58,207 Cruise Passengers, Mauritius Is Back in Style

Mauritius is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in cruise tourism, with a total of 58,207 cruise passengers arriving on the island in 2024. This figure represents a stark increase from the 21,986 cruise visitors recorded in 2023, indicating a robust recovery in maritime tourism.

According to Statistics Mauritius, the months from January to September 2024 saw a significant rise in cruise passenger arrivals, reinforcing the island’s status as a key destination in the Indian Ocean cruise market.

The trend is mirrored in the number of passengers departing by sea, which has also surged to 62,741 in 2024, compared to just 24,766 the previous year.

This renaissance in cruise tourism is proving beneficial for the local economy, supporting sectors such as tourism, handicrafts, and various services.

The organization Îles Vanille has highlighted that this growth signals a dynamic restart for the cruise season in the Indian Ocean.

Renowned companies, including Norwegian Cruise Line and AIDA, are offering Mauritians the opportunity to travel by sea, with experts urging the importance of enhancing onshore experiences for visitors.

They also underscore the critical role played by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) in promoting this burgeoning segment.

The increase in maritime arrivals can be attributed to 34 cruise ships docking in Mauritius during the first nine months of 2024.

These vessels transported 58,207 passengers, comprising 18,583 tourists, 20,042 excursionists, 242 Mauritians, and 19,340 crew members. As reported by Îles Vanille, this uptick in both arrivals and departures confirms the revitalization of the cruise season in the Indian Ocean.

Looking ahead, the organization has announced that from November 2024 to May 2025, more than 35 vessel stops are planned in the region.

Among the most active cruise lines is Norwegian Cruise, along with other operators such as Ponant, Crystal Cruises, Silversea, Noble Caledonia, AIDA, TUI Cruises, Sun Princess, MSC, Hapag Lloyd, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Fred Olsen, Phoenix Reisen, and NYK, all offering their passengers the chance to explore the extraordinary diversity of the Indian Ocean.

Îles Vanille noted, “With the return of cruise stopovers to pre-pandemic levels, the entire tourist and craft sector is reaping positive benefits: local guides, restaurants, transport services, and more all gain directly from this activity.”

The organization recently highlighted AIDA’s recent inaugural stop of the Prima ship in Réunion, following its visit to Mauritius, en route to Dubai.

The influx of cruise ships docking at Mauritius has opened up maritime travel options for locals.

Caroline Chen, manager at Atom Travel, explained, “Some ships pick up passengers in Port Louis while others disembark them.

This is advantageous for Mauritians, allowing them to board and disembark, and they are taking full advantage of these cruise opportunities. We have seen an increase since January.”

The Norwegian Cruise Line, in particular, provides locals with travel options, and many Mauritians are selecting various itineraries for their journeys.

Chen emphasized that if cruise traffic continues to rise, it will significantly benefit locals by reducing travel costs, as they can avoid purchasing airline tickets.

For instance, boarding in Port Louis allows them to bypass the cost of flying to Europe.

Umarfarooq Omarjee, Executive Director of Omarjee Aviation, also noted the positive impact of the increased number of cruise ships on the local tourism industry and economy.

He remarked that the new cruise terminal has created numerous opportunities for vessels arriving and transiting through Mauritius, whether they start, stop, or finish their journeys on the island.

“Depending on the cruise lines, these ships may stay several days in Mauritius,” Omarjee stated.

He acknowledged that while some tourists remain on board, they often go ashore for excursions, sightseeing, or shopping.

“They generally arrive with a budget that allows them to spend more,” he noted, adding that they tend to seek out as many local experiences as possible during their stays.

Each visitor contributes significantly to the economy, whether via food consumption, attraction visits, or exploring the island’s culture, cuisine, and handicrafts.

Omarjee cautioned that while the increase in cruise passengers is beneficial, it still tends to be seasonal.

“When cruise passengers are in town, it facilitates excursions for them, but it also leads to others who may decide to complete their cruises in Mauritius and take a flight from there.

Working with the airline Neos, he pointed out that passengers who stop in Mauritius often continue their journey to Italy, which boosts hotel stays during their time on the island.”

He further compared the experiences of tourists arriving by sea and air, explaining that cruise guests typically spend their nights aboard the ship.

“Where we can maximize our impact is in providing exceptional daytime experiences that allow them to fully appreciate what Mauritius has to offer.”

He also stressed the vital role of the MTPA in promoting this form of tourism.

Source: l’Express