Category Archives: Cruises

Qatar has been emerging as a premier cruise tourism destination, where residents and citizens of the GCC are invited to explore the rich tapestry of the Arabian Peninsula through luxurious cruises departing from Doha. Qatar’s 2024/25 cruise season presents a unique opportunity to experience the region’s most dynamic cities, including Doha, Oman, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, all from the comfort of world-class vessels such as Costa Smeralda and Norwegian Dawn, as well as Celestyal’s maiden voyage which homeports in Doha. These cruises are designed to offer a blend of adventure and relaxation, allowing passengers to experience the unique cultures and landscapes of multiple Arabian cities. Costa Smeralda, with its 20 decks and extensive array of amenities—including 11 restaurants and a family-friendly water park—promises a luxurious journey for all ages. Celestyal Journey provides an intimate setting with wellness facilities and diverse entertainment options, ensuring that every guest feels catered to. Norwegian Dawn returns to the Gulf with an impressive selection of dining venues and activities, perfect for families seeking both comfort and engagement. By booking an Arabian cruise departing from Doha, visitors can elevate their experience by arriving early to explore Qatar’s vibrant tourism landscape, which includes renowned retail, dining, and entertainment options that cater to all ages and interests. The Mina District, where the cruise terminal is located, boasts charming streets, delightful dining options, and various entertainment venues. Its prime location near Doha’s key attractions, including the National Museum of Qatar and Museum of Islamic Art, offering visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of Qatar. Convenient transportation, such as the ‘Hop On Hop Off’ Doha Bus, facilitates easy exploration of iconic landmarks, including Souq Waqif …

With a matter of weeks until its maiden voyage, AROYA, the first ship in the fleet from the first Arabian cruise line AROYA Cruises, has departed Bremerhaven, Germany for its homeport in Jeddah, Saudi. After lengthy dry docking and transformation periods in Bremerhaven and Rotterdam, AROYA is now ready for operation. AROYA has undergone the largest cruise ship refit project in the world, transforming 95% of its interior to create a brand new Remarkably Arabian experience. The vessel features an array of world-leading facilities including a souq-inspired shopping district – the largest retail area on a cruise ship – state-of-the-art spa area, 29 restaurants, lounges and cafes, 20 entertainment venues, and one of the largest kids play areas on a cruise ship. AROYA’s Maiden Voyage, departing on the 16th December, will take passengers on a three-night journey to an exclusive Red Sea private island developed by Cruise Saudi, the Public Investment Fund company which owns AROYA Cruises.

AROYA Cruises unveiled details of its luxurious Khuzama Experience aboard its first ship, AROYA. AROYA Cruises chose the name “Khuzama” – the Arabic name for lavender – inspired by the lavender flower with its purple colour, which has become a Saudi national cultural icon and is considered a symbol of luxury. the lavender colour is used in the official reception ceremonies’ carpets, reflecting the generosity of the land and the richness of Saudi cultural heritage. The concept is designed to give luxury seekers an elevated and enriched experience on board from the moment they step foot on the ship. Combining comfort and relaxation with Arabian hospitality, Khuzama promises guests a luxury experience at sea. On-board AROYA, Khuzam guests can choose from 150+ VIP suites and 1 Royal villa, each featuring walk-in wardrobes, spacious balconies and luxurious bath amenities, as well as plenty of space. Passengers benefit from additional enhancements including complimentary Wi-Fi, priority embarkation and disembarkation, luggage delivery and a dedicated butler service. Beyond the accommodations, there is an exclusive Khuzama Restaurant and Khuzama Lounge for guests to enjoy. The elegant Khuzama Restaurant offers a rotating menu that blends Saudi and French cuisine, whilst the 24-hour Khuzama Lounge is a comfortable space for guests to enjoy drinks and light bites. Dr Jorg Rudolph, President of AROYA Cruises, commented: “We are proud to be launching the Khuzama experience for our premium AROYA guests. Our luxury travellers are seeking something a little extra; exclusive experiences and elevated facilities combined with a deeply personal and curated service. AROYA is already incredibly special, but the Khuzama concept goes one step further with the most luxurious way to explore the wonders of Saudi by sea.” …

