Framed by the flat-topped silhouette of Table Mountain and fronted by one of the world's most beautiful natural harbours, Cape Town delivers bucket-list scenery the moment your ship ties up at the V&A Waterfront.
Cape Town ships dock at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal (E-Berth, Duncan Dock), right next to the V&A Waterfront — one of Africa's best harbour precincts with shops, restaurants, and tour desks within a short walk.
Getting Ashore in Cape Town
1
Disembark at the Cruise TerminalThe terminal sits at E-Berth in Duncan Dock, right beside the V&A Waterfront. Walk-off is straightforward; no tenders needed. Taxis, Uber, and tour buses line up directly outside.
2
Getting aroundUber is cheap, safe, and reliable — the easiest way to reach Table Mountain, the City Bowl, or Camps Bay. Official metered taxis are also available at the terminal. The MyCiti bus network reaches Green Point and Sea Point.
3
Book Table Mountain & Robben Island earlyTable Mountain cable car and Robben Island ferries sell out fast, especially in summer. Pre-book online before your port day; both depart from near the Waterfront.
💡 Pro move: Cape Town is a large, spread-out city. Allow 20-30 minutes Uber time to reach outlying areas like Hout Bay or Boulders Beach.
Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line
All cruise ships dock at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal (E-Berth, Duncan Dock) in the Port of Cape Town, directly adjacent to the V&A Waterfront — no tender required.
Cape Town packs world-class nature, history, and food into one port call — the challenge is choosing between Table Mountain, penguins, wine, and a sobering trip to Robben Island.
Iconic
Table Mountain Cable Car
Ride the revolving cable car to the 1,086 m summit for sweeping views over the Cape Peninsula, harbour, and Robben Island. Allow 2-3 hours including queuing.
Board the ferry from the V&A Waterfront for a guided tour of the island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. Tours are led by former political prisoners.
Drive 45 minutes to Simon's Town to walk among a colony of African penguins on a sheltered beach. One of the most accessible penguin encounters in the world.
Journey to the dramatic tip of the Cape Peninsula — sheer cliffs, wild ocean, and the famous Cape Point lighthouse. Often combined with Boulders Beach and Chapman's Peak.
Head 40 minutes inland to the Cape Winelands for estate tastings, award-winning restaurants, and mountain scenery. Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are the main hubs.
Hike the well-marked Platteklip Gorge trail to the summit (2-2.5 hrs up), then cable car down. A classic Cape Town bucket-list experience for fit walkers.
The V&A Waterfront and Green Point areas are safe, walkable, and packed with things to see — a great way to enjoy Cape Town close to the ship.
V&A Waterfront & Clock Tower Stroll
1-2 hrs · Easy · Free
Explore the working harbour directly from the terminal. Walk past the Clock Tower precinct, the Two Oceans Aquarium, Nobel Square (statues of South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize winners), and the vibrant food market halls.
Uber or walk to Green Point and follow the paved Sea Point Promenade along the Atlantic Ocean. Pass Green Point Park, public tidal pools, and busy beach cafes. Return by Uber.
Climate normals for Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
Month
Avg High
Avg Low
Rainy Days
Sunrise
Sunset
Jan
78°F / 26°C
64°F / 18°C
4
5:51 AM
7:59 PM
Feb
78°F / 26°C
64°F / 18°C
2
6:21 AM
7:38 PM
Mar
75°F / 24°C
61°F / 16°C
4
6:45 AM
7:03 PM
Apr
72°F / 22°C
58°F / 14°C
5
7:09 AM
6:22 PM
May
67°F / 19°C
54°F / 12°C
8
7:31 AM
5:53 PM
Jun
63°F / 17°C
51°F / 11°C
12
7:49 AM
5:43 PM
Jul
62°F / 17°C
49°F / 9°C
9
7:49 AM
5:55 PM
Aug
62°F / 17°C
50°F / 10°C
10
7:25 AM
6:16 PM
Sep
64°F / 18°C
52°F / 11°C
8
6:45 AM
6:37 PM
Oct
70°F / 21°C
56°F / 13°C
6
6:04 AM
6:59 PM
Nov
72°F / 22°C
58°F / 14°C
5
5:34 AM
7:27 PM
Dec
75°F / 24°C
61°F / 16°C
4
5:29 AM
7:53 PM
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Insider Tips
🎫
Pre-book Table Mountain & Robben Island. Both sell out, especially Dec–Feb (Southern Hemisphere summer). Book online before your cruise departs.
🌬️
Expect Cape Town wind. The infamous 'Cape Doctor' south-easter can close the Table Mountain cable car on short notice. Have a backup plan (hike, Robben Island, winelands).
🚗
Use Uber. It's safe, cheap, and far easier than negotiating with metered taxis. Download the app before arrival and keep roaming data on.
💱
Currency. South African Rand (ZAR). Cards accepted nearly everywhere in tourist areas; ATMs at the Waterfront. USD/EUR not widely accepted directly.
🌅
Camps Bay beach. If you have a free hour and good weather, Uber to Camps Bay — a glamorous Atlantic beach backed by the Twelve Apostles mountains, just 15 minutes from the Waterfront.
🔒
Stay aware outside the Waterfront. The V&A Waterfront and popular tourist areas are safe; stay in well-trafficked zones, avoid quiet streets at night, and don't flash expensive gear.
Getting Around
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
🚗 Ride-share: ✅ Uber, BoltBoth Uber and Bolt operate widely in Cape Town. App-based pickup works well from the cruise terminal area.
🚍 City Sightseeing Cape Town
1-day classic pass ~$21; 2-day premium ~$31 (includes harbour/canal cruise). Red bus stop at V&A Waterfront, a short walk from terminal.
🚕 Metered Taxi
R80–R200 (~$4–$11)
Metered taxis available at the cruise terminal. Short 15-minute ride to the city center or V&A Waterfront. Agree on fare or insist on the meter before departing.
📱 Uber / Bolt
R60–R150 (~$3–$8)
Both Uber and Bolt are active in Cape Town and typically cheaper than street taxis. Good app coverage near the terminal.
🚶 On Foot
Free
The V&A Waterfront — with shops, restaurants, and harbour cruises — is a 10–15 minute walk from the cruise terminal. City Bowl is slightly farther.
🚌 MyCiTi Bus
R10–R25 (~$0.55–$1.40)
Cape Town's BRT bus network covers key routes including the Waterfront and city center. Requires a myconnect card; tourist day passes available at kiosks.
Cruises Calling Here
Upcoming cruises that call at Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Mein Schiff 6
TUI Cruises
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria → Cape Town
⚓ Calls 13 Nov 07:00 dep 07:00 202620 nights8 portsDeparts 2026-10-25
View itinerary · 8 ports
20 days, one-way from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Cape Town
25 Oct 22:30Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
27 Oct 07:00 - 22:00Agadir, Morocco
29 Oct 08:00 - 19:00Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
01 Nov 07:00 - 20:00Mindelo, Sao Vicente Island Cape Verde
02 Nov 07:00 - 18:30Praia, Santiago Island Cape Verde
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
