As cruise tourism gains traction in the UAE, a fresh vessel has docked in the country, offering brief voyages spanning two and three nights across the region. With weekday excursions to Oman and Qatar and weekend getaways to Sir Bani Yas island, the Resort World One cruise ship aims to capitalize on UAE residents' penchant for staycations. Priced from around Dh2,800, the ship features a two-night Sir Bani Yas weekend cruise departing on Fridays, a three-night Oman cruise that sets sail on Sundays, visiting Khasab and Muscat, and a two-night Doha cruise with departures on Wednesdays. Travelers can also opt to merge any of these itineraries for a four-, five-, or seven-night cruise.
Boasting six meals daily, rain dance parties, curated performances, and special events, the cruise ensures a non-stop entertainment experience for its guests. Naresh Rawal, the senior vice president of sales and marketing at the company, notes that cruises are rising in popularity due to the unique experiences they provide. 'It's a very different form of a holiday,' he stated. 'There is, of course, the beauty of the sky and the sea. Sitting in the balcony with a coffee in the middle of the night, gazing out at the sky and sea, is an experience that words cannot capture. It is profoundly rejuvenating. The services on board are also top-tier.' Naresh added that the comprehensive facilities offered by cruises are a significant factor contributing to their appeal. 'If you were to fly to Oman, you'd need to pack, arrive at the airport early, take a flight, and then repeat the process on your return. Here, we transport you to Oman while you sleep comfortably or enjoy the full-day entertainment,' he explained.
This marks the company's inaugural venture into the Middle East. Over the next six months, the ship's home port will be Dubai. 'We have always championed the development of new ports,' said Naresh. 'We've played a part in fostering cruise tourism in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan. Now, it's time to explore newer regions and view Dubai and the Middle East from a broader perspective. To home base a ship and familiarize our guests with cruising as a seacation option.'
A cruise ship in the city significantly boosts the local economy, according to Naresh. 'First, out of 24 hours in a day, we provide free food for about 20 hours,' he explained. 'This necessitates extensive local sourcing of supplies. We will also purchase fuel locally. Additionally, we have numerous bookings from international customers coming here for our cruise. Everyone who visits will stay for a few extra days, contributing more income to the economy.' Naresh mentioned that the cruise has garnered significant interest from various countries. 'We have a lot of customers from CIS markets, Russia, then India,' he said. 'We also have bookings coming in from China, Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia.'
Source link: https://www.khaleejtimes.com
