Abu Dhabi strengthens its position as a leading center for cruises

ABU DHABI, 6th JANUARY / WAM / The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi announced that the ship “Celestial Discovery” has been approved as a main port for its cruises in the emirate, in a new step that constitutes a prominent step in the development of Abu Dhabi as a leading center for the cruise sector, and at the same time reflects the strength of the long-term partnership with Celestial Company.

This announcement complements the continued growth of Celestial’s operations in Abu Dhabi, and coincided with the holding of the ship’s first official docking ceremony, in the presence of senior officials from both sides.

The program also included an event to plant mangroves in the Jubail Mangrove Park, a clear embodiment of the two parties’ joint commitment to sustainability and the development of responsible tourism.

Haitham Ali Khamis, Director of Tourism Product Development at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said that adopting the Celestial Discovery ship as a main port for its cruises in Abu Dhabi is a clear indication of the growing confidence in the advanced infrastructure of the cruise sector in the emirate, and of the long-term strategic vision that it pursues. This reflects our focus on building an integrated cruise tourism system that ensures smooth port operations and provides rich and valuable experiences to visitors, in addition to achieving sustainable growth that returns. Benefiting our partners and the destination alike.

For his part, Chris Theophilides, CEO of Celestial, said that Abu Dhabi continues to rapidly consolidate its position as one of the most vibrant and exciting cruise centers in the world, and this long-term cooperation constitutes a pivotal milestone in Celestial’s growth process in the region. He noted the importance of working with Abu Dhabi Ports Group to support the ambitious vision of the emirate and provide exceptional experiences to its visitors from around the world.

The event witnessed the presence of Captain Nikos Vassiliou, the ship’s captain; Chris Theophilides, CEO of Celestial; Captain George Compinas, Chief Operating Officer; Alexios Economou, Vice President, Hotel Operations and Traveler Services; Mohamed Wagdy, Vice President of Cruise and Entertainment Development at Marinas; Haitham Ali Khamis, Director of Tourism Product Development at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

As part of its departure from Abu Dhabi, the Celestial Discovery ship will offer the new itineraries launched by the company under the title “Icons of the Arabian Peninsula”, with periods extending for three, four and seven nights, with sailing back and forth from the emirate. These routes include stops in Doha in the State of Qatar, Khasab in the Sultanate of Oman, Dubai, and Sir Bani Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates, in addition to the ship’s first visits to Ras Al Khaimah. All of these flights are scheduled to continue until March 2026.

During the same season, the Celestial Journey will launch a separate seven-night “Desert Days” itinerary, sailing back and forth from Doha or Dubai, and stopping at Sir Bani Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The initiative to plant mangroves in the Jubail Mangrove Park was one of the main stations within the program of the ship’s first docking, embodying the joint commitment of both parties to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices. The initiative aimed to highlight the importance of coastal ecosystems in Abu Dhabi, in addition to actually contributing to efforts to preserve these natural habitats and supporting environmental protection efforts in the long term.

The adoption of Abu Dhabi as a major port for cruise ships contributes to supporting the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030, which places at the forefront of its priorities the sustainable growth of the tourism sector, diversifying visitors’ experiences, and enhancing cooperation between the tourism sectors and maritime activities.

Cruise passengers departing from Abu Dhabi have the opportunity to directly access a comprehensive package of cultural, entertainment and natural experiences that characterize the emirate, most notably the Saadiyat Cultural District, in addition to desert and coastal experiences, and modern urban centres, providing them with a rich and diverse experience that reflects Abu Dhabi’s identity as an integrated global destination.

With the Celestial Discovery ship adopting a major port for its cruises in the emirate, Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a leading destination for cruises, combining the reliability of operational operations, opportunities for long-term partnerships, and providing a unique experience for visitors, whether on board ships or on land.

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