Qatar Tourism has launched its new cruise season 2024/2025, with the arrival of the luxury cruise ship Resorts World One, which is expected to become the largest in the history of the industry, with 95 cruises, including 33 partial turnovers, 11 departure and return flights, and 4 flights arriving in Qatar for the first time. The luxury cruise ship Resorts World One has launched its first voyage to Qatar and is scheduled to make 23 scheduled visits, carrying 72,000 visitors. Qatar is expected to welcome more than 430,000 visitors from November 2024 to April 2025. During the season, renowned cruise ships such as Minechef 4, MSC Euribia, Aida Prima, Costa Esmeralda, Norwegian Sky and Celestial Journey will dock at Doha Port, reinforcing Qatar’s growing position as a leading global cruise tourism destination. Building on the success of theprevious cruise season 2023/2024, during which Qatar welcomed 73 cruise ships and more than 347,000 visitors, the new season is expected to continue the pace of growth in the cruise sector with a new record performance. During the previous season, Doha Port welcomed world-renowned vessels such as MSC Vertusa , Seaborne Encore, Aida Prima, Artania, Minechef 2, Azamara Journey and MS Rivera. and MS Hamburg and Norwegian Down. H.E. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, President of Qatar Tourism, said: “Stimulating the growth of Qatar’s cruise sector is a key component of our National Tourism Strategy 2030, and the 2024/2025 cruise season is expected to see a 30% increase in the total number of vessels, as well as a 24.5% increase in the total number of visitors compared to the previous season, reflecting the growing demand for cruises in the region. With new partnerships …

Resorts World Cruises arrived in Dubai with the Resorts World One commencing her first sailing from 1 November 2024 onwards. The 1800-passenger cruise ship departs from the Port Rashid Cruise Terminal 2 in Dubai three times a week to the Gulf destinations. A special celebratory event was held on the ship with close to 600 invitees to commemorate this milestone event. Resorts World Cruises’ President, Mr. Michael Goh and its senior management welcomed onboard regional dignitaries, authorities, members of the press and key influencers. The port-stay event included a series of special memento presentations with invitees having the chance to experience the onboard LIVE performances, the wide array of cuisines and a guided ship tour of the ship’s accommodations, facilities and offerings. As part of the inaugural sailing celebration, guests can look forward to special added-value promotions. This includes receiving complimentary Food & Beverage Onboard Credits valued at AED 700 or US$190 per cabin for sailings in November for both the 3-Night Oman Cruise and the 2-Night Qatar Cruise. During the deployment, the Resorts World One will provide exciting new vacation options from Dubai for the weekend with the 2-Night Sir Bani Yas Weekend Cruise departing Fridays. Guests can also look forward to the 2-Night Doha (Qatar) Cruise departing Wednesdays and the 3-Night Muscat-Khasab (Oman) Cruise departing Sundays. For longer cruises, guests may combine the itineraries to become a 4-, 5- and 7-Night cruise. “We have been counting down the days and we are delighted that the Resorts World One has arrived in Dubai and is ready to sail. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the local and regional governments, authorities, travel business partners, media and our guests for …

