Dubai has the most modern and the largest dedicated port facility in the Middle East for cruise operations, spanning over 36,500 square metres on a pier stretch of 2200 metres. The facility enables Dubai to comfortably handle complete passenger turnaround of five cruise ships simultaneously, and helps to cement Dubai’s place as leading cruise hub of the region. The terminal is equipped with plenty of facilities for passengers and crew, including Dubai Tourism helpdesk with complementary maps in multiple languages, money exchange and ATM services, a post office, duty free and retail outlets, a cafe, restaurant and mini-mart, aerial and coach tour operator outlets, complementary Wi-Fi, a dedicated taxi rank as well as complementary shuttle bus services to selected shopping malls across Dubai and Paid Shuttle buses to Dubai Airport and Dubai Mall, prayer rooms and streamlined check-in facilities for passengers.

With over 23 of the world’s leading cruise operators – including six home- porting lines – anchoring in Dubai for an overnight stay or passenger turn-around and an estimated ten maiden ship calls, the 2016/2017 season is expected to continue the upward trajectory, contributing to Dubai’s strategic goal of achieving 20 million visitors per year by 2020.

The Cruise Arabia alliance, formed between Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, The Oman Ministry of Tourism, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, Qatar Tourism Authority, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority and Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority is designed to enhance cruise line and cruise visitors’ experiences in the region. As a result of the Cruise Arabia alliance, Dubai has been positioned as a winter destination for the European and Mediterranean markets. Celestyal Cruise Lines choosing Dubai as its home port in the region is yet another instance of the collective approach of tourism, airlines and port authority leading to a compelling tourist proposition.

The Arabian Gulf is among the world’s top winter sun cruise destinations, where guaranteed sunshine, majestic desert landscapes and futuristic cityscapes meet. It offers a must-experience cruise and tourism destination with great air connectivity that is only eight hours flight from two thirds of the world’s population. The five destinations bring together the best of what the gulf has to offer – from world-class attractions, hotels, retail and culture, all the way to authentic Arabian experiences.