Maldives Immigration has cleared a total of 1,045 passengers and crew members from the first cruise liner to arrive this tourist season, which began in October.
According to Immigration, the vessel carried 649 passengers and 396 crew members, and was successfully processed by officers from the Seaport Division.
The cruise liner arrived in the Maldives from Port Louis, Mauritius, marking the first Seaport en-route clearance from Mauritius, Immigration said.
However, logistical challenges remain for cruise tourism in Male’. The Maldives Association of Yacht Agents (MAYA) noted in October that there is no proper location in Male’ city to disembark cruise tourists.
Permission is currently limited to Jetty No. 1 and the Fishermen’s Park area, but both locations are undergoing renovation.
MAYA’s Nasheed said Jetty No. 1 has been closed, and launches from the atolls are now docking at Fishermen’s Park, which has led to heavy traffic and congestion due to parked vehicles.