Category Archives: Cruises

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.”

Crystal cruise experiences launched its state-of-the-art booking engine, designed to streamline and enhance the booking experience for travel advisors. This groundbreaking platform went live on 1st August 2024, offering unparalleled ease of use, advanced features and robust support tailored to meet the needs of today’s travel professionals. With the launch of this sophisticated tool, Crystal aims to set a new standard in the cruise industry, making it simpler and more efficient for travel advisors to manage cruise bookings. The booking engine, seamlessly integrated into crystalcruises.com, offers a suite of resources designed to provide travel advisors with the flexibility, speed and reliability they need to serve their clients effectively. Key Features: • Intuitive User Interface: The new booking engine boasts a clean, easy-to-navigate design that simplifies the search and booking process. • Real-Time Availability: Advisors can access up-to-date information on cruise availability, suite categories and pricing. • Personalized Recommendations: The platform leverages advanced algorithms to provide cruise recommendations based on clients’ preferences and optional back-to-back voyage combinations. • Enhanced Support: A dedicated support team and comprehensive training resources ensure travel advisors can make the most of the new system. • Exclusive Promotions: Travel advisors can access special deals and promotions through the new booking engine. “Travel advisors are at the heart of our business, and we are committed to providing them with the best tools and resources available,” said Marett Taylor, Chief Sales Officer of A&K Travel Group. “Our new booking engine is a testament to our dedication to innovation and excellence. We believe it will significantly enhance the efficiency of our valued travel partners, enabling them to deliver exceptional service to their clients.” Training and Support To ensure a smooth transition, …

A Qatari delegation that includes representatives from the Qatar for Tourism, the Permanent Committee for the Management of Sea Ports and Qatar Ports and the General Authority of Customs, paid an official field visit to the tourist port of Barcelona in the Kingdom of Spain recently, where members of the Qatari delegation met with officials of the administration at the Spanish port and were briefed on the best practices, workflow mechanisms and services provided to visitors arriving on board cruises and the port’s security and safety systems.. The three-day visit is part of efforts to support the cruise tourism sector in Qatar, exchange expertise and experience, and enhance the operations and logistics required by the Qatar’s growing cruise tourism sector. During the visit, the delegation discovered the terminal for ships and cruise ships, where the members of the delegation met with Spanish port officials and were briefed on the regulations in force, the volume of work and the levels of tourism activity witnessed by the port, while part of the visit program was devoted to reviewing the modern security and control measures and systems applied and coordination mechanisms between the various authorities operating in the port such as passports, customs, administration and security, and the procedures followed for ship reservations and how to set priorities. The visit also included a joint workshop held at the port, which brought together members of the Qatari delegation and officials of the Port of Barcelona, during which they were closely acquainted with the entry and exit systems of passengers, as well as the integrated and innovative solutions that are used to overcome the problems that may face tourist flows in the port, which is …

Cruise-seeking travellers in the region will have a brand new experience at sea with Resorts World Cruises, as it expands its global footprint to the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman with the premium boutique lifestyle cruise ship, Resorts World One. Starting from October 18, 2024 until April 13, 2025, the Resorts World One will homeport and depart from Dubai, providing travellers from the region the option to embark from the emirate on a roundtrip cruise adventure to popular destinations within the Gulf waters. Discover the convenience and comfort of cruising to multiple destinations, without the hassle of packing and unpacking or searching for accommodations at each destination. Resorts World One combines premium amenities with diverse culinary options, offering the best of lifestyle and entertainment at sea, halal-certified cuisine options and a luxurious experience at The Palace, a ‘luxury ship-within-a ship’ private all-suite enclave with exclusive restaurant, sundeck, gym and other facilities, including its own 24-hour European style butler service. Resorts World One will offer roundtrip cruise itineraries from Dubai, including the 2 Night Sir Bani Yas Weekend Cruise with departures on Fridays; a 3 Night Oman Cruise to Khasab and Muscat departing on Sundays; and a 2 Night Doha Cruise departing on Wednesdays. Guests will have the flexible option to combine two or all three of the itineraries to increase the cruise length to a four, five or a seven night cruise. Shore excursions and onboard activities will allow passengers to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of Dubai and the surrounding region especially Muscat, Khasab and Sir Bani Yas Island. Visits to iconic landmarks, heritage sites, and shopping destinations will be part of the itinerary for tourists …

