Latest news with #CelestyalCruises
Khaleej Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Cruises cheaper than flights? Why UAE residents are opting for sea travel
Cruise holidays are becoming popular with UAE travellers over this summer and beyond. While some chose unique experiences, others opt for ultra-luxurious, all-inclusive packages, which allow them to have a more intimate holiday. 'During the summer, we are seeing many families from the UAE and GCC region opting for cruise holidays, mostly in Europe, Far East and Caribbean,' said Mohamed Kasim from Akbar Travels. 'Most of the people from the region opt for cruises lasting between seven and ten days and it is almost always booked by families, not people who are single.' He said that vessels that offer distinct entertainment options are more popular than others. 'Cruises like Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas of Royal Caribbean have been extremely popular this season,' he said. The former cruise boasts of one of the largest waterparks at sea while the latter tends to be a more budget-friendly option. A spokesperson for Celestyal cruises, which homeported out of Abu Dhabi and Doha for the first time from December 2024 to March this year said that the demand had far exceeded their expectation from the region. 'We had set an occupancy target of 60 per cent,' said Janet Parton, regional Vice President of Business Development at the company. 'However, we were completely full on the majority of our cruises. So the response has been phenomenal and we are already getting bookings for our next season.' She added that however, the GCC region were a 'late booking' market, with many choosing to book at the last minute Luxury cruises Among cruise holidays, the luxury cruises vertical is one that is seeing an increase in demand. According to Lakshmi Durai, CEO of CruiseXplore, there are several reasons why people prefer luxury cruises. 'People travel a lot, and they are always looking for something unique and different,' she said. 'Luxury cruises have smaller ships which allow them to visit destinations that larger cruise ships may not be able to navigate. They are very boutique and the travellers are pampered. There are some cruises that offer very unique experience.' In this year's State of the Cruise Industry report by Cruise Lines International Association, the luxury cruise travel market has tripled globally since 2010. Saleh Mohamed from Elevate Cruises explained why people prefer luxury cruises. 'They come in smaller sizes with lesser number of people and all amenities inclusive,' he said. 'Last year, we handled the Tauck cruise which was like a small yacht of 160 passengers but with a crew of almost 200 people to give personalised care for passengers. There were about 15 travel experts to accompany people during their excursions. So luxury cruise liners do out-of-the-box, unique experiences with an incredible level of service.' Earlier this year, Saud Hareb Almheiri, Cruise Tourism & Yachting Lead, Dubai Department of Economy, and Tourism (DET) told Khaleej Times during the Arabian Travel Mart that luxury cruises were 'a growing trend' both globally and locally. 'People are realising that if they go on a luxury cruise, it gives them a way to experience unique onshore excursions or different ports,' he said. 'On a normal cruise ship, there are sometimes more than 6,000 guests which means that people have to queue up to use the amenities. On luxury cruises, people wouldn't have to wait in queues.' Value for money According to Saud, value for money has been the 'foundation' of cruising. 'People are able to visit so many destinations within a short period of time without having to get on a plane and without having to unpack and pack multiple times,' he said. 'People will pay a premium for just that experience.' Lakshmi added that cruises are more affordable as compared to land holidays. 'The cruise package has a lot of inclusions,' she said. 'WiFi, all meals, entertainment on board, unique destinations and more. If you break it down to a per night rate, a similar land vacation will cost much more than a cruise. That is one of the reasons why it is becoming more popular.' Experiential cruises One cruise that has seen a lot of interest from the region is the Hurtigruten experiential cruise in Norway — a 130-year-old delivery service that used to get produce and post to the north of the country. Hurtigruten was converted into a cruise experience and has become popular for the experience it offers. 'We have small ships accommodating up to 500 people that run along the coast of Norway throughout the year,' said Carla Hines. 'We work with local suppliers, pick up fresh fish and vegetables from certain ports and engage with the local community. The food on the cruise is completely Norwegian and freshly cooked and the waste on the ship is composted. We are very sustainable. Depending on the season, we have different activities like hustle sledging, kayaking and hiking.' Lakshmi added that other popular experience cruises included cruises to the Arctic circle and Antartica. 'Some of these are ice breaker cruises that sail into poles,' she said. 'Roughly about 100 people are on these cruises, and they have expedition experts on the ship who take the guests out into the poles to explore.' Saleh added that the newly launched Aroya Cruise from Saudi Arabia was also gaining popularity. With halal food, prayer rooms and shisha decks, he explained that the cruise targeted a wide Muslim audience.
