Resorts World Cruises is pleased to announce that it will be expanding its footprint to the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman with Resorts World One for a 6-month homeport deployment in Dubai, UAE. Starting from 18 October 2024, the Resorts World One will homeport and depart from Dubai, which will provide travellers from India the option to embark from Dubai on a cruise adventure to popular destinations within the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The itineraries include the 2 Night Sir Bani Yas Weekend Cruise with departures on Fridays; a 3 Night Oman Cruise to Khasab and Muscat departing on Sundays; and a 2 Night Doha Cruise departing on Wednesdays. Indian guests will have the flexible option to combine two or all three of the itineraries to increase the cruise length to a 4, 5 or 7 Night Cruise.
Resorts World One will also add Doha as a homeport from 24 October to 2 November 2024. During this period, Indian travellers will have the additional convenience to embark from Doha to enjoy two 2 Night Dubai Cruises (24 and 31 October departures) and two 5 Night Dubai–Khasab-Muscat Cruises (26 October & 2 November departures). Shore excursions and onboard activities allow passengers to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of Dubai and the surrounding region especially Muscat, Khasab and Sir Bani Yas Island. Visits to iconic landmarks, heritage sites, and shopping destinations are popular interests among Indian tourists. Bollywood DJ parties and music bands, pyjama & foam parties, movies, are among the other attractions onboard.
“As Resorts World Cruises embark on this special journey, we envision a fusion of cultures, where the Indian travellers connect with the vibrant charm of the cities within the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The deployment of the Resorts World One cruise ship not only symbolizes a bridge between nations but also signifies boundless opportunities for travellers to explore, discover, and create unforgettable memories in the region. With easy access and regular flight connectivity from India to Dubai or Doha, Indian travellers will also have more travel and vacation options to explore multiple destinations with a cruise vacation, paving the way for a new and exciting era of Fly-Cruise exploration.” said Naresh Rawal, Vice President – Sales (India) Resorts World Cruises.
Resorts World Cruises operates cruises with homeports in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Indonesia. Resorts World One is expected to make 75 calls in the region with 150,000 passengers over the 6-month period, which will significantly contribute to the growth of cruise tourism in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Resorts World One will attract a new segment of Fly cruise passengers from India, increasing diversity to the Arabian Gulf cruise market.
Saud Hareb Almheiri, Cruise Tourism & Yachting Lead, Dubai Department of Economy, and Tourism (DET), commented: “Under the guidance of our visionary leadership, Dubai continues to further consolidate its status as a leading global city for business and leisure, aligned with the goals of our Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. In choosing Dubai as their ship’s homeport and debut destination in the Middle East, Resorts World Cruises has further highlighted Dubai’s position as the cruise capital of the region. With its strategic location, diverse destination proposition, world-class infrastructure, ease of
access, and superior air connectivity, Dubai has become a significant part of the itineraries of international cruise lines, and this development will drive increased visitation, enrich the tourism landscape, and contribute towards the city’s economic growth. As we look forward to welcoming more cruise travellers from around the world, we thank Resorts World Cruises for choosing Dubai, and we also extend our gratitude to all other stakeholders and partners, including DP World, for their continued support in developing and promoting Dubai as the cruise gateway to the region.”
Abdullah Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi said, “Sir Bani Yas Island is one of Abu Dhabi’s most beautiful hidden treasures, providing total immersion in nature and wildlife, and a serene stopover for cruise travellers. With the addition of family-friendly adventure activities, the island offers the chance to have varied, memorable experiences that will thrill every type of visitor. We look forward to welcoming travellers to the island, inspiring them to return and explore the full array of wonders that Abu Dhabi and its cruise routes have to offer.”
“Visit Qatar is delighted to have Resorts World Cruises calling into our stunning new Grand Terminal in the heart of Doha as a destination and as a homeport for the upcoming deployment in the Arabian Gulf. The Resorts World One cruise ship will further boost Qatar’s inbound and outbound cruise tourism sector, showcasing the best of Qatari hospitality, culture and our tourist attractions to a new target audience,” said Philip Dickinson Leading International Market Development at Visit Qatar.
Resorts World Cruises is a brand extension of Resorts World, a global brand with a combination of over 50 years of experiences in the hospitality and entertainment industry, featuring over 40 properties in 8 countries spanning 4 continents – Asia, US, Europe, and Africa with specialized expertise in the global cruise sector as well. With its deep-rooted Asian heritage, Resorts World Cruises best understands the Asian markets to deliver best-in-class services and offerings that truly resonate with the different and unique markets across Asia.
To cater to a diverse target audience, certified Vegetarian and Jain cuisine will also be available to cater to travellers from India and others who prefer specialized vegetarian selections. With the ship’s deployment in the Arabian Gulf, Muslim cruise passengers will be an important market segment and in order to cater for them, the Resorts World One will also receive the official OIC/SMIIC* Standard Halal-Friendly Cruise Ship certification, providing regional Muslim travellers with the convenience and access to certified Halal-Friendly offerings onboard the ship. All meats are sourced from UAE Halal suppliers with no pork served onboard. Guests can make pre-advanced appointments to have the crew of the same gender attend to the guests for selected onboard services such as the Spa.
