Resorts World One set to sail from November 1, with Dubai as homeport.
At an exclusive press conference in Dubai, Resorts World Cruises announced the homeport deployment of Resorts World One starting 1 November.
A key highlight of this launch is RWO becoming the first cruise ship to receive the official OIC/SMIIC Standard Halal-friendly Cruise Ship certification upon its Dubai departure. Guests can also enjoy other Halal-friendly amenities, same-gender services for select facilities. Certified vegetarian and Jain cuisine are also available. To further cater to the diverse guest base, onboard announcements will be made in both English & Arabic. Additionally, shisha services are available, adding a touch of Middle Eastern tradition.
“As a cruiseline homegrown in Asia, we know Asia best. We are proud to bring our brand’s renowned Asian hospitality and cruising experience to Dubai and the Gulf region. The response from the Gulf and various markets in Asia, including our travel partners, has been very encouraging, and we look forward to welcoming guests aboard soon. The sailing offers round-trip cruise experiences to and from Dubai, visiting the best destinations in the Gulf,” said Michael Goh, President of Resorts World Cruises.
Naresh Rawal, Senior VP of Sales & Marketing at Resorts World Cruises, leading growth in key markets, stated, “We are seeing strong momentum in the FIT segment, and MICE has been responding very well, along with weddings. This strong response can be attributed to the easy access to Dubai and favourable visa regulations. The two markets, India and the GCC, behave very differently. India is poised to be a major player, we aim to grow alongside the Indian travel trade, which has shown immense support. Surprisingly, our partners in the GCC have also responded exceptionally well by marketing and promoting the itineraries. I am confident that not just the GCC and India, but the entire South Asian region, will contribute to a great upcoming cruising season.”
Saud Mohammed Saeed Hareb, Cruise Tourism & Yachting Lead at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, expressed, “We have worked tirelessly to build public & private sector partnerships, sharing a commitment to attract an ever-increasing number of cruise operators, and now we are seeing the fruits of this collaboration,” Mohammed added. He further praised the strategic partnership with RWC, emphasizing the commitment to bringing diverse cruise experiences to the city and reinforcing Dubai’s position as the cruise hub of the region.
“We sensed the passion and the professionalism from the first day we had a meeting. The Omani Ministry of Heritage and Tourism with their key partners is playing a significant role in preparations to ensure a genuine experience and hospitality for RWC in Khasab and Sultan Qaboos Ports from November to April 2025. This endeavour holds immense significance for Oman in their respective plans to operate 11 ports in the future,” said Khalid Al Azri, Director of Tourism Trends Department, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Oman.
“We are excited to welcome RWC to Doha for the first time. Renowned for its international experiences and expertise to cater to the needs of its passengers, we are eagerly waiting for her debut across the region. Qatar Tourism’s Cruise Season 2024-2025 is expected to be the largest yet, with many maiden cruises as well as returning cruise ships gracing ‘The Terminal’”, stated Maryam Saoud, Head of Tourism Product Support Section at Qatar Tourism.
The commencement of RWO on 1 November also coincides with Diwali. Guests will get to personally experience the Festival of Light, as the ship will be colourfully decorated and brightly lit with exciting Diwali inspired activities, entertainment, ‘Gujarat food festival’, and more. Besides, RWC has partnered with DP World to homeport RWO at Dubai’s Mina Port Rashid starting 1 Nov 2024.
