Carnival Corp Celebrates Opening Of Dubai Cruise Terminal
Cruise Line & Cruise ShipCosta CruisesTheresa Norton December 17, 2021
Carnival Corp. & plc, the worlds largest cruise company, on Dec. 17 celebrated the official opening of the two-berth Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal.
The project with Shamal Holding resulted from a strategic partnership signed in 2018 to develop the new cruise port as the main hub for cruise tourism in Dubai.
The occasion was marked with a walk-through by Abdulla Binhabtoor, chief portfolio management officer of Shamal Holding Giora Israel, senior vice president of global port and destination development for Carnival Corp. Michael Thamm, group CEO of Costa Group and Carnival Asia and Mario Zanetti, president of Costa Cruises.
The Costa Firenze and AIDAbella — from Carnival’s Italian and German brands — are now homeporting at the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal as the cruise season is launched.
The opening represents a milestone toward Dubais goal of becoming the worlds most visited city, underscored with the October launch of the Expo 2020 in Dubai. Costa Cruises is a Gold Sponsor of the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, so cruise guests are provided with shore excursion options to explore the world exhibition.
Dubai is a gateway to Arabian Gulf cruise destinations such as Oman and Abu Dhabi.
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Bring Qe2 Home Proposals
Cunard’s 175th anniversary celebrations on 25 May 2015 led to renewed interest in Queen Elizabeth 2. John Chillingworth secured the backing of London mayor Boris Johnson for a plan to anchor the ship opposite The O2 Arena at Greenwich. A move to London however would require the ship to pass through the Thames Barrier. In late 2015 there was disagreement between ship preservation advocates and harbour authorities on whether a dead ship of her size could safely manoeuvre through the barrier. John Houston suggested returning the ship to Greenock as a maritime attraction, hotel and events space.
Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe has called on the UK and Scottish governments to campaign to buy the ship, saying that “Bringing the QE2 home is a Herculean task, one that requires national support in Scotland and perhaps across the UK, if it has any chance of happening.” In January 2016 Aubrey Fawcett, the chair of the working group to regenerate the Clyde, admitted defeat in this effort as QE2’s owners refused to respond to any requests regarding her condition or sale. “Consequently, we must conclude that it is highly unlikely that Scotland features in the future plans for the vessel.”
Cancellation Policy For Jalesh Cruise Mumbai To Dubai
- If cancellations are made 30 days before the start date of the trip, 25% of total tour cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- If cancellations are made 15-30 days before the start date of the trip, 50% of total tour cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- If cancellations are made within 0-15 days before the start date of the trip, 100% of total tour cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- In case of unforeseen weather conditions or government restrictions, certain trips or activities may get cancelled. In such cases operator will try their best to provide an alternate feasible. However a cash refund will not be applicable for the same.
- Cancellations are strictly subjected to cancellation policies mentioned on the website & are irrespective of the date of booking.
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Check Out: Luxury Yacht 55 & Luxury Yacht 96
- Mainstream Cruises- The Norwegian Cruise Line offers some mainstream cruises for tourists on their Dubai cruise packages. Ideally, a ship with all the required features of a resort qualifies as a mainstream cruise. The Norwegian Cruise Line has various ships, namely Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Escape. These big-budget ships are the perfect getaway if you want a wholesome cruising experience.
Emirates And Dubai Cruises To Abu Dhabi Uae
Arrive on the shores of Abu Dhabi and you will be greeted with a friendly, hospitable welcome. This stunning capital city of UAE is a juxtaposition of ultra-modern sophistication and Arab charm. You could shop in the grand malls or barter in one of the many colourful souks. You could travel in style in a cool air conditioned limo or ride through the desert on a camel. You could even enjoy a little 5 star gastronomic hospitality away from your ship or sample some of the local Bedouin generosity. Witness a world-class event at the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix for a day to remember or be wowed by the lavish Emirates Palace and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre. Whichever way you choose to discover this country, it’s guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience.
