What to expect when cruise ships return to Dubai port in October
New safety protocols are in place to win travellers’ confidence back, officials say
The first cruise ships in the wake of the global Covid-19 crisis will dock at Dubai’s Mina Rashid Terminal late in October, according to a top official at the port operator.
“We have been monitoring the situation closely and feel confident we can assure customer safety,” said Mohammad Al Mannaei, CEO of P & O Marinas, the DP World subsidiary handling the cruisefocused business.
P&O Marinas will introduce new safety protocols to win travellers’ confidence back.
The rules include screening of passengers, reduced capacity on-board, washing and disinfecting linen at high temperatures, the wearing of masks in public areas, stopping buffet dinners, denying boarding to those aged 70 and older as well as social distancing while on guided tours.
“Of course, this may lead to a slightly different cruising experience than our guests are used to — but their health and well-being remain our top priority,” the CEO added.
Heavy spenders
In recent years, half a million tourists have disembarked from some of the world’s most luxurious cruise liners at the Port Rashid Terminal. On each visit, hundreds, even thousands, of passengers would step onto Dubai’s shores and end up being heavy spenders at its malls and other business establishments.
After the cruise business came to a halt, Port Rashid Terminal had a deserted look — but that’s not for long. DP World, the company that runs the emirate’s ports, will once again let cruise ships operate by the end of October.