Forget crowded resorts and generic beach vacations. In 2024, let your wanderlust guide you to where turquoise waters meet pearl-white sands, a place where luxury takes on a new meaning. Welcome to the Maldives, the crown jewel of the Indian Ocean, and the perfect setting for your next luxury cruise.
Why a Maldives Cruise?
We all see that picture of The Maldives in our head: luxurious bungalows floating over dazzling turquoise waters. Most people have no idea, though, that the Maldives are comprised of over 1200 different islands and atolls spread across 90,000 square miles (233,100 sq km) of the Indian Ocean, making it the world’s most dispersed country.
A Maldives cruise then, is simply the best way to move across the archipelago with the comfort of only having to unpack once while covering a variety of complimentary destinations across the Indian Ocean.
Cruises sailing to the Maldives in 2024 cover not just this fantastic location, but can also include destinations such as the Seychelles, Mumbai, and plenty of other jewels across the Indian Ocean. Looking in more detail, you will discover the Maldives as a spot to step off board during extensive luxury world cruises from Seabourn, Regent, and Silversea.
Choosing a luxury cruise to the Maldives also guarantees reaching the best spots, and living the most unique experiences. With a luxury, private balcony suite safely waiting for you at the port, you can explore with the utmost comfort.Â
Step down from Silversea Cruises’ luxurious Silver Spirit in the capital city of Male, for example, to go on a diving safari, or take a speedboat down to Adaaran Vadoo for a beach escape, as these are all shore excursions included on their 2025 itineraries passing through the Maldives.
With two full days anchored in the Maldives as part of a stunning Singapore to Abu Dhabi itinerary departing in March 2024, Regent Seven Seas’ Mariner cruisers will get plenty of time to redefine island hopping, choosing amongst the up to 10 included shore excursions featured. Including everything from snorkeling and diving to submarine exploration and island tours, you will discover there is so much more to the Maldives than coconuts and gin-clear waters.
Admire the Grand Friday Mosque, Maldive’s largest holding over 5,000 worshippers, and its distinctive white minaret, and learn details you never imagined about local culture and living.
The Maldives’ fragile nature is a great reason to choose to visit as soon as possible. Small luxury cruise lines make a smaller impact on the landscape while promoting local experiences and financing conservation efforts, as this low-lying archipelago faces an uncertain future due to rising sea levels, meaning you better get here while you can.
Once back onboard, take on rejuvenating spa treatments in ocean-view sanctuaries leading to gourmet cuisine crafted by Michelin-starred chefs, before losing yourself in the rhythm of live music on moonlit decks. A Maldives cruise is an escape to bliss, a journey in which every detail is meticulously crafted to exceed every expectation.
Luxury Cruise Lines Taking You To The Maldives in 2024, and 2025
Featuring such landscapes and experiences is no wonder several of our favorite cruise lines have also succumbed to the allure of The Maldives, covering them amongst itineraries designed to tantalize even the most discerning traveler. Here’s a glimpse into some of the exceptional options awaiting you in 2024 and 2025:
From Cape Town to Doha on Silversea’s luxury vessels
Embark on a voyage of intimate luxury aboard Silversea’s Silver Spirit. This ultra-luxury ship hosts only a select few guests, ensuring personalized service and a sense of exclusivity.
With itineraries going from 16 to 32 days, covering not just The Maldives but Seychelles, South Africa, and Mumbai, this isn’t just a Maldives cruise, but an exploration of the Indian Ocean, taking you to some of the most exotic destinations under the sun.
Discover the Maldives’ breathtaking underwater world in a panoramic submarine excursion, descending up to approximately 100 feet beneath the surface in air-conditioned comfort. A once-in-a-lifetime experience as surgeon fish, manta rays, and reef sharks surround the large, acrylic viewing ports in front of each seat.
If your idea of vacation explores less adventure and more relaxing, then head on to a full-day beach excursion to a private island luxury resort, where the comfort of an all-inclusive vacation awaits. Lose yourself in the pristine nature surrounding you while enjoying the buffet lunch, or put on your snorkeling gear for a spectacular guided tour of the coral reefs surrounding the area.Â
Explore the diversity of the Indian Ocean onboard Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises’ renowned attention to detail shines in their Maldives cruise itineraries. Sail aboard the Crystal Serenity and experience a world of unparalleled luxury, from Michelin-inspired dining to Broadway-caliber entertainment.
