There are eight cruise ships in Dubai waters for New Year’s Eve, but only two of them are in passenger service, while the rest are either in warm lay-up, or have had their cruises cancelled due to COVID-19 outbreaks.

AIDAbella and MSC Virtuosa are both carrying passengers on New Year cruises and will enjoy spectacular views of the Dubai Harbour and Burk Khalifa fireworks respectively.

Burj Khalifa fireworks on NYE

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In addition to these ships, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Spirit, Costa Mediterranea, and Costa Atlantica are in Dubai, but none of them are carrying passengers.

The Carnival ships will spend New Year docked offshore in the Dubai Anchorage, while the Costa ships are docked in Port Rashid near the Dubai Cruise Terminal.

Europa and Europa 2 of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises are also docked in Dubai, but both ships had their New Year cruises cancelled due to duel outbreaks of COVID-19 on-board. Similarly, Norwegian Jade is in lay-up in Abu Dhabi after her South African cruise season was cancelled.

Cruise ships typically spend New Year alongside in Dubai in order to enjoy the fireworks, with MSC Virtuosa due to be treated to a display involving 178 tons of fireworks around the world’s tallest building.

Behind the scenes of the #EmaarNYE22 celebrations! It takes an entire team of hardworking, dedicated, and passionate people to bring this magical night to life! Join this unforgettable night with us from behind the scenes and book your spot now with the @UByEmaar app! pic.twitter.com/gJ1PeN3jfu

— Burj Khalifa (@BurjKhalifa) December 31, 2021

The 177,958kg of fireworks will be used in coordination with 10,400 firing orders and 1,235 firing directions. As many as 274 light fixtures are being used, in addition to 60 laser projectors, according to Emaar, the property developer that owns the Burj Khalifa.

The Beach opposite JBR in Dubai last year on NYE

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AIDAbella of the German cruise line AIDA Cruises will spend New Year’s Eve alongside at the new Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal, which will be surrounded by fireworks at midnight, with displays on the Palm Jumeirah, JBR and Blue Waters Island all set to go ahead.

The Beach opposite JBR, within a stone’s throw of the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal will also feature a drone show at 8:00pm and 10:30pm on New Year’s Eve.

The aerial spectacle will see hundreds of drones dancing across the sky to create beautiful patterns and illusions that celebrate both the UAE’s Golden Jubilee and New Year’s Eve.

These are just some of the 36 fireworks shows at 29 locations across the city.

Mein Schiff 6 of TUI Cruises and Costa Firenze are the two other cruise ships homeporting in Dubai for the current winter cruise season, but neither will be in Dubai for New Year’s Eve.

Mein Schiff 6 will throw its own NYE party at sea en-route from Muscat to Khasab, while Costa Firenze is in Abu Dhabi, where it will also enjoy large fireworks displays.