Gang Attacks Cruise Passengers, Port Visit Cancelled
In a frightening incident in Mombasa, Kenya on Sunday, March 31, 2025, a group of 50 youths attacked cruise guests from Crystal Symphony and stole their valuables. This has led to the ship cancelling the port visit and abruptly departing rather than risk any further difficulties.
According to The Standard, the incident happened at the iconic Pembe za Ndovu (Swahili for “elephant tusks”) on Moi Avenue. The monument is four stylized tusks arranged in an “M” and commemorates visits from the British royal family.
While no injuries have been reported, local police and county officials increased their presence in the area to deter any further disruptions.
Furthermore, official also boarded Crystal Symphony to formally apologize for the incident.
“Officers from the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) and the National Police Service (NPS) boarded the ship to apologize for the attack and assure the tourists,” a KTB officer said.
The US Department of State has had a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution advisory listed for Kenya for several years. The advisory was just updated on March 17, 2025, with extra details on safety and security.
The advisory notes that violent crime and incidents such as mugging are frequent, including crimes committed from motorcycles that permit thieves to escape quickly.
“Handbags, mobile phones, and other easy-to-reach valuables are the most stolen items,” the advisory reads.
The advisory also stresses that local police are often unable to respond effectively to various crimes and other emergency services are likewise limited, including in tourist areas.
While Mombasa is not specifically noted as an area of concern in Kenya, all travelers should remain alert to possible problems and take extra steps to stay safe when visiting.
Fortunately for cruise travelers, the visit from Crystal Symphony is the last one scheduled for the 2025 season in Kenya. The next ship to visit Mombasa will be when Crystal Symphony returns in January 2026 for an overnight visit.
Few other cruise lines visit the African destination, but calls are scheduled with Azamara Cruises, Viking Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Mombasa is not a frequent port stop, which makes it all the more desirable for unique and exotic itineraries, the exact type of sailings luxury cruise travelers crave.
Read Also: How Not to Get Harassed in Port During a Cruise
Crystal Symphony is currently sailing a 25-night one-way cruise from Mumbai, India to Cape Town, South Africa. The cruise began on Tuesday, March 18 and will conclude on Saturday, April 12. A total of 1,169 passengers and crew are aboard.
The ship has already successfully – and safely – called on ports in India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and the Seychelles. Still to come are destinations in Tanzania and South Africa, including an overnight in Cape Town at the end of the voyage.
Are Cruise Ports Growing More Dangerous?
It can be alarming for cruise fans to see more and more news stories about violence, muggings, and dangerous accidents in various ports of call.
This does not mean, however, that cruise travel is inherently any more dangerous than any other sort of travel.
While many different destinations are under elevated travel advisories, including such popular ports as Nassau in The Bahamas, cruises remain a very safe way to see the world.
Cruise lines carefully monitor travel advisories and local reports at all the destinations they visit. While it is not common to adjust cruise itineraries for safety reasons, they will not hesitate to do so in order to safeguard their guests, crew members, and port communities.
For example, Royal Caribbean cancelled calls to Labadee, Haiti for several months in 2024 due to escalating violence. Similarly, cruise lines have adjusted calls to New Caledonia several times due to unrest and rioting.
Even at sea ships take measures to ensure guests’ safety from any sort of violence. Cunard Line’s new Queen Anne, for example, recently reduced exterior lighting and closed outdoor decks overnight while sailing through pirate-prone waters in the Philippines during her 111-night maiden world cruise.