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Local Currency & Tipping Customs
Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates and the official currency there is called the Dirham . You can haggle and bargain in souqs, or outdoor markets, but prices in department stores and boutiques tend to be fixed. Tipping is 10-15% of your surcharge at restaurants and bars, and you can round up to the nearest Dirham note when youre tipping your taxi driver.
Emirates And Dubai Cruises To Bahrain
Once reputed for seating one of the world’s oldest civilisations, Bahrain is now known for being a relatively liberal and modern Persian Gulf country. Enjoy one of the oldest customs of drinking coffee on this island kingdom or digest some of the rich tapestry of local history in one of the many museums. Before you leave, sail on a traditional dhow or visit the Al Fateh Mosque, the largest in Bahrain.
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Culture & History Of The Dubai Cruise Port
On cruises to Dubai, youll quickly discover that the history of the United Arab Emirates is rich, varied, and experiencing its very own renaissance. Humans have been living in the area that is now Dubai for thousands of years, but Dubai didnt gain its cultural and economic prominence until the 18th and 19th centuries, when the city became the first port opening the area to trade. In the 1950s, oil was discovered and forever changed Dubais economy and its role in the global sphere. Since then, Dubai has steadily grown, becoming one of the most glamorous cities in history. Culturally, Dubai is greatly influenced by Islam, and during Ramadan, many restaurants and shops close to adhere to the holiday. Be sure to check to see if your Dubai cruise coincides with Ramadan during your time there.
Dubai Port Facilities & Location
Your Dubai cruise ships port of call is the Port of Rashid, which is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities like free wifi, currency exchange, a tourism information area, and plenty of souvenirs for you to bring back home when you return to the ship. Youll see the Dubai skyline when you arrive at the Port of Rashid, and can depart the cruise port from a taxi or through a complimentary shuttle when youre heading out on a shore excursion.
Shopping Near The Dubai Cruise Port
Dubai is a shoppers paradise, ranging from the high end to bargain markets for every type of shopper. The Dubai Mall is the second largest mall in the world, so its easy to lose track of time perusing over 1,200 shops featuring clothing, antiques, and fine jewelry. Of course, Dubais revitalized downtown contains a variety of souks and marketplaces where you can purchase gold, spices, jewelry, handmade goods, and more.
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Emirates And Dubai Cruises To Dubai
Dubai is one of the most exclusive cities in the world, with exceptional shopping centres, stunning beaches, world class golf courses and a unique landscape. Dubai is truly a place of interesting contrasts with a mixture of traditional architecture and state-of-the-art modern buildings. The Palm Jumeirah is built on an artificially made island and the iconic Burj al Arab with its sail-like facade, stands over 300 metres tall. While on a shore excursion, be sure not to miss the vibrant spice souk and the glittering gold souk, overflowing with flawless fine jewellery.
Dubai To Mumbai Cruise Packages
Cruise Safety Tips
As you would be staying on the ship for several days when on a cruise, it is important to stay safe at all times. Here are some cruise safety tips you need to know.
Documents Required before Boarding a Cruise
As you would be travelling to a foreign country, you need to carry some important documents just like when travelling by flight.
- While travelling to Dubai by cruise, you need to have a valid passport. Your passport should have at least six months validity from the date of travel.
- You need to have Dubai or UAE visa as well as Oman visa if you are planning to explore Muscat. If you are not an Indian citizen and are travelling from Dubai to Mumbai, you would need to get an Indian visa.
- You may have to produce additional documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, vaccination certificates, etc. if the cruise demands it.
- The rules for documents to be produced are likely to change from time to time and depend on the discretion of the cruise liner.
What to Pack for a Cruise
If you are going on a cruise for the first time, you would be confused about the things you should take with you. Here are some important things that you should pack.
Facilities Available on a Cruise Ship
Cruise ships are not just for travelling from one place to another. In fact, they are the epitome of luxury and have everything that you would find in a renowned hotel on land. Here are some of the facilities and amenities you would find on most cruise ships to Dubai.
