Two luxury cruise liners, MS Norwegian Sky and MS Riviera, recently brought thousands of tourists to the Maldives, highlighting the island nation’s thriving tourism sector. These visits contribute to a record-breaking year, with over 2 million tourists arriving in the Maldives and an 8% increase in air traffic compared to the previous year.
The MS Norwegian Sky, registered in the Bahamas, arrived in Male on Sunday with 1,872 passengers. This marked the second cruise ship to visit the Maldives during the current season. After stopping at two ports in Seychelles, the vessel is set to depart for Phuket, Thailand, on Monday evening.
The MS Riviera, registered in the Marshall Islands, docked in Male on Monday. With a capacity of 2,004 passengers, the ship provided hundreds of tourists the opportunity to explore the capital city. The vessel is scheduled to continue its journey to Sri Lanka on Tuesday after following a similar route through Seychelles before arriving in the Maldives.
These cruise ship arrivals underscore the Maldives’ position as a premier destination for travelers seeking both luxury and adventure.