Dive into the crystal-clear waters, soak in the serenity of pristine beaches, and embrace the cultural richness of local villages – all within the comfort of Crystal Cruises’ renowned hospitality.
Their Mombasa to Mumbai itinerary, for example, departs from the capital of Kenya to traverse the Indian Ocean, reserving two full days to explore the Maldives, in between other jewels such as Sri Lanka and India’s famous Goa, before disembarking on the bustling ports of Mumbai.
Onboard, the Penthouse and Veranda Suites offer a private veranda from where to enjoy the view, while an attentive butler takes care of your every need.
Regent Seven Seas Mariner exudes class over South Asia
The all-inclusive luxury of Regent Seven Seas shines over the Indian Ocean, as the Seven Seas Mariner glides on a Singapore to Abu Dhabi 20-day voyage, departing in March 2024.
Dock in the city of Malé, the former King’s Island where ancient Maldive Royal families held their palaces and ruled the country, only to find yourself enthralled by the wide streets, parks, markets, and splendid mosques.
Featuring up to 6 different shore excursions, ranging from submarine exploration to snorkeling and relaxing beach escapades, the brand has put in a real effort to provide an itinerary as varied as their discerning guests’ preferences.
Included pre-or post-cruise land programs on all suite categories, plus an unlimited and included array of shore excursions, beverages, top specialty restaurants such as the iconic Chartreuse, and all types of amenities imaginable, the Regent experience shines on as one of the most luxurious at sea.
Find Park Avenue chic onboard the Master Suite’s two bedrooms, and choose the best view between your two private balconies. Unwind at the Serene Spa, as you take on an array of globally inspired wellness treatments meant to soothe both body and mind, and finish the night with Broadway-class entertainment, a fine cigar at the sophisticated Connoisseur Club, or with new friends and cocktail talks at the Horizon Lounge.Â
A Global Adventure with a stop at the Maldives onboard Seabourn Cruises
Ready to take that Maldives cruise adventure a step further? Plan the trip of a lifetime onboard Seabourn Cruises’ intimate ships, as the fleet takes you to discover the seas of the globe on their featured World Cruises for 2024 and 2025.
Choose from the various itineraries departing from Los Angeles to Taipei, and clear your schedule for the next up to 145 days, or simply pick the stage of the trip covering the Indian Ocean. Seabourn’s various World Cruise routes provide a look into not just the Maldives’ idyllic island paradise, but also Ancient Empires, and the splendors of Australia, Asia, and Arabia.
Navigate secluded atolls, discover hidden lagoons, and snorkel amidst vibrant marine life. Seabourn’s renowned enrichment programs further elevate your journey, offering insights into Maldivian culture, history, and marine ecology.
While the Maldives are synonymous with pristine beaches and turquoise waters, a luxury cruise unlocks a world of hidden wonders. Explore vibrant coral reefs teeming with exotic marine life, discover ancient shipwrecks, and kayak through mangrove forests, home to unique bird species. Immerse yourself in the local culture, visiting traditional villages and experiencing the warmth of Maldivian hospitality. Unwind with yoga sessions on secluded beaches, indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments, or simply relax under the starlit sky, savoring the silence and serenity.
Your 2024 Bucket List: Making the Maldives Cruise Dream a Reality
Our expert travel agents know best when they recommend you consider a Maldives cruise for your upcoming adventures. Here, you will find more than just a vacation; but an investment in memories that will last a lifetime.Â
Let us guide you through the intricacies of choosing the perfect cruise line, itinerary, and cabin to match your desires. With our agent’s expertise and connections, you can ensure your Maldives cruise is nothing but a luxurious escape into paradise and a jewel in your travel crown.
Mavi Parra is a journalist, content creator, and traveler with over 10 years of experience in various communications fields. Specializing in digital media and advertising, her work focuses on the relationships between travel, culture, and destinations. Currently, she is Luxury Cruise Connection’s content writer, developing engaging content to educate and promote luxury cruise travel.