Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Announces Expansion of its Middle East Cruise Season in 2011/2012
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Announces Expansion of its Middle East Cruise Season in 2011/2012
Royal Caribbean International announces the extension of its third consecutive season in the Middle East with 18 roundtrip 7-night sailings and two 12-night sailings from Dubai to India starting in November 2011 through to April 2012.
The move is part of the deployment of a historic number of cruises by the global cruise brand which has 22 ships currently in service, offering unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Middle East, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
A recent survey of the Cruise Line International Association saw agents report that cruising has earned the #1 ranking in consumer interest compared to other types of travel. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. - with its three global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises - has yet again increased its fleet size to accommodate its demand that is growing at unprecedented rates.
For its 2011/12 season Royal Caribbean International's Brilliance of the Seas is offering seven-night cruises in the region, which will start in Dubai, sail to Fujairah and dock in Muscat. She then continues via Abu Dhabi back to Dubai. Due to the high demand, Royal Caribbean International has also extended its Middle East season for two months starting in November 2011.
The interest in the two itineraries to India, which were introduced in 2010, was enormously high and therefore will be implemented again in the 2011/12 season. The two 12-night India itineraries will start in Dubai, sail to Mumbai, Goa, New Mangalore - which is a new port this season - and call into Cochin. After two days at sea the ship will arrive in Muscat and then sail back to Dubai.
Helen Beck, Regional Director, International Representatives, EMEA, for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises says that Brilliance of the Seas has just concluded a successful second season sailing around the Gulf.
When hotel rates in Dubai came under pressure with decreasing numbers of inbound tourists, the increasing number of cruise travelers helped the industry bounce back. In 2005, there were only 13 ships serving travelers; but this figure almost doubled the following year, further increasing to 55 ships by 2007, and 87 ships by 2009, whilst in 2010 there were 103 ships that carried 390,255 passengers and the Department of Tourism is expecting to receive 135 ships in the year to 2012. That number is likely to increase to approximately 180 by 2015 as the number of cruise travelers continue to increase in the region.
Outside of the Middle East region, Royal Caribbean International unveiled its 2012 Europe cruise and cruisetour season, upping the ante from its 2011 lineup of 11 ships to 12 for 2012, which will again include two Freedom-class ships, the largest and most groundbreaking in the line's fleet to sail European waters. Amsterdam will debut as a homeport, for a total of 12, with ships calling into 101 ports in 34 countries on itineraries ranging from three to 16 nights.
In addition to the 12 homeports from which guests can choose, Royal Caribbean is also offering eight "interports" - where guests can board itineraries en route - creating 20 options for embarkation and disembarkation, including Toulon, Marseille and Le Havre in France; Genoa, Messina (Sicily) and Bari in Italy; Valencia, Spain; and Kusadasi (Ephesus) in Turkey. Maiden calls will also be made at Arhus, Denmark; Klaksvik, Faroe Islands; and Leknes (Lofoten) in Norway.
Celebrity Cruises is also strengthening its summer/autumn season for 2012, when it will offer vacationers more opportunities to enjoy premium European cruises than ever before, with five ships visiting 70 ports in 22 countries, sailing from six departure ports, and featuring 19 distinct Mediterranean itineraries. Celebrity's fleet currently consists of nine ships, with two additional Solstice Class ships scheduled to join the fleet.
The season will include a variety of premium cruise vacation opportunities to enjoy Alaska, Bermuda, Canada and New England, and a series of immersive cruise-tours in Europe and Alaska.
Some extended overnight stays and eight new ports will add even more depth to Celebrity's already broad European offerings, including Klaksvik, Faroe Islands; Akureyri, Iceland; Bari, Catania and Ravenna, Italy; Skijolden, Norway; Koper, Slovenia and Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. Travelers can enjoy these and the 62 other ports Celebrity will visit in Europe in 2012 in ultra-premium style, as the company is deploying four of its award-winning Solstice Class ships to sail full European seasons in 2012.
Guests who wish to deepen their European experience can take advantage of Celebrity's cruise-tour offerings, which combine a cruise with a three- to five-night pre-cruise escorted land package in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. The packages, exclusive to Celebrity Cruises, immerse guests in culture-rich destinations such as Amsterdam, Venice, Paris, the Italian Lakes, Florence, Madrid, London, and Cappadiocia in Turkey.
