MS Empress Arrives in Maldives with 1,473 Tourists on Maiden Voyage

The MS Empress, famously known as the 'Empress of the Seas,' made its first-ever call to the Maldives on October 27, 2026, arriving with 1,473 passengers and 613 crew members. The Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) welcomed the cruise ship with a warm reception and a commemorative plaque to mark the historic maiden voyage. The plaque was presented by MPL CEO Captain Hussain Shafeeq. The 689-foot-long vessel, capable of carrying between 1,600 and 1,910 passengers along with 671 crew, is owned by an Indian cruise line and was originally built and launched between 1989 and 1990 by a French company. Onboard amenities include restaurants, a buffet, swimming pools, a gym, and a movie theater.