Pioneering trade event set to boost polar expedition bookings in the Middle East

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Speakers at the Middle East’s first dedicated trade event for expedition cruise travel in Dubai

The Cruise Master Polar Expedition Forum, the region’s first dedicated trade event for expedition cruise travel, drew strong praise from the industry.

Held at the Shangri-La Dubai in the UAE on 11 September 2025, the invitation-only event, which brought together leading global expedition brands and the region’s top travel advisors, is set to mark a turning point in positioning polar travel as one of the fastest-growing luxury adventure sectors in the Middle East.

Hosted by leading agency Cruise Master, the forum delivered an immersive programme of product presentations, networking sessions and one-to-one meetings between agents and expedition line representatives, giving attendees unparalleled insights into selling and promoting polar voyages.

Cruise Master’s Managing Director Ashok Kumar said: “Interest in polar exploration is gaining remarkable momentum, driven by travellers seeking not just a vacation, but a truly transformative experience. These journeys are not just about reaching the ends of the Earth, they are about encountering landscapes and wildlife that few have witnessed.”

Cruise Master’s Managing Director Ashok Kumar

Participating expedition companies – 66° Expeditions, Albatros Expeditions (soon to be Polar Latitude Expeditions following an upcoming merger), Celebrity Cruises, Oceanwide Expeditions, Silversea and Swan Hellenic – showcased their latest itineraries, ships and selling strategies tailored specifically to the Middle East market.

The event also featured an in-depth panel discussion, ‘Charting New Waters: Your Gateway to the Polar Expedition Market’, with the lines’ representatives.

The audience heard about the rise of solo female travellers on expedition cruises typically enjoyed by empty nester couples aged 50-plus, and the unique adventures that can only be experienced on polar voyages, such as taking the position of being the world’s southernmost person while standing in the Swan’s Nest viewing platform on a Swan Hellenic ship as it sails towards the South Pole.

Diversity of expedition products on the market was also discussed, from the lines offering extensive “bucket-list” shore excursions with comfortable stays akin to four-star hotels, such as 66° Expeditions, Albatros Expeditions and Oceanwide Expeditions, to the luxury and ultra-luxury experiences provided by lines such as Swan Hellenic and Silversea.

At the top of the luxury market, Silversea offers “champagne expeditions” with butler service and the option to take charter flights in place of crossing the challenging waters of Drake’s Passage. Furthermore, Silversea is preparing to open the world’s southernmost hotel in Chile to accommodate passengers on its Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise programme, ensuring every leg of the journey is seamless.

Meanwhile, Celebrity Cruises – part of the Royal Caribbean Group of cruise lines along with Silversea – specialises in family-friendly Galapagos cruises.

Among the attendees, Nasir Khan, CEO, Al Naboodah Travel, praised Cruise Master for hosting the event. Khan said: “Now is the perfect time to host an event to educate the travel trade about expeditions, as agencies are seeing rising demand for immersive and experiential travel.”

DW Travel’s Head of Product & Digital Solutions Emily Jenkins echoed Khan’s views and said: “This region is ripe for experiential travel – especially trips that involve the novelty of snow and long daylight hours.”

Kumar added: “Today, we stand at the threshold of the next great frontier, expedition cruising to the polar regions. Both the North Pole and the South Pole are destinations unlike any other, remote, pristine and awe-inspiring. We believe that together we can bring the wonder of the Poles not only to adventure seekers, but also to families and curious travellers of every kind.”

Supported by Connecting Travel as the official media partner, the Cruise Master Polar Expedition Forum delegates left the event equipped with new confidence, connections and strategies to capture this emerging market.

For more details, visit www.polarexpeditions-me.com