Dubai Welcomes Royal Caribbean International’s Smart Ship Quantum of the Seas ® to the Arabian Gulf

Groundbreaking ship Quantum of the Seas® docks in Dubai en route to Shanghai, China, as part of a 53-day Global Odyssey.

Dubai, UAE, 31^st May 2015: Quantum of the Seas, the first ship in Royal Caribbean International's most advanced ship class, has docked in Dubai as part of an epic 53-day global voyage, from New York, USA to Shanghai in China.

Royal Caribbean International in collaboration with Dubai Tourism, commemorated the inaugural call of the ship at the Dubai Cruise Terminal in Port Rashid with a welcome reception followed by the traditional Plaques and Keys ceremony.

Hamad M Bin Mejren, Senior Vice President of Dubai Tourism said: “Quantum of the Seas is the largest cruise ship that has ever docked in Dubai’s state-of-the-art Mina Rashid cruise terminals. The liner’s overnight stop in Dubai and Royal Caribbean Cruises’ decision to conduct the ships passenger turnaround here reaffirms the destination’s position as the ‘Cruise Hub of the Region’. This occasion gives a further boost to the cruise industry in the UAE and the wider Gulf.”

“We are looking forward to the 2015/16 cruise season, especially the resumption of Royal Caribbean’s cruise operation in the region from December, deploying Cruise Ship Splendour of the Seas with Dubai as its homeport,” He continued.

On the 29^th May, Dubai Tourism in collaboration with Royal Caribbean International, held a welcome reception to commemorate the inaugural call of the ship at the Dubai Cruise Terminal in Mina Rashid.

At the Plaques and Keys ceremony, organized in the transformative venue Two70, onboard Quantum of the Seas, commemorative plaques were exchanged by Dubai Tourism officials, invited dignitaries and senior officials from various Government Departments with the Captain of the ship. The dignitaries were then taken on a tour of Quantum of the Seas, followed by refreshments.

 “It has been a pleasure to showcase Quantum of Seas to the Middle East as part of her Global Odyssey voyage”, said Helen Beck, Regional Director, International Representatives, EMEA. “Quantum class ships have been a game changer in the cruise industry, providing guests with the ultimate hi-tech vacation experience, including the fastest internet on the high seas; new adventures  such as the North Star and RipCord by iFly and a great choice of dining venues to suit your every mood”.

Dr. Abdulaziz AlOshban, Partner & Managing Director of Safeen Tourism L.L.C., the international representative of Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises in the Middle East said: “We are delighted that Quantum of the Seas, the world’s first SMART ship, has made a stopover in Dubai, before sailing to Muscat en route to her new home in Shanghai, China.”

Quantum of the Seas spans 18 decks, encompasses 168,666 gross registered tons, carries 4,180 guests at double occupancy and features 2,090 staterooms. The cruise liner sailed to the Caribbean from her homeport of Cape Liberty for her inaugural season before departing on the 53 day voyage to her new homeport, with ports of call at Cochin in India, Malaysia’s Penang, Singapore and Hong Kong still to come.

Endless experiences await guests onboard Quantum of the Seas, with thrills that can only be found on Royal Caribbean. From North Star, providing guests breathtaking, panoramic views from 90 metres above sea level, to RipCord by iFLY, the first skydiving experience at sea, and SeaPlex, the largest indoor active space at sea that is complete with bumper cars, a circus school, roller skating and more, there is no end to the fun that can be found onboard.

From ultrafast Wi-Fi and RFID technology, to virtual views from interior staterooms and robots that can mix up a mean cocktail, Quantum of the Seas, is packed with a bold lineup of technological advancements that will impress even the most tech-savvy modern traveler. Designed to seamlessly deliver unprecedented guest vacation experiences at sea, technology is prevalent throughout the ship, substantially increasing guest convenience and efficiency and ensuring a cruise onboard Quantum of the Seas in nothing but smooth sailing.

Quantum of the Seas features a fresh approach to cruise ship dining, thanks to a robust culinary experience that allows guests to customize their onboard dining experience to best meet their varying palates and preferences. An all-new Dynamic Dining experience gives guests a selection of 18 restaurant concepts, including five complimentary main dining restaurants, along with the opportunity to choose between Dynamic Dining Choice, which allows guests to decide when, where, and with whom to dine each evening, and Dynamic Dining Classic, which is designed for those who prefer a more traditional experience. In addition, Quantum of the Seas features a lineup of specialty dining restaurants, as well as partnerships with world-renowned chefs such as Jamie Oliver, Michael Schwartz, and Devin Alexander.

About Dubai Cruise Tourism

Dubai Cruise Tourism is part of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, and was established at the end of 1990s to position Dubai as a leading destination for cruise tourism and to maintain the Emirate’s current position as the cruise hub of the MENA region. Dubai Cruise Tourism has pioneered the development of the region as one of the world’s leading cruise tourism destinations and is working to further develop cruise tourism in the Emirate and increase the number of cruise travellers as part of the Dubai Tourism Vision for 2020.

The upcoming 2014-15 cruise season (which runs from October to June) sees Dubai acting as the home port of Costa, Aida and MSC, and when TUI and Royal Caribbean return to their traditional home in the Emirate within the next season, Dubai will once again be the home port of five of the world’s leading cruise lines. With Dubai government’s long-term strategic focus on developing the cruise industry, the aim is to reach 450,000 cruise tourists annually by 2016, increasing from just over 386,000 in 2013.

Rashid Port’s proximity to the centre of the city and excellent transportation links mean that the attractions of Dubai are within immediate reach of cruise passengers. Investment in new infrastructure combined with guaranteed sunshine and warm weather; must-see attractions such as Burj Khalifa, the Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab; the desert and coastline; and the contrast between the ultra-modern skyline and the traditional souqs and heritage areas make Dubai an ideal cruise destination. For more information visit ct.dubaitourism.ae/

About Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism)

With the ultimate vision of positioning Dubai as the world’s leading tourism destination and commercial hub, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing’s (Dubai Tourism) mission is to increase the awareness of Dubai to global audiences and to attract tourists and inward investment into the Emirate.

Dubai Tourism is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai’s tourism sector; markets and promotes the Emirate’s commerce sector; and is responsible for the licensing and classification of all tourism services, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. Brands and departments within the Dubai Tourism portfolio include Dubai Convention and Events Bureau, Dubai Calendar, and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (formerly known as Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment). In addition to its headquarters in Dubai, Dubai Tourism operates 20 offices worldwide.

About Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 45-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry “firsts” never before seen at sea.  The cruise line features an expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities only found on Royal Caribbean including, jaw-dropping, Broadway-style entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to families and adventurous vacationers alike. Onboard, guests are catered to with the cruise line’s world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service by every staff and crew member. Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 12 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards. The cruise line sails 23 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to the most popular destinations in Bermuda and the Caribbean, Europe, Canada and New England, Alaska, South America, Asia, and Australia and New Zealand. Media can stay up-to-date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter, and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com.