Emirates and MSC Cruises Extend Strategic Partnership to Boost Dubai’s Cruise Tourism

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Emirates and MSC Cruises have announced the extension of their long-standing strategic partnership at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, reinforcing their commitment to enhancing the air-sea travel experience and supporting Dubai’s growing ambitions as a global cruise hub.

The renewed agreement builds on a decade of collaboration between the two industry leaders and will see expanded joint efforts in customer service, marketing initiatives, and operational coordination. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management, and Eudes-Philippe Le Guelinel, Head of Fly & Cruise for MSC Cruises.

“Our cornerstone partnership with MSC Cruises stands as a testament to how two brands can work together to support Dubai’s cruise tourism ecosystem while enhancing the customer experience,” said Sultan. “The cruise traveller segment is experiencing robust growth, and we will work closely with MSC Cruises on co-marketing initiatives to communicate the diversity of destinations in our network combined with an attractive air-sea proposition.”

Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, added, “Our partnership with Emirates is founded on a shared dedication to offering guests unforgettable experiences and high-quality service. We are pleased to be extending this successful collaboration and continuing to offer Emirates’ world-renowned flight service alongside the memorable experiences aboard our ships through our Fly & Cruise packages.”

Fly & Cruise travellers will benefit from seamless services including dedicated airport-to-port transfers and the convenience of bag drop at the cruise terminal with final collection at their end destination.

The expanded partnership will focus on aligning schedules between Emirates flights and MSC Cruises’ global fleet, including its luxury brand, Explora Journeys, to ensure a streamlined and elevated experience for guests. Both companies will also explore new growth opportunities beyond Dubai, promote cruise tourism in key international markets, and share operational insights to improve overall service delivery.

With this renewed alliance, Emirates and MSC Cruises aim to further solidify Dubai’s position as a leading international cruise destination while offering travellers exceptional convenience and comfort across air and sea.