Maldives Immigration has processed 1,045 passengers and crew from the first cruise liner to arrive this tourist season, which began in October.
The vessel, which arrived from Port Louis, Mauritius, carried 649 passengers and 396 crew members. Officers from the Seaport Division managed the clearance, marking the first time the Maldives has conducted a Seaport en-route clearance for a vessel arriving from Mauritius.
However, logistical difficulties continue to affect cruise tourism operations in Malé. The Maldives Association of Yacht Agents has previously noted the lack of a dedicated disembarkation point in the capital. Currently, permissions are restricted to Jetty No. 1 and the Fishermen’s Park area, both of which are undergoing renovation.
The association stated that Jetty No. 1 has been closed, while launches from the atolls are using Fishermen’s Park. This has led to significant congestion in the area due to the volume of parked vehicles and increased activity.
