The Maldives are a dream, with their endless stretches of white sand and turquoise sea … one of those destinations that many aspire to!
Navigating among the atolls and fascinating islands , with coral reefs, overwater bungalows and lush vegetation, allows you to wake up every day in a different place and be able to experience various activities: from simple relaxation to diving or snorkeling. Here are some suggestions to better organize your Maldives Cruise , with useful information on when to go, prices and itineraries.
When to go
The best time to go on a cruise to the Maldives
- Best period : from January to mid-April, the least rainy and sunniest. However, some showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon are possible, especially in the southern islands.
- Period to avoid : Tropical cyclones can form between April and December, with two peaks in May and November.
- Advice : there are many activities on offer during the cruise, so be prepared to face events and gala evenings. Considering that excursions and diving are planned, prepare your snorkeling equipment.
Keep in mind that the companies organize several excursions, some very popular, and availability cannot always be guaranteed, so it is advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
If you want to travel in the summer, it is better to choose the islands located to the south, less exposed to the southwest monsoon and, therefore, less windy, more sunny and sheltered from tropical cyclones.
Climate, Average Temperatures and Precipitation
The Maldives have a warm tropical climate all year round , and influenced by the monsoons.
The driest period is from January to April especially in the atolls located in the north.
Temperatures are stable , with maximums around 30 degrees and minimums around 25 for most of the year, as is humidity, which is very high. Mainly in the northernmost atolls, between February and May there is a slight increase, with the maximums passing at 31/32 degrees and the minimums at 26/27.
The rains in the Maldives come in the form of downpours or thunderstorms, short and intense. They are more abundant in the southern atolls and, in the capital Male, rainfall is even more intense. Here there is a rainy season from May to December and a dry season from January to March.
For swimming, the sea is warm all year round : from 28 to 30 degrees.
Here are the average temperatures of the capital Male.
SEE ALSO : Maldives climate – best time and months to avoid
Month Average temperature (min / max) Rainy days January 25/30 ° C 5 February 25/31 ° C 5 March 26/31 ° C 8 April 26/32 ° C 10 May 26/31 ° C 16 June 26/30 ° C 14 July 25/30 ° C 13 August 25/30 ° C 14 September 25/30 ° C 15 October 25/30 ° C 16 November 25/30 ° C 13 December 25/30 ° C 13
How much does a cruise to the Maldives cost
Prices, tips and itinerary
- Price : from € 2,000.00 to a maximum of € 5,000.00 per person, including intercontinental transfers, full board, cabin and any excursions
- Recommended duration : the minimum is 8 days, the ideal duration of at least 10 days
- Companies that organize cruises in the Maldives : MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Silversea, Princess Cruises, Holland America, Ponant, Seaboarn, Oceania Cruises
Cruise itinerary
There are different types of itineraries, and generally they also touch ports that are part of the Pacific Ocean and Arabian Sea circuit, such as India and Sri Lanka. The one below is just one of the many cruise itineraries that include the Maldives islands among their stops .
- Departure from Rome Fiumicino airport and expected arrival in Male in about 9 hours.
- Cruise accommodation and departure from the port of Male with the first stop at the atolls of North Male, where you can dive in Vaadhoo Kandu, explore the sea aboard a submarine. Surfers can take advantage of the Gaafaru Falhu atoll, while walkers can visit the fish market, enjoy the calm and lush Sultan’s garden, or relax on the beaches.
- Departure for Colombo (Sri Lanka) – Navigation.
- Arrival in Colombo where you can visit numerous monuments representative of the various cults of the place, such as the Buddhist temple of Gangaramaya or the temple of Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil. It will be possible to know the “Tear of India”, a mythical and very lively place due to its overcrowded streets.
- Departure for Mormugao (India) – Navigation.
- Arrival in Mormugao where you can appreciate the fine sandy beaches and clear waters, an unmissable tourist attraction. Do not miss the superb basilica of Bom Jesus, the visit to the capital Panaji and the postcard promenade of Gao. Departure for Bombay in the evening.
- Arrive in Bombay (Mumbai, India) where you can see the Elephanta Caves, Bandra Worli Sea Link Viaduct, Hanging Gardens, Kamla Nehru Park and India Gate.
- We return from Bombay Airport (Mumbai) and then organize the return flight.
Where they are
The archipelago of the Maldives is a tropical country that is part of the Asian continent. It is located in the Indian Ocean 595 km north of India, 550 km south of the Chagos Islands and 670 km north east of Sri Lanka. The Maldives has 26 ring atolls made up of more than 1,000 coral islands .
The capital of the Republic of Maldives and Male and the natural atolls are grouped into 19 administrative atolls, each managed independently by a council elected by the population.
SEE ALSO : Maldives Islands – where they are and what to see
What to pack
Pack in your suitcase, both in summer and in winter, light, casual and comfortable clothes for navigation, a light sweatshirt or jacket, a scarf for the breeze, a bathing suit; elegant dresses for gala evenings. Bring both comfortable and elegant shoes.
For excursions, don’t forget sunglasses and a hat , sunscreen and after-sun cream, a light raincoat or umbrella (depending on the period, but they can always be useful).
Also, beach towel, coral reef snorkeling gear (if you have enough space), water shoes or rubber soled shoes, underwater cameras.
Don’t forget first aid medications(antibiotics, disinfectant, plasters, dysentery product), insect repellent, documents, universal adapter, backpack to take off the ship during excursions.
Travel informed: useful information
- Inhabitants : 417.492
- Capital : Male
- Languages : the official language and dhivehi. The second language is English
- Local currency : Maldivian Rufiyaa MVR (€ 1.00 = 18.00 MVR / 1 MVR = € 0.056)
- Climate : tropical climate, always hot. Temperatures are stable: highs around 30 ° C and lows around 25 ° C for most of the year
- Vaccinations : no vaccinations required. Vaccinations against hepatitis A and B are recommended
- Entry requirements : passport with six months remaining validity, round trip ticket, tourist visa valid for 30 days, granted directly at the airport upon entering the country
- Distance from Italy : 7.749 km (9 – 11 hours of flight)