Phuket’s cruise sector received a major boost on Wednesday (8 March 2017), when two large Royal Caribbean ships called at the Thai resort island.

The  Mariner of the Seas, which docked in Phuket on Tuesday for an overnight call, was joined by its sister ship Ovation of the Seas on Wednesday, which was making its maiden call at the island. Between them, the two vessels brought more than 7,500 international tourists Phuket on a single day.

Mariner of the Seas is currently on a seven-night cruise from Singapore which also called at Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi. Ovation of the Seas, the largest cruise ship currently operating in Asian waters, is undertaking a five-night cruise from Singapore. The 4,300 passengers it brought to Phuket also represents the highest number ever welcomed by the island on a single ship.

As part of the two ships’ shore excursion programme, passengers were able to explore local destinations such as Promthep Cape, Wat Chalong Temple and Phang Nga Bay.