Ovation of the Seas, Sets New Record in Dubai

[Todd]

With Ovation of the Seas, making its first port call to Dubai, the Director of the port is making some very big claims. Normally when a port director makes a claim like we will have the best cruise port it is just that a PR claim. But when the claim is made by UAE member Dubai, everyone should take notice. They said they would have the tallest building in the Word and did, they claimed they could build  the World's finest made made island and did, the airport is rated number one in the World. Dubai really understands tourism and the value of it.

 

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. is the  DP World and chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation chairman and CEO and these claims this week. Dubai will host one million cruise passengers by the year 2020.  

 

"Mina Rashid is the number one cruise terminal in the MENA region in terms of traffic and infrastructure, but we are set to go all out and make the passenger-friendly facility the best in the world," 

 

"We want to increase the number of cruise ships calling at Dubai Cruise Terminals in order to meet our target of one million cruise passengers a year by 2020."

"Dubai has experienced a 22% growth in the number of cruise ships and a 33% increase in cruise passenger traffic between the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 cruise seasons, from 109 ships and 373,000 passengers to 134 ships and more than 500,000 passengers respectively."

He further stated that with the ongoing development projects,  Dubai's position as a global city and the premier cruise hub in the world will be strengthen. Royal has been targeting Dubai as the key to  cruises from the Middle East and transit cruises.  With the Ovation of the Seas , just this week being the largest cruise ship to ever dock in the port.

 

Jamal Humaid Al Falasi, Director of Dubai Cruise Tourism, Dubai Tourism, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ovation of the Seas and its dedicated crew and guests to our fascinating city, and are honoured to be its first port of call in the region with an overnight stay and major passenger turnaround.

“Our business relations with Royal Caribbean date back to 2009, when the line commenced its first Gulf cruise itinerary with Dubai as its home port, and the commitment is becoming stronger and more mutually beneficial year after year. We are pleased that Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas® will home port in Dubai for the 2016/17. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with Royal Caribbean and further developing Dubai’s reputation as a cruise destination.