The Silversea luxury cruise product is perfectly suited to the tastes of the Middle East cruise market, according to Peter Shanks, Managing Director UK & Ireland and Middle East for Silversea Cruises.

“The Middle East region looks for superlative cruising options, and our offering is perfectly suited to their distinct taste,” he said, speaking on the appointment of Safeen Tourism in Dubai as the cruise line’s regional representatives.

Silversea operates a fleet of nine ultra-luxurious cruise ships globally

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“Our initial focus will be on Mediterranean and Northern Europe sailings – and as we develop the relationship further, I am sure our iconic and varied destination reach will appeal,” he added. “We look forward to working with Safeen Tourism and its leading team of cruise experts. It is a terrific example of the added strength and synergy Silversea can gain from being part of the Royal Caribbean family.”

Silversea is owned by Royal Caribbean, the second-largest cruise company in the world

Safeen Tourism is already the regional sales and marketing representative in the Middle East for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises.

The addition of Silversea Cruises to its portfolio comes after the luxury cruise line was purchased by Royal Caribbean Cruises, the parent company to Azamara, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean International, and the second-largest cruise company in the world.

The new appointment was announced during the recent arrival of Silver Shadow to Port Rashid in Dubai.

Her 15-night cruise from Dubai to Greece will include port calls in Khasab, Sur and Salalah in Oman, as well as Safaga in Egypt, Aqaba in Jordan, a transit of the Suez Canal and a visit to Rhodes before arriving in Piraeus, the gateway port for Athens.

The announcement was made during Silver Shadow’s 2019 cruise departure from Dubai

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Silversea enjoys market leadership of the Ultra Luxury and Expedition Cruise markets in North America, UK and Australia, while it’s sister cruise line Royal Caribbean International is the market leader in the Middle East source market.

Safeen is therefore well placed to grow Silversea’s presence and representation in the Middle East, according to Mohamed Saeed, General Manager for the Middle East, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises.

“We are proud to add Silversea to our stable of Royal Caribbean brands. It allows us to offer our travel partners and guests an unrivalled choice of cruise holidays,” he said. “We look forward to working closely with our travel agent partners in growing Silversea’s awareness and sales in the Middle East.”

Silversea Cruises is recognised as an innovator in the ultra-luxury cruise line industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its nine intimate, all-suite vessels, several of which are to undergo a major refurbishment to bring them up-to-date with newer ships in the fleet.

Silversea’s itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, both Polar Regions and hundreds of destinations in between, including South Africa and the Middle East annually.