Two  cruise ships have arrived in Malé City, bringing 3,054 tourists to the Maldivian capital during the peak tourism season.

The MS Norwegian Sky, which docked on Sunday, 29 December 2024, brought 1,872 visitors to the island nation. The following day, MS Riviera arrived from Seychelles carrying an additional 1,182 passengers.

Both vessels are scheduled for two-day stopovers before continuing their journeys, with MS Norwegian Sky heading to Thailand and MS Riviera sailing to neighbouring Sri Lanka.

These arrivals follow the season's first cruise ship, MS Aida Stella, which anchored in Malé on 27 December 2024, carrying 2,140 passengers and 639 crew members. During their two-day visit, passengers explored local islands and toured the capital city.

In a separate development, the square-rigged clipper SY Stad Amsterdam made a port call at Haa Alif Uligam in the northern atoll. The vessel's 17 crew members utilised the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Gate services provided by Maldives Ports Limited (MPL).

According to the Maldives Association for Yacht Agents (MAYA), three cruise ships have visited the archipelago since the start of the high season. The association confirms one more vessel is expected in January, with an additional 12 cruise ships scheduled to arrive before the season concludes.

This surge in cruise arrivals demonstrates the Maldives' expanding maritime tourism sector, with each vessel bringing hundreds of visitors to experience the island nation's offerings during their brief stays.