Tourism: Emirates strengthens ties with TUI Cruises, Costa Cruises
Dubai’s cruise tourism growth has been supported by expedited customs and visa processing, duty-free services, complimentary city shuttles, and Emirates’ dedicated check-in facilities at Port Rashid
Dubai is set to welcome even more cruise passengers as Emirates Airline and Costa Cruises extend their long-standing partnership.
The renewed agreement, announced at ITB Berlin, will see the two travel giants collaborate through 2027, building on two decades of successful partnership.
This renewed commitment focuses on enhancing the passenger journey and developing Dubai’s appeal as a premier cruise destination. By integrating air, land, and sea travel, Emirates and Costa Cruises aim to offer a seamless and exceptional experience for travellers.
“Costa Cruises’ commitment to Dubai stands as a testament to our shared vision of strengthening its position as the preeminent gateway for winter cruising,” said Adnan Kazim, Emirates Airline deputy president and CCO. “For Emirates, the cruise traveller segment offers immense growth potential, in addition to generating substantial multiplier effects for Dubai’s economy.”
The partnership will include joint marketing initiatives, optimised flight schedules with dedicated ‘cruise blocks’ to accommodate passenger demand, and enhanced data sharing to improve service delivery.
Dedicated support teams will facilitate smooth check-in processes at Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal, and both parties will collaborate on improved transport solutions between Dubai International Airport and the cruise terminal.
Looking beyond Dubai, Emirates and Costa Cruises will explore opportunities to expand their collaboration to regions within the Costa Cruises network, including Central and South America, the Far East, and Southeast Asia.
Costa Cruises has been operating in Dubai since 2006, and for the upcoming 2025/2026 winter season, the company will deploy its latest flagship, Costa Toscana, in Dubai.
This continued partnership between Emirates and Costa Cruises promises to further elevate Dubai’s cruise tourism sector, attracting more visitors and boosting the city’s economy.
TUI Cruises alliance also renewed
Additionally, Emirates has renewed its partnership with TUI Cruises.
The announcement also made at ITB Berlin, coincides with TUI Cruises’ expansion in Dubai, with a second vessel set to homeport in the emirate for the 2025-2026 cruise season.
Kazim said: “Our renewed collaboration with TUI Cruises will further enhance passenger arrivals in Dubai and across our network, offering travellers exceptional maritime experiences.”
The partnership will focus on enhancing connectivity and operational efficiency, with Emirates and TUI Cruises collaborating on marketing, flight schedule coordination, and ground transportation between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Port Rashid Cruise Terminal.
Beyond Dubai, the partnership will explore opportunities in the Far East, leveraging TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 6, which offers a 14-day itinerary from Singapore, with stops in Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Japan.
The agreement also emphasises technology-driven service enhancements, including data-driven insights, specialised support personnel, and streamlined check-in processes. Dubai’s Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal at Port Rashid, the world’s largest single-covered cruise facility, can process 14,000 daily passengers, further supporting the sector’s growth.
Dubai’s cruise tourism on the rise
Dubai’s cruise tourism boom is fuelled by close coordination across the aviation and tourism ecosystem, with expedited customs and visa processing, duty-free services, complimentary city shuttles, and Emirates’ dedicated check-in facilities at Port Rashid.
The airline operates 16 remote check-in counters, allowing passengers to check their luggage and receive boarding passes up to four hours before their flight, giving them ample time to explore Dubai.
For the 2025-2026 season, TUI Cruises will deploy two vessels to Port Rashid, each with a capacity of over 2,500 passengers.
Travellers can choose from two itineraries, both embarking and disembarking in Dubai, with calls at ports in Abu Dhabi, Oman, and Qatar.
