Have you spotted Malta’s floating cruise liner?

The reappearance of cruise liners in Malta’s ports has been a welcome sight for local businesses dependent on tourism to survive. One particular liner, however, left a Madliena resident scratching his head, after what appears to be an optical illusion causing the vessel to look as though it was hovering above the horizon.

It’s not the first time an illusion like this has made headlines. In March, an image surfaced of what appeared to be a floating ship off the coast of Cornwall, England.

BBC meteorologist David Braine had explained that the “superior mirage” took place because of “special atmospheric conditions that bend light”. He also said such a sight was common in the Arctic but rare to see off the UK coast.

On Friday afternoon, a local resident living in Madliena went out onto his terrace, only to spot a cruise liner appearing to float off the horizon.

Malta officially reopened to international tourism on 1st June, with the cruise industry acting as a lifeline for businesses in Valletta and other areas with national heritage attractions.

In June, six cruises are scheduled to stop in Malta, all by major operator MSC Cruise Management (UK) Ltd, according to the Valletta Cruise Port schedule.

From July, three Viking liners will also be stopping at Malta regularly, attracting mainly American tourists vaccinated against COVID-19.