Ras Al Khaimah sets sights on attracting more cruise ships

Emirate will be represented at the world's largest cruise fair in Miami, with ultimate aim of drawing in 50 luxury liners a season

Luxury cruise ship 'Seabourn Ovation' arrives at Ras Al Khaimah's port in 2019. The emirate's tourism authority has plans to attract dozens more vessels each year. All photos: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority

Luxury cruise ship 'Seabourn Ovation' arrives at Ras Al Khaimah's port in 2019.

Luxury cruise ship 'Seabourn Ovation' arrives at Ras Al Khaimah's port in 2019.

Luxury cruise ship 'Seabourn Ovation' arrives at Ras Al Khaimah's port in 2019.

Ras Al Khaimah on Tuesday launched a major push to bring more cruise ships to the emirate.

The emirate's tourism chiefs want to attract at least 50 ships a season to bolster its target of three million visitors a year by 2030, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism and Development Authority said.

Cruise experts Zaiton Consultancy have been hired to support the efforts and it will represent the emirate at a major global cruise gathering – the Seatrade Cruise Global – that runs in Miami, Florida until April 28.

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism and Development Authority and RAK Ports have already transformed the old ferry terminal and designed visitor itineraries.

The terminal, which welcomed its first vessel in 2019 after the revamp, can accommodate a number of cruise ships of up to 214 metres in length docking simultaneously.

Cruising is one of the fastest growing sectors in tourism with an annual passenger growth rate of 5.4 per cent from 2009 to 2019, say some industry sources, with services returning to pre-pandemic levels after the disruption caused by Covid-19.

It is envisaged that RAK will attempt to attract smaller cruise vessels first before progressing to larger ships.

“We are ready to receive the world’s most elite cruise ships and showcase our beautiful nature emirate to this growing segment of travellers," said the RAKTDA's Iyad Rasbey.

“We’ve seen first-hand the significance of cruises to the destination’s overall tourism ecosystem. We also recognise that water transportation is becoming increasingly important in terms of connectivity and will support our aviation strategy in bringing tourists directly to Ras Al Khaimah."

Zaiton said it was an honour to work with RAK to attract more cruise passengers to the emirate.

“With an initial strategy based around smaller passenger ships before moving our focus to mainstream cruise liners, we will bring our global expertise to market Ras Al Khaimah’s truly unique offering and one-of-a-kind experiences to cruise passengers around the world,” said executive director Jasem Zaiton.

Ras Al Khaimah is known for its adventure tourism as well as being home to the UAE’s highest peak Jebel Jais.

Efforts across the UAE to attract more cruise ships have been advancing despite the interruption brought by coronavirus.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are already established on the cruise circuit. Abu Dhabi in February opened a new jetty at its Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach in the western region of Al Dhafra. Previously, ships anchored offshore and passengers were taken ashore in a smaller boat.

Another new cruise terminal opened at the vast Dubai Harbour development with the first vessels operating from there last year. The emirate in October said it hoped for 500,000 visitors this winter.

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