Whoever decided that Dubai was the ideal place for a new cruise hub is probably giving themselves a hearty pat on the back about now.The opening of their Port Rashid cruise terminal in February, and the decision of the likes of Costa Cruises and Royal Caribbean to base ships there for prolonged periods, indicates that someone really knew what they were doing.
It had to start with Dubai themselves, of course, and the splendid new facilities of the Port Rashid terminal, which gave the Middle East its first purpose-built, year-round and high-quality cruise capability in keeping with the bigger ships being built today.
But it also needed a fair leap of faith on behalf of at least one of the major cruise lines to invest some of their key tonnage in an area not previously known for anything other than the more occasional visit.
As recently as 2004, Dubai received just 10,000 passengers, nearly all of them on fleeting visits by the likes of Cunard, Holland America, Seabourn and Silversea on various legs of world cruises or similar long, one-off voyages. This year, an estimated 325,000 will step through the doors of Port Rashid.
Today comes the news that Royal Caribbean are extending their commitment to Dubai with a longer winter season in 2011/12 for their 2,501-passenger Brilliance of the Seas.
Brilliance debuted in the United Arab Emirates this January, with the ship operating a series of 8-night voyages, mainly for the UK and European markets. And, according to Royal Caribbean, sales were some 30 per cent ahead of target for the line’s first four-month season from Dubai.
According to agent feedback, there is even stronger interest in Middle East cruises in future, along with increased airlift to Dubai, hence the ship will return to the UAE two months earlier than planned, in November 2011. Royal Caribbean will also offer an increased range of itineraries, including longer cruises up to 12 and even 18 nights.
Jo Rzymowska, Royal Caribbean's associate vice president and general manager for UK and Ireland, explained: “Dubai is very popular with UK and Irish travellers, and cruises consistently offer significant value for money. We have adjusted the itinerary based on our trade partner feedback and replaced Bahrain with an overnight stay in Muscat. Also included within this itinerary is an overnight stay in the city onboard the ship at the end of the cruise, which makes this an affordable way to enjoy this fascinating Emirate. The chance to explore more of the Middle East, Arabian Sea and even India make these additional longer sailings truly exciting options."
The enhanced 2011-2012 season will be the ship’s third year based from the destination, following its winter cruises from Jan-Apr 2011. New itineraries during the longer 6-month season include a 12-night Dubai and India cruise featuring calls at Muscat in Oman and Cochin, Goa and Mumbai in India.
Brilliance will also feature the first ever call by a Royal Caribbean vessel to the New Mangalore port in Panambur on the west coast of India. The town is famed for its beautiful beaches on the Arabian Sea, the Nandaneshwara Temple and the Gurupura River.
The 2011-12 season will continue to offer double the number of regular 7-night cruises, with minor changes to the route, including an overnight in Dubai at the end of the voyage rather than the beginning, and a revised order in the other ports of call to simplify visa processing. The featured ports include Fujairah and Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Muscat in Oman. The 7-night itineraries for the upcoming 2010-11 season also will reflect these changes.
The repositioning cruise from Barcelona to Dubai will be an 18-night option via the Suez Canal and calls at Alexandria, Aqaba and Safaga.
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