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Hong Kong-based Resorts World Cruises to fill gap in market with first Dubai season

Resorts World Cruises is deploying its ship Resorts World One in Dubai for the 2024/25 cruise season, filling a key gap in the Arabian Gulf cruise sector by offering short roundtrip voyages from the UAE.

Resorts World One will homeport in Dubai from October 18th, 2024, to April 13th, 2025, offering a range of 2 and 3-night roundtrip cruises in the Arabian Gulf.

This marks the first time a cruise line has offered shorter weekend cruise options for the UAE source market, making it easier for nationals and expat residents in the country to try out cruising without taking time off work.

Resorts World One will offer the first roundtrip weekend cruises from Dubai

Resorts World Cruises will sail weekend cruises to Sir Bani Yas Island off Abu Dhabi, departing every Friday and returning Sunday, as well as 3-night cruises to Khasab and Muscat, departing Sunday and returning Wednesday, and 2-night cruises to Doha, departing every Wednesday and returning Friday.

Guests looking for longer roundtrip cruises from Dubai can combine two or all three itineraries into a full weeklong voyage, similar to those offered by MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises and TUI, which also homeport in Dubai during the winter season.

In another sign of its efforts to target the local GCC cruise source market, Resorts World One will also add Doha as a homeport during the Qatar school holidays from October 24th to November 2nd, 2024.

“We are excited to introduce the Resorts World Cruises brand to the Arabian Gulf with the Resorts World One cruise ship,” said Michael Goh, president of Resorts World Cruises. “As an international cruise line that is homegrown in Asia, we have decades of valuable experience in the cruise and hospitality sector, especially in catering to the needs of different ethnic and religious markets.”

“Both cities Dubai and Doha are key international gateways to the Middle East and with the support of the respective local governments, authorities and travel partners, we look forward to further developing cruises to the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,“ he added.

Resorts World One pool area

Although Resorts World Cruises will be primarily targetting its China and wider Asia home market with fly-cruise packages to Dubai, the option for UAE and GCC residents to sail a weekend roundtrip cruise with the line will prove extremely popular.

During the recent Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, cruise tourism officials highlighted the lack of short-haul roundtrip voyages from Dubai as a key impediment to the growth of the UAE and wider Middle East as a source market.

“In choosing Dubai as their ship’s homeport and debut destination in the Middle East, Resorts World Cruises has further highlighted Dubai’s position as the cruise capital of the region,” said Saud Hareb Almheiri, cruise tourism and yachting lead, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.

“With its strategic location, diverse destination proposition, world-class infrastructure, ease of access, and superior air connectivity, Dubai has become a significant part of the itineraries of international cruise lines, and this development will drive increased visitation, enrich the tourism landscape and contribute towards the city’s economic growth,” he added. 

Sir Bani Yas Island

Resorts World Cruises’ decision to sail weekend cruises from Dubai to Sir Bani Yas Island will also be a smart move in the local market, as the island, the only beach cruise destination in the Arabian Gulf, is a sought after but difficult to access destination, requiring an hours-long drive and ferry ride.

“Sir Bani Yas Island is one of Abu Dhabi’s most beautiful hidden treasures, providing total immersion in nature and wildlife, and a serene stopover for cruise travelers,” said Abdullah Yousuf, director of international operations at DCT Abu Dhabi. 

“With the addition of family-friendly adventure activities, the island offers the chance to have varied, memorable experiences that will thrill every type of visitor,” he added. “We look forward to welcoming travelers to the island, inspiring them to return and explore the full array of wonders that Abu Dhabi and its cruise routes have to offer.” 

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Source: Cruisearabiaonline.com

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