Tag Archives: Resorts World Cruises

Resorts World Cruises to make India debut with sailings from Mumbai

 

Resorts World Cruises is set to expand its operations to India, with its Resorts World One cruise ship making Mumbai its homeport from March 5 to June 1, 2025. Departing from the new Mumbai International Cruise Terminal, the ship will offer three weekly roundtrip itineraries: a 2-night High Seas Cruise on Fridays, a 3-night Lakshadweep Cruise to Agatti Island on Sundays, and a 2-night Goa Cruise on Wednesdays. This move aligns with the Indian Government’s “Cruise Bharat Mission” to boost domestic cruise tourism, offering travellers the convenience of boarding directly from Mumbai.

Passengers can expect world-class amenities onboard Resorts World One, including accommodations ranging from staterooms to luxury suites in “The Palace,” a private enclave with exclusive privileges and 24-hour butler service. Dining options include 18 restaurants serving international, vegetarian, Jain, and halal cuisines. The ship also features a Roman-themed pool, Jacuzzis, live performances, entertainment activities, and enrichment workshops, ensuring a vibrant and memorable cruise experience.

The 3-night Lakshadweep Cruise takes travellers to Agatti Island, renowned for its coral atolls, crystal-clear lagoons, and unspoiled beaches. Guests can enjoy activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, glass-bottom boat tours, and more. Meanwhile, the 2-night Goa Cruise offers a taste of India’s coastal charm, with visits to iconic beaches, historic landmarks, and culinary delights. Both itineraries provide a mix of relaxation and adventure, making them ideal for diverse traveler preferences.

Resorts World Cruises has built a strong reputation in India with its Fly-Cruise offerings across Asia. This homeport deployment in Mumbai aims to further cement its presence, offering passengers convenient, luxurious, and diverse cruise experiences. The brand, known for winning awards like “Best Cruise Line – Asia Pacific,” continues to enhance its offerings, ensuring guests enjoy seamless vacations filled with relaxation, adventure, and entertainment.

‘We are familiar with pioneering new waters’

With Resorts World Cruises making its debut in the Gulf region, Indian travellers will have an added layer to their overall experience in the region. Brimming with excitement, Naresh Rawal, Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Resorts World Cruises (South Asia and Middle East), Resorts World Cruises, spoke to Disha Shah Ghosh about this new opportunity to bring the expansive Asian hospitality to one of the global melting point of Dubai.

Q. At the cusp of launching the Gulf sailings, what are your sentiments for foraying into new waters?
The feedback and demand on the ground from both the local and fly-cruise market, be it from the trade, customers and overall in general are very positive, as we are set to introduce a unique brand of cruising with round trip cruises from Dubai to Sir Bani Yas, Doha, Khasab and Muscat. We are excited and highly optimistic of the strong prospect and new opportunities that await us in the Gulf region.

Q. How challenging is this opportunity, considering your experience has always been Asia centric, and even Resorts World has been a known brand in this region?
We are up for the challenge as pioneering new waters is something we are very familiar with. As a group, we have decades of valuable experience and skillsets in the hospitality, entertainment and cruising sector, which enabled us to cater to different markets effectively. Our progression to the Gulf is timely and we are looking forward to delivering various customised offerings that we have outlined for the upcoming homeport deployment in Dubai.

Q. With Dubai as home-port, you will be competing with larger ships deployed by your contemporaries. What is your strategy to establish a foothold in this market, and the kind of passenger count you are looking at in the first year of operations?
For us here at Resorts World Cruises, we know Asia best. We are offering a unique brand of Asian cruising experience, coupled with our renowned Asian hospitality and best in class services, which we feel will set us apart from other brands. Our goal is to ensure we deliver offerings that matter to the target market such as providing certified Halal cuisines, Muslim-friendly offerings and exciting customised entertainment for the region.

Q. The ship will introduce lesser-known Sir Bani Yas Island. At a time when the Indian traveller is spoilt for choice, how do your plan to position such unique sailing ports in India?
Resorts World Cruises is about introducing new destinations and creating new demand. Sir Bani Yas island is truly a beautiful island with a wide variety of attractions and we are constantly working very closely with the local authorities to highlight and promote the island. We are also enhancing the overall experience with fun-filled onboard activities that will be brought from ship to shore. It will be a colourful and memorable experience.

