Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of the Emirate’s commercial and community ports as well as Khalifa Industrial Zone (KIZAD), has partnered with Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Airport Services (EAS) Via Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal to create a seamless cruise passenger journey experience from plane to sea, the company said in its press release.
With the start of the 2018/2019 cruise season, the ongoing partnership will witness a full streamlined turnaround for passengers of the Boudicca cruise ship under the Fred Olsen cruise line. Thomas Cook Airlines UK will be the first airline to land in Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) as a fully dedicated charter for cruise ship. Disembarking cruise passengers will be checked into airline check-in counters operated by Etihad Ground Services at Abu Dhabi Cruise.
Abu Dhabi Ports Cruise is working towards becoming the leading cruise facilities with over 329,000 cruise passengers during 2017. This year is proving to be even more successful, with additional homeporting ships and increases in passenger volume.
Abu Dhabi Port’s cruise destinations are Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal in Zayed Port and Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach, which was launched during last year’s season as the Emirate’s first dedicated cruise beach stopover. Abu Dhabi Ports Cruise expects a significant increase in footfall calling at the Sir Bani Yas Beach facility in addition to increasing cruise trips to Fujairah Ports.