Virgin Voyages praises Dubai Harbour, looks ahead to future UAE cruises

Virgin Voyages has praised the efficiency of turnaround operations at Dubai Harbour following the cruise line’s first-ever call in Dubai, and cruise from the city, aboard Resilient Lady.

Dubai Harbour welcomed Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages to the Arabian Gulf for the first time over the weekend, with Resilient Lady docking at the new Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal ahead of her 16-night voyage to Singapore.

The ship was welcomed with a customary water salute and plaque exchange.

“As Resilient Lady embarks on her journey from Greece to Australia, we wanted to offer our Sailors the opportunity of a lifetime to explore one of the world’s most captivating cities via Dubai Harbour,” saidMichelle Bentubo, Chief Operating Officer of Virgin Voyages. 

“We are grateful for the Arabian hospitality and warm welcome into this extraordinary seafront district,” she added. “The modern, highly efficient terminal network helped us ensure smooth Sailor turnaround, which is imperative given our shorter stay in the city, and we look forward to calling on Dubai in years to come.”

Virgin Voyages refers to its passengers as ‘sailors’.

Resilient Lady was only the second ship of the season to call at Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal, which is expecting more than 300,000 cruise passengers this season aboard 49 cruise ship calls.

Resilient Lady is the newest “Lady Ship” to join the Virgin Voyages fleet, which already includes Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady. The ship was launched on May 14th, 2023 from her summer homeport in Athens, Greece. 

Like her sister ships, Resilient Lady was designed by world-renowned architects and designers including Tom Dixon and Concrete Amsterdam, with menus curated by Michelin-starred chefs. 

On-board, passengers are spoiled with a daily line-up of immersive entertainment and live music performances, paired with food from 20+ eateries and a range of spaces to recharge and relax.

From unlimited group fitness classes to a mermaid-inspired spa and thermal suite, Virgin Voyages emphasizes relaxation while on a mission to curate the best week at sea for its Sailors.

Abdulla Binhabtoor, Chief Portfolio Management Officer of Shamal Holding and the owner and curator of Dubai Harbour said the brand was a perfect fit for Dubai Harbour development, which features a cruise terminal that can accommodate two ships at once and process more than 3,250 passengers per hour.

“We are delighted to have Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady stopover at our seafront destination,” saidBinhabtoor. “Dubai Harbour curates extraordinary experiences that are inspired by our connection to the sea, showcasing a wide range of living, retail and hospitality offerings for all to explore while visiting the city.”