The luxury cruise ship Oceania Vista made its maiden call at the Port of Banjul on Tuesday, 2nd June, 2026, arriving with 663 tourists on board as part of its international voyage from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Owned by Oceania Cruises, a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and registered in Miami, United States, the vessel’s arrival marks another milestone in The Gambia’s efforts to expand its cruise tourism market.
The ship was warmly welcomed by the Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) in partnership with West African Tours. Guests on board received a traditional Gambian welcome featuring performances by kora and balafon musicians at the seaport.
As part of the reception, officials of the Gambia Tourism Board, led by Director General Ida Jeng Njie, were taken on a guided tour of the vessel. During the visit, GTBoard presented a symbolic “Smiling Coast” gift to the ship’s management, while the captain of the Oceania Vista presented a commemorative plaque to the tourism authority.
Speaking to journalists after the tour, Ms. Jeng Njie described the arrival of the cruise ship as a significant boost for the country’s tourism sector.
“This vessel started its journey in Miami and has made stops in several destinations, including South Africa, Cape Verde, Abidjan, and The Gambia before continuing to Europe,” she said. “It is important that The Gambia secures its share of this growing cruise tourism market.”
She noted that the number of cruise vessels visiting The Gambia has increased significantly in recent years and that the Tourism Board has developed a strategy aimed at attracting even more cruise ships to the destination.
According to her, feedback from passengers and crew members has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the warmth and hospitality of the Gambian people.
“I spoke to some of the crew and passengers, and they said Gambians are among the friendliest people they have met during their journey. Our hospitality remains one of our greatest strengths,” she said.
The Director General emphasized that the benefits of cruise tourism extend beyond the tourism sector.
“When passengers come ashore, they buy locally made products, use tour services, and visit various attractions. This creates income opportunities for craft vendors, tour operators, and communities across the country. It is truly a win-win situation for everyone,” she added.
She further described The Gambia as a “value-for-money destination,” noting that the country’s affordability, friendly people, and tourism potential continue to attract growing interest from international visitors.
DG Jeng Njie revealed that the country will exceed its projected number of cruise ship arrivals for the current season and expects additional vessels before the season ends.
“We are working closely with stakeholders to ensure that more cruise ships choose The Gambia as a destination. Our goal is to build on this success and attract even more vessels in the coming seasons,” she said.
Commenting on the exchange of gifts between the ship and the tourism authority, she explained that the plaque presented by the captain symbolizes the vessel’s visit to The Gambia, while the gift presented by GTBoard reflected the country’s identity as the “Smiling Coast of Africa.”
“Our gift represents the smile that defines Gambian hospitality and showcases who we are as a people,” she said.
The arrival of the Oceania Vista underscores The Gambia’s growing appeal as a cruise tourism destination and highlights ongoing efforts to diversify the country’s tourism offerings and increase visitor arrivals.
By Lamin Njie
Communications Officer
Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture
