MSC Cruises extends Emirates partnership ahead of expanded 2025/26 season

MSC Cruises and Emirates have extended their long-term strategic partnership to enhance the fly-cruise experience for passengers, supporting Dubai’s position as a global cruise hub.

Announced at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, the partnership builds on a decade-long relationship and will leverage the strengths of the airline and MSC Cruises to enhance the guest experience and support the growth of Dubai’s cruise tourism eco-system. 

The partnership agreement was signed by Nabil Sultan, Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management, Emirates, and Eudes-Philippe Le Guelinel, Head of Fly & Cruise, MSC Cruises.

“Our partnership with Emirates is founded on a shared dedication to offering guests unforgettable experiences and high-quality service, with both Emirates and MSC Cruises recognised as leaders in their fields,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises. 

“We are pleased to be extending this successful partnership and continuing to offer Emirates’ world-renowned flight service alongside the memorable experience waiting for guests on board our ship through our Fly & Cruise packages,” he added.

The move by MSC Cruises comes ahead of one of its largest Middle East cruise seasons to date, with MSC World Europa, the largest vessel in its fleet and one of the largest in the world, scheduled to homeport in Dubai for the 2025/26 season.

“Our cornerstone partnership with MSC Cruises stands as a testament to how two brands can work together to support Dubai’s cruise tourism ecosystem while enhancing the customer experience,” said Nabil Sultan, Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management, Emirates. 

“The cruise traveller segment is experiencing robust growth, and we will work closely with MSC Cruises on co-marketing initiatives to communicate the diversity of destinations in our network combined with an attractive air-sea proposition,” he added.

Passengers booking Fly&Cruise packages on itineraries sailing roundtrip from Dubai recieve a range of benefits, including being met at arrivals with a dedicated bus transfer to the ship, and baggage drop at the cruise terminal on the final day of the voyage, allowing easier exploration of the city.

The partnership between Emirates and MSC Cruises will focus on collaboration across the cruise line’s fleet of ships, as well as its luxury cruise line, Explora Journeys, to offer a sophisticated, differentiated and upscale experience for discerning travellers. 

Emirates and MSC Cruises will also explore growth strategies that will help expand cruise traffic movements beyond Dubai. Emirates will identify initiatives across its network to support MSC Cruises deployments beyond the UAE. 

The airline and MSC Cruises will explore joint promotional strategies and marketing campaigns that drive awareness and consideration in key markets to boost Dubai’s appeal as a cruise destination and drive interest and bookings for Explora Journeys as well as close coordination of flight and cruise schedules to optimise passenger itineraries and reduce transit times. 

Both travel brands will seek to share relevant operational data and insights to improve service delivery, explore cruise blocks inventory allocation, in addition to coordination on flight and cruise schedules and facilitating a smooth check-in process at Dubai Cruise Terminal in Port Rashid.

The 16 dedicated Emirates check-in counters at Dubai Cruise Terminal enable disembarking cruise passengers to process their luggage and secure boarding passes up to four hours prior to departure, allowing them to bypass the usual formalities at the airport and proceed directly to their departure gates.