Dubai Cruise Terminal

The new Dubai Cruise Terminal is due to open in January 2010 and has been built to cater for increased number of cruise tourists and ships. It is the only cruise terminal in the world operated by a government department of tourism which means it can provide extra attention to every visitor and enhance the experience including certified tour guides and a swift entry system with no visa issues for visitors.

The new terminal spans an area of 3,450 square metres and is designed to handle more than three to four ships simultaneously.

The terminal will have a tourist support infrastructure which includes facilities like money exchange, ATM machine, post office outlet, duty free shop, souvenir shops, gift shops, and business centre with free internet access, Wi-Fi enabled for lap top users, VIP Majlis, and toilets with access to physically challenged etc.

Royal Caribbean’s first ship based in the Middle East, Brilliance of the Seas, will start sailing from its home port of Dubai in January, stopping at Muscat, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. Italy’s Costa Cruises has also increased its presence in Dubai, having made the emirate its regional hub in 2007.

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) predicts that the overall number of cruise liner passengers in the emirate will top 325,000 this year, an increase of 37% year on year and a total of 120 ship visits..!! This represent an increase in traffic since 2008 of almost 80%.

Back to the ships.... 23 February sees the inauguration of Costa Deliziosa, the first time an Arabian city has hosted a cruise ship christening ceremony. Costa made Dubai its regional cruise hub in 2007.

Ian Scott, director UK and Ireland for the Government of Dubai, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), commented: ‘With the UK and Ireland providing almost one million yearly visitors, Dubai is established as a firm favourite with holidaymakers.

‘Cruise visitors are becoming an increasingly important part of Dubai’s tourism industry and with Dubai Cruise Terminal open for business January 2010, it looks to keep rising further.’

Convenient Hotels

If you are looking for a hotel for a brief pre or post cruise stay in the immediate vacinity of the Dubai Cruise Terminal then The Cruise Village can recommend the "Gold Swiss-Belhotel" which is just a 5 minute drive from the terminal building.

You can find more details of the Swiss-Belhotel's facilities by clicking here >>