Dubai (Aletihad)
Local authorities have welcomed a milestone moment for tourism in UAE with a cruise liner “Resorts World One” (RWO) departing from DP World Cruise Terminal in Port Rashid on Friday.
RWO is a ship from Resorts World Cruises which will be sailing to destinations close by but with far-reaching impact to the local economy. The first port of destination to mark the inauguration became Sir Bani Yas Island in Abu Dhabi with travel itineraries announced for Dubai to Oman, visiting twin cities of Khasab and Muscat, for three days from Sunday, and followed by Dubai to Doha, Qatar.
“We have been looking at options but when Resorts World Cruises approached us, what we liked about them was the fact that they were looking at our [UAE] local interests at the core of what they do,” said Hamad Mustafa, the Chief Operating Officer of DP World.
The 1800-passenger cruise ship will service the programme from November 1 and local travel companies and stakeholders have put things in motion in the UAE market for the past few months. The whole project took two years from ideation to fruition, said those involved, including Dubai and Oman Tourism representatives, at a news conference on Thursday.
Special events were held to mark the arrival of the ship in Dubai waters, including a water salute, while close to 600 invitees, media and influencers, were given a taste of the in-ship entertainment and tour of the RWO to celebrate the occasion. There are 926 cabin rooms across categories with entertainment options adapted to the multi-nationality population entering through the gates of the cruise terminal.
Those present on Thursday gave both versions of their target customers. While the cruise compay president Michael Goh said that they were looking to serve those staying in the UAE and wider region with Halal cuisine and adapted entertainment “to make it a memorable experience” and offering from the Singapore-headquartered company.
Yet, Saud Hareb Almheiri, Cruise Tourism and Yachting Lead, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, added another dimension while fielding questions from the media. Almheiri said the three-pronged cruise adds to the options for “visitors coming to Dubai as well as those looking at options for staycations” to beach places such as Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah. Indeed, by opening a leisurely route to Sir Bani Yas Island, holiday-seekers get an additional opportunity to explore the diverse, and largely unexplored natural habitat in Abu Dhabi.
As part of the shore excursions to the Emirate’s island, visitors can avail of a two-hour safari or use the beach. As part of the inaugural sailing celebration, guests on the cruises to Oman and Qatar will be receiving complimentary food and beverage credits valued at Dh700 onboard. For longer cruises, guests may combine the itineraries to become a 4-, 5- and 7-Night cruise. The RWO is certified by the reputed Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and The Standards and Metrology Institute.
“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the local and regional governments, authorities, travel business partners, media and our guests for the support. We are looking forward to bringing unique experiences to the Gulf region and we are excited to launch our first cruise with a special onboard Diwali celebration for the entire week,” said Goh, while stressing on how itineraries are adaptable to local calendars. When the UAE celebrates the National Day next month, the focus will switch accordingly, assured the operator.
For his part, Almheiri’s statement added: “This significant development underscores Dubai's ongoing growth as a premier cruise destination, attracting world-class operators, and providing exceptional experiences for global travellers seeking to explore the region, as envisioned by our leadership, and in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. As we embark on an exciting new season, we would like to extend our gratitude to our partners and stakeholders, whose unwavering support has made this possible. Together, we look forward to further reinforcing Dubai’s position as the cruise hub of the region.”