Royal Caribbean return to Dubai

Dubai’s ‘Tourism Vision’ is to attract 20 million annual visitors by 2020 and become the world’s most visited city. Visitor numbers stood at 16 million tourists annually in 2013, which was a 10.6% increase on the previous year, so if the growth rate is similar; I don’t see any reason why the target cannot be achieved!

London currently holds the title of world’s most visited city, but has an obvious disadvantage as far as cruise liners go!

Royal Caribbean will return to Dubai in winter 2015/16 after a year out, with the Splendour of the seas scheduled to provide 16 roundtrip cruises from December 2015 through to March 2016. The 7 night cruises will sail to Khasab, Muscat and Abu Dhabi before returning to Dubai for an overnight on-board. If it’s just not long enough for you then adding further nights in Dubai is also available.

Helen Beck, Royal Caribbean’s regional director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said the development of the Cruise Arabia alliance was “a welcome step in continuing to promote the economic and touristic benefits of cruising within the region and I’m sure the season will be very successful.”

The Centrum on-board Splendour of the Seas with its sweeping views is a sophisticated venue featuring enriching daytime activities, dazzling nightly entertainment and jaw-dropping aerial spectacles. The Centrum’s R Bar features a sophisticated 1960s vibe, complete with iconic furnishings and signature cocktails mixed by a savvy and personable mixologist.

Guests sailing aboard Splendour of the Seas have a variety of restaurants, both fine-dining and casual to choose from providing them with a memorable cruise experience. Among the highly-acclaimed dining concepts onboard Splendour of the Seas, guests will find the Asian Izumi restaurant, the line’s signature steakhouse, Chops Grille; as well as the Boardwalk Dog House hotdog counter; the Park Café deli-style restaurant and the exclusive Chef’s Table dining experience.

Younger cruisers will laugh and learn in scheduled activities throughout the day in the line’s award-winning Adventure Ocean youth program. Teens 12 and older can enjoy spending time with peers in the teen-only hangout and disco, and join enrichment classes such as mixing music like a DJ or learning hip-hop dance moves.

Splendour of the Seas will add more than 32,000 visitors in her first four-month season to the regions cruise sector. All the Gulf region’s ports are gearing themselves up for the arrival of Splendour of the Seas as we speak!

Have you been to Dubai? Would you consider a cruise? Let me know what you think.