The luxury cruise ship Viking Yidun arrived in Malé on Tuesday, becoming the first Chinese cruise ship to visit the Maldives.

The vessel docked off Izzuddin Jetty at around 7:00 a.m. carrying 732 passengers and 486 crew members, according to Maldives Immigration.

Its arrival marks a milestone for the country’s tourism sector as authorities work to expand visitor arrivals through cruise travel and other nontraditional channels.

A special welcome reception was organized at the jetty by Visit Maldives and the Maldives Association of Yacht Agents to mark the occasion.

Passengers were greeted with a Boduberu cultural performance by the Maldives Airports Company Limited Estate Boduberu Team, offering visitors a traditional introduction to Maldivian culture and hospitality.

Visit Maldives said the ship’s arrival forms part of ongoing efforts to position the country as a premier destination for cruise tourism, particularly in high-value international source markets.

The initiative is also intended to broaden arrival channels beyond the Maldives’ traditional tourism segments.

The tourism promotion board said the visit reflects continued efforts to diversify the Maldives’ tourism portfolio and develop cruise tourism as a complementary segment of the country’s wider visitor economy.

According to Visit Maldives, the effort is being carried out in collaboration with the Maldives Association of Yacht Agents, with the broader aim of strengthening the Maldives’ position as a leading destination for yacht and cruise tourism in the Indian Ocean.

The arrival comes as the Maldives continues to post strong tourism numbers this year.

More than 1 million tourists have visited the country so far in 2026, with China remaining the top source market.