Emirates commits to cruise growth...

UAE airline to create and promote more fly-cruise packages to serve growing segment from Dubai

Emirates airline has doubled down on its commitment to the growing cruise industry while enhancing Dubai’s cruise hub credentials, in a new partnership with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

The partnership will give Emirates access to industry research and insights, including passenger demographics and emerging trends, allowing the Dubai-based airline to better create and promote fly-cruise packages.

The CLIA collaboration cements Emirates’ commitment to cruise, having just agreed a deal with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises to provide travellers with combined luxury cruise and air travel experiences for the 2026-2027 season.

The airline currently has 23 Fly & Cruise packages available to destinations in Europe and the Americas.

The extension of the Diamond Elite partnership with CLIA allows Emirates to play a leading role in developing seamless air services for cruise passengers, with the Association representing 90% of the global ocean cruise fleet.

“The cruise industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience, with robust demand spanning diverse traveller segments, and a healthy performance outlook,” said Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer at Emirates.

“We will strategically tap into the growth opportunity that the industry presents, especially across CLIA’s expansive business community.

“Our CLIA executive partnership also reinforces Dubai's emergence as one of the world’s best cruise destinations. Through collaborative efforts with our partners, Dubai today benefits from an integrated air-land-sea proposition.”

Cruise is an important segment for Dubai and for Emirates, which carried 187,000 cruise passengers to the city in 2024. Dubai is also home port to four ships, including MSC Euribia which begins roundtrip cruises exploring the Arabian Gulf from November 2025.

Also set to accelerate the growth of the sector, Jacobs Media announced the launch of Connections Cruise Arabia at ATM. The game-changing two-day cruise event, taking place in March 2026, will bring together more than 300 senior cruise leaders and influencers from across the global to shape the future of the sector.

Dubai was named the safest cruise ship stopover in 2025 by InsureMyTrip, and has the highest number of onshore activities with more than 3,000, ranging from safaris to hot air balloon rides.

For more information, visit www.emirates.com and cruising.org

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