Emirates Airlines and TUI Cruises Strengthen Partnership to Enhance Dubai’s Thriving Cruise Industry

Emirates Airlines and TUI Cruises have renewed their strategic partnership, strengthening Dubai’s status as a key hub in global cruise tourism. The agreement was finalized at ITB Berlin, where Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, and Wybcke Meier, TUI’s CEO, emphasized the significance of their collaboration.

As part of this initiative, TUI Cruises plans to expand its homeporting operations in Dubai, including the addition of a second vessel for the 2025-2026 season. Emirates Airlines will optimize flight schedules to align with TUI’s cruise itineraries, enhancing connectivity for travelers switching between air and sea.

The new partnership includes reserved “cruise block” seating on flights to meet demand from major markets and improved transportation coordination between Dubai Airport (DXB) and the Port Rashid Cruise Terminal. Additionally, there are plans to extend their collaboration towards itineraries in the Far East, with specific support for the Mein Schiff 6 ship, which will embark on a 14-day journey from Singapore, stopping in Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Japan.

The Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal at Port Rashid, which can handle 14,000 passengers daily, plays a vital role in this partnership. Emirates will continue to provide dedicated check-in facilities at the terminal, allowing cruise travelers to check in their luggage and collect boarding passes as early as four hours before departure. Enhanced check-in procedures and service improvements based on data analysis are also part of the initiative.

For the upcoming cruise season, TUI will base two ships at Port Rashid, each accommodating over 2,500 passengers. The itineraries will prominently feature Dubai as the primary embarkation point, with additional stops planned in Abu Dhabi, Oman, and Qatar.

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