Tourism Association Says Cruise Passenger Attack is Overblown
Following the shocking news that a group of gangs attacked cruise passengers during a cruise call in Mombasa, Kenya, officials have issued an angry press statement.
On April 3, 2025, the Kenya Coast Tourism Association (KCTA), Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers (KAHC), and the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) held a joint press conference.
Together, they denounced widely circulated coverage, saying it was “sensationalized” by media.
While news reports said 50 youths in gangs had attacked and robbed cruise passengers who had been sailing with Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony, the officials said the information was overblown.
Instead of numerous thefts from a large group of gangs, the group said it was two “street boys” who stole one passenger’s cell phone.
Victor Shitakha, chairman of KCTA, said the news reports damage Kenya’s reputation and can have negative effects on the nation’s tourism. He noted that tourism contributes to 10 percent of Kenya’s gross domestic product.
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Mombasa County Commissioner Mohamed Noor said arrests have been made and that police are in the process of finding other suspects.
“Security measures are being strengthened across the Kenyan coast to ensure the safety of both visitors and residents,” he said.
He also reassured future cruise passengers that Mombasa is safe to visit.
“Let me reassure all our visitors to all our tourism attractions along the Kenyan coast of their safety,” he added.
The Aftermath
The incident, which sparked outrage from both media and Kenyan authorities, occurred at Mombasa’s Pembe za Ndovu, which means “elephant tusks” in Swahili.
The popular monument found on Moi Avenue features four elephant tusks arranged in the letter “M” and commemorates the British royal family’s past visits.
While The Standard reported there were 50 young adults and kids who were stealing from the 51,044-gross-ton vessel’s passengers, police said there were no injuries. Local police also increased their presence in the port city.
Crystal Cruises also released a statement:
“During Crystal Symphony’s call in Mombasa earlier this week, there was an incident in which one of our guest entertainers was robbed of his cell phone by a small group of local youths. We worked with local authorities and can confirm we did not cancel our stay in Mombasa as previously reported.“
Representatives from the Kenya Tourism Board, the National Police Service, and Crystal Cruises all issued a formal apology to the passengers who were onboard the 1,169-guest vessel.
The ship was visiting during a call on its 25-night “Africa & Indian Ocean” voyage from Mumbai, India, to Cape Town, South Africa.
The ship, which departed on March 18, 2025, was visiting Mombasa after earlier stops in Goa, India; Colombo, Sri Lanka; and the Maldives and the Seychelles.
Following the incident, the shaken cruisers continued to Zanzibar in Tanzania without incident.
It will continue to South Africa on April 6, where it will begin visiting numerous ports, including Richards Bay, Port Elizabeth, and Mossel Bay, before ending in Cape Town on April 11, 2025.
Despite Kenya’s stern response, which claimed the country was safe for visitors, the US Department of State increased its travel advisory following the reports.
The advisory, set at a Level 2, which means “exercise increased caution,” highlights frequent muggings, including those from thieves on motorcycles who had made a quick escape.
The advisory states, “Handbags, mobile phones, and other easy-to-reach valuables are the most stolen items.”
However, pickpockets and small thefts like these are common worldwide in high-trafficked areas, including in the United States and Europe, and are not a fault of the African nation.
Kenya regularly welcomes cruises from lines such as Viking Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and others.
Tourism Association Says Cruise Passenger Attack is Overblown