US cruise firm to put GCC on map

Last month US cruise operator Royal Caribbean made the landmark decision to homeport one of its ships in the Gulf for the first time ever.

The company's Brilliance of the Seas will be redeployed in Dubai from January to April 2010, operating seven-night itineraries around the Gulf during that period.

You may think, so what? After all, there are several cruise companies that have now included Dubai on their itineraries.

However, none are as well known in the Middle East as Royal Caribbean and what's more, the brand has a loyal following with cruisers worldwide, nowhere moreso than in the North American market.

The repositioning of a US cruise ship in the Gulf will open up the region to several new source markets that until now, have been wary of visiting the Middle East due to the bad press it often receives.
 

US-based tourists in particular may view Royal Caribbean's move into the region as a vote of confidence in the Middle East and as a result, they may dare to venture to these unknown waters for the first time.

Sailing with a US cruise company will make them feel "safe and comfortable" according to Royal Caribbean's regional sales director, international representatives, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Helen Beck.

But it's not just the untapped US market that will be tempted to cruise the Gulf as a result of Royal Caribbean's redeployment.

Visitors from locations as far afield as Australia and Brazil will take the opportunity to cruise the Gulf.

After all, if you are going to travel 14 or 15 hours by air to Dubai, you might as well see more than just one destination during your visit.

The source markets for these cruises will, no doubt, be largely facilitated by Emirates Airline's rapidly expanding network.

So, for all you DMCS and inbound agents out there, the time is ripe to prepare some ground arrangements to complement Royal Caribbean's itineraries and cash in on this golden opportunity, which presents FIT and MICE options galore.

Gemma Greenwood is the senior group editor of ITP Business' travel & hospitality magazines.