Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector has seen a 121% increase from pre-pandemic levels, supported by its emergent but booming cruise sector.
Cruise sector booming as Saudi Arabian tourism hits 121% pre-pandemic recovery
Azamara confirms Azamara Quest will return for 2022/23 Dubai cruise season
Azamara is brining Azamara Quest back to the Middle East for the 2022/23 cruise season out of Dubai, with the ship scheduled to sail just one roundtrip voyage in the Arabian Gulf.
TUI Cruises returning Mein Schiff 6 to Dubai for 2022/23 season
TUI Cruises is set to bring Mein Schiff 6 back to Dubai for the 2022/23 Middle East cruise season, with roundtrip Dubai cruises to destinations across the Arabian Gulf.
MSC prepares three cruise ships as floating hotels for 2022 FIFA World Cup
Doha will host six cruise ships as floating hotel during the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup, with MSC Cruises supplying three of them.
Cruise Master brings back online cruise bookings for Middle East
Cruise Master, the Middle East’s leading specialized cruise agency, has announced it is bringing back its online cruise booking portal as the industry recovers from the pandemic.
Virgin Voyages to cruise from Dubai again after 2024 Australian season
Virgin Voyages will return to the Middle East in 2024 to offer a second cruise from Dubai, but this time its ship Resilient Lady will sail from Dubai to Piraeus (Athens) in […]
No masks or COVID tests needed for Costa Cruises 2022/23 Dubai cruise season
Costa Cruises has updated its COVID-19 protocols for the upcoming 2022/23 Middle East cruise season out of Dubai, as well as cruises in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
MSC Cruises reveals entertainment options aboard new MSC World Europa
MSC Cruises has revealed new shows and entertainment options aboard its largest-ever cruise ship, MSC World Europa, which will debut in Qatar in November.
Azamara to feature Saudi Arabia on 2024 country-intensive Europe itineraries
Azamara will be sailing 84 Europe itineraries across its four-ship fleet in 2024, with three of those itineraries also venturing into the Middle East to call in Dubai and Egypt, as well […]
Saudi Arabia makes cruising visa free for GCC residents ahead of 2022/23 season
Saudi Arabia’s nascent cruise market has become more accessible to GCC residents after the country has made it easier to obtain a tourist visa for the country.
Royal Caribbean replaces Odyssey with Rhapsody of the Seas out of Israel for summer
Royal Caribbean International has commenced its first ever homeport cruises from Haifa in Israel aboard Rhapsody of the Seas, a year after it was forced to pull out of the region due […]
Two maiden cruise calls for RAKPORT cruise terminal in Ras Al Khaimah this winter
Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE’s newest cruise port in the Arabian Gulf, is preparing for its inaugural winter cruise season with two maiden ship calls as it looks to enhance its position […]
Silversea to transit Suez Canal six times in 2024/25, with port calls in Saudi
Silversea Cruises will offer six cruises through the Suez Canal in 2024 and 2025, with inaugral port calls to Saudi Arabia and expeditions to newly-unlocked UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Windstar will cruise roundtrip from Dubai during 2023/24 season
Windstar Cruises will spend a full season in the Middle East for the 2023/24 cruise season, sailing roundtrip from Dubai 11 times between November and March.
Cruise Review: 10 things to know about cruising in Saudi Arabia
For many westerners, Saudi Arabia is a deeply misunderstood country, and as it opens up to the global tourism market, particularly with its nascent cruise industry, it’s important to keep a few […]
Swan Hellenic reveals ten cruise itineraries for Africa and Arabia in 2023
Swan Hellenic will be cruising the Red Sea to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan during the coming 2023 cruise season, as well as South Africa and other destinations on the continent.
MSC World Europa to feature largest dedicated kids’ area in the fleet
MSC Cruises has revealed a number of entertainment facilities and activities for families aboard its new mega-ship MSC World Europa, including the largest kids club in the fleet.
MSC Cruises reports strong demand for World Europa out of Dubai
MSC Cruises is seeing strong demand for its upcoming cruise season out of Dubai aboard MSC World Europa and MSC Opera.
Dubai cruise tourism officials expect full recovery by 2023
Tourism officials in Dubai, the primary homeport for cruise ships in the Arabian Gulf and wider Middle East, expect a full recovery of the regional cruise sector by next year.
MSC World Europa completes sea trials ahead of Arabian Gulf season
MSC World Europa, the newest and largest cruise ship in the MSC fleet, has completed her sea trials and will now head for final fit out and finishing ahead of her delivery […]
