Abu Dhabi cruise traffic to rise 27% in 2025–26 season

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MSC ship visiting Sir Bani Yas Island

Abu Dhabi is forecast to receive 174 cruise calls across two ports in the 2025–26 season, marking a 27% year-on-year increase, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). The UAE capital, which was last month named the World’s Best Cruise Destination 2025 by the World Cruise Awards at a ceremony in Bahrain, welcomed 700,000 cruise arrivals in 2024.

DCT Abu Dhabi said such growth is the result of its focus on building a “premier cruise hub through strong regional partnerships and by delivering high-quality, memorable experiences for our visitors”. As part of this, it supports the trade with dedicated tools including the Experience Abu Dhabi Experts e-learning platform, which offers certified destination training, and the Abu Dhabi Pass reseller portal, providing exclusive access to attractions so agents can build compelling pre- and post-cruise itineraries.

The momentum is also being fuelled by cruise lines committing long term to the port, including Celestyal’s three-year homeporting agreement with Abu Dhabi and AIDA Cruises, which plans to return to the Arabian Gulf for the 2027–28 season.

Connections Cruise Arabia returns to Dubai in 2026

MSC World Europa to return to Middle East for 2027–28 season

At the heart of Abu Dhabi’s cruise offering is its dual-port strategy, providing two distinct entry points for cruise lines and passengers. The Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Zayed Port serves as the primary gateway to the capital, offering streamlined immigration and easy access to Saadiyat Cultural District attractions, including the recently-opened Zayed National Museum and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.

Its second port, Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach — the Arabian Gulf’s only dedicated beach cruise terminal — offers a contrasting island experience. Located on the UAE’s largest natural island, it features pristine beaches, wildlife encounters and water sports, giving guests the opportunity to experience both city sophistication and an island escape within one itinerary.

sir bani yas abu dhabi shutterstock 2467276751

Sir Bani Yas Island

Haitham Ali Khamis, Director of Tourism Product Development at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “We continue to invest in a world-class cruise sector, from our dual-port offering to our dedicated tools for the travel trade, as we work with our partners to shape the future of cruise tourism in the region.”

The UAE capital’s focus on cruise tourism is part of Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to attract 39.3 million visitors annually by the end of the decade. As a founding member of the Cruise Arabia Alliance, Abu Dhabi plays a leading role in enhancing itinerary connectivity across the GCC and fostering regional collaboration.

For more information, visit dct.gov.ae/en

Discover More About Cruise

Supporting the growth of the cruise industry, Connections Cruise Arabia will return to Dubai in the UAE in 2026, following the success of the inaugural edition in 2025. The two-day event, taking place from 28 to 29 September, will welcome more than 500 travel trade professionals from across the global cruise ecosystem. To register your interest in attending, contact Connections.