Dubai has become an international center of cruise tourism

In 2021, the economic activity of cruise companies was estimated at $ 130 billion. They contributed to the creation of 1 million 800 thousand jobs and were able to take 30 million passengers on board their ships. After the pause caused by the pandemic, the companies started working again. More than half a million cruise ship passengers are expected to visit Dubai this year.

The launch of the newest Virtuosa vessel from the port of Rashid confirmed the status of the city as the largest center of the cruise business.This vessel is designed for 6,000 passengers and 1,700 crew members. It is the largest and most eco-friendly cruise ship in the world. He will remain in the Gulf until March.

"The lifetime of the vessel is 30 years," says the director of MSC Cruises, Gianni Onorato. - Therefore, it was very important for us to comply with the requirements for a gradual reduction of greenhouse emissions by 2050. Our duty is to make sure that every new vessel reduces emissions."


On this shore, against the backdrop of a beautiful landscape, the Dubai Bay Cruise Terminal is located — the first specialized terminal in the region. The terminal is built in such a way as to allow passengers and crew to go ashore comfortably and safely, and then make a visit to the city.

More and more cruise companies include the region in their itineraries. The construction of the new terminal shows that the Dubai cruise business is optimistic about the future.