Sydney Morning Herald
04-08-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
When people say cruises are all same-same, I counter with this
This article is part of Traveller's Holiday Guide to ocean cruising. See all stories. I've done a lot of cruising, but that doesn't stop people who are keen to tell me that it's a cookie-cutter experience they'd never consider. That's like saying you'd never stay in a hotel because they all occupy big bland buildings with identical rooms. Yes, international chains are familiar, but I don't think anyone assumes there aren't quirky national chains or family-owned boutique hotels out there. Likewise, cruise lines come in all varieties and, if you look beyond the regular horizon, you'll find myriad companies, one of which will surely suit even the pickiest person. There are too many to cover here, but this small sampling might whet your appetite. If you want to sail the truly authentic way, then Star Clippers operates three of the world's largest and tallest sailing vessels in the Caribbean, Pacific coast of Central America and Mediterranean. Its ships aren't luxurious but you get a genuine sailing experience. Many guests are yachties, but even landlubbers will be thrilled at the billowing sails and creaking ropes. Worried about the environmental impact of cruising? Norwegian line Havila Voyages has four new ships dedicated to sustainable travel. They're powered by LNG and have some of the world's largest battery packs for an uncanny experience of silent sailing, at least some of the time. The 640-passenger ships sail classic Norwegian coastal voyages in 12-day round trips between Bergen and Kirkenes, with other short options. Restaurants showcase dishes made from regional produce. Another small cruise line is Celestyal Cruises, until recently confined to sailing out of Athens to the Greek islands and Turkey. Now it also offers Adriatic itineraries and short Persian Gulf cruises. Its two ships carry about 1300 passengers and are notable for their diligent crew and range of dining and bar options. The focus is on the destination, with extended port times and numerous shore-excursion choices.
The Age
04-08-2025
- The Age
When people say cruises are all same-same, I counter with this
This article is part of Traveller's Holiday Guide to ocean cruising. See all stories. I've done a lot of cruising, but that doesn't stop people who are keen to tell me that it's a cookie-cutter experience they'd never consider. That's like saying you'd never stay in a hotel because they all occupy big bland buildings with identical rooms. Yes, international chains are familiar, but I don't think anyone assumes there aren't quirky national chains or family-owned boutique hotels out there. Likewise, cruise lines come in all varieties and, if you look beyond the regular horizon, you'll find myriad companies, one of which will surely suit even the pickiest person. There are too many to cover here, but this small sampling might whet your appetite. If you want to sail the truly authentic way, then Star Clippers operates three of the world's largest and tallest sailing vessels in the Caribbean, Pacific coast of Central America and Mediterranean. Its ships aren't luxurious but you get a genuine sailing experience. Many guests are yachties, but even landlubbers will be thrilled at the billowing sails and creaking ropes. Worried about the environmental impact of cruising? Norwegian line Havila Voyages has four new ships dedicated to sustainable travel. They're powered by LNG and have some of the world's largest battery packs for an uncanny experience of silent sailing, at least some of the time. The 640-passenger ships sail classic Norwegian coastal voyages in 12-day round trips between Bergen and Kirkenes, with other short options. Restaurants showcase dishes made from regional produce. Another small cruise line is Celestyal Cruises, until recently confined to sailing out of Athens to the Greek islands and Turkey. Now it also offers Adriatic itineraries and short Persian Gulf cruises. Its two ships carry about 1300 passengers and are notable for their diligent crew and range of dining and bar options. The focus is on the destination, with extended port times and numerous shore-excursion choices.
Gulf Business
13-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Qatar Tourism's Omar Al Jaber on record visitors, strategic growth and service excellence
Image: Supplied Qatar Tourism is on a upward trajectory, closing 2024 with an unprecedented 5.07 million visitors — a 25 per cent increase over 2023 — and carrying this momentum into 2025 with over 1.5 million international visitors in Q1 alone. Backed by an integrated tourism strategy, the country is making bold strides in hospitality, culinary excellence, cruise tourism, AI innovation, and eco-tourism. With major milestones such as surpassing 10 million room nights for the first time, welcoming the MICHELIN Guide, and hosting globally acclaimed events like Web Summit Qatar and the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition, Qatar is redefining itself as a year-round, must-visit destination. Qatar Tourism and Visit Qatar showcased their offerings at at the 32nd Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, held from April 28-May 1, at a 600-square-metre pavilion that featured interactive digital experiences, cultural activations, and immersive showcases like the 4Dx Meryal Waterpark experience. Leading a delegation of 46 partners, including hotels and destination management companies, Qatar highlighted its expanding tourism portfolio and regional leadership in sustainable tourism — underscored by ATM's Sustainability Award for the eco-conscious pavilion design. Several high-level meetings took place with regional and international tourism leaders to strengthen bilateral partnerships. Qatar Tourism announced a major winter cruise partnership with Celestyal Cruises, expected to bring over 40,000 visitors, and launched a new twin-centre holiday initiative with Abu Dhabi's tourism authority. Visit Qatar also signed strategic MoUs with Huawei, flynas, and Satguru Travel to boost digital marketing, enhance regional air connectivity, and expand into African markets. We caught up with Omar Al Jaber , director of Shared Services at Why is ATM a key event for Qatar Tourism? ATM is a very important event for Qatar Tourism and for Qatar as a whole. It's one of the key exhibitions we make sure to attend every year. The event brings together different markets, segments, and stakeholders, which is crucial for us. We attend alongside our partners from the hotel and hospitality sectors, as well as destination management companies (DMCs). The goal is to enhance collaboration, foster networking, and