From stopover to stronghold: The Arabian Gulf emerges as a cruise powerhouse

Cruise tourism in the Middle East is undergoing a quiet transformation. Once treated as a seasonal stopover for repositioning voyages, the Arabian Gulf is now steadily becoming a destination in its own right—attracting longer ship deployments, larger vessels, and increasing passenger demand.

Speaking at the Cruise Arabia Alliance session during Arabian Travel Market 2025 in Dubai, Dave Goodger, Managing Partner EMEA at Tourism Economics (Oxford Economics), set the scene with a few key figures.

“Since 2019, the fleet size and deployment—measured in berths and global passenger days—have increased by 25% relative to 2019 levels, with a further 5% growth this year,” he said. “While the Middle East still represents a small share of this deployment, that’s something I believe everyone here will agree is poised to change very soon.”

One of the strongest indicators of that shift is the increased commitment from cruise lines. “The ships that are deployed here are larger—average vessel size is up 26%—and they’re staying longer, with the number of days per ship in the region more than doubling, up 125%,” Goodger explained. “These ships are now dedicated to the Gulf, not just passing through.”

This evolution is not limited to deployment volume. It’s also about passenger expectations—and how the Gulf is uniquely positioned to meet them. “There’s widespread interest in both large ships and luxury offerings, as well as in newer, lesser-known destinations,” he said. “This aligns well with what this region can offer. At the same time, we’re seeing a shift away from budget cruising and more demand for premium and luxury experiences.”

That shift is reflected in the types of vessels entering the global market. “There’s been a strong skew toward smaller, luxury vessels—up nearly 40% since 2019—while mega ships continue to grow in size and capacity,” Goodger noted.

Demographics are changing too. “Cruise demand is increasingly driven by younger, wealthier travellers—many of them first-time cruisers,” he said. “That’s a strong fit for the Gulf, where regional travel already tends to skew toward that demographic.”

With Dubai and Abu Dhabi continuing to serve as anchor ports, newer players like Doha are adding further depth to the regional cruise offering. “Traditional ports like Dubai and Abu Dhabi remain key, but others such as Doha are emerging and helping diversify the regional offering,” Goodger said. “This broader distribution supports the development of smaller destinations and new shore experiences.”

Goodger also pointed to the impact of the Suez Canal on cruise deployment, noting that restrictions and rerouted repositioning voyages have indirectly benefited the Gulf. “The impact of restrictions in the Suez Canal has limited traditional deployment patterns—particularly repositioning itineraries from the Mediterranean through the Red Sea,” he said. “As a result, fewer ships are arriving through those routes. But the ships that are committed to the region are larger and staying longer.”

Looking ahead, the cruise industry is expected to grow even faster than global tourism. “By 2030, global cruise demand is expected to increase by nearly 50% compared to 2019, while overall travel is forecast to grow around 45%,” Goodger said. “For this region, we anticipate cruise growth to exceed even that.”

From younger, affluent cruisers to rising interest in premium voyages and the emergence of new ports, the Middle East is steadily transitioning from a peripheral player to a central pillar in cruise deployment strategy. As Goodger put it: “This region has a strong alignment with where global cruise demand is heading.”