3-night Africa cruise: Durban to Cape Town on MSC Armonia
The 3 nights Repositioning from Durban is a 3-night Africa cruise aboard MSC Armonia, operated by MSC Cruises. Departing Durban on March 8, 2027 and arriving in Cape Town on March 11, 2027, the voyage visits 2 ports. Fares start from $360 per person.
Fixed editorial images from the places on this itinerary. They stay stable each time you return to this sailing.
Durban
When you alight from your MSC cruise in Durban – South Africa’s third-largest city and the continent’s largest port – you will be captured by its tropical colours and holidaying people.
A shore excursion on your MSC South Africa cruise can be the opportunity to discover Durban’s second-largest ethnic group, its Indian population, whose mosques, bazaars and temples are juxtaposed with the Victorian buildings of the colonial centre.
The pulsing warren of bazaars, alleyways and mosques that makes up the Indian area around Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street is ripe for exploration, and there are some excellent restaurants around Durban’s photogenic harbour area. Durban’s city centre grew around the arrival point of the first white settlers, and the remains of the historical heart are concentrated around Francis Farewell Square.
Durban’s expansive beachfront on the eastern edge of the centre has one of the city’s busiest concentrations of restaurants, a surfeit of tacky family entertainment. Durban’s beachfront, a high-energy holiday strip just east of the centre, is South Africa’s most developed seaside. MSC South Africa cruises also offer excursions to the 6km-stretch of the beach from the Umgeni River in the north to the Point in the south, traditionally called the Golden Mile.
The big draw of Addington Beach – and the only really worthwhile attraction along the beachfront – is instead uShaka Marine World. This impressive water adventure wonderland is a tropical African theme park, complete with palm trees, fake rock formations and thatched bomas. The most appealing section is uShaka Sea World, designed in and around a superb mock-up of a wrecked 1920s cargo ship. The complex also includes a dolphin stadium and a seal pool, where daily shows (three a day) feature these creatures, as well as uShaka Wet ’n Wild, a series of pools and water slides, including The Drop Zone, the highest water slide in Africa.
Cape Town
Sprawling across endless, staggeringly blue coastline, and watched over by the iconic plane of Table Mountain, Cape Town is without doubt one of the world’s most beautiful cities. A blend of spectacular mountain scenery, multiculturalism and relaxed ocean charm awaits in the Mother City, where you can venture out to rolling vineyards, dine in laid back sea suburbs, or spend days exploring cool urban culture. Cape Town’s natural splendour fully reveals itself as the cable car rears sharply to the top of Table Mountain.
From the summit, 3,500 feet above sea level, you can let the scale of the panoramic vistas of the city rolling down towards the ocean wash over you. Another heavenly perspective waits at the top of Lion's Head’s tapering peak. A sharp hike and an early start is required, but the views of the morning sun painting Table Mountain honey-gold are some of Cape Town’s finest. Cape Town’s glorious sunshine and inviting blue rollers can be a little deceiving - these oceans are anything but warm at times, with nothing between the peninsula’s end and Antarctica’s icy chill. This cool water has upsides though, bringing a colony of adorably cute African penguins to Boulders Beach. Boarded walkways offer the perfect vantage point to see the cute creatures dipping into the sea and lounging in the sun. Nearby, journey to the end of Africa at the Cape of Good Hope, where you can stand at the bottom of this mighty continent, watching out over the merging waves of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Cape Town’s beauty is counterpointed by the ominous island form, which sits four miles offshore from the bustling restaurants and lazy seals of the lively V&A Waterfront. A living history lesson, you can sail in the ships that transported prisoners out to Robben Island, before a former prisoner tells of the traumas of life on this offshore prison. Your guide will show you the cramped cells, and render Mandela’s long walk to freedom in heartbreaking, visceral clarity.
Prices come from third-party data feeds via MSC Cruises and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works
Lowest fares with no residency, age, or service requirement — verify eligibility at booking. How our pricing works
Not ready to book?
Get price alerts
We’ll email you when fares drop or return.
Check your email to finish
We sent a confirmation link to your inbox. Your alert is not on yet — click that link to switch it on.
Follow the entire sailing from its first day to its last, with the route and schedule in one view.
Day 1·Mar 8, 2027
Durban
When you alight from your MSC cruise in Durban – South Africa’s third-largest city and the continent’s largest port – you will be captured by its tropical colours and holidaying…
As her name implies, MSC Armonia is a sociable ship with a real fun loving atmostphere. She’s been carefully designed to put passengers first and, make no mistake, she was built for good times! And, best of all, these good times take place against some spectacular backdrops. MSC Armonia operates some of the most interesting and fun loving itineraries of any ship in our fleet. Whether you’re cruising the clement Canary Islands in the winter months, or slipping serenely out of Venice into the Adriatic heading for the best of the Eastern Med’ in the summer, you’re always bound for enjoyment.
MSC Armonia is a great ship to enjoy the company of friends and family whilst enjoying the sunshine at the external spa and swimming pool complex. And, should you find yourself over doing the fine Italian and international cuisine on offer, then you can always make redress at the gym, the Armonia Spa or why not simply dance the night away in the Starlight Disco?
Aside from being thoroughly convivial, MSC Armonia is also a most comfortable ship. She offers a selection of spacious suites with private balconies and splendid views. But, the usual caveat applies: once you’ve cruised in a balcony cabin aboard MSC Armonia you’ll want to keep doing so again and again!
British cruisers especially appreciate the White Lion pub where friendly service and an easy-going charm will quickly turn everyone into a ‘local’. Later on, as you leave the setting sun and another port of call in your wake it’s time to explore the many bars, lounges and, perhaps, a special evening at the Teatro La Fenice?
Whatever you do and wherever you go aboard MSC Armonia, a happy and harmonious cruise comes as standard!
We count visits anonymously without cookies. Accept cookies to let us remember you across visits and connect activity if you create an account, or decline and we'll still count you anonymously. Read our privacy policy
ESC
The Captain
I'm the Captain. Tell me what you're after — "Caribbean under $2,000" or "7 nights from Miami" — and I'll find the sailing and its price history.