Emirates & TUI Cruises extend partnership for smooth air-sea travel

Post by: Layla Badr

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office

Emirates has renewed its partnership with TUI Cruises, making Dubai an even stronger global cruise tourism hub. This partnership extension comes at a key moment, as TUI Cruises expands its presence in Dubai by adding a second ship that will be based there for the 2025/2026 cruise season.

The agreement was officially signed at ITB Berlin by Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates Airline, and Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises. This renewal highlights Emirates’ dedication to providing smooth travel experiences that connect flights with cruise journeys.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel  

As part of this partnership, Emirates and TUI Cruises will work together in several important areas, including marketing, planning, and operations. One of the main focuses is to align flight schedules with cruise departures, making it easier for travelers to move between air and sea travel. Additionally, Emirates will provide dedicated ‘cruise blocks,’ which means reserving a set number of flight seats for cruise passengers from key international markets.

Another key part of the partnership is improving ground transportation in Dubai. Emirates will collaborate with local authorities to ensure smooth transfers between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Port Rashid Cruise Terminal, where many cruise passengers begin their journeys.

Adnan Kazim expressed his excitement about the renewed partnership, saying, “Emirates is proud to play a vital role in making Dubai a top cruise destination. This success is the result of years of investment in excellent port facilities, exciting attractions, and easy connections for travelers. Our partnership with TUI Cruises will help bring even more cruise passengers to Dubai and beyond, giving them unforgettable travel experiences.”

Wybcke Meier of TUI Cruises also shared her enthusiasm, stating, “We are happy to continue our partnership with Emirates, as it allows us to offer seamless travel experiences combining air and sea. Dubai’s excellent infrastructure and great location make it the perfect place for our cruises. It’s also a favorite destination for our guests, thanks to its mix of modern luxury and rich culture. We look forward to welcoming more passengers and creating memorable cruise vacations with Emirates.”

The partnership is not limited to Dubai. Emirates and TUI Cruises are also exploring opportunities to collaborate on cruises in the Far East. One example is TUI’s Mein Schiff 6, which can carry over 2,500 passengers and offers a 14-day itinerary that starts in Singapore and includes stops in Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Japan before returning to Singapore.

Emirates and TUI Cruises will also work on improving services by using data to enhance customer experiences and deploying specialized staff to assist cruise passengers with check-in procedures. Dubai’s Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal at Port Rashid, the world’s largest single covered cruise terminal, is designed to handle up to 14,000 cruise passengers daily.

Dubai’s cruise sector has grown rapidly due to strong teamwork between the tourism and aviation industries. This includes faster customs and visa processing, duty-free shopping, free city shuttle services, and Emirates’ dedicated remote check-in counters at Port Rashid. These check-in counters allow cruise passengers to check their luggage and get their boarding passes up to four hours before their flight, giving them extra time to explore Dubai before heading to the airport.

For the upcoming cruise season, TUI Cruises will have two ships stationed at Port Rashid, each carrying over 2,500 passengers. Travelers can choose from two different cruise routes that start and end in Dubai, with stops in Abu Dhabi, Oman, and Qatar.

With this renewed partnership, Emirates and TUI Cruises aim to provide even better travel experiences for cruise passengers while strengthening Dubai’s position as a leading global cruise destination.

#trending #latest #Emirates #TUICruises #DubaiCruise #CruiseTourism #TravelNews #DubaiTravel #LuxuryCruise #SeamlessTravel #Aviation #CruiseLife #AirSeaJourney #ExploreDubai #GlobalTravel #TravelUpdates #CruiseSeason #EmiratesAirline #MeinSchiff #FlyCruise #headlines #topstories #globalUpdate #dxbnewsnetwork #dxbnews #dxbdnn #dxbnewsnetworkdnn #bestnewschanneldubai #bestnewschannelUAE #bestnewschannelabudhabi #bestnewschannelajman #bestnewschannelofdubai #popularnewschanneldubai