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Hotel And Tourist Attraction
Queen Elizabeth 2 reopened as a floating hotel on 18 April 2018, following an extensive refurbishment. Over 2.7 million man-hours were committed to the work to upgrade and rebuild the ship to meet hotel standards. This included a full hull repaint and the replacing of Port Vila registry with Dubai on her stern. It is a ‘soft opening’, while remaining work continues.
On board is a new QE2 Heritage Exhibition, adjacent to the lobby, detailing the vessel’s history. As of April 2018 the grand opening for the completed hotel and attraction was set for October 2018. The ship is operated by PCFC Hotels, a division of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, which is owned by the Dubai government.
Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal
Dubai Harbour is a new port development project which started in January 2017, with scheduled completion in 2021. Among the attractions that the new complex will feature are a new cruise terminal building and housing a luxury hotel and featuring an observation deck.
This is Dubai’s newest cruise ship terminal facility for which construction was contracted the holding company Meraas. This way, the port became world’s first ever to build 2 new terminals simultaneously, with combined annual capacity 1,2 million passengers. Dubai Harbour as location connects some of the city’s most famous neighborhoods.
Dubai Harbour is located on King Salman Str, between JBR Walk and Palm Jumeirah . The new complex covers a total area of nearly 1,9 km2 . The project includes the cruise port terminal, a large shopping mall , yacht marina , 3 helipads, an events arena, as well as residential and office buildings, hotels and shops.
Dubai Lighthouse’s facade is used as a screen for HD video projections and light shows. The residential complex includes both high and low buildings, as well as waterfront houses and villas, numerous retail shops, cafes and restaurants.
Construction works started in May 2018 after Meraas and Carnival Corporation signed an agreement for partnership, including port development and terminal management. The 186-hectares land development project was officially approved in January 2017 by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum .
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Huge New Cruise Terminal Opens For Carnival
The new terminal facility, in partnership between Carnival Corporation and Shamal Holding, has officially opened and welcomed its first cruise ships. The partnership was signed in 2018 to develop a new cruise hub for the modern city.
To officially mark the opening were two Carnival-owned cruise ships that docked at the new terminal simultaneously. Italian-based Costa Cruises operate Costa Firenze and AIDAbella is operated by German-based AIDA Cruises.
AIDAbella first arrived at the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal in late November 2021, kicking off the vessels Winter season. Costa Firenze first arrived at the port on December 16 to begin a season operating from Dubai through March 2022.
Michael Thamm, group CEO of Costa Group and Carnival Asia, said,After years of working closely with Shamal Holding, we are absolutely thrilled to welcome guests from around the world to Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal.
As the worlds largest cruise company, our passion is providing our guests with extraordinary vacation experiences, and we are confident that our partnership with Shamal Holding will enhance the overall experience for our guests.
Its the regions first-ever twin terminal cruise port which is capable of accommodating two large cruise ships at the same time. The facility spans over 120,000 square meters . It includes two purpose-built terminal buildings that offer passengers and crew a safe, comfortable and seamless embarkation and disembarkation experience.
How Far Is Dubai Airport From The Cruise Port
Dubais cruise terminal is approximately 10-15 minutes away from Dubai International Airport via car or taxi. If you wish to save money, you could alternatively take public transport which greatly reduces the cost. However, walking times from the bus stop to the terminal range between 7-10 minutes, and with bags of luggage this might not be the best option, especially for those going on longer voyages and more cumbersome bags.
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Dubai & Emirates Cruises
Opting to go on a Dubai and United Arab Emirates cruise will open the doors to an experience of a lifetime, and here at Cruise Nation we have some of the best and offers available on the market.
One of the cruise ship capitals of the world, Dubai and the United Arab Emirates sees more than 500,000 cruise passengers sail through each year. From mirage-like desert cities to tropical island paradises, luxury shopping experiences to local culture and haggling in the markets of the old towns, a cruise to Dubai and the United Arab Emirates offers an Arabian adventure unlike any other.
