Dubai - Mubasher: The Quantum-class cruise ship, Spectrum of the Seas, has marked its debut into the Arabian Gulf at Port Rashid, Dubai.
The emirate of Dubai has welcomed about 4,000 tourists on board of the luxury cruise ship owned by Royal Caribbean International in a single day, according to a press release.
Moreover, a traditional ‘Plaques and Keys Exchange’ ceremony was hosted on board to celebrate this remarkable occasion in the presence of the captain of the ship and major stakeholders from Dubai Cruise Committee, the release highlighted.
Spectrum of the Seas arrived in Port Rashid on Saturday, 4 May, confirming Dubai’s position as the ‘Cruise Hub of the Region’.
The cruise ship, which weighs 168,666 gross tonnes, is the largest and most advanced that arrives in Dubai, the release noted.
Royal Caribbean’s ship is provided with some of the most innovative such as “the Sky Pad, a virtual reality bungee trampoline, RipCord by iFly sky diving simulator and North Star observation pod that offers guests astonishing panoramic views more than 300 feet above sea level.”
Additionally, the ship’s interiors feature world-class facilities including different cuisines from around the world, a music hall and SeaPlex; “the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex with bumper cars, roller skating and basketball,” the release said.
Mohamed Abdul Aziz Al Mannai, CEO of P&O Marina and CEO of Port Rashid at DP World, commented: “The cruise ship terminal at Port Rashid has recorded significant achievements over the past few years, including the development of marine, commercial and tourism infrastructure.”
“This strengthens the emirate’s global position as a hub for trade and cruise tourism and supports the tourism sector in Dubai and its efforts to establish the emirate among the best cities in the world,” Al Mannai added.
He further noted that the shipyard at Port Rashid is likely to welcomes about 500,000 visitors annually and around 725,000 visitors during the 2018-2019 cruise season on the back of Dubai’s ongoing efforts to attract tourists and investors to the emirate.
Spectrum of the Seas’ inaugural cruise sails from Barcelona to Dubai for 16 nights through the Suez Canal itinerary.
The cruise ship will call in Dubai during this grand repositioning cruise to offer a Dubai to Singapore cruise for a 14-night period as a single leg of the longer itinerary.
