The cruise ship Luminara made its maiden visit to Seychelles on Saturday, 6 December 2025. The vessel forms part of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection fleet and offers a luxury experience to its passengers.
Authorities held a short welcoming ceremony at the Seychelles Commercial Port where the ship docked. The Seychelles Ports Authority, Mahé Shipping and the Department of Tourism organised the event.
The 241-metre vessel arrived at the port at around 10:00. Traditional music and dance welcomed passengers as they disembarked. Passengers and crew members also received small souvenirs from Seychelles authorities and the shipping agent, Mahé Shipping.
The chief executive of the Seychelles Ports Authority, Sonny Payet, said the ship’s arrival marked “an important step towards our journey to strengthen Seychelles’ position as a primary cruise ship destination in the region”. Luminara operates using liquefied natural gas as its main source of energy, which allows for cleaner operations.
The chief executive of Mahé Shipping, Jessica Larue, said the vessel reflected an industry shift towards greener operations, adding that this was significant for Seychelles, where ocean conservation and sustainability remain central.
The Minister for Transport, Ports and Civil Aviation, Veronique Laporte, also attended the ceremony.