Abu Dhabi's new cruise terminal
Abu Dhabi has built a tented 2,000m sq cruise terminal capable of accommodating up to 1,300 passengers ahead of a permanent structure.
The new facility comprises two dedicated halls – one a luggage-handling facility, the other a passenger centre with a waiting lounge, security section, prayer rooms, offices, visitor information centre, currency exchange and customs and immigration facilities.
The new terminal will open with a welcome ceremony for the 59,000 tonne, luxurious MSC Lirica liner which will use Abu Dhabi as its home port as it embarks on 19, eight day/seven night cruises around the Arabian Gulf from the end of October.
Abu Dhabi Tourism Association is planning to construct a permanent, purpose-built cruise terminal at Mina Zayed.
ADTA hopes to attract 600,000 passengers and 300 ship calls by 2030.
“Cruising has enjoyed strong, recession-proof growth for many years,” said HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, ADTA.
“With this in mind, we now have government approval for the concept of a world-class cruise terminal, which is required if we are to fulfill our ambition of becoming a home port of choice.”
MSC will join other leading cruise lines such as Costa, AIDA and Royal Caribbean in Abu Dhabi.
Jointly, these lines will bring around 170,000 tourists before the season ends in April next year.
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