Abu Dhabi has strengthened its place as a world cruise hub after securing high worldwide accolades, reflecting sustained funding in port infrastructure, customer experiences and regional partnerships.
The Division of Tradition and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) introduced that the emirate has been named “World’s Greatest Cruise Vacation spot” and “Center East’s Greatest Cruise Vacation spot” for 2025 by the World Cruise Awards.
The honours underscore Abu Dhabi’s strategic imaginative and prescient and dedication to growing a world-class cruise tourism sector, which welcomed almost 700,000 cruise arrivals in 2024.
The awards spotlight Abu Dhabi’s dual-port technique, providing guests two distinct cruise experiences. The Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Zayed Port serves as a gateway to the capital, offering streamlined immigration and direct entry to main sights.
Cruise passengers can discover the landmarks of the Saadiyat Cultural District, together with the brand new Zayed Nationwide Museum and Pure Historical past Museum, or embark on wider adventures throughout the emirate.
In the meantime, Sir Bani Yas Cruise Seaside, the Arabian Gulf’s solely devoted seaside cruise terminal, gives an island retreat that includes pristine seashores, wildlife safaris and water sports activities.
Abu Dhabi cruise sector
Haitham Ali Khamis, Director of Tourism Product Growth at DCT Abu Dhabi, stated: “These awards are a direct results of our technique of constructing a premier cruise hub by way of sturdy regional partnerships and by delivering high-quality, memorable experiences for our guests.
“We proceed to spend money on a world-class cruise sector, from our twin port providing to our devoted instruments for the journey commerce, as we work with our companions to form the way forward for cruise tourism within the area.”
Abu Dhabi’s function as a founding member of the Cruise Arabia Alliance is advancing cross-GCC connectivity. Through the present season, the emirate has a pipeline of 174 cruise calls, representing a 27 per cent year-on-year improve.
Progress is supported by initiatives throughout the cruise ecosystem, together with the improved Crew Move 2.0 for crew members and devoted instruments for the journey commerce.
The Expertise Abu Dhabi Consultants e-learning platform supplies licensed coaching, whereas the Abu Dhabi Move reseller portal gives wholesale charges to assist brokers construct pre- and post-stay programmes.
These achievements align with the emirate’s Tourism Technique 2030, which targets 39.3m guests yearly by the tip of the last decade. The technique goals to cement town’s standing as a number one world vacation spot for tourism and tradition, supported by its constant rating because the world’s most secure metropolis.