Cruise Saudi has awarded a contract with PC Marine Services to develop a Red Sea private island for cruise tourism. The development will turn the island into a new destination to explore in Saudi, exclusive to cruise passengers. Facilities will include a welcome centre, dining area, and beach club with private villas and sunbeds to accommodate initially up to 2,000 guests. PC Marine Services are leaders in the marine construction industry, having overseen projects including the Obhur Waterfront Jeddah development and cruise berth improvements in Jeddah, Dammam and Yanbu.  Authentically Saudi in both design and experiences, the private island will be a first of its kind offering in the Red Sea. Cruise lines will stop at the island for a day trip, where visitors can make the most of the facilities or book one of the many land and sea excursions. The development of the private island marks a strategic and innovative next step in Cruise Saudi’s vision to create a thriving cruise sector. In line with Vision 2030’s goals to diversify Saudi’s economy, the island will be an attractive proposition for international visitors, both frequent cruisers and those new to cruise. Barbara Buczek, Cruise Saudi’s Chief Destination Experiences Officer, commented: “The creation of this new cruise destination in the Red Sea marks an exciting step in the development of Saudi’s cruise industry. We look forward to welcoming cruise lines and their passengers to experience authentic Saudi hospitality, culture and activities in the heart of the Red Sea.” Adnan Alshareef, PC Marine services’ Chief Executive Officer & President, said: “We are proud to be selected as the main contractor for the Private Island project. At PC Marine, we recognise the …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced a series of four strategic initiatives during its participation at Seatrade Cruise MED 2024, underscoring its commitment to elevating the emirate’s position as a premier cruise destination. To enhance the visitors experience, DCT Abu Dhabi has introduced a new digital cruise guide, designed to help guests discover Abu Dhabi’s top attractions, hidden gems, and cultural experiences. Accessible via mobile devices, the guide offers curated itineraries and insider tips, ensuring visitors make the most of their time in the UAE capital. As part of its commitment to improving the experience of all visitors, DCT Abu Dhabi will launch the Cruise Crew Pass, an exclusive benefit for crew members of cruise liners operating in the Arabian Gulf. The pass offers significant discounts, including up to 25% off at 500+ restaurants, shopping discounts at 25+ retail stores, a free UAE SIM card, and complimentary entry to 10+ cultural attractions. The Cruise Crew Pass will be available via a unique invitation code and accessible through the Abu Dhabi Pass App. DCT Abu Dhabi also announced the addition of new cruise itineraries in the Arabian Gulf, featuring the MSC Euribia, Celestyal Journey, and Resorts World One. These cruises will enhance the region’s cruise offerings and attract a new wave of visitors to Abu Dhabi, further establishing the emirate as a key hub for maritime tourism. Additionally, DCT Abu Dhabi has revealed a new visitor information centre at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, Zayed Port. The centre will serve as a gateway for cruise visitors, providing essential information, booking assistance, and insights into the emirate’s diverse offerings, enhancing the overall visitor journey from …

As Resorts World will deploy its cruise ships from 1st November 2024, Resorts World Cruises announced its new partnership with DP World, a leading maritime gateway and hub for the region. This collaboration will focus on homeporting Resorts World Cruises fleet at Port Rashid. The official signing took place in Dubai alongside the official launch announcement of the cruise.

Resorts World Cruises officially launches the homeport deployment of Resorts World One in Dubai from 1 November with the support of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), together with Oman Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Qatar Tourism, Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi and the port authorities. 4 September 2024 (Dubai, UAE) – At Resorts World Cruises’ first press conference in Dubai with the support of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the cruise line announced the debut of Resorts World One in the Gulf in the Middle East. Starting 1 November 2024, the Resorts World One will homeport in Dubai via DP World’s Mina Port Rashid to offer three weekly departures. These include the 2 Night Sir Bani Yas Weekend Cruise (Friday departures); the 3 Night Oman (Khasab-Muscat) Cruise (Sunday departures); and the 2 Night Doha Cruise (Wednesday departures). For a longer cruise vacation, passengers can combine any of the itineraries to make a 4, 5 or 7 Night Cruise. As ‘The Cruise Line that knows Asia Best’, Resorts World Cruises is able to apply decades of affiliated international experiences and in depth expertise to cater to the needs and subtle nuances of the Gulf markets. Muslim guests will be delighted to know that the Resorts World One will receive the official OIC/SMIIC* Standard Halal-Friendly Cruise Ship certification upon commencing her sailing from Dubai. Muslim guests can cruise with peace of mind to enjoy certified Halal cuisines throughout the ship, as all meats are being sourced from UAE Halal suppliers. Other Halal-Friendly onboard offerings are also accessible, including same gender services for selected facilities and venues. In addition, certified vegetarian and Jain cuisine are also …

Asia’s Resorts World Cruises announced its sailing within key GCC destinations from 1st November 2024. Resorts World One will homeport in Dubai via DP World’s Mina Port Rashid to offer three weekly departures. These include 2 night Sir baniyas weekend cruise (Friday departures), 3 night Oman (Khasab-Muscat) cruise (Sunday departures) and the 2 night Doha cruise (Wednesday departures). For longer cruise vacation, passengers can combine any of the itineraries to make a 4,5 and 7 night cruise. Speaking at the first press conference Michael Goh, President Resorts World Cruises shared, “it is an exciting time for Resorts World Cruises as we inch closer to the start of our first sailing from Dubai to the Gulf with the Resorts World One on 1st November. The response form the Gulf and from various markets in Asia, including from our travel partners have been very encouraging and we look forward to welcoming guests aboard soon.”