Small Ship Cruise News: NOW HEAR THIS! New Airport Delayed; Lifelink Ship Sails On!

St Helena’s life again extended! * Photo: Bruce Heard

The world’s last true Royal Mail Service by sea, from Cape Town to the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena, was due to be withdrawn in July 2016 following completion of the island’s first airport. However, due to severe wind shear problems at the brand-new runway, the planned weekly commercial air service from Johannesburg to St. Helena has been delayed, and at present no official starting date has been announced. In the meantime, one-off flights are occasionally landing at the island.

So if you have an interest in sailing to one of the most remote places on earth, then have a look at our St. Helena Line Ship & Line Review as there are details of the now even further extended schedule through to February 2018. The 156-passenger and cargo ship RMS St. Helena leaves Cape Town for a five-day sail to St. Helena where passengers disembark for an six-day stay on the island while the ship unloads its cargo, continues to Ascension Island some 800 miles away, picks up passengers and cargo and returns to St. Helena for the return southbound voyage to Cape Town. The complete round voyage takes 16 days.

The ship is a delightful throwback to the traditional way many people once traveled and the rugged, remote island destination is utterly beautiful and unspoiled.

Submit a comment or question below, and having made this trip, I shall endeavor to provide an answer.

— TWS