THE PORT OF ABIDJAN WELCOMES THE PRESTIGIOUS CRUISE SHIP “SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR”

Activités portuaires Monday 09 February 2026

Now recognized as one of the most modern and high-performing ports in West Africa, the Port of Abidjan continues to strengthen its growing attractiveness on the international cruise market. On Friday, November 14, 2025, it welcomed the luxury cruise ship MV Seven Seas Navigator during a port call, further reinforcing Côte d’Ivoire’s positioning as an emerging tourist destination.

Measuring 206.6 meters in length, 28.8 meters in width, and with a draft of 7.1 meters, this exceptional vessel belongs to Regent Seven Seas Cruises, one of the world’s leading ultra-luxury cruise lines. Renowned for its “all-inclusive” service concept and exceptionally high comfort standards, the company operates an exclusive fleet including the Seven Seas Explorer, Splendor, Voyager, Mariner, and Grandeur. With its 353 spacious suites, the Seven Seas Navigator offers its 459 passengers a premium experience fully aligned with the international reputation of its operator. The stopover in Abidjan thus reflects the growing interest of premium cruise lines in Côte d’Ivoire as a destination.

Enhanced attractiveness driven by the strategic vision of the Head of State

Côte d’Ivoire’s growing appeal to cruise operators is the result of an ambitious modernization policy carried out under the high leadership of the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Alassane Ouattara.

Thanks to substantial investments in port infrastructure—reinforced quays, increased draft, modernized security systems, and improved services—the Port of Abidjan now boasts optimal reception capacity for large cruise ships operating along the African coastline.

This structural transformation, undertaken over more than a decade, has paved the way for a new axis of tourism development, notably through strengthened cooperation between the travel industry, international cruise lines, and the country’s cultural and economic stakeholders.

Port modernization thus emerges as a key lever in promoting Côte d’Ivoire as an attractive, safe and discovery-rich destination.

A living showcase of Ivorian heritage

The stopover of the Seven Seas Navigator in Abidjan enabled passengers to explore some of the country’s cultural and natural treasures, including:

·              Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Plateau;

·              the beaches and historic atmosphere of Grand-Bassam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site;

·              Banco National Park;

·              the Bingerville Botanical Garden, an emblematic natural space of the district.

These cultural and eco-tourism experiences highlight Côte d’Ivoire’s huge potential, with the Port of Abidjan playing a key role in the expansion of tourism by facilitating the regular arrival of international visitors.