One of Europe's luxury cruise ships, AidaCara, has arrived in Dubai today (December 21) for a three-day sojourn with 1154 passengers, mostly Germans and Austrians, and 370 crew members, signaling the debut of hub operations out of the emirate by the cruise operator until February 9.
On arrival at the state-of-the-art Dubai Cruise Terminal, the cruise tourists were accorded a warm welcome and a traditional Arabian hospitality.
Emirati officials and VIPs, including Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem Director General of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Mr. Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Acting Manager of Dubai Cruise Terminal, were present to welcome the ship.
Mr. bin Sulayem expressed happiness at the start of hub operations by one of the world's leading cruise operator from Dubai.
This, he said, will be a shot in the arm for the regional cruise industry and strongly reflects the confidence of the global cruise industry in Dubai.
The shipping agents and tour operator for AidaCara are Rais Hassan Saadi Group and SNTTA Emir Tours. The countries from where the passengers on board the ship originate include Brazil, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Switzerland, Turkey, Yugoslavia and the UK.
The 38,600 gross tonnage AIDAcara, built by the Kvaerner Masa Yards and entered service in 1996, is 193 meters in length, 27 meters in breadth, and has total guest capacity of 1,339. Facilities on board include a restaurant, buffet, bars, wellness center, disco, golf facilities, theatre, and swimming pool.
The luxury vessel will be positioned in Dubai for the hub operations from the region for the 2006-2007 winter seasons. In 2005-2006 cruise season, the port of Dubai handled cruise ships with over 23,000 passenger movements, while the year 2006-2007 season is expected to see 85,000 passenger movements while the 2007-2008 season will attract 200,000 passenger movements, mostly from Europe and the US.
The 3300 square metre dedicated cruise terminal, opened in 2001, is can accommodate two ships simultaneously. Its facilities include a VIP lounge, caf, palm gardens, duty free shops, Internet corner, giant video screen and meeting room. The Dubai Cruise Terminal is the world's first to receive ISO-9002 certification and also the world's only cruise facility run by the government tourism body.
Meanwhile, the DTCM Director General, Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem, held discussions about the cruise industry developments and Dubai destination with the Costa Crociere SpA Chairman & CEO, Mr. Pier Luigi Foschi. Also present were Mr. Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Acting Manager Dubai Cruise Terminal and Ms. Fabrizia Greppi, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Costa Crociere SpA.
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MOHAMMED ABDUL MANNAN
Executive, Media Relations
Tel: +971 4 201 0421
Email: mmannan@dubaitourism.ae
© Press Release 2006
