Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Port has welcomed the maiden call by boutique German cruise operator Phoenix Reisen and its MS Artania flagship.
The arrival of the nine-decked, 45,000 tonne Artania – the largest ocean-going ship of the new-to-market operator’s portfolio – launched a dual-season two ship presence by Phoenix Reisen in Abu Dhabi and will be followed by the arrival of MS Amadea in April, with the company’s MS Albatros joining the Amadea for the October-April 2014/2015 season.
“It is our great pleasure to welcome the MS Artania as another first time visitor to Zayed Port. The number of maiden calls in the current cruise season 2013/14 has doubled compared to last season which is a clear indicator of the rapidly growing cruise business in Abu Dhabi. For this season we have further enhanced our facilities and services for the passengers and cruise liners. Over the next few years we will continue our efforts to develop Zayed Port and Abu Dhabi into a world-class cruise destination that offers exciting and unforgettable leisure experiences”, said Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC).
“The arrival of Germany’s leading independent tour operator into Abu Dhabi greatly underpins our cruise industry ambitions which are now being advanced via a highly pro-active local stakeholder campaign and a wider regional co-operative initiative to ensure the region is rightly positioned as a credible and appealing winter cruise destination,” explained Sultan Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director, Tourism, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).
“Our approach is to nurture a growing number of relationships with independent cruise tour operators and smaller cruise charter operations, as well as further enhancing our existing healthy relationships with the world’s leading cruise lines.”
Billed as a globetrotting ‘home away from home’, Artania’s 1,200 mostly German guests can choose from five full and half-day Abu Dhabi shore excursion opportunities, and will experience an all-inclusive classic cruise experience with modern facilities including internet cafés , two restaurants, an open-deck lido buffet dining option, theatre, gym and a spa and wellness centre featuring saunas, showers and massage cabins. Extensively renovated in 2012, Artania’s 620 exterior cabins all feature either panoramic windows or private balconies, and sails on to Oman, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia as part of a 17 day Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean ‘Modern Metropolises and Asian Natural Paradises’ voyage to Singapore.
Abu Dhabi’s inclusion on the Phoenix Reisen itineraries requires the destination to play to its cultural strengths for shore excursion options, which are increasing in demand, according to Agata Eibel, cruise manager for Artania’s shore-based tour operator Rida International Tours.
“We have developed a range of excursions that contrast Abu Dhabi’s modern metropolis with the emirate’s cultural past, and have found that tours to Al Ain’s World Heritage attractions and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque are proving just as popular as high tea at Emirates Palace or our thrill-seeker’s tours of desert dunes or the exhilarating Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.
“All shore excursions are tailor-made for each cruise ship as passenger motivations vary from vessel to vessel, and we look forward to introducing more of the emirate’s attractions and activities for Phoenix Reisen’s other liners later this season and next.”
Established for over 40 years, Phoenix Reisen is a German-based travel agency that has operated a cruise ship fleet since 1988.
In a bid to expand awareness of Arabian Gulf cruising and encourage more operators to the UAE capital, TCA Abu Dhabi is to participate in the first destination promotion under the guise of the recently launched Cruise Arabia Alliance – in partnership with Dubai, Oman and other cruise stakeholders – at Cruise Shipping Miami, the cruise industry’s premier global exhibition and conference being held in Miami, USA in March.
Source:- Abu Dhabi
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