Costa Cruises has partnered with SITA, the leading IT provider to the travel industry, to enhance the efficiency of its fly-cruise packages to Dubai and other homeports around the world.
MSC cancels Red Sea cruise season out of Saudi amid Israel-Hamas conflict
MSC Cruises has cancelled the entirety of its Red Sea cruise season out of Saudi Arabia on the back of increasing security concerns in the region due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Doha enhances Qatar shore excursions with addition of Msheireb Museums
Msheireb Museums, home to four historic heritage houses restored in the broader sustainable Smart City development of Msheireb Downtown Doha, is positioning itself as a new shore excursion for cruise passengers in […]
Cruise water park operator WhiteWater says pool facilities a hit with Saudi passengers
WhiteWater, the waterpark developers for the cruise industry, says this is one of the most popular onboard amenities for Saudi Arabian cruise passengers.
Swan Hellenic makes maiden call in Saudi with stops in Yanbu and Jeddah
Swan Hellenic made its first port call in Saudi Arabia this month aboard SH Diana, with an overnight in Yanbu and a maiden call to Jeddah, the Kingdom’s principle port on the […]
Israel-Hamas war begins to impact wider Middle East cruise industry
The major disruption to cruise itineraries in the Eastern Mediterranean due to the Israel-Hamas conflict has had little impact on the 2023/24 Middle East cruise season in the Arabian Gulf, but that […]
Middle East included among new Azamara Grand Voyages for 2024 and 2025
Azamara has announced new Grand Voyages of 35 to 70 nights for 2024 and 2025, including an East to West itinerary that calls at several ports in the Middle East.
MSC Cruises says no plans to pull out of Middle East as Windstar cancels season
Windstar Cruises has confirmed the cancellation of its upcoming debut Middle East cruise season on the back of deteriorating regional security, while MSC Cruises insists its Dubai cruises will go ahead as […]
Royal Caribbean switches to humanitarian work in Israel, AIDA cancels calls
Royal Caribbean has confirmed the cancellation of the remainder of its Israeli cruise season, with Rhapsody of the Seas switching from cruise operations to humanitarian work, while AIDA Cruises has confirmed the […]
TUI Cruises latest to pull out of Israel, while MSC Cruises confirms changes to itineraries
TUI Cruises has joined several other cruise lines in cancelling its port calls in Israel following the Hamas terrorist attacks on Saturday and the resulting escalation in military conflict during the week.
P&O Cruises releases 2025/26 cruise collection with new Dubai shore excursions
P&O Cruises has released its new collection of voyages for winter 2025/26 featuring new ports of call and itineraries, along with more extended stays in port to experience more of the activities and culture in a destination.
Cruise lines pull ships out of Israel amid terror attacks and Hamas conflict
Royal Caribbean and Celestial Cruises have announced the cancellation of multiple voyages from or to Israel following the outbreak of armed conflict in the country over the weekend.
Indian cruise line Cordelia Cruises set to return to the Middle East in 2024
Cordelia Cruises will return to Dubai next year with a series of cruises to the Middle East planned for its single cruise ship Empress.
Ship Review: MSC Euribia
Launched in June 2023 as the second of MSC’s LNG-powered ships, MSC Euribia has already made history as the first cruise ship to sail a zero emissions cruise, and she’s homeporting in […]
Saudi cruise start-up Aroya partners with tech leaders to digitise operations
Saudi Arabia’s start-up cruise line Aroya Cruises, the first domestic cruise company for the Arab world and wider Middle East, is going big on technology as it looks to digitise booking and […]
MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys to open Saudi office ahead of 2023/24 cruise season
MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys, part of the Cruise Division of the MSC Group, have announced plans to open a joint office in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Viking Cruises launches new Grand Voyage through Middle East to India
Viking Ocean Cruises is offering a brand-new Grand Voyage from Barcelona in Spain to Mumbai in India, with several Middle East port calls among the destinations visited.
MSC Cruises expects up to 200,000 passengers for coming Saudi cruise season
MSC Cruises is seeing significant growth in passenger numbers on its Red Sea itineraries out of Saudi Arabia, with up to 200,000 expected for the coming 2023/24 cruise season.
Phoenix Reisen to sail Dubai to Savona in 2024 aboard Artania
The German cruise line Phoenix Reisen is bringing Artania to the Middle East in April, 2024 with a 23-night cruise from Dubai in the UAE to Savona in Italy.
AIDA Cruises to sail Dubai to Mallorca in 2024 aboard AIDAbella
AIDA Cruises will sail a 15-night voyage from Dubai to Palma De Mallorca on April 16th next year aboard AIDAbella, as part of her repositioning from Asia to Europe for the summer.