DUBAI, Nov 5, (Agencies): Virgin Voyages' latest cruise ship, the Resilient Lady, owned by British business tycoon Richard Branson, marked its inaugural Arabian Gulf visit with a call at Dubai Harbour. This visit is part of a series of arrivals by international cruise liners at Dubai Harbour during this year's cruise season, with an expected 300,000 passengers and 49 ship calls. Dubai anticipates robust growth in the number of cruise ship passengers at both ports during the upcoming season, with a 28% increase in visitors compared to the 2022-2023 cruise season projected.

In the coming months, Dubai is set to receive up to 150 cruise ships at Mina Rashid and Dubai Harbour, according to the state news agency WAM. The season kicked off on October 28 with the arrival of the luxury liner Mein Schiff 2, which docked at the Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal at Mina Rashid.

Resilient Lady is the latest addition to the Virgin Voyages fleet, joining the existing vessels Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady. Resilient Lady set sail on May 14, 2023, from her summer homeport in Athens, Greece. The ship was designed by renowned architects and designers, including Tom Dixon and Concrete Amsterdam, with its culinary offerings curated by Michelin-starred chefs.

Michelle Bentubo, Chief Operating Officer of Virgin Voyages, expressed her gratitude for the warm Arabian hospitality and the welcoming atmosphere in the seafront district of Dubai. She also praised the efficient terminal network, which ensures smooth turnaround for cruise ships during their shorter stays in the city. Virgin Voyages looks forward to returning to Dubai in the future.

Abdulla Binhabtoor, Chief Portfolio Management Officer of Shamal Holding and the owner and curator of Dubai Harbour highlighted the unique experiences curated by Dubai Harbour that are inspired by the city's strong connection to the sea. These experiences include a wide range of living, retail, and hospitality offerings for all visitors to explore while in the city.

Binhabtoor pointed out the substantial growth in passenger numbers and ship calls at Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal, with the past cruise season welcoming 300,000 passengers, approximately four times the figures from the debut season, and a 40% increase in ship calls. Looking ahead to the 2023/24 season, Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal is expecting larger vessels operated by renowned companies to further boost its cruise offerings.