Royal Caribbean International has dropped Bahrain from its Gulf cruise itinerary for the winter sailing season due to lack of popularity of the destination.
Lakshmi Durai, executive director, Middle East, Royal Caribbean, said: “We have adjusted the itinerary based on our customer and trade partner feedback and replaced Bahrain with an overnight stay in Muscat. We’re working very closely with the authorities to put Bahrain back into the programme as soon as possible.”
Brilliance of the Seas debuted cruises from UAE in January 2010 with the ship operating a series of seven-night cruises until April 2010.
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The cruise liner is increasing the length of its Dubai-based season for the 2,501-guest ship Brilliance of the Seas due to feedback that there is yet more demand for these cruises.
The ship will return to Dubai in November 2011, two months earlier than previously planned, and will offer an increased range of itineraries including longer cruises up to 12- and even 18-nights.
Helen Beck, Regional Director, International Representatives, Europe, Middle East, Africa commented:
“The Gulf region is a very popular destination with visitors from all over the world, and as cruises consistently offer significant value for money, we have seen considerable interest in this exciting way of visiting the Middle East. We have adjusted the itinerary based on our customer and trade partner feedback and replaced Bahrain with an overnight stay in Muscat.
"Also included within this cruise itinerary is an overnight stay in Dubai onboard the ship at the end of the cruise which makes this an affordable way to enjoy this fascinating Emirate.”
New itineraries offered during the longer six-month season, include a 12-night Dubai and India cruise featuring ports of call such as Muscat, Oman; Cochin, Goa and Mumbai, India. Brilliance of the Seas also will feature the first ever call by a Royal Caribbean International ship to the New Mangalore port in Panambur on the west coast of India.
During the 2011-2012 season, Royal Caribbean International will continue to offer the popular seven-night cruises departing weekly from Dubai. In fact, there will be double the number of seven-night itineraries compared to previous years, with minor changes to the itinerary including an overnight stay in Dubai at the end of the cruise, rather than the beginning, and a revised order in the ports of call to simplify visa processing. Featured ports of call include Fujairah and Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Muscat, Oman. The 7-night itineraries for the upcoming 2010-2011 season also will reflect these changes.
The repositioning cruise from Barcelona to Dubai will be an 18-night option via the Suez Canal and ports of call such as Alexandria, Egypt; Suez Canal passage; Aqaba, Jordan and Safaga, Egypt.
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