Seychelles has been voted the best cruise destination in the Indian Ocean for the year 2025 at the World Cruise Awards Gala Ceremony that took place on the 6th of December 2025 in the country of Bahrain.
The coveted award, presented within the universally respected World Cruise Awards program, which is a component of the World Travel Awards, marks the increasing popularity of the tourist destination among cruising travelers worldwide. The award was presented at a red carpet gala ceremony at Exhibition World Bahrain, with key representatives from the worldwide travel industry in attendance.
This award represents the fifth consecutive year that the Seychelles has taken home the award, which further cements the island as the leading cruise holiday location in the Indian Ocean at the 32nd edition of the ceremony.
This is a culmination of efforts by Seychelles to develop its tourism industry, particularly in terms of improving its cruise offerings to tourists. Known for its clear blue waters and rich marine life, Seychelles has managed to retain its appeal to cruise tourists in search of adventure and relaxation.
On the accomplishment, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Seychelles commented that the efforts of all tourism and cruise industry stakeholders have been truly appreciable, as quality service and the provision of Creole hospitality remain important for the country's success as a destination for cruisers.
“We feel truly privileged to be given this award by the World Cruise Awards. The cruise industry is an extremely important segment of our tourism sector, and we are proud to say that the granting of this award is a manifestation of our focus on ensuring that our tourists are able to derive their experiences from our destination in a meaningful way, at the same time protecting the uniqueness that Seychelles is all about,” said the Tourism and Culture Minister, Mrs. Amanda Bernstein.
The Minister also recognized the critical contributions of local tour operators, port authorities, hotel and resort partners, and cultural artisans, all whose efforts collectively create unique experiences that leave an indelible mark on international cruise visitors.
This important award comes in the run-up to Seychelles' advancing the development of its Cruise Ship Strategy, following a comprehensive cruise cost-benefit analysis completed this year, under support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa-UNECA. The Strategy will be based on increased infrastructural capacity and improving port efficiency. A diversification approach in cruise itineraries, together with strategic partnering with cruise operators and other key stakeholders, will ensure that the sector continues to be competitive, inclusive, and sustainable
In 2024, Seychelles welcomed a total of 40,185 cruise ship tourists through a total of 41 port calls. Cruise ships which visited the island nation have passenger capacities of between 184 and 2,700, thus clearly demonstrating the attractiveness of the destination to cater for an increasingly diverse group of cruisers worldwide.
