The global cruise industry has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with significant growth from major brands like Royal Caribbean. In the Middle East, the cruise market is growing notably, driven by increased investments in tourism infrastructure.
Cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha are becoming key cruise destinations, offering luxury experiences and various cultural and recreational activities.
“Cruise demand remains strong, especially in the Middle East, where the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.8 per cent from 2024 to 2030,” Mohamed Saeed, Managing Director, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara & Silversea – Middle East, tells TTN in an exclusive interview.
DIVERSIFYING ITINERARIES
Northern Europe is becoming a key destination for Middle Eastern travellers seeking cooler summer climates, with Norway and Iceland growing in popularity, Saeed tells us.
There is also rising demand for expeditions to places like Antarctica, he adds.
“Our sister brand, Silversea, offers these exclusive journeys with all-suite accommodations for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Silversea provides both expedition and luxury cruises, including African itineraries from December 2024 to February 2025.
“We see more travellers heading to the Caribbean, especially those with US visas, though obtaining these visas remains challenging. We hope visa appointments will be more accessible by year-end. At Royal Caribbean, we offer short Caribbean sailings from Orlando, which can be combined with visits to Disney and Universal Studios. These sailings are aboard Utopia of the Seas, our newest Oasis-class ship.”
Cruise lines are leveraging global events, such as the Monaco Grand Prix and golf programmes, to attract specific traveller segments, Saeed says. “Azamara offers a sailing to Rio de Janeiro, coinciding with the world-famous Carnival, one of the biggest events globally. Additionally, Azamara will be docked at the Monaco Grand Prix for the Formula One race in May 2025. Azamara also features a golf programme, allowing guests to invite friends for a 10 to 11-night sailing, with opportunities to dock and play golf before returning home.”
Travel advisors know the US market is rebounding aggressively, with frequent sailings. Similarly, the European and international markets are also seeing a resurgence. The Middle East needs to catch up, and to do so, we must ensure timely inventory availability to meet the evident demand.
While cruise demand remains concentrated during summer holidays among Middle Eastern clients, bookings are often made last minute, typically within 90 days of departure, compared to the global average of eight to nine months. “This presents challenges for us and agents across the network. We strive to secure availability for high-demand sailings, but the short booking window makes this difficult.
“My advice to cruise bookers, travel agents, and travellers is to book early. Promoting early bookings is crucial. We prepare promotions in advance to help you market to your network. Early booking ensures the best pricing and availability, especially for families needing connected or adjacent cabins.
“Additionally, securing your cruise trip with travel insurance that covers cruise bookings is now more important than ever.”
With cruise lines discontinuing third-party insurance options, travel insurance for cruise bookings is increasingly vital. This trend is also observed in the Middle East market, where travellers are becoming more aware of the importance of comprehensive travel insurance. Insurance coverage takes care of both the customer and the travel agent, hence it is recommended.
NEW IDENTITY
Royal Caribbean has launched its new logo featuring the crown and anchor symbol, aligning it with powerful global brands. This year, the company introduced two major vessels: Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest ship, and Utopia of the Seas. These ships offer over 42 venues, including dining and entertainment, and feature eight distinct neighbourhoods catering to all age groups.
“A standout feature is Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, a fully integrated theme and water park with cabanas and a Maldives-like ambiance. Guests enjoy free access to the water park, with additional amenities like private cabanas available for a fee.
“Hideaway Beach offers a secluded experience at no extra cost,” says Saeed.
ARABIAN INITIATIVES
It is not enough just to promote and sell itineraries. “To cater to the Middle East market, we are actively working with our principal cruise lines to offer halal options and Arabic-speaking crew members. This adaptation is crucial for attracting travellers from the region, who seek culturally appropriate services,” says Saeed.
Anthem of the Seas will arrive in the UAE on November 7 as she repositions from Europe to Asia. “We are excited to invite you all to a ship visit, an event organized by Royal Caribbean Arabia,” says Saeed.
“For 2025, we have secured space on select short sailings and are subsidizing these cabins to offer them at a significantly reduced cost to agents and their families.
“This initiative aims to provide agents, especially those new to cruise travel, with the opportunity to experience our cruises firsthand – sailings will be from Caribbean, Europe and Asia. For example, one of the sailings will be available for as low as $500, compared to the usual cost of $2,000 to $3,000. This experience will better equip agents to sell our product more effectively,” concludes Saeed.