Resorts World Cruises is pleased to announce that it will be expanding its footprint to the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman with the Resorts World One for a 6-month homeport deployment in Dubai, UAE. Starting from 18 October 2024, the Resorts World One will homeport and depart from Dubai to offer a 2 Night Sir Bani Yas Weekend Cruise with departures on Fridays; a 3 Night Oman Cruise to Khasab and Muscat departing on Sundays; and a 2 Night Doha Cruise departing on Wednesdays. Guests will have the flexible option to combine two or all three of the itineraries to increase the cruise length to a 4, 5 or 7 Night Cruise. Resorts World One will also add Doha as a homeport during the Qatar school holidays from 24 October to 2 November 2024. During this period, vacationers will have the additional convenience to embark from Doha to enjoy two 2 Night Dubai Cruises (24 and 31 October departures) and two 5 Night Dubai–Khasab-Muscat Cruises (26 October & 2 November departures). “We are excited to introduce the Resorts World Cruises brand to the Arabian Gulf with the Resorts World One cruise ship. As an international cruise line that is homegrown in Asia, we have decades of valuable experience in the cruise and hospitality sector, especially in catering to the needs of different ethnic and religious markets,” said Mr. Michael Goh, President of Resorts World Cruises. “Both cities Dubai and Doha are key international gateways to the Middle East and with the support of the respective local governments, authorities and travel partners, we look forward to further developing cruises to the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” he added. Resorts …

Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) issued the first maritime tourism agent license for cruise ships to “Cruise Saudi”, a Public Investment Fund owned business based in Jeddah, KSA. This step marks a significant milestone in the development of a promising coastal tourism sector, and it falls under SRSA’s enablement roles. Licensing and permitting will help in regulating coastal tourism activities within the geographical scope. This will enable and encourage practitioners and investors in the coastal tourism sector. Whereas the Maritime Tourism Agent’s role includes providing services for marine watercrafts- such as yachts and cruise ships – to practice safe and sustainable marine navigational tourism activities, SRSA will ensure that the licensed maritime tourism agents facilitate marine watercrafts movements within the Kingdom’s waters and their adherence to best sustainable standards and practices. The Maritime Tourism Agent License was handed by the Vice President of Coastal Tourism Operations at SRSA, Eng. Mohammed Bukhari, to the Chief Destination Experiences Officer at Cruise Saudi, Mrs. Barbara Buczek, at the Cruise Saudi headquarters in Jeddah.

Explora Journeys announced a strategic partnership in Saudi Arabia with ITL World aimed to bring bespoke luxury travel experiences to discerning Saudi travelers, combining Explora Journeys’ sophisticated cruise offerings with ITL World’s regional expertise. Travellers have the chance to immerse themselves in cosmopolitan, European luxury at sea. On every journey, guests can enjoy elegant suites with a private ocean-front terrace, nine unforgettable inclusive culinary experiences, high-speed Wi-Fi via Starlink connectivity, vibrant entertainment & ocean-inspired wellness. With this partnership, ITL World will leverage its extensive network and expertise in travel management to introduce Explora Journeys’ unique offerings to a broader audience in Saudi Arabia enhancing the luxury ocean travel options available to discerning travelers. Speaking on the backdrop of the Saudi Aramco Travel Show 2024, Angelo Capurro, Executive Director, Explora Journeys, said, “We are delighted to partner with ITL World, a company that shares our vision of providing truly transformative travel experiences. This collaboration will allow us to bring our unique journeys to a wider audience in the Middle East, offering them the chance to explore the world in unparalleled luxury.” Dr. Siddeek Ahmed, Chairman & Managing, ITL World, added, “Our partnership with Explora Journeys underscores our commitment to offering the best in luxury travel to our guests in Saudi Arabia. We are excited to combine our local expertise with Explora Journeys’ exceptional offerings to create unique and memorable travel experiences.” Setting a new standard in luxury ocean travel, Explora Journeys, offers discerning travellers the perfect blend of discovery and sophistication, combining celebrated destinations with off-the-beaten-path ports, inviting travellers to immerse themselves in the essence of exploration. With overnights and longer stays at destinations, guests can delve deep into local cultures …

Resorts World Cruises announced that it will be expanding its footprint to the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman with the Resorts World One for a 6-month homeport deployment in Dubai, UAE. Starting from 18 October 2024, the Resorts World One will homeport and depart from Dubai to offer a 2 Night Sir Bani Yas Weekend Cruise with departures on Fridays; a 3 Night Oman Cruise to Khasab and Muscat departing on Sundays; and a 2 Night Doha Cruise departing on Wednesdays. Guests will have the flexible option to combine two or all three of the itineraries to increase the cruise length to a 4, 5 or 7 Night Cruise. Resorts World One will also add Doha as a homeport during the Qatar school holidays from 24 October to 2 November 2024. During this period, vacationers will have the additional convenience to embark from Doha to enjoy two 2 Night Dubai Cruises (24 and 31 October departures) and two 5 Night Dubai–Khasab-Muscat Cruises (26 October & 2 November departures). “We are excited to introduce the Resorts World Cruises brand to the Arabian Gulf with the Resorts World One cruise ship. As an international cruise line that is homegrown in Asia, we have decades of valuable experience in the cruise and hospitality sector, especially in catering to the needs of different ethnic and religious markets,” said Mr. Michael Goh, President of Resorts World Cruises. “Both cities Dubai and Doha are key international gateways to the Middle East and with the support of the respective local governments, authorities and travel partners, we look forward to further developing cruises to the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” he added. Resorts World Cruises operates …