UAE cruise industry resilience continues to hold strong despite regional instability and recent cancellations by some cruise operators. Dominic Noranho, regional sales and marketing manager at Cruise Master, spoke about the sector’s stability and future outlook. His company represents more than 24 international cruise lines operating in the Middle East.
He emphasized that geopolitical tensions have not significantly impacted traveler sentiment. According to Noranho, cruise passengers from this region remain confident in their travel plans. Most passengers—nearly 95 percent—fly in from outside the Gulf to join their cruises.
German operator AIDA recently announced it will cancel its Orient cruise program in 2025–2026. The 3,300-passenger Aidaprima ship, known for docking in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, will no longer sail the route. Instead, AIDA will redeploy its vessels to Northern Europe and the Canary Islands.
The company cited ongoing safety concerns in the region as the reason for its decision. Since late 2023, more than 70 commercial ships have faced attacks in the Red Sea. These incidents, mainly linked to Yemen’s Houthi rebels, have pushed many cruise operators to avoid the Suez Canal.
Despite AIDA’s move, other cruise lines remain committed to their winter schedules in the UAE. Noranho noted that operators like MSC, Costa, and Celestyal plan to continue regional cruises. These routes focus solely on GCC ports and do not pass through high-risk zones.
Safety, flexibility, and growing tourist demand drive the resilience of the UAE cruise industry. Cruise companies have rerouted ships around Africa instead of using the Suez Canal. This adds cost, but passengers have not been deterred.
Dubai’s cruise terminal welcomed over 300,000 passengers last season. Industry leaders expect demand to continue rising. CLIA forecasts 37.7 million global cruise passengers by 2025. A further 10 percent growth is expected by 2028.
Some operators, like Seabourn and Holland America Line, also adjusted plans to avoid the Red Sea. However, industry growth remains steady. Over 350 new cruise ships are currently under construction or in planning stages.
Noranho concluded that UAE cruise industry resilience remains high. He praised the region’s position as a cruise hub and its long-term tourism strategy. Travelers continue to view the UAE as a safe, attractive cruise destination.
