MSC Magnifica, a cruise liner carrying nearly 3,000 passengers has completed the longest sea voyage to be processed by Maldives Immigration to date.
The vessel arrived in the Maldives on Thursday after departing from Fremantle, Australia, on 27 March. The voyage across the Pacific Ocean and into the Indian Ocean marks the longest seaport clearance undertaken by Maldives Immigration, with the authority clearing 2,818 tourists arriving on the ship. This includes 1,866 passengers and 952 crew members.
The Maldives continues to be a popular destination for cruise liners, with several vessels arriving in the Maldives each year. MSC Magnifica is the eighth cruise liner to arrive in the Maldives this year.
The increasing number of cruise liners visiting the Maldives has significantly contributed to boosting overall tourist arrivals. Over 600,000 tourists have visited the Maldives thrust far this year, with the government targeting 2.3 million tourist arrivals by year-end.
To accommodate the rise in cruise tourism, the government is developing dedicated cruise liners jetties in three locations across the Maldives. These efforts are currently underway.