Tourism Breaking News
The Saudi Red Sea Authority, The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), and Cruise Saudi welcomed the inaugural visit of the first cruise ship to enter Dammam’s King Abdulaziz Port, with the arrival of MSC World Europa yesterday. Carrying around 5,000 passengers, the ship’s arrival marks a historic moment for Cruise Saudi, Mawani, the Eastern Province and the country; as it opens Saudi Arabia’s coastline on the Arabian Gulf to cruising for the first time. Saudi Red Sea Authority facilitated regulatory arrangements’ efforts to ensure the arrival of MSC World Europa, as the regulator that enables the private sector to practice marine and maritime activities in collaboration with Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mawani, Saudi Tourism Authority and Saudi Cruise to resolve all challenges to attract investment and highlight the rich coastal tourism in Saudi Arabia.
Throughout Cruise Saudi’s current cruising season, the ship will make weekly calls at King Abdulaziz Port on its seven-day cruise round trip, which itineraries also include the ports of Doha – where it homeported during November and December last year hosting football fans – Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These visits are in line with Cruise Saudi’s efforts of developing world-class port’s infrastructure to welcome global cruise ships and passengers to explore the country’s diverse offering – by working in conjunction with Saudi Arabia’s Port Authority, Mawani.
The occasion was celebrated with the traditional Plaque & Key Exchange Ceremony on board MSC World Europa, attended by representatives of Cruise Saudi, Mawani, and the key Authorities whose efforts and cooperation drove this milestone, including, Saudi Red Sea Authority, and Zakat, Tax & Customs Authority, as well as the ship officials, including Captain of the vessel Marco Massa.
Cruise Saudi has previously welcomed four MSC cruise ships – including MSC Splendida, MSC Orchestra, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Bellissima – to Jeddah Islamic Port and Yanbu Commercial Port to sail the Red Sea. Not only does the arrival of MSC World Europa mark the first time a cruise ship arriving at Saudi Arabia’s coastline on the Arabian Gulf, but the uniqueness of the occasion in that it is the first time passengers disembark at Dammam’s King Abdulaziz Port. Till this moment, the port was exclusively the country’s key commercial port, through which cargo from all over the world reached Saudi Arabia’s Eastern and Central provinces.
Cruise Saudi CEO, Lars Clasen, commented: “As we welcome the first cruise ship and first group of passengers to King Abdulaziz Port, we open a new and important gateway connecting Saudi Arabia to the rest of the world – via the Arabian Gulf. Cruise Saudi was established to develop and create the cruise industry in the country and welcome tourists to explore the unique and rich Saudi history, heritage, culture and offering. And this moment marks another step toward our goal of establishing Saudi Arabia as a premier regional and global cruising destination. By leveraging the temperate climate, high-quality infrastructure and easy access to both the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, we provide global cruise lines the opportunity to operate year-round cruising – which is not possible in many other major cruise destinations – and position the region as a promising player in the global industry.”
MSC World Europa is MSC Cruises’ first liquid natural gas (LNG)-propelled cruise ship and has a capacity of 6,700+ passengers and 2,000+ crew members. Its state-of-the-art design includes the latest water recycling technology to purify wastewater, a 341-feet long promenade offering panoramic ocean views, 13 dining venues, seven swimming pools, a waterpark, and 19 different stateroom categories to cater to guest preferences. The city of Dammam is an exceptional tourist destination, due to its rich cultural heritage and historical wonders. It is distinguished by its coastal location on the calm Arabian Gulf, and its waterfronts and sandy beaches. It is also famous for being the site where oil was first discovered in the Saudi Arabia, and it has become a thriving center of industry, trade and science, and an attractive destination for arts, sports and entertainment.
