Emirates Airlines and TUI Cruises have renewed their strategic collaboration, reinforcing Dubai’s infrastructure as a pivotal node in global cruise tourism.
The agreement, formalized at ITB Berlin by Adnan Kazim (Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer) and Wybcke Meier (TUI's CEO), aligns with TUI’s expansion of homeporting operations in Dubai, including the deployment of a second vessel for season 2025-2026.
Emirates Airlines will synchronize flight schedules with TUI’s cruise itineraries to optimize connectivity for passengers transitioning between air and sea travel.
The partnership includes reserved “cruise block” seating on flights to accommodate demand from key markets, alongside enhanced ground transport coordination between Dubai Airport (DXB) and Port Rashid Cruise Terminal.
Efforts to extend collaboration to Far East itineraries are also underway, notably supporting Mein Schiff 6 ship, which will operate a 14-day route from Singapore, with stops in Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Japan.
Port Rashid's Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal, capable of processing 14,000 passengers daily, remains central to the partnership.
Emirates will maintain its 16 dedicated check-in counters at the terminal, enabling cruise travelers to check luggage and obtain boarding passes up to four hours pre-departure. Additional measures include streamlined check-in protocols for cruise passengers and data-driven service enhancements.
TUI will homeport two vessels at Port Rashid for the upcoming season, each accommodating 2500+ passengers.
Itineraries will feature Dubai as the primary embarkation point, with stops in Abu Dhabi, Oman, and Qatar.