Dubai may have suffered financial turmoil in the past year, but as far as cruising is concerned, the region has never been more popular. And passengers with a desire to explore the Middle East will have even more options to choose from when the 2011-12 season starts.
Cruise lines which offer itineraries from Dubai include Silversea, Costa Cruises and Germany’s Aida, with most offering seven-night voyages including stops at Abu Dhabi and Muscat. Due to the overwhelming success of Brilliance of the Seas’ inaugural cruise season this year, Royal Caribbean will lengthen her stay from next year, bringing the 2,500-guest ship back to the UAE two months early in November 2011.The ship will operate an increased range of itineraries, including cruises of up to 12 and 18-nights, and adding ports of call in India.
And MSC has entered the burgeoning Middle East cruise market, announcing that it will base one of its ships there for the 2011-12 season. The MSC Lirica will divide its time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, kicking off with a 17-day repositioning cruise departing from Genoa on October 14 through the Mediterranean, Egypt, the Suez Canal and Jordan.
Then, between October 28, 2011 and March 9, 2012, she will offer 19 eight-day cruises with stops including the popular port of Muscat, the little-known Emirate of Fujairah, and Bahrain.
Lirica is an elegant ship carrying 2,069 guests, with attractions including a wide range of accommodations, four restaurants, a pizzeria, an English pub, and dedicated programs for kids.