Mercure Maldives Kooddoo celebrates island culture with ‘Voyage of the Dhoni’ festive programme
What if Christmas came with a little more island breeze, a little more barefoot wandering and a lot more stories to tell?
This festive season, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo invites guests to climb aboard “Voyage of the Dhoni – A Maldivian Island Celebration” a spirited journey from 21st December 2026 to 07th January 2027, where festive traditions meet the warmth, flavour and rhythm of island life.
Inspired by the Dhoni, the traditional Maldivian boat that has long carried people, stories and goods between islands, the festive programme bids guests to slow down, look around and discover something wonderfully unexpected. From local flavours and cultural encounters to sunset moments, live music, merry gatherings and island-inspired experiences, every moment becomes another stop along the voyage.
At Mercure Maldives Kooddoo, the holiday season begins with a warm island welcome and an invitation to discover the Maldives in a way that feels authentic, spontaneous and personal.
The festive calendar brings together the magic of Christmas and the excitement of a new year with the unmistakable character of island life. Guests can share a sunset with someone special, raise a glass with new friends, discover local flavours or simply slow down and take in the rhythm of the lagoon. Here, the journey is just as important as the destination.
Christmas: A little bit of magic, island style
Christmas arrives with a Maldivian twist as the island comes alive with festive spirit, warm gatherings and the distinctive sounds of the tropics.
The season begins with a Christmas Tree Lighting, setting the tone for days filled with festive dining, live music and the captivating rhythm of Maldivian Boduberu. Expect vibrant colors, local flavours and traditions inspired by tropical lifestyle, brought together in a celebration that feels both familiar and wonderfully diverse.
At the table, holiday spreads meet the flavours of the Maldives, offering guests an opportunity to taste something local, surprising and memorable. Come curious, take a bite and discover a flavour you may not have expected. And for those keeping an eye on the lagoon, there may just be a special visitor making an unforgettable entrance. Keep watch for Santa’s arrival by Dhoni — because in the Maldives, even Christmas comes by a boat.
New Year: Voyage of the Dhoni
As 2026 drifts towards the horizon, the voyage reaches its most spirited chapter. Inspired by the traditional Maldivian Dhoni, New Year’s Eve brings together the flavours, rhythms and warm-hearted spirit of the island. The evening unfolds with Boduberu, festive drinks, a celebratory feast, live music and entertainment, creating the perfect setting to leave the old year behind and welcome 2027.
Then comes the moment the voyage has been sailing towards. As midnight approaches, the celebration gathers pace beneath the Maldivian sky, welcoming 2027 with music, laughter, clinking glasses and the undeniable vibe of a tropical evening. No grand map is needed for this journey — just follow the tune, look towards the ocean and see where the night takes you. Because at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo, the best New Year stories are not simply planned; they are discovered along the way.
“At Mercure Maldives Kooddoo, we believe the most memorable holidays are the ones that leave you curious. With ‘Voyage of the Dhoni – A Maldivian Island Celebration’, we wanted to create a festive season that feels genuinely connected to the Maldives — warm, welcoming, spontaneous and full of discovery. The Dhoni is more than just a boat; it is part of an island life and a symbol of connection between people and places. This festive season, we invite you to step aboard, immerse yourself in local flavours, connect with the spirit of the island, and uncover your own unexpected discoveries,” said Riaan Drever, Cluster Resort Manager, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo.
From Christmas traditions with a Maldivian twist to festive feasts, island flavours, local discoveries, music, sunset moments and a spirited welcome to 2027, “Voyage of the Dhoni – A Maldivian Island Celebration” invites guests to experience the festive season through a different lens.
No passport needed. Just bring your curiosity.
