Cruise holidays have a reputation for being pricey, but sailing out of South Africa tells a different story. Departures from Durban's Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal start at just R5 458 per person — and that covers accommodation, meals and port stops in one fare. For retirees watching a fixed budget, that bundled pricing is exactly why cruising has become such a popular way to travel.

The budget picks all leave from Durban. A four-night cruise to Mozambique is the cheapest at R5 458, followed by a two-night round trip out to sea from R5 534 and a three-night one-way sailing to Cape Town from R5 889. Spend a bit more — R8 068 — and the four-night Mozambique itinerary adds a second port, calling at both Pomene and Portuguese Island.

Cape Town has fewer options but still some decent ones. MSC's cheapest departure there is a three-night one-way cruise to Durban at R6 401. If you want international waters, the pick is a five-night round trip to Walvis Bay in Namibia, with two full days in port, from R12 235 per person.

For travellers with more money and time, the big one is MSC's Grand Voyage: a 26-day one-way sailing leaving Durban on 1 April 2027 and heading for Italy, with stops in Reunion, Madagascar, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Jordan, Egypt and Greece. It starts at R37 441 per person — a lot, but it's essentially a African-to-Mediterranean odyssey for less than many fly-in tours.

A few money tactics make a real difference. Last-minute deals can knock up to 30% off if you book a month out. Timing matters too: the same four-night Pomene round trip costs R5 548 in November but R7 668 in December, so shifting your dates by a few weeks can save thousands. First-timers are better off skipping big packages and booking a short, cheap sailing to see whether the style suits them — drink packages only really pay off if they include bottled water.

It's also worth scrutinising the itinerary before you commit. If a ship docks for many hours somewhere you actually want to see, you can venture well beyond the port. And note the ships themselves: MSC runs two vessels in South African waters, the Armonia and Sinfonia, each carrying roughly 976 to 990 passengers. They're similar in size but laid out differently, so it pays to compare before booking.

Whether you're newly retired or just after a low-stress break, these sailings offer a rare thing in travel right now: a single price that covers your room, your food and your destinations. The source is The South African Travel.