Dubai cruise operations ready to restart

P&O Marinas, a DP World Company, recently held a virtual workshop, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) and Emirates Airline, to discuss the resumption of the cruise season 2020/2021 in Dubai. The company invited leading shipping agents and stakeholders to take part in the event.

The webinar heard that Dubai is “open for business and looking forward to receiving tourists for the new cruise season by the fall.” A draft safety protocol for the cruise industry is in the pipeline and will be shared soon, the event heard. Mohammed Al Mannaei, CEO, P&O Marinas and Executive Director, Mina Rashid, said, “We are looking forward to seeing our landmark Mina Rashid Marina welcome cruise ships again. We have been monitoring the situation closely and feel confident we can assure customer safety. Our long-standing relationship with shipping lines and our mutually beneficial relationship with stakeholders around the world have held us in good stead as we identify appropriate solutions to ensure tourism flows and business continuity in Dubai.”

P&O Marinas completed the last cruise season in April in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, with all customers returned safely to their home countries. This, the company says, emphasised Dubai’s leading role in the maritime sector and its ability to efficiency handle large cruise ships.