Friday 13 April 2012

MSC Cruises pulls out of Abu Dhabi

Gulf Cruise Ports Appear To Be Losing Appeal

As a big supporter of cruising round the gulf as opposed to taking a weeks winter break in a hotel in Tenerife - I feel there is a good argument to be made here.

Yes you have almost guaranteed weather, the food on-board the ships is amazing, service is great, there is a full entertainment programme and you do get to visit several ports of call.

But I have to agree with the cruise lines that the ports of call are limited and some do not appear to have embraced the needs of tourists and a the removal of the large cruise lines should be a wake up call for those destinations, if cruise lines are to come back to this region.


MSC Cruises is one such cruise line that has taken the decision not to renew it's cruises from Abu Dhabi for the 2012/2013 winter season.

Personally, as someone who is looking for winter affordable sunshine - I could quite happily take a cruise from Dubai with just one port of call overnighting in Abu Dhabi where there is the opportunity to for some sightseeing and a full afternoon & evening at Ferrari World.

Cruising to nowhere means lower fuel costs - more on-board revenue and if the entertainment is good, then I will be happy to subscribe.

Problem is...not everyone is a seasoned cruiser and people do want to get off, no matter how bad the port. Cruise holidays are viewed as a chance to see lots of different destinations in one holiday.

Anyway, I hope cruise lines will work with the Emirates and find good reasons to return in the future.

This is a cruise news blog entry by Phil.

Phil Nuttall
Director
The Cruise Village