Q. What are some of the ship enhancements implemented to tap HNIs from India?
Dubai is already a popular tourist destination for many HNIs from India. The commencement of Resorts World One on November 1, also coincides with Diwali, , which will also attract a wider expat demographic in the region and the inbound fly- cruise segment to Dubai.

Aboard the Resorts World One, we have specially curated performances and unexpected entertainment, inspired by the Gulf and across Asia. With the first departure coinciding with the Diwali festive celebrations, guests from the Gulf and across Asia will get to personally experience the Festival of Light on the Resorts World One, as the ship will be colourfully decorated and brightly lit with exciting Diwali inspired activities, entertainment, “Gujarat food festival”, sweets and desserts during the entire week of celebration.

Catch the onboard day to night parties for the best time of your life, starting with the high energy ‘Dazzling Departure Party’ packed with music and entertainers. Enjoy the captivating ‘Twilight Soirée’ – featuring a mesmerizing dinner show party that will elevate your senses; or experience the magical Arabian culture, tradition, music and colours with the ‘Enchanting Arabian Nights Party’ or the ‘Sand & Oasis Party’ under the starry nights. Continue to dance the night away to your favourite tunes at the ‘Bollywood Party’ and for more amazing experiences, don’t miss the bubble-licious ‘Foam Party’; water-splashing ‘Rain Party’; ‘Family Pyjama Party under the Stars’ and more.

The ship will also offer vegetarian and Jain cuisine for the convenience of guests from India.

Q. What activities have been chalked out for travel trade engagement jointly with the tourism promotion agencies of Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Khasab and Muscat since these destinations along with Dubai are actively working in India?
We are working hand-in-hand with the different tourism boards to promote the respective cruising destinations through various A&P platforms, media and key influencers. The support from the various tourism bodies has been very positive in India, and we will continue to collaborate on joint promotions to develop the cruise sector in the Gulf region.

Resorts World One to make Gulf debut on Nov 1 with Dubai as homeport

At Resorts World Cruises’ first press conference in Dubai with the support of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the cruise line announced the debut of Resorts World One in the Gulf in the Middle East.

Starting November 1, 2024, the Resorts World One will homeport in Dubai via DP World’s Mina Port Rashid, to offer three weekly departures.

These include the 2 Night Sir Bani Yas Weekend Cruise (Friday departures); the 3 Night Oman (Khasab-Muscat) Cruise (Sunday departures); and the 2 Night Doha Cruise (Wednesday departures). For a longer cruise vacation, passengers can combine any of the itineraries to make a 4, 5 or 7 Night Cruise.

Michael Goh, President, Resorts World Cruises

“These are exciting times for Resorts World Cruises, as we inch closer to the start of our first sailing from Dubai to the Gulf with the Resorts World One on 1 November. The response from the Gulf and from various markets in Asia, including from our travel partners have been very encouraging and we look forward to welcoming guests aboard soon”, said Michael Goh, President, Resorts World Cruises. “Our deployment in the Gulf will unlock new opportunities for Dubai and the Gulf as a premiere cruise region. We look forward to this journey together, as we boost inbound and outbound travel for the cruise tourism sector,” he added.

Saud Mohammed Saeed Hareb, Cruise Tourism & Yachting Lead, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism

Saud Mohammed Saeed Hareb, Cruise Tourism & Yachting Lead, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said, “Inspired by our visionary leadership and with the continuous support of our partners, cruise tourism continues to play a pivotal role in the growth of Dubai’s tourism industry, aligning with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. This strategic partnership with Resorts World Cruises is a testament to our commitment to bring increasingly diverse cruise experiences to our city, underlining Dubai’s position as the cruise hub of the region. We appreciate the efforts of the cruise line in fully assessing the needs of the market and offering a comprehensive world-class holiday to travellers from the region and around the world. We look forward to welcoming the first passengers onboard Resorts World One and providing them the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable experience, particularly in Dubai itself where they will begin and end their cruise journeys and be able to take advantage of the wide range of offerings across the city.”

