Worried about rising airfares? Here’s an alternative for Asian expats residing in the UAE.
The Royal Caribbean International has announced the launch of its third consecutive season in West Asia with 18 round-trip, seven-night sailings and two 12-night sailings from Dubai to India starting in November, 2011; the season runs through to April, 2012.
The two 12-night India itineraries will start in Dubai, sail to Mumbai, Goa, New Mangalore (new port this season), and call into Kochi. After two days at sea, the ship will arrive in Muscat and then sail back to Dubai.
The interest in the two itineraries to India, which were introduced in 2010, was enormously high and therefore will be implemented again in the 2011-12 season, the company said in a statement.
Helen Beck, Regional Director, International Representatives, EMEA, for Royal Caribbean International said: “We’ve received great feedback from our guests on the new 12-night itineraries sailing to India that we introduced this year. We are happy to bring Brilliance of the Seas back to Dubai in November, starting her longer third season in the region.”
Royal Caribbean International said this move is part of the deployment of a historic number of cruises by the global cruise brand, which has 22 ships currently in service, offering cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, West Asia, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
With oil hovering in the range of $120 a barrel, Emirates president Tim Clarke said yesterday that if this momentum continues or, worse, if the oil prices rise even further, then airfares could probably also follow suit in the future.
The airline has already increased airfares by 15 per cent and for the many Asian expats residing in the UAE, this price hike prior to summer holidays has already dampened their travel plans.
The cruise alternative could very well tap into this potential market gap, say experts, and allow passengers travelling to India, the dual choice between heading home for the holidays and enjoying a cruise alternative simultanelusly.
Aside from the India sector, for its 2011/12 season Royal Caribbean International’s Brilliance of the Seas is offering seven-night cruises in the region, which will start in Dubai, sail to Fujairah and dock in Muscat.
She then continues via Abu Dhabi back to Dubai. Due to the high demand, Royal Caribbean International has also extended its Middle East season for two months starting in November 2011.
Demand for cruise toursim in Dubai has been on the upswing. In 2005, there were only 13 ships serving travellers here; but this figure almost doubled the following year, further increasing to 55 ships by 2007, and 87 ships by 2009, whilst in 2010 there were 103 ships that carried 390,255 passengers.
The Department of Tourism is expecting to receive 135 ships in the year to 2012.
That number is likely to increase to approximately 180 by 2015 as the number of cruise travellers continue to increase in the region.
Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
