American steakhouse fare.

Guests can also enjoy exclusive dishes created exclusively for MSC Splendida by the German chef Harald Wohlfahrt. The ship is home to the MSC Yacht Club, a luxurious “ship within a ship” area that features 71 suites, private concierge and pool.

MSC Splendida - will start in 2023/2024 for the first time in South Africa
Cruise Passenger dancing on the beach of an uninhabited island in the Indian Ocean on a Portuguese Island Cruise
Cocktail on Portuguese Island Inhaca- During a cruise on MSC Orchestra
African man ready to go paddle boarding
Arial photography of a group of cruise traveller on the sandy island situated very close to Inhaca island in the Maputo bay
Loved it - 5 star rating by Grace Biko - We had an amazing time on our 2-day cruise to nowhere from Cape Town. The staff was wonderful and the food was delicious. We will definitely be booking a longer cruise in the future!

What is included in your Cruise to nowhere Fare

  • All meals in the two main dining rooms, the buffet and selected other eateries.
  • All shows in the theatre and other venues are included!
  • Speciality Restaurant ($/€) for a unique dining experience!
  • Shop ’til you drop in the duty-free shopping gallery ($/€)!
  • Get your reading on in the library & game room
  • Keep the little ones entertained with our award-winning kids club for all ages

  • Service fees /gratuities are included so you don’t have to worry about a thing
  • Accommodation in well-appointed cabins - as a crusie vacation is all about spoiling yourself
  • Water, coffee and some juices are included in certain areas of the ship
  • Most on-board activities such as group games, competitions, quizzes, and crafts classes are included - something for everyone to enjoy
  • No entrance fee for the disco / nightclub - let's get this party started!
  • All evening shows are free to enjoy

  • All drinks beyond water, tea, coffee and selected juices in the buffet
  • Shore Excursions
  • SPA treatments & access to SPA area (Subject to experience)
  • Wifi (unless specified otherwise)
  • Casino, photos, shops
  • Service fees (please check - it is INCLUDED in some markets)
  • Aditional Kids activities

Cruise to nowhere - an ideal quick getaway

Some question you might have on your cruise to nowhere with MSC

No you don't. A passport is only necessary if you plan on leaving the country. 
A cruise to nowhere typically stays within South African waters so you will not need your passport. Enjoy!

In all cabins the below are included:
  • Private Air Conditioning
  • Spacious wardrobe
  • Bathroom with Showers or Bathtub
  • Interactive TV
  • Telephone (€)
  • Mini-Bar (€)
  • Wi-Fi Connection (€)
  • Safe-deposit box
  • Double bed / twin bed on request

Further on all MSC ships feature:

  • MSC Aurea Spa
  • Spray park for kids
  • Inside, outside, balcony and suite cabin type
    MSC Splendida features MSC Yacht Club as well

Dining is included in the price of your cruise - drinks are not. So if you're looking to enjoy a few cocktails or glasses of wine with your meal, be sure to bring your credit card along with you, or buy pre-paid packages.

Enjoying a drink or two while enjoying dinner is definitely a popular pastime on cruises, so don't let the extra cost keep you from indulging. Just be aware that you'll need to budget for it upfront. And who knows - maybe you'll even find yourself sipping cocktails while watching the sunset over the open sea!

All kinds of weather can be expected on a cruise to nowhere - it just depends on when you go.

However, no matter when you go, the ship will definitely have all kinds of weather covered so don't worry! You'll be able to enjoy your cruise to nowhere regardless of what the weather is like outside.

While there are a variety of different cruise durations out there, cruises to nowhere are typically only two nights long. This is because they depart from and return to the same port, so there's not as much need for a longer voyage. Plus, it's the perfect amount of time to get a little relaxation and luxury without having to commit to a week-long trip.

If you're looking for a quick and easy escape, consider booking a cruise to nowhere from South Africa – you won't regret it!

All the cruise departs Cape Town from the Cruise terminal in the V&A Waterfront. 

All the cruise departs Durban harbour from the KZN cruise terminal next to the Durban harbour. 

Read this blog post for more on the Durban Terminal

The number 1 destination is Portuguese Island out of Durban on a typical 3 nights cruise.

The second one is Pomene, Mozambique on a 4 nights cruise. 

Currently, the MSC Orchestra has her base in Durban and will travel to Portuguese Island and Pomene. 

From Cape Town and only during the 2022/2023 season, the MSC Sinfonia will also travel to Mossel Bay.

The ship has stops in Port Elizabeth on a coastal cruise during some of the previous season. 

When booking, port charges / port fees, mandatory charges, insurance, service charges / fees. And a reminder that Kids cruise free - they only pay the mandatory charges when travelling with 2 paying adults.

We'd love to help you book your cruise to nowhere! With Hupla, your online travel agency, we can make sure that your trip is perfect in every way. We have a wide variety of cruises to choose from, and our experienced staff will be happy to answer any questions you have about booking your cruise.

MSC Cruises to Nowhere Cruise Specials

2024/2025 is open for bookings ! A couple of cabins left on 2024 season.

27 Mar  -  
30 Mar, 2025
ZAR 8,245
MSC MUSICA
Friendship by Mi Casa
Check Availability
*Per person - inc mandatory
No Durban cruise to nowhere in 2024.
No 2 nights from Cape Town in 2024 or 2025

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