Resorts World Cruises will introduce its brand of renowned Asian hospitality to the Gulf, providing international cruising lifestyle experiences, with adaptation for the regional markets being served.

The commencement of Resorts World One on 1 November also coincides with Diwali, one of India and Asia’s major festivals, which will also attract a wider expat demographic in the region and the inbound Fly-Cruise segment to Dubai.

“The Omani Ministry of Heritage and Tourism with their key partners is playing a significant role in preparations to ensure a genuine experience and hospitality for Resorts World Cruises in Khasab and Sultan Qaboos Ports from November 2024 to April 2025. This endeavour holds immense significance for Oman in their respective plans to operate 11 ports in the future,” said Khalid Al Azri, Director of Tourism Trends Department, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Oman.

“We are excited to welcome Resort World Cruises to Doha for the first time. Renowned for its international experiences and expertise to cater to the needs of its passengers, we are eagerly waiting for her debut across the region. Qatar Tourism’s Cruise Season 2024-2025 is expected to be the largest yet, as the season will see many maiden cruises as well as returning cruise ships gracing ‘The Terminal’. We will be updating visitors with all the new offerings soon,” said Maryam Saoud, Head of Tourism Product Support Section at Qatar Tourism
For the ultimate luxury experience at sea, The Palace, a luxury ship-within-a ship’ all-suite enclave will provide private amenities and access to exclusive restaurants, including 24-hour butler service.

With the upcoming deployment, Resorts World Cruises is also excited to announce its new partnership with DP World, a leading maritime gateway and hub for the region. This collaboration will focus on homeporting Resorts World Cruises fleet at Port Rashid.

Resorts World Cruises unveils Balcony Class across its fleet

Resorts World Cruises has launched Balcony Class across its fleet. The facility will be available on Genting Dream and Resorts World One from September 1 and November 1, 2024, respectively. As a class on its own, guests can look forward to an enhanced experience from shore to ship.

Starting at the cruise terminal, Balcony Class guests will have access and the convenience to check-in at dedicated counters. Upon returning and disembarking, Balcony Class guests will also receive priority for their luggage to be checked-out with express delivery off the ship to the cruise terminal.

The Balcony Class privilege offers:

• A complimentary welcome drink per guest to be redeemed at designated onboard venues.
• Complimentary Beverage Onboard Credits amounting to SGD$ 50 (US$38) per night per cabin
• Complimentary Tea and Coffee set with full amenities in the cabin
• Complimentary Standard WIFI for 2 devices per cabin per cruise
• Special designated seating zone for LIVE stage performances at the Zodiac Theatre
• Priority bookings for various onboard venues and entertainment
• Special discounts for selected onboard offerings and at souvenir mart

“At Resorts World Cruises, we constantly strive to innovate and provide offerings to enhance our guests experiences onboard our ships. As such, we are excited to introduce our Balcony Class across our fleet with a series of new and exclusive privileges for their cruising pleasure, which will bring our guests’ comfort and enjoyment to new heights”, said Michael Goh, President of Resorts World Cruises.

Guests get to enjoy a comfortable space with their own private step-out ‘oasis’ balcony, soaking in the fresh sea breeze and relaxing to the spectacular sea view. The Balcony Class also provides guests with queen size or twin beds with premium bedding and additional pull-out sofa-bed for additional occupancy. Families and multi-generation families may also choose
inter-connecting Balcony Class accommodations for families to be easily connected at all times, while cruising to some of the best destinations.

Guests can choose to depart from Singapore on the Genting Dream three times a week to enjoy a series of 2 and 3 Night Cruises to Kuala Lumpur (via Port Klang or Melaka), Penang and Phuket.

Alternatively, guests can also choose to embark from Kuala Lumpur (via Port Klang) for the 3 and 4 Night Cruises to Singapore and Penang. Starting November 18, guests can embark from Melaka for the One-Way Melaka-Singapore-Penang-Kuala Lumpur Cruise. Guests can also choose to embark the Resorts World One from Keelung to enjoy the 2 Night High Seas Weekend Getaway Cruise and the 5 Night Cruises to the Kyushu region and Okinawa Island in Japan.

