- Queen Mary 2 the largest cruise liner to call in Dubai
- 13,000 cruise tourists in Dubai on 19th April, with three liners docked at Mina Rashid
Dubai, UAE, 20 April 2014: Dubai Cruise Terminal has been rolling out the red carpet this week as Cunard's two largest cruise liners, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth, make calls in Dubai. This is the first time that two 'Queen' liners have docked at Mina Rashid on consecutive days, and it is the first time that either vessel has stayed in port overnight.
The first ship to arrive was Queen Elizabeth at 8am on Friday 18th April, bringing with her a total of 1888 passengers and 983 crew. Major passenger nationalities onboard were British, American and Canadian. This signature class ship, the second largest vessel in the Cunard Cruises fleet, made her first overnight stay in Mina Rashid following her maiden visit to Abu Dhabi on 17th April and before departing for Aqaba, Jordan on 19th April.
Today (20th April, 2014) sees the arrival of Queen Mary 2, Cunard's biggest liner and the largest ship ever to make a call in Dubai. Carrying a total of 2459 passengers and 1249 crew, she too will make her first overnight call at Mina Rashid, having left from Colombo in Sri Lanka before heading on for Muscat, Oman on 21st April. Major passenger nationalities onboard this ship are British, Australian and German.
Dubai Cruise Tourism arranged welcome ceremonies for both ships on arrival with traditional music and dance performances by local bands. The Department, in conjunction with its partners including DP World, DNRD, Dubai Customs, Dubai Police, RTA, DMCA, and the Ports & Free Zone Security have made arrangements for the safe and swift handling of the ship calls.
During the calls, passengers and crew of both the ships will have the opportunity to explore the city of Dubai. The ships will also make a major passenger turnaround of over 2700 passengers completing their international itinerary and flying out fro Dubai, and about 2900 new passengers who will be joining the ship's onward voyage from Dubai. M/S. Rais Hassan Saadi Group handle the port agency and M/S. Orient Tours & M/S. Sharaf Tours handle the shore excursions and passenger turnaround respectively for both the ship calls.
In addition to the two Cunard Queen vessels, this weekend was also one of the busiest of the year in Mina Rashid with a turnaround of more than 13,000 cruise tourists at Dubai Cruise Terminals on 19th Apri
l. The liners C.S. Ocean Princess from Princess Cruises and C.S. Europa 2 from Hapag Lloyd were also docked alongside Queen Elizabeth in port this Saturday.
The double Cunard liner visit is of great significance to Dubai Cruise Tourism, an agency of Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and the body tasked with growing the cruise tourism sector as part of Dubai Government's Tourism Vision to attract 20 million annual visitors by 2020.
Hamad bin Mejren, Executive Director, Business Tourism at DTCM, said: "This double 'royal' visit highlights Dubai's status as the region's leading cruise hub, and the growing attraction of Dubai as a destination for cruise tourists. Having both of these vessels - Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2 - not only make calls at Mina Rashid but also stay overnight for the first time marks a significant step in our evolution as a cruise centre. These extended stays reflect the fact that visitors want to see and do more when they visit our city, and take in some of the wealth of attractions as well as learning more about our local culture and heritage."
Angus Struthers, Marketing Director at Cunard, said: "Dubai is one of the signature ports that Cunard's passengers particularly look forward to visiting as part of our annual world voyages. We are delighted that Queen Elizabeth, Cunard's newest ship, and Queen Mary 2, our flagship and the only ocean liner in operation today, are both featuring an overnight stay in Dubai for the first time ever this week. With consecutive stays, this creates a four day period spotlighting the great modern icons of both the city of Dubai and the ships of Cunard Line."
DTCM recently announced a partnership with the Oman Ministry of Tourism and the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, Cruise Arabia which will maximise the Arabian Peninsula's cruise potential. Dubai, Oman and Abu Dhabi together boast an excellent and evolving tourism and hospitality infrastructure and cruise trips with the opportunity to explore the many sights, rich culture, and romantic history of the Arabian Gulf.
About Dubai Cruise Tourism
Dubai Cruise Tourism is part of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, and was established more than a decade ago to position Dubai as a leading destination for cruise tourism and to maintain the Emirate's current position as the cruise hub of the MENA region.
The current 2013-14 cruise season (which runs from October to June) sees Dubai being the home port of Costa, Aida and Royal Caribbean, and when TUI and MSC return to their traditional home in the Emirate within the next two seasons, Dubai will once again be the home port of five of the world's leading cruise lines. With Dubai government's long-term strategic focus on developing the cruise industry, the aim is to reach 450,000 cruise tourists by 2016, increasing from just over 386,000 in 2013.
The port's proximity to the centre of the city and excellent transportation links means that the attractions of Dubai are within immediate reach of cruise passengers. Investment in new infrastructure combined with guaranteed sunshine and warm weather; must-see attractions such as Burj Khalifa, the Palm Jumeirah, and the Burj Al Arab; the desert and coastline; and the contrast between the ultra-modern skyline and the traditional souqs and heritage areas make Dubai an ideal cruise destination. For more information visit ct.dubaitourism.ae/www.dubaitourism.ae
About Cruise Arabia
Cruise Arabia is a collaborative initiative formed by Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Oman's Ministry of Tourism and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority. Established in 2013, the three agencies are now working together to transform the Arabian Gulf into a leading cruise destination globally, in partnership with leaders in the cruise industry.
© Press Release 2014
