Category Archives: Cruises

Following a successful 2015/2016 run, which saw passenger numbers grow by 19 per cent and ship calls increase by 24 per cent compared to the previous year, two new lines — Norwegian Cruise Line and Thomson Cruises — are making their debut in the region with their maiden call to Dubai Cruise Terminal this season. Thomson Cruises will be the first ever UK-based cruise line to home port in Dubai contributing over 12 calls and over 25,000 cruise tourists to Dubai this season. The new season is projected to record an 18 per cent increase in ship calls, leading to 157 ship calls and an estimated 600,000 cruise tourists arriving in the city. Dubai Cruise has experienced significant growth since 2014, after the implementation of the multiple-entry UAE visa, which opened up potential emerging source markets such as India, China, South America and Russia. With over 23 of the world’s leading cruise operators — including six home-porting lines — anchoring in Dubai for an overnight stay or passenger turn-around, and an estimated 10 maiden ship calls, the 2016/2017 season is expected to continue the  upward trajectory, contributing to Dubai’s strategic goal of achieving 20 million visitors per year by 2020.

A delegation from the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the ‘Seatrade Cruise Med’ held between September 21-23, in Tenerife, Spain, with an aim of further promoting the Kingdom as a tourism destination. The delegation included Yousif Al Khan, Director of Tourism Marketing and Promotions at the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority and Amal Jamal from the Economic Development Board (EDB). The Bahraini representative’s participation in the event came as a part of a comprehensive team representing the Gulf region under the name of ‘Cruise Arabia’. “The main aim behind our participation in the Seatrade Cruise Med is to promote the Kingdom as a destination for cruises in order to increase the number of inbound tourists and further develop the industry and overall national economy,” said Khan. Further commenting on the participation, Executive Director Marketing and Communications at the EDB, Vivian Jamal said, “Last year, 40,000 tourists visited Bahrain through cruise ships. The Seatrade Cruise Med is one of the most important global cruise events and is the right platform to promote Bahrain as a destination among exhibitors from all around the globe.” The participation is in line’s the Kingdom’s tourism strategy launched earlier this year under the brand, ‘Ours. Yours’. The strategy, launched by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority in cooperation with the EDB, focuses on four pillars; awareness, attraction, access and accommodation. A key integral component of the strategy is to develop the sea ports in the Kingdom in order to further attract yachts and cruise ships.

The Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) revealed the formation of RASEINA Maritime Domestic & Leisure Working Group, a first of its kind in the UAE, which aims to promote Dubai’s marine and leisure sector activities. The group has been created in a push to advance the Maritime Sector Strategy and further lead Dubai into becoming one of the world’s most important maritime centers. It forms part of DMCA’s efforts to implement strategic programmes and innovative projects highlighting the emirate’s maritime services and effectively promote marine and leisure sector in Dubai, given its leading role in the local maritime sector. The first meeting, which was organized by DMCA, saw the review of key topics covered in the Dubai Maritime Sector Strategy and identified the important goals to be achieved by the marine leisure sector as part of their continuing support to the emirate in becoming a pioneering global maritime hub. Participants also discussed the current status of the maritime leisure sector in Dubai and the challenges and opportunities within. They also talked about the joint work between the private and public sectors and the related guidelines, standards and procedures that can help in achieving the best results and the application of best practices to achieve sustainability of the sector and increase its level of competitiveness. Amer Ali, Executive Director of DMCA, said that the decree paves the way for a new era of excellence in terms of promoting the competitive advantages of Dubai on the global marine leisure and recreational activities. He noted that the group is one of the best examples of active partnership between the government and private sectors, which clearly support national efforts towards developing, regulating and promoting …

Al Wasl Dhow has launched its new biggest dhow in Dubai Marina, in partnership with Iftikhar Hamdani, Cluster General Manager, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman and Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman. Al Wasl, owned by Ishrat Ali Khan and comprised of Al Wasl Dhow, Al Wasl Yachts, Asia Pacific Travel and Tourism, and Oasis Palm Tourism, is a prominent excursion provider in Dubai. Under the supervision of Hamdani, internationally reputed chefs will create masterpiece dishes for guests onboard the Al Wasl, so that they could enjoy the dhow cruise dinner along Dubai Marina. These chefs will create fusion dishes from European, Asian, and Arabian cuisines which offers a five star dining experience, having multiple choices from salads, soups, main course, desserts, and beverages. Al Wasl Dhow is the first five-star dining dhow which is the perfect match for Dubai Marina. Combining sophisticated class with modern facilities. It is an ideal venue for wedding parties, family get together events and business launches/events. It is operated on daily basis in the evening.

The Abu Dhabi cruise terminal recently announced that it witnessed an increase of 16% in passenger numbers and 20% jump in vessel calls. The cruise terminal welcomed 231,660 tourists during 2015-16 cruise season compared to 35,366 passengers 10 years ago at Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi Ports which manages the terminal said in a statement, as reported by Gulf News. “This impressive double-digit growth in the face of economic headwinds is a remarkable achievement and further strengthens Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal’s role in boosting the country’s tourism industry,” said captain Mohammad Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports. “We are working closely with our strategic partners to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a major global destination and attract international cruise liners to not only call at Abu Dhabi as part of their itinerary but also to choose the emirate as their starting point for regional cruises by making it their homeport,” he added. According to Abu Dhabi Ports, 113 cruise ships called at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal during the 2015-16 season, marking a 20% growth over the 94 ships that docked at Zayed Port during the 2014-15 season. Tourists from Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom made up 80 per cent of cruise visitors to Abu Dhabi during the cruise season.

The inaugural visit to Dubai of Ovation of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International’s third Quantum-class ship, was met with much enthusiasm, as onlookers marvelled at the magnificent vessel on its maiden voyage. The third ship of its kind, Ovation of the Seas stopped at Dubai Cruise Terminal 3 on its way from Barcelona to Singapore. The occasion was marked by Jamal Humaid Al Falasi, Director of Dubai Cruise Tourism, Dubai Tourism, along with a selection of dignitaries from Dubai Immigration, Dubai Customs, DP World, PCFC Security and representatives from the ship’s agency M/S Wilhelmsen Ship Services and ground handlers M/S. Arabian Adventures who presented the ship’s captain, Flemming Nielsen, with an honorary plaque at a special ceremony held on board the ship. Also in attendance at the event were Dr. Abdulaziz Aloshban, Managing Director of Royal Caribbean Arabia, and Abby Penlington, Marketing & Communications Manager, International Representatives – EMEA.