Cruise passengers visiting Abu Dhabi will no longer need to show their COVID pass when entering tourist attractions and visiting landmarks around the city.
Abu Dhabi removes green COVID pass requirements for cruise passengers
Ponant announces Arabia-focused Smithsonian Journeys cruise from Dubai
The luxury French cruise line Ponant has teamed up with Smithsonian Journeys to offer a series of co-branded, destination-immersive sailings, one of which will feature the Arabian Gulf.
Ras Al Khaimah targets luxury and expedition cruise growth
While Dubai and Abu Dhabi have established themselves as the primary cruise ports in the Middle East, with Dubai especially popular as a homeport for Arabian Gulf itineraries, Ras Al Khaimah is […]
Dubai loosens COVID-19 restrictions, what it means for cruise tourists
Cruise tourists arriving in Dubai to board cruise ships sailing from the city will no longer be required to take a PCR test, provided they are fully vaccinated.
Cruise ships sailing out of Dubai can now dock at Sir Bani Yas Island
Cruise ships sailing roundtrip out of Dubai can now dock directly at Sir Bani Yas Island after the new cruise pier was inaugurated for the island off the coast of Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi shore excursions: Al Jubail Mangroves Park
The UAE is a bustling nation built in a desert, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t an abundance of natural beauty here, and the Al Jubail Mangroves Park is one of the […]
New German mega-ship AIDAcosma delivered ahead of 2022 Dubai season
AIDA Cruises took delivery of its new Excellence-class cruise ship AIDAcosma on Tuesday, ahead of the massive vessel’s 2022 winter cruise season in Dubai.
Abu Dhabi says its ready as 2021/22 cruise season gets underway
Abu Dhabi cruise tourism officials have welcomed the start of the 2021/22 Arabian Gulf cruise season, which commenced this week with the arrival in Dubai of the first ship of the season, […]
Abu Dhabi expects ‘resurgence of cruise industry’ for 2021/22 season
Abu Dhabi tourism officials have expressed confidence in the UAE cruise sector’s ability to quickly recover from the setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic during the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami, Florida.
MSC Opera and AIDAnova offer Dubai and Abu Dhabi as 2021/22 homeport
Two of the five cruise ships homeporting in Dubai for the 2021/22 winter cruise season will offer Abu Dhabi as a homeport as well. MSC Opera and AIDAnova will both interport between […]
Abu Dhabi cruise tourism to reopen in September, first cruises due in October
The cruise sector in Abu Dhabi will reopen this September, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism, bringing the UAE’s capital in-line with Dubai, the region’s primary cruise port.
MSC Saudi Arabia cruises transformative for Middle East cruise sector
Saudi Arabia cruises and the opening up of the country to cruise tourism will remove two key challenges that have long held the Middle East cruise sector back, and create three opportunities […]
Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal operator launches massive coral relocation project
Abu Dhabi Ports, the operator of the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal in Port Zayed, has launched a major coral relocation and conservation project, in the waters surrounding Khalifa Port.
Three cruise lines now confirmed for 2020/21 Dubai cruise season
There are now three cruise lines scheduled to cruise roundtrip from Dubai for the 2020/21 Middle East cruise season, which has been postponed due to the ongoing pandemic.
Abu Dhabi to demolish buildings as part of cruise port redevelopment
Four Mina Plaza towers and several buildings along the wharf front in Port Zayed are to be demolished as part of the redevelopment of Abu Dhabi‘s cruise port.
Fred Olsen to cruise from Dubai on new ship Borealis’ 2022 World Cruise
Dubai will be a key turnaround port on Borealis’ upcoming 2022 World Cruise with Fred Olsen Cruise Line.
Costa Cruises to homeport largest newest ship Costa Smeralda in Dubai for 2021/22
The flagship of the Costa Cruises fleet, its first-ever LNG-powered ship and the largest built for a European cruise line, Costa Smeralda, will homeport in Dubai for the winter, 2021/22 cruise season.
UAE reveals fines for cruise ships and passengers who break anti-COVID-19 rules
The UAE has announced a new set of fines relating to measures being taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus, including thousands of dollars in penalties for cruise lines and passengers that […]
Abu Dhabi tourist ‘safe zone’ may be used as model for cruise tourism amid COVID-19
Abu Dhabi has successfully hosted 2,500 international tourists on Yas Island for its UFC Fight Island event, which saw the creation of an 11-kilometre ‘safe zone’, a model that tourism officials have […]
Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas returns to Dubai after passengers develop respiratory symptoms
Abu Dhabi closed its cruise terminal at Port Zayed to cruise ships overnight, turning away Jewel of the Seas, which had departed Dubai yesterday. Royal Caribbean appeared to have been granted an […]
