Passenger liner MS Luminara arrives with 159 tourists from Seychelles

The passenger liner MS Luminara arrived in the Maldives on Thursday from Mahe', Seychelles, carrying 159 tourists and 372 crew members.  

According to Maldives Customs Service, inward clearance was granted to the vessel upon arrival, marking another entry in the growing season of cruise and passenger liners.  

The cruise season officially began on December 3 with the arrival of MS Azamara Pursuit, which carried 649 passengers and 396 crew members.  

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.  

Currently, permission is limited to Jetty No. 1 and the Fishermen’s Park area, both of which have been undergoing renovation. MAYA’s Nasheed said Jetty No. 1 has been closed, and launches from the atolls are now docking at Fishermen’s Park, leading to heavy traffic and congestion due to parked vehicles.  

The congestion is expected to ease following the Monday reopening of the presidential jetty area after redevelopment.