News Desk
ADDU CITY, Maldives — Addu City has welcomed its first cruise liner of the year, with the MS Island Sky arriving in Hithadhoo carrying 84 tourists and 81 crew members, according to the Maldives Immigration.
All passengers and crew were cleared upon arrival. The vessel, which sailed to the Maldives from the Seychelles, will also make scheduled stops in Uligan and HDh. Makunudhoo, officials said.
Most of the tourists on board were European, with a significant number from the United Kingdom.
The MS Island Sky is the third cruise liner to visit the Maldives this year. The previous two vessels brought a combined 1,056 tourists, reflecting a steady flow of cruise‑based visitors during the early months of the year. Cruise passengers typically disembark for day excursions, bringing economic activity to island communities.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, more than 242,000 tourists have visited the Maldives so far this year — a 4% increase compared with the same period last year. Officials say the rise in arrivals, both by air and sea, signals a strong start to 2026 for the country’s tourism sector.