With the beautiful Dubai coastline, and the innovative and exciting sights of the United Arab Emirates, there are a multitude of wonderful attractions included on a cruise to this part of the world. Mixed together with the luxurious cruise ships and tantalising food and drinks packages we have available, every cruise trip to Dubai and the UAE is packed full with enjoyment and adventure.
Scrapping In China Qe2 London And Qe2 Asia
On 23 December 2012, it was reported that QE2 had been sold for scrapping in China for £20 million, after a bid to return her to the UK was rejected. With monthly berthing and maintenance charges of £650,000, it was reported that a Chinese salvage crew arrived at the vessel on 21 December, to replace a crew of 40 which has been maintaining the vessel since it arrived at Port Rashid. However, Cunard dismissed the reports as “pure speculation”. When the ship was sold in 2007, a clause in the contract which started from her retirement in 2009 stipulated a ten-year “no onward sale” clause, without payment of a full purchase price default penalty.
The “QE2 London” Plan had included a £20 million bid for QE2 and a further £40 million refurbishment that was supposed to create more than 2,000 jobs in London, with Queen Elizabeth 2 docked near the O2 Arena. It had reportedly obtained the support of the then London Mayor Boris Johnson.
QE2Cunard
On 17 January 2013, the Dubai Drydocks World announced that Queen Elizabeth 2 would be sent to an unknown location in Asia to serve as a floating luxury hotel, shopping mall, and museum. Despite this move, the QE2 London team stated on the same day that “We believe our investors can show Dubai that QE2 London is still the best proposal”.
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Dubai And Emirates In Detail
Take a cruise to the Pearl of the Arabian gulf. A Dubai cruise will bring you a mixture of architecture and glittering uber chic life.
People choose to cruise to Dubai for mainly three reasons – sand, sea and sun! Upon reaching the city of Dubai on your cruise ship, you won’t help but notice the impressive Burj Al Arab Hotel, dominating the skyline at 321 meters tall, resembling a huge sail.
With the impressive architecture of the Grand Mosque and a helping of boastful nightlife, a cruise holiday to Dubai and Emirates is a mixing pot of fascination.
Guaranteed sunshine, water sports, off roading in the desert, camel riding and the best in relaxation opportunities that anywhere in the world can offer – a cruise holiday to Dubai is more than just a cruise, it’s an experience.
Top Dubai Cruise Destinations And Shore Excursions
To enrich your Arabian adventure, make sure that you take some shore excursions to the mainland to experience this beautiful part of the world first hand. Steeped in cultural heritage, these fascinating ports of call will awaken your senses and leave you with a greater understanding of their colourful coastlines.
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Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminals And Marina
Opened in October 2020, Dubai Harbour’s two new passenger terminals have combined floor area 27,870 m2 , total Quay Wall length 910 m , total Pier length 910 m , Pier width 28 m , Shipping Channel depth 12,5 m , Shipping Channel width 300 m , Turning Basin diameter 540 m , Bollards , four Passenger Boarding Bridges.
Both Terminals are complete with entertainment venues, leisure spaces, premium retail shopping areas. The new cruise ship terminals in Dubai Harbour are approx 30 km from two international airports or just 30-min drive distance from the cruise docks.
Dubai Harbour’s two terminals are with berthing capacity 3 mid-sized ships and 13,200 passengers . The project was via partnership with Shamal Holding LLC .
Dubai Harbour is linked with the city’s transport network .
The new facility was officially inaugurated on December 17, 2021, following the arrival of its first cruise ships – Costa Firenze and AIDAbella. The special ceremony was attended by Abdulla Binhabtoor and Carnival Corporation top-rank executives, including Giora Israel , Torben Seidenschnur , Michael Thamm , Felix Eichhorn , Mario Zanetti .