Starting 1 November, guests can explore the Gulf with the Resorts World One set to homeport in Dubai, offering three weekly departures with a series of 2 and 3 Night Cruises to Sir Bani Yas in Abu Dhabi, Doha in Qatar, as well as to Khasab and Muscat in Oman. For a longer cruise vacation, guests can combine any of the itineraries to make a 4, 5 or 7 Night Cruise.

Resorts World One creates milestone with homeporting in Indonesia

The Resorts World One has arrived in Jakarta, where it will operate six-day Singapore and Kuala Lumpur sailings, till July 1, 2024. This marks a new milestone for Resorts World Cruises as the first international cruise line to homeport in Indonesia, according to a statement.

Departures are June 16, 21 and 26, and July 1, 2024. “On behalf of Resorts World Cruises, we are deeply excited to charter a new history here in Indonesia and be part of this milestone event as the first international cruise line to homeport in Indonesia with the Resorts World One. The responses have been very positive and we look forward to a successful deployment from Jakarta,” said Michael Goh, President, Resorts World Cruises.

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Indonesian government and authorities, together with our travel partners and customers for their ongoing support. Together, we are pioneering the growth of the Indonesian cruise tourism industry for both inbound and outbound.”

Indonesian Transportation Ministry marine safety and seafarers directorate general of sea transportation director Capt. Hendri Ginting M.M. added: “On behalf of the Ministry of Transportation, we would like to congratulate Resorts World Cruises on being the first international cruise line to establish a homeport in Indonesia with the arrival of the Resorts World One. The presence of the Resorts World One will not only stimulate the local economy but also enrich the diversity of our tourism destinations. With the luxurious accommodations and world-class facilities, Resorts World One will attract a new segment of cruise passengers from both within and outside the country.”

Parikesit said: “It is our hope that the deployment of the Resorts World One in Jakarta will provide positive prospects and increase the number of international tourists visiting Indonesia, which will also boost the country’s foreign exchange. This deployment will also enable the port of Tanjong Priok to not only be a homeport but also a cruise hub and destination for more cruise tourists to explore various local destinations”

For the cruise biz, it is important to expand home port deployment: RWC on Arabian Gulf foray

Cashing on the popularity of UAE as a primere short-haul outbound market for the Indian traveller, Resorts World Cruises (RWC) is set to offer shorter two- and three-nights itineraries with Dubai as a home port starting October this year.

The two-year old company unveiled its Arabian Gulf itineraries for ‘Resorts World One’ to the Indian travel trade at a glittering event in Mumbai at the St. Regis.

Upbeat about this new product, Michael Goh, President, Resorts World One, said, “We are really excited about this new development, and are positive that this will be a success story in India. We are giving passengers to sail two or three-nights or combine the itineraries and cruise for five to seven nights. India is going to be our key fly-cruise source market, especially for family travel, couples, MICE and special interest groups. For the cruise business, it is important to expand home port deployment.”

Sharing his views, Naresh Rawal, Vice President – Sales, Resorts World Cruises, stated, “India contributes one third of our cruise passengers out of Singapore. Resorts World One will debut in the Arabian Gulf for October 18, 2024 to April 2025 season, with options of Sunday, Wednesday and Friday sailing with departures at 9pm, allowing convenient fly-in and fly-out choices. This will work well for families since it will give them time to bond during a short vacation to the UAE.”

Resorts World One has the capacity to host 1,854 guests, and onboard announcements will be made in English and Arabic. Adhering to the norms, meat served on the ship will he Halal-certified, and no pork will be available for consumption onboard. The all-inclusive ‘The Palace’ will offer 42 suites with a private butler service for HNIs.

The two-night sailings to the exclusive Sir Bani Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, will give passengers an up-close and personal experience of the wildlife. On a three-night sojourn, port of calls at Muscat and Khasab in Oman will offer the best views of the Gulf of Oman, while the two-night Doha cruise will give a peak into the Kingdom’s evolution as tourism hub.

With regards to visa, Indian travellers wanting to sail from Dubai need multiple-entry visa for the UAE, and land permits for Oman and Qatar sailings.

Resorts World Cruises will continue to engage in India through their PSA network is hopeful that the Arabian Gulf sailings will complement their Singapore deployments.