US-based Carnival Corporation, in partnership with Dubai-based Shamal Holding, has unveiled the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal in the UAE.
In 2018, the entities formed a strategic alliance for the establishment of a new cruise port as the main site for promoting cruise tourism in Dubai.
The official opening was marked by the arrival of two passenger cruise vessels, Italy-based Costa Cruises’ Costa Firenze and Germany-based AIDA Cruises’ AIDAbella.
This terminal has been developed as a twin-terminal cruise port, with the capacity to handle two large cruise ships at the same time.
The 120,000m2 facility has two purpose-built terminal buildings for offering embarkation and disembarkation experience to passengers and crew members.
It also includes four Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridges for facilitating the complete turnaround of the largest class of cruise vessels in the industry.
Other amenities at the terminal are currency exchange outlets, ATMs, cafes, retail centres, duty-free, dedicated parking, taxi stands and more.
In a statement, Carnival Corporation said: “In late November, AIDAbella arrived in Dubai at Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal for the first time, marking the first regular cruise passenger operation for the new terminals and the start of the ship’s winter season.
“In addition, Costa Firenze’s arrival in Dubai on 16 December marked the start of the ship’s season from Dubai, where it is homeporting for the first time ever, through March 2022.”
In total, six brands from Carnival Corporation, AIDA Cruises, Cunard, P&O Cruises (UK), Costa Cruises, Princess Cruises and Seabourn, will visit this new twin-terminal cruise port by 2023.
These brands are anticipated to make 90 calls to the terminal by then.
In June this year, Carnival Cruise Line announced plans to add another two ships to its fleet by 2023.
