End of an era: Last chance to sail on the RMS St Helena

After 27 years in service the Royal Mail Ship St Helena, one of only four passenger ships in the world to carry the RMS prefix, will cease operations in February. 

The cargo-cruising route, for years the only means of reaching the remote Atlantic island, has been usurped by a new airport and the subsequent launch of scheduled passenger flights. 

Starting on October 14, 2017 these will be operated by SA Airlink.

The RMS St Helena currently operates out of Cape Town, calling at both St Helena and Ascension Island. A buyer is now being sought for the ship, which was built in the UK in 1990 specifically for the St Helena route. It stopped sailing from British shores in 2011. 

The island’s director of tourism, Christopher Pickard, said not everyone has two weeks to travel to and from the island by ship. “Scheduled air services are what is needed to build a sustainable tourism industry on St Helena. The Airlink connects the major hubs of Cape Town and Johannesburg to St Helena in hours, rather than days. 

At a glance | The four ships with the RMS prefix

“We hope that many of the people who visit South Africa will consider adding St Helena to their trip.”

There are only four more departures on the RMS St Helena. The ship will make a farewell call to Tristan da Cunha before embarking on a final voyage to both St Helena and Ascension Island. 

Departing Cape Town on January 24, 2018 the ship will arrive in St Helena on February 18. Fares start from ￡429, rising to ￡2,069 for superior accommodation. 

From the Archives | Life on board RMS St Helena

Chairman of St Helena Line Ltd (SHL) Matt Young said that the RMS’s combined passenger accommodation (she carries 156 passengers in 56 cabins) and cargo design makes her “well suited to a number of different trading options.”

“We are confident that she can continue to play an important role elsewhere in the world,” he said.

A return ticket from St Helena to Cape Town will cost from ￡846 including tax.

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