For Kylie Herd, an Australian passenger on Norwegian Dawn's February 25 southern Africa itinerary, cruising was the best way to check places off her bucket list.
“I choose any cruise line that offers the itinerary I want to take when I'm available. It's usually Norwegian, and when I saw that Norwegian had all these Africa cruises, I just thought, 'I'm going to spend the summer in Africa,' because it's an incredible itinerary,” she said. she told USA TODAY.
When it comes to cruising, most Americans probably think of tour the Caribbean or explore the Alaskan wilderness if they're feeling particularly adventurous, but that's really just the beginning. Cruise lines are increasingly offering diverse itineraries, including expedition cruises to remote parts of the world and introductory cruises to help travelers explore countries and regions they might never otherwise visit.
Madagascar has been the real draw for months of back-to-back cruises on the Dawn for Herd.
“I’ve been trying to go to Madagascar for years. I always wanted to go there way before the movies came out. It’s one of those places that’s really hard to get to,” she said. “When I saw Madagascar on a cruise itinerary, I said to myself, 'I have to do this.' »
Although the Feb. 25 trip had to leave Madagascar for logistical reasons after a delay leaving Mauritius, Herd said she was able to visit the country earlier in her trip and it was a real highlight .
Norwegian Africa itineraries experienced various changes and missed ports throughout the season. Passenger contracts give cruise lines some leeway to change their itineraries at short notice for reasons such as weather or ground conditions that prevent ships from reaching or being safely accommodated at a scheduled port . Such changes may be particularly common in regions prone to political unrest or which lack sophisticated port facilities.
Despite this, Herd said she understands why passengers who miss out would be frustrated, but she encouraged her fellow travelers to keep an eye on the positive. “I understand the disappointment. I was disappointed too, but we still had a good time.
The Feb. 25 cruise still stopped at Réunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean that has an active volcano, as well as ports in South Africa where travelers can observe local wildlife.
Safari from a cruise
Norwegian Dawn stopped at four ports in South Africa, three of which offered safari experiences in the form of shore excursions.
▶ From Richard's Bay, passengers could visit the iSimangasilo Wetland Park, home to elephants, rhinos, hippos, zebras and other classic African big game. The park is about an hour and a half drive from the port, and Norwegian's shore excursion included two game drives, snorkeling, and a braai, or traditional South African barbecue.
Just as cruise itineraries can sometimes be subject to last-minute changes, safaris are at the whim of wild animals. Sightings are not guaranteed, but patience and vigilance are often rewarded.
▶ In Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), Norwegian Dawn passengers were able to visit Addo Elephant National Park, also about an hour and a half drive from the port.
As its name suggests, Addo is home to a huge and docile population of over 600 elephants. These animals often congregate around watering holes accessible from well-traveled safari trails.
Even after heavy rains the night before the excursion, which allowed the elephants to retreat into the bush and temporarily reduce their reliance on overloaded wells, dozens of creatures greeted visitors coming from the ship for two-hour game drives. .
▶ In Mossel Bay, passengers can also access private game reserves, which often have a higher concentration of free-roaming wildlife, but may include animals that are not directly native to the area.
Cape Town and the vineyards
There's more to Africa than safaris, and Cape Town is a particularly good place to experience metropolitan life and other types of outdoor activities on the continent.
South Africa's legislative capital offers excellent hiking, great food culture, beautiful (although slightly chilly) Atlantic beaches, penguins and much more.
For travelers keen to explore beyond the city, South Africa's wine region is close to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and many wineries offer tastings and culinary experiences. A Norwegian excursion took passengers to Blaauwklippen Stellenbosch wine estate, best known for its Zinfandel.
Is an Africa cruise worth it?
From a financial perspective, a cruise around Africa can be a great way to explore. For American travelers, however, flights to and from the ship are often more expensive than the cruise itself.
For example, a 13-day Norwegian itinerary that begins in Cape Town on December 7 and ends in Mauritius on December 20 has prices that start at $899 per person for an interior cabin, but flights can cost well over $1,000 round trip. The current cheapest route from Detroit, for example, is a 42-hour journey on multiple airlines via Montreal and Dubai to Cape Town. The return trip is a little shorter, at 31 hours, also via Dubai and Montreal. This route would cost $1,694 per person in economy class as of March 18, according to Google Flights.
Logistically, however, it can be much easier to book a cruise and rely on the company's shore excursions to broaden your horizons than to coordinate your own safari.
“With several diverse stops within a continental coastal area, our Africa tours offer our guests the opportunity to explore lush rainforests or volcanoes, experience captivating wildlife excursions, experience the rich culture from the South African coast and savor the incredible Cape wine. regions, and much more,” said Brian Gilroy, vice president of revenue management and itinerary planning for Norwegian Cruise Line, in a statement to USA TODAY.
The only thing to keep in mind is that the cruise market in Africa is less mature than that in the Caribbean: in many ports there simply are no comparable facilities to accommodate large ships. That's not to say that cruises can't or don't happen, but that sometimes the operation is a little less smooth than Miami's well-oiled machine.
“Our 11 and 12 day cruises begin and end in Cape Town, South Africa, or Port Louis, Mauritius, and include an overnight stay in one of these magnificent cities, giving our guests the chance to explore fully what these regions offer. . The variety of adventures our guests can experience in these destinations is endless, making it a truly unforgettable cruise experience,” said Gilroy.
Travelers may be more likely to encounter problems while cruising in Africa, but that's all part of traveling to somewhere new and exciting. A missed port or extra day at sea can be the perfect time to take stock, focus on the highlights, enjoy the experience of unlocking a new destination, and perhaps take another sip of the wine your sommelier recommends on board.
Just take a page from Herd the Australian's book. Despite some schedule changes, she said, “I loved everything about it. »
The reporter for this story gained access to this sailing from Norwegian. USA TODAY retains editorial control of content.
Zach Wichter is a travel journalist based in New York. You can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com
