• Partnership seeks to strengthen Dubai’s cruise proposition along with other key destinations

Emirates and MSC Cruises have extended their long-term strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the air-sea traveller experience, supporting Dubai’s cruise ambitions to become a major cruise hub, and exploring future opportunities for joint growth across the airline’s extensive network.

Announced at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, the partnership builds on a decade long year relationship and will leverage the strengths of the airline and MSC Cruises to enhance the guest experience and support the growth of Dubai’s cruise tourism eco-system. 

The partnership MoU was signed at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) by Nabil Sultan, Executive Vice President Passenger Sales & Country Management for Emirates and Eudes-Philippe Le Guelinel, Head of Fly & Cruise for MSC Cruises.

Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management said: “Our cornerstone partnership with MSC Cruises stands as a testament of how two brands can work together to support Dubai’s cruise tourism ecosystem while enhancing the customer experience. The cruise traveller segment is experiencing robust growth, and we will work closely with MSC Cruises on co-marketing initiatives to communicate the diversity of destinations in our network combined with an attractive air-sea proposition.

Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, said, “Our partnership with Emirates is founded on a shared dedication to offering guests unforgettable experiences and high-quality service, with both Emirates and MSC Cruises recognised as leaders in their fields. We are pleased to be extending this successful partnership and continuing to offer Emirates’ world-renowned flight service alongside the memorable experience waiting for guests on board our ship through our Fly & Cruise packages.” Benefits of a Fly&Cruise packages include being met at arrivals with a dedicated bus transfer to the ship. On return, guests can drop their bags in the cruise terminal, and collect them directly once they arrive at their destination.

The partnership between Emirates and MSC Cruises will