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AIDA Cruises Returns to South Africa for 2027/28 with Expanded Itineraries and Early Booking Perks AIDA Cruises Returns to South Africa for 2027/28 with Expanded Itineraries and Early Booking Perks

AIDA Cruises has unveiled its ambitious 2027/28 winter programme, featuring over 300 cruises to a diverse array of destinations, including a much-anticipated return to South Africa after several years’ absence. The German cruise line’s latest deployment will see ten ships operating itineraries ranging from seven to 48 days, with highlights spanning the Indian Ocean, Canary Islands, Caribbean, South America, and Northern Europe [[1]](https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/aida-cruises-exclusive-2027-28-winter-cruises-to-the-caribbean-south-africa-and-europe/).

One of the standout announcements for Africa’s travel sector is the redeployment of AIDAblu to South African waters, offering an extended programme that blends the best of the continent’s coastline with the allure of Indian Ocean islands. Between November 2027 and March 2028, AIDAblu will homeport in Cape Town, operating a series of 14-night roundtrip cruises that call at East London, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Walvis Bay in Namibia. Select sailings will extend to Reunion, Mauritius, and Madagascar, creating unique opportunities for guests to experience both African and tropical island destinations in a single voyage.

For the 2027/28 season, AIDAblu’s schedule includes:

  • 14-night “South Africa & Namibia” cruises: Cape Town → East London → Durban → Port Elizabeth → Walvis Bay → Cape Town
  • 28-night “Southern Africa with La Réunion & Mauritius”: Cape Town → East London → Durban → Port Elizabeth → Walvis Bay → Cape Town → Port Louis (Mauritius)
  • 28-night “South Africa, Seychelles, Mauritius & Madagascar”: Cape Town → Port Elizabeth → East London → Durban → Maputo → Saint-Denis (La Réunion) → Port Louis (Mauritius) → La Digue (Seychelles)
  • 27-night “Southern Africa with La Réunion from Mauritius”: Port Louis (Mauritius) → Saint-Denis (La Réunion) → Maputo → Durban → East London → Port Elizabeth → Cape Town → return to Mauritius
  • 14-night “South Africa & Namibia”: Cape Town → Port Elizabeth → East London → Lüderitz → Walvis Bay → Cape Town

In early 2028, AIDAblu will also operate a series of Indian Ocean itineraries from Port Louis, Mauritius, with calls at the Seychelles, Madagascar, and La Réunion before repositioning for the European summer season. This expanded deployment offers African travel professionals a wealth of new product options for clients seeking immersive, multi-country cruise experiences that combine wildlife, culture, and idyllic beaches.

Elsewhere in the fleet, AIDAbella, AIDAluna, and AIDAprima will serve the Caribbean and Central America, offering 14- to 21-night island-hopping voyages from La Romana (Dominican Republic) and Bridgetown (Barbados). AIDAmar will operate out of Hamburg, including a 48-day voyage to Brazil and South America, as well as a 21-day cruise to the Azores and Morocco. AIDAnova will sail from Hamburg to Scandinavia, Denmark, and Western Europe, while AIDAsol, AIDAstella, and AIDAcosma will be based in the Canary Islands and Madeira.

For the 2027/28 season, AIDA Cruises is offering early booking discounts of up to €975 per person for guests who reserve their cruises before April 30, 2027. Additional perks include free cabin selection, a Rail& Fly ticket for train travel within Germany, and two bottles of mineral water daily onboard—valuable incentives for African travel professionals looking to secure the best value for their clients.

Notably absent from the new deployment is the Middle East. AIDA Cruises has suspended operations in the region, following the cancellation of its 2025/26 Arabian Gulf cruises due to ongoing security concerns. The company has made no mention of resuming Middle East itineraries for 2027/28, signalling a strategic focus on strengthening established markets in Europe, Africa, and the Indian Ocean for the foreseeable future.

AIDA’s return to South Africa is particularly significant, as the line has not homeported in the region for several years. Since launching its Middle East programme in 2006/07, AIDA has rotated several vessels through the Arabian Gulf, but the current shift underscores a renewed commitment to African and Indian Ocean destinations—offering new opportunities for regional tourism growth and cross-continental cruise itineraries.

For Africa’s travel sector, AIDA Cruises’ expanded winter programme represents a valuable opportunity to tap into the growing demand for long-haul, multi-destination cruise holidays. With Cape Town once again serving as a key embarkation port, and with itineraries that blend the best of southern Africa and the Indian Ocean, the 2027/28 season is set to deliver fresh momentum for cruise tourism across the continent.