Once known primarily as a cruise turnaround port, Dubai is now positioning itself as a destination in its own right—one that aims to turn brief ship calls into lasting visitor engagement.
Amid temporary rerouting and security concerns, cruise executives remain firm in their view that the Red Sea is still the Middle East’s most compelling cruise destination, offering a rare blend of heritage, […]
The Arabian Gulf cruise sector is gaining momentum, but industry leaders say a regional cruise visa could be the missing link to unlocking seamless itineraries, longer deployments, and broader international appeal.
TUI Cruises has celebrated the launch of Mein Schiff Flow, the second vessel in its new InTUItion class, at a ceremony held at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.
MSC Cruises is adapting its regional product in terms of food, entertainment, and language, but a fully halal kitchen remains a challenge.
Crystal has announced the itinerary for its 2028 World Cruise, with Crystal Symphony scheduled to visit Dubai as part of a 150-night voyage covering six continents. Bookings for the full sailing open to the […]
Jacobs Media will launch Connections Cruise Arabia, a dedicated B2B cruise summit for the Arabian Gulf, amid rampant growth in the local cruise industry.
President of Explora Journeys Anna Nash on why the Arabian Gulf is ready for ultra-luxury cruising as the line prepares to homeport in Dubai for 2026/27.
As demand for cruising in the Arabian Gulf continues to rise, MSC Cruises is increasingly leaning into short itineraries as a format that suits the region’s unique travel preferences.
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 […]
The former Celestyal Crystal is sailing towards Oman following nearly two years laid up in the Eastern Mediterranean, with her future uncertain. The vessel, recently renamed Sun Bright, was removed from the Celestyal Cruises fleet […]
Short cruises are becoming the region’s most effective tool for attracting new-to-cruise customers. With weekend itineraries tailored to GCC travellers’ lifestyles, operators are building a new source market in the Middle East.
MSC Cruises is set to elevate the luxury cruise offering in the Middle East with the deployment of its high-end brand, Explora Journeys, to the Gulf and Red Sea for the 2026/27 […]
As instability persists in the Red Sea, cruise lines are absorbing losses by avoiding the Suez Canal and sailing without passengers via South Africa—raising questions about the long-term viability of rerouting and […]
MSC Cruises will redeploy its flagship MSC World Europa, its largest ship and the class leader of the World Class vessels, to the Arabian Gulf for the 2026/27 winter season after Dubai delivered the […]
Celestyal Cruises has described the Arabian Gulf as one of the most exciting emerging cruise markets in the world, following a successful inaugural winter season that exceeded expectations and prompted the deployment […]
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.
Celestyal Cruises has entered into a three-year partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), expanding its presence in the Arabian Gulf with scheduled port calls to the northern emirate beginning […]
Emirates and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises have announced a partnership to offer combined luxury cruise and air travel packages with greater connectivity for cruise passengers.
MSC World Europa, the largest ship in the MSC Cruises fleet, will return to the Arabian Gulf for the 2026/27 cruise season, homeporting once again in Dubai. The ship was last based […]
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