Abu Dhabi Ports launches cruise trips for special needs students

Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of ports and Khalifa Industrial Zone in the Emirate, is launching an initiative named “Special Needs at Sea” that offers luxury cruise trips aboard the MSC Musica for students with special needs, ADPC said in a media release.

Organised as part of Abu Dhabi Ports’ Corporate Social Responsibility programme and in coordination with Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs (ZHO), a group of 10 students and their families embarked on a week-long regional cruise (starting from December 27). Their journey set sail from the newly opened Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Zayed Port to Khor Fakkan in Sharjah, Muscat and Khasab in Oman, then Dubai before returning to Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi Ports is organising several trips for groups of special needs students and their families during the current cruise season (ending April 2016); giving them an opportunity to experience panoramic views of the beautiful coastal and marine environment of the Arabian Gulf while enjoying the opulent comforts of a global cruise liner.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, pointed out that the company is already involved in a number of important initiatives and projects aimed at developing the services and facilities of local communities surrounding the Western Region’s ports.

Al Shamisi thanked MSC Cruises for their ongoing partnership and support in the realisation of this initiative.

The vessels of MSC cruises are equipped with the necessary facilities to meet the requirements of individuals with special needs. MSC is the first international cruise line that has chosen Abu Dhabi and the brand new Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal as its home port for regional cruises.

“Special Needs at Sea” is the latest of a series of Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of Abu Dhabi Ports. The company is regularly organising coastal clean-up campaigns, educational programmes for local communities, charity drives and blood donation campaigns amongst many other similar initiatives.