ultimately create win-win deals between Qatari businesses and international partners. How was 2024 for Qatar Tourism in terms of numbers and highlights? The year 2024 was truly amazing for us. We reached 5.1 million visitors, which is a 25 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Nearly 48 per cent of those visitors came from the GCC, breaking another record. Hotel occupancy reached an average of 77 per cent, which is also a new high. The average daily rate (ADR) per night increased too — great news for the business. It's particularly remarkable because this comes two years after the FIFA World Cup, showing that we've maintained momentum. It also raises the bar for 2025—we aim to break records again. These figures reflect not only our appeal to international travellers but also the strength of our multi-access strategy via air, land, and sea. What's more, these milestones were achieved by diversifying our tourism offerings and continuously enhancing the visitor experience. It's a validation of our commitment to turning Qatar into a dynamic, year-round destination. In Q1 2025, Qatar welcomed over 1.5 million international visitors. What were the key drivers of this surge? Our performance in Q1 2025 was shaped by a combination of high-profile events, strategic partnerships, and targeted regional and international campaigns. Events like the Web Summit Qatar, the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition — which saw nearly 30,000 visitors and QAR246m in sales — and the Qatar International Food Festival, which attracted over 365,000 attendees, significantly boosted footfall. Additionally, Eid Al Fitr 2025 marked the highest holiday arrivals in three years, with 214,000 visitors during the eight-day celebration—a 26 per cent increase over the previous year. Service excellence is a key focus for Qatar Tourism. Tell us more about how you're ensuring consistent high-quality service across the tourism sector. Absolutely. Ensuring a seamless visitor journey is critical, and that's why we established the Service Excellence Department. This team focuses on various areas to raise standards across the board. We launched the Qatar Tourism Awards to encourage competition among hotels, hospitality providers, and individuals in the industry. The MICHELIN Guide also brought significant improvements to the restaurant and café sectors, making Qatar the second country in the GCC to host it. On the academic side, we offer regular training to frontline workers — hotel staff, airport personnel, customs officers, immigration staff, taxi drivers, safari operators, and tour guides. We update our training content regularly to ensure that the quality of service remains high and current. What are some emerging travel trends that you're seeing, and how is Qatar adapting to meet these changes? We're targeting a broad range of tourists — families with children, couples, leisure travellers, and more. We segment our target markets into three main categories, covering around 52–53 countries. Each segment has dedicated international offices that handle promotions, partnerships, and training programmes tailored to that market. Family travel is definitely growing. We've seen a marked increase in family visitors over the last few years. Qatar is also emerging as a popular destination for weddings — especially Indian weddings — which we're very proud of. How is digital transformation enhancing Qatar's tourism sector? Digital transformation is essential, especially in marketing. Our digital team leverages various tools like Meta, Snapchat, and chatbots for targeted digital campaigns. Traditional marketing methods like out-of-home boards are becoming less effective. Instead of random broadcasting, we focus on data-driven, targeted media strategies. This approach ensures that we reach the right audience in each market, which has significantly helped increase our visitor numbers. How important is the UAE as a source market for Qatar Tourism? The UAE is one of our tier-one markets — very important for us, especially within the GCC. Alongside Saudi Arabia, it's a key focus. We're not only targeting Emirati nationals but also the large expat population living in the UAE. Once the unified GCC visa comes into play, it will truly transform travel within the region. We also collaborate closely on cruise tourism. In 2023, we welcomed around 370,000 cruise visitors, many of whom arrived from or departed through Dubai or Abu Dhabi. This segment is growing and forms an important part of our broader tourism strategy. Any final thoughts? it's been a busy but exciting time for us at Qatar Tourism. We're proud of the progress we've made and are optimistic about what's to come. Our continued focus on service excellence, digital innovation, and strategic partnerships is paving the way for even greater achievements.
Trade Arabia
16-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Fourth edition of Cruise Travel Mart concludes in Dubai
The fourth edition of Cruise Travel Mart in Dubai concluded with representatives from 17 leading cruise lines and over 200 travel agents from the Middle East. The event, established since 2022, provided valuable industry insights, networking opportunities, and a closer look at the latest innovations. It emphasised the commitment of key cruise line representatives in the UAE to driving growth and innovation in the cruise industry, fostering confidence and collaboration among stakeholders. The event featured esteemed cruise lines including Albatros Expeditions, Celebrity Cruises, Celestyal Cruises, Cunard, Disney Cruise Line, Explora Journeys, Holland America Line, Hurtigruten, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Silversea, Swan Hellenic and Windstar Cruises. KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF CRUISE TRAVEL MART 2025 INCLUDED: A Dedicated Platform for Cruise Excellence: Cruise Travel Mart stood out as a niche event tailored exclusively to the unique needs and ambitions of the cruise industry, offering a focused environment for collaboration and growth. Unmatched Networking Opportunities: The event brought together over 200 influential travel agents—primarily from the UAE, with strong representation from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman—creating a powerful platform for relationship-building and business development. Boosting Brand Visibility and Engagement: Leading cruise lines showcased their offerings through immersive presentations and exhibits, spotlighting onboard experiences, new itineraries, and destination highlights. Spotlight on Innovation and Trends: Attendees gained firsthand insights into cutting-edge developments, evolving consumer preferences, and market trends shaping the future of cruise travel.
