Royal Caribbean expands regional headquarters in Dubai amid unprecedented cruise growth

Royal Caribbean is expanding its Middle East headquarters in Dubai to cater to the expanding regional cruise market, and support the more than 50,000 outbound cruise passengers from the region.

Royal Caribbean Arabia, through its sole Middle East representative Safeen Tourism, moved into the larger offices on Wednesday, providing it with greater scope to deal with the walk-in customers the company has seen grow in the last year, as well as the introduction of a dedicated online division to directly deal with inquiries from each of the brand’s dedicated websites.

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Royal Caribbean Cruises is the parent company of four distinct cruise brands that operate in the region, and the second-largest cruise corporation in the world after Carnival Corporation. Safeen Tourism represents Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and the latest addition to the line-up, Silversea Cruises on behalf of Royal Caribbean Cruises.

The new offices also feature Cruise Education lounges that will provide prospective cruisers with an immersive experience of what they can expect while aboard, from water fun, to theatrical entertainment, port days and a host of engaging activities for guests of all ages.

Royal Caribbean Cruises’ portfolio offers more than 900 destinations across 50 vessels ranging from the world’s largest cruise ship Symphony of the Seas, which can carry more than 6,500 passengers, down to the intimate ultra-luxury of Silversea Cruises all-suite offering for less than 300 passengers.

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Safeen Tourism is also responsible for Royal Caribbean’s regional cruise itineraries that will include 24 sailings aboard Jewel of the Seas to Oman, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain, all starting from Dubai’s dedicated cruise terminal at Mina Rashid.

“The last 12 months have seen a significant interest in cruising from the region and travellers from the Middle East are heading to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and even South East Asia,” said Mohamed Saeed, General Manager, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara & Silversea Cruises – Middle East.

“The inbound visitors looking to experience cruising in the Arabian Gulf see us rotating more than 5,000 passengers a week departing from Port Rashid in the winter season,” he added.

Alongside Jewel of the Seas of Royal Caribbean International, the company is also homeporting Celebrity Constellation from its sister brand Celebrity Cruises in Dubai for the coming cruise season.