A growing number of UAE residents are choosing to spend the festive season aboard cruise ships, with demand for Christmas and New Year sailings from regional ports reaching near-capacity levels across the winter cruise season this year.

Industry executives and travel agents report that sailings departing from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with itineraries calling at Sir Baniyas Island, Khasab, Musandam, and Doha, have sold out weeks in advance, reflecting a shift in holiday travel preferences among residents seeking an alternative to traditional air travel during the peak festive period.

“It’s like a floating city that travels from one destination to another,” said Ion Lazarescu, Director of Celestyal Cruise, speaking to The Khaleej Times. “People don’t just book a cruise for the destination anymore. They book it for the experience like the food, the entertainment, the festive atmosphere, and everything is wrapped into one.”

According to Lazarescu, the UAE has increasingly positioned itself as a winter cruise gateway, attracting both regional residents and international travellers.

“The UAE has become a winter gateway for cruising,” he said. “Guests can enjoy warm weather, modern ports and culturally rich stops without the hassle of constant packing and unpacking.”

Travel agents across the country have echoed those observations, noting exceptional demand for festive sailings this season.

“Christmas and New Year sailings are almost completely sold out,” said Sandra Lobo, Business Head of the Cruise Division at Rayna Tours. “Most departures from late November to the first week of January filled up very quickly.”

Lobo added that price competitiveness has played a significant role in driving demand. Average cruise fares start at approximately Dh1,900 per person for a standard sailing, a price that includes accommodation, meals, and onboard entertainment. “When you look at what’s included, many residents feel it offers better value than flying during peak season,” she said.

Beyond pricing, the convenience factor appears to be central to the appeal. Cruise passengers are able to enjoy festive dining, themed shows, and seasonal entertainment without navigating airport queues, hotel check-ins or complex travel itineraries. Guests unpack once and experience multiple destinations while returning to the same cabin each evening.

Modern cruise ships operating in the region are also designed to cater to a wide demographic, making them particularly attractive for families during the school holiday period.

Larger vessels homeporting in the Middle East, such as MSC Euribia, and TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 4 and 5, offer amenities including water parks, bowling alleys, dry slides, kids’ clubs, arcades, sports courts, yoga studios, adults-only areas, and a wide range of live entertainment options.

“Cruising is not a year-round product here. It operates mainly during winter, from November to April. That seasonal nature makes it feel special. UAE residents travel all year round by air, but a cruise feels like a limited-time experience,” Lobo said.

This year’s festive sailings saw multiple vessels spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day across key regional ports. Celestyal Journey called at Sir Bani Yas Island off Abu Dhabi on December 24th as part of her seven-night Desert Days itinerary roundtrip from Doha, while MSC Euribia was in Abu Dhabi on Christmas Eve during her four-night Dubai & Middle East sailing from Dubai.

Mein Schiff 5 spent December 24th in Dubai on her seven-night roundtrip cruise from Doha, Qatar, while Mein Schiff 4 called in Doha, Qatar on December 25th during her roundtrip itinerary from Dubai.

Celestyal Discovery also marked Christmas Eve in Ras Al Khaimah as part of her seven-night Iconic Arabia voyage roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, while Celestyal Journey spent Christmas Day in Abu Dhabi during her 7-night roundtrip itinerary from Doha.

As winter cruising continues to expand across the Arabian Gulf, the festive season has emerged as one of the strongest demand periods of the year, with operators increasingly positioning the region as a competitive alternative to traditional holiday travel for UAE residents seeking a different way to celebrate Christmas.

Cruise ships homeporting in the Arabian Gulf will spend New Year’s Eve this year in port all along the coast of the UAE, providing passengers with a variety of ways to see in 2026.