Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Oman...

Alliance aims to attract more cruise passengers to the region

The maritime and tourism authorities of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Oman have formalised the Cruise Arabia alliance, a strategic regional partnership that will promote the Arabian Gulf as a cruise ship destination globally.

An official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the stakeholders at ITB Berlin.

Key objectives of the Cruise Arabia alliance include enhancing the cruise experience for passengers, improving infrastructure at ports and driving economic growth in the regional cruise tourism sector.

To achieve these goals, the partners will work together to enhance the regional cruise ecosystem, improving key stakeholder relations, and conducting joint marketing efforts both regionally and internationally.

Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) CEO Issam Kazim said: “This alliance will result in more cruise operators seeking to anchor in Dubai, capitalising on its strategic location and promoting the city’s diverse offerings, world-class infrastructure and superior air and sea connectivity.”

Dubai is home to two world-class cruise ports, Mina (Port) Rashid and Dubai Harbour, which can accommodate a combined nine mega-cruise vessels at any one time.

Inaugurated in 2021, Dubai Harbour is the emirate's newest port, strategically located at the intersection of the iconic Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters Island. The facility welcomed 300,000 passengers in the 2022-2023 cruise season, roughly four times the numbers from its debut season, with a 40% increase in ship calls.

To date, cruise operators to homeport in the region include MSC Cruises, TUI Cruises, Aida Cruises and Costa Cruises, with Cunard, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises and Cordelia Cruises all visiting the region's ports.

To book with Royal Caribbean Arabia call UAE +971 4 331 4299, KSA 800 897 1419, or email book@rccl.ae. For more information, visit www.royalcaribbean.ae. To book with Celebrity Cruises, call UAE +971 4 331 4299, KSA 800 897 1419, or visit www.celebritycruises.ae. To book with NCL, email Rebecca Ransom, Business Development Manager Middle East, rransom@ncl.com, call +447961 300 729, or visit www.ncl.com

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