Dubai Opens Cruise Ship Lines for Global Cruise Tourism

The ultra-modern city of Dubai is one of the top holiday destinations in the world. As the economy of the city is heavily dependent on tourism, the city is constantly looking for ways to boost the flow of tourists. One such way is opening cruise ship lines to promote global cruise tourism. Dubai has a seafaring legacy, which is an integral part of the city’s cultural heritage. Taking advantage of Dubai’s picturesque coastline has not only drawn tourists to the beaches of Dubai, but certain points along the coast are already hosting cruise ships as major ports.  Although cruise ships have been docking at the ports of Dubai for several decades, it is only recently that they have gained popularity in regard to tourism. Here you would get to know all about cruise tourism in Dubai.

Dubai Global Cruise Tourism

The Dubai Cruise Tourism (DCT) is a part of the Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM). The DCT together with the DP World (Dubai’s port and terminal operator) is responsible for the city’s cruise tourism. Over the years, Dubai has become a favourite amongst cruise liners and tourists. In fact, the city has been expecting to welcome around 126 ships and more than 500,000 cruise passengers during the 2021-22 cruise season, i.e. between November and March (the peak holiday season in Dubai).

 Why is Dubai Popular for Cruise Tourism?

The best things to do in Dubai list for a visitor is exhaustive. One of the main reasons that Dubai is a popular holiday destination is the sheer number of attractions that the city offers. Right from the tallest building in the world to the most luxurious hotel in the world, there is no dearth of things to see here. Moreover, the city has gigantic shopping malls, state-of-the-art amusement parks, plenty of beaches in Dubai, and other things that attract people from all over the world. While these attractions can be enjoyed even while visiting Dubai through the regular route, i.e. via air, many people find the idea of coming to Dubai on a cruise appealing. Here are some of the reasons for the popularity of Dubai cruise tourism.

6 Sea Ports:

One of the main reasons why several shipping, as well as tourist cruise companies, prefer to arrive at Dubai is because it has 6 seaports. These are as follows:

• Jebel Ali Port
• Port Rashid
• Al Hamriya Port
• Al Shindagha Port
• The Creek
• The Dry Dock Port

Connectivity:

By having one of the busiest international airports in the UAE, the emirate has already taken advantage of its position on the global map to connect various destinations. It now intends to utilize this strategic positioning to attract the cruise industry and boost tourism. The Dubai International Airport is one of the most connected airports in the world. You would find flights to almost 240 countries in the world from Dubai. Most people prefer to arrive at Dubai via the seaport and return to their home country by taking a direct flight home from the international airport.

Visa Services:

One of the services offered at the Dubai seaports is issuing of visas. The Dubai seaport authorities have the right to issue visas on arrival to nationals of 46 countries. If you are a citizen of a country that needs a tourist or visiting visa to Dubai, you can get an online or e-visa to visit the city. All you have to do is fulfill the Dubai tourist visa requirements. Apart from issuing visas, the seaports of Dubai also offer registration of ships and sailors.

Multiple Entry Visas:

One of the main reasons that cruising in Dubai has become popular is because cruise passengers are offered multiple-entry visas. With this visa, visitors get the chance to enter Dubai via the airport, cruise on the ports of the city, and return to the city without applying for another visa.

Swift and Smooth Passage:

Unlike at the airport, passengers do not have to undergo scrutiny and security checks while arriving in Dubai via cruise. In this case, the names and documents of each and every passenger is thoroughly checked before the ship docks at the port. This gives the passengers or visitors the chance to pass through the port without any interruptions and delays.

Modern Facilities at the Seaport Terminal:

The seaport terminal is the biggest as well as the most luxurious seaport terminal in all of the Middle East. Just like an international airport, the Dubai seaport terminal also offers all the modern facilities and amenities. The terminal has the capacity as well as the manpower to handle the passengers of 5 cruise ships at the same time. Apart from this, you would also find an array of features here, which are as follows:

• Duty-free outlets
• Retails stores where you can buy clothes, jewellery, electronics, and souvenirs
• Outlets of aerial and coach tour operators
• Spa
• Currency exchange and ATMs
• Taxi ranks
• VIP business centre
• Free Wi-Fi
• Complimentary shuttle bus services to shopping malls

The cruise terminals of Dubai are also equipped with offices of customs, police, immigration, security, and shipping agents to ensure the safety and security of the passengers. With so many top facilities and amenities, the Dubai terminal has hosted an array of luxurious fleets of leading cruise liners from all around the world.

An event that made Dubai one of the leading international maritime hubs was the naming ceremony of a luxury liner at the city’s seaport terminal. MSC Cruises, which is the world’s 3^rd largest cruise operator, held the naming ceremony of its luxury liner in Dubai, thus strengthening the position of the city in the world of global cruise tourism.

As cruise tourism picks up pace in Dubai, many tourists are looking forward to enjoying a luxury cruise to one of the most luxurious cities in the world. It would definitely make an interesting holiday to go on a cruise to the exciting and adventurous city of Dubai.