From ITB Berlin 2024 today, Emirates announced the renewal of their partnership with AIDA cruises for a further two seasons. Dubai continues to attract the biggest players in the industry by offering an integrated maritime hub and unrivalled air connectivity.
On Tuesday (March 5, 2024), from ITB Berlin 2024, Emirates announced that they have renewed their partnership with AIDA cruises for two more seasons. Dubai is attracting the biggest travel industry players by offering a seamlessly integrated maritime hub with state-of-the-art handling facilities, all supported by unrivalled air connectivity. The carrier will explore a number of opportunities with AIDA Cruises for joint marketing, operational alignment, and strategic flight schedules. Additionally, the partners will ensure convenient ground transportation solutions between Dubai International Airport and the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal. Emirates will also dedicate capacity for the next two seasons to support the growing demand for cruise packages to/from Dubai. On the sidelines of ITB Berlin today, the MoU was signed by Emirates Airline’s Deputy President Adnan Kazim, and AIDA Cruises’ President, Felix Eichhorn.
Speaking on the renewed partnership, Emirates’ Adnan Kazim, said,
“We’re proud of AIDA Cruises’ long-standing commitment to Dubai, when they were one of the first cruise liners to home port in 2006. We are readying the business for another robust cruise season in Dubai, and through the support of partners like AIDA Cruises anchoring in our home city and hub, we’ll continue to strengthen Dubai’s position as an attractive gateway for winter cruising.”
AIDA Cruises’ President, Felix Eichhorn, added,
“The Arabian Gulf is one of our most popular winter destinations due to its moderate flight times, pleasant summer temperatures and many hours of sunshine. Combined with the new state-of-the-art terminals at Dubai Harbour within easy reach of the city’s attractions and excellent airport connectivity, our cooperation with Emirates will further enhance the attractiveness of this destination for our guests with tailor-made flight options.”
The MoU was signed by Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises and Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline. Standing behind the Emirates executives from left to right: Volker Greiner, Emirates Vice President North & Central Europe; Dina Al Herais, Vice President VP B2B Corporate & Leisure Products; Issam Kazim, CEO Dubai Tourism; Thierry Aucoc, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Europe; Dennis Schrahe, Vice President Capacity & Revenue Planning – Courtesy Emirates
AIDA Cruises vessel, AIDAprima, has been operating to Dubai Harbour since 2021, and can accommodate up to 3,200 guests. This season, customers embarking or disembarking from Dubai will enjoy divers itineraries that include destinations such as Muscat (OMAN), Doha (QATAR), Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi (UAE). As a first mover in linking the entire tourism ecosystem, Dubai offers hassle-free entry and visas for cruise passengers, and seamless handling at ports, including access to Emirates check-in desks at Dubai Harbour.
With a dozen check-in counters at the port, customers disembarking from cruise ships can conveniently check-in up to four hours prior to departure, allowing the convenience of exploring Dubai without baggage, before heading directly to the airport, and avoiding most of the standard pre-flight formalities.
In 2023, Emirates carried approximately 400,000 cruise passengers using Dubai cruise terminals, as the city welcomed over 166 ships, making it the region’s biggest port for embarkation, and most popular port of call for cruise liners.
Source(s): Emirates, AIDA Cruises