Emirates and AIDA Cruises Extend Partnership to Boost Dubai's Maritime Tourism

In a strategic move that further solidifies Dubai's standing as a leading maritime tourism destination, Emirates and AIDA Cruises have announced the renewal of their partnership for an additional two seasons. This development, unveiled during the inaugural day of ITB Berlin, aligns perfectly with Dubai’s ambitious plans to expand its cruise capacity and cement its status as a premier maritime hub.

The collaboration between Emirates and AIDA Cruises is poised to explore a myriad of opportunities, including joint marketing efforts, operational harmonization, and strategic flight schedule planning. This partnership aims to enhance transportation links between Dubai International Airport and the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal, promising an integrated and seamless travel experience for maritime tourists.

Central to this renewed alliance is a commitment to sharing data and insights to refine service delivery, alongside offering dedicated support teams for cruise passengers and facilitating an efficient check-in process at the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal. Emirates is set to allocate increased capacity for the coming two seasons to cater to the burgeoning demand for cruise packages to Dubai, demonstrating a robust momentum in the sector.

This memorandum of understanding was signed by key figures from both organizations: Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates Airline, and Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises.

Adnan Kazim expressed pride in AIDA Cruises' longstanding dedication to Dubai, highlighting the company's pioneering role in establishing the city as a winter cruising destination since 2006. He underscored Emirates' commitment to supporting Dubai’s growth as a prime gateway for winter cruising through strategic partnerships.

Felix Eichhorn remarked on the Arabian Gulf's popularity as a winter destination, emphasizing the synergy between Emirates' connectivity and Dubai Harbour's state-of-the-art facilities in enhancing the region's appeal to AIDA's guests.

Since 2021, AIDAprima has been a regular at Dubai Harbour, offering accommodation for up to 3,200 passengers and itineraries featuring destinations such as Muscat, Doha, Sir Bani Yas, and Abu Dhabi. Dubai continues to lead in integrating the travel and tourism ecosystem, providing hassle-free entry, seamless port handling, and access to Emirates check-in desks at Dubai Harbour, among other amenities.

With 12 Emirates check-in counters at Dubai Harbour, cruise passengers enjoy the convenience of checking in for their flights up to four hours before departure, allowing them to explore Dubai luggage-free before their onward journey.

Last year, Emirates facilitated the travel of approximately 400,000 cruise passengers through Dubai's terminals. With the city hosting over 166 ships in the last cruise season and anticipating a 23% increase in cruise passengers in the upcoming season, Dubai reaffirms its position as the region's top embarkation point and most favored destination for cruise liners.