Day 27 - Cape Town Farewells, Cheetahs, Olive Groves & A Shift in Energy


Today was disembarkation day for many travellers, and the ship felt completely different. There was an unmistakable air of change — new suitcases lining the corridors, familiar faces saying their goodbyes, and a quieter-than-usual atmosphere floating through the lounges and dining areas. With so many having breakfast in their rooms, the usual breakfast spaces felt almost peaceful this morning.

Because disembarkation starts early and luggage is collected the night before, the whole ship works on a different timeline. We found ourselves joining a rather long queue to disembark for our tour, which meant we were a little later getting onto the bus. As a result, instead of Joe’s preferred front-row seats, we ended up toward the back — not ideal for him, but at least we made it.

Our guide for the day was excellent — warm, knowledgeable, and full of interesting facts about the landmarks, history, and wildlife we passed along our route.

Cheetah Outreach – A Beautiful Encounter



Our first stop was the Cheetah Outreach, and what an extraordinary experience it was. We even had the chance to stroke a sleeping cheetah cub, his fur soft and warm beneath our hands. It was a moment neither of us will ever forget — peaceful, humbling, and deeply moving.

We learned about the vital conservation work being done to protect cheetahs, whose numbers continue to decline. The organisation only works with males, and we heard all about their innovative livestock guarding dog programme, where they breed Anatolian Shepherds to live with farmers and protect livestock — a humane solution that helps reduce the killings of cheetahs and other predators.



The most beautiful part was learning that the cub we met lives happily with his own Anatolian Shepherd buddy, forming a bonded pair that coexist in harmony. Such wonderful teamwork from nature and nurture.

Morgenster Estate – Wine & Olive Oil Delights

Our next stop was the Morgenster Estate, a serene and elegant property where we enjoyed tasting a selection of their wines and olive oils. The quality was exceptional, and we couldn’t resist buying some olive oils and olives to bring back home — a little taste of South Africa to savour later.

An Afternoon at the V&A Waterfront

Once back at the ship, we did a quick change and dropped our shopping before heading out again, this time to the bustling V&A Waterfront. We didn’t have as much time as we would’ve liked to explore the whole area — it’s vast and full of life — but Joe managed to find several of his favourite shops.



He treated himself to a bit more shopping… and even invested in another suitcase, as his purchases now need their own accommodation! A very Joe solution indeed.

We returned to the ship just in time for all aboard, before sailing onward toward Mossel Bay.

Evening Onboard

Joe headed straight to make all his beauty treatment and PT bookings for the next segment of the cruise, and then on to Compass Rose for dinner.

I, however, began to feel slightly under the weather, so I stayed in the room to rest in hopes of feeling stronger for tomorrow’s adventure in Mossel Bay.

As we settled in for the night, the ship began to move quite significantly, the waves growing stronger as we continued along the coast.

Tomorrow brings a new port, new scenery, and another day of discovery — fingers crossed my rest this evening does the trick.

Daily Reflection:

Change is part of the rhythm of travel. Today reminded me that every ending opens the door to another beginning — new people, new stories, and new memories waiting to be made.

Highlight of the Day:
✨ Stroking a sleeping cheetah cub at Cheetah Outreach — a rare, gentle, heart-expanding moment of connection with one of nature’s most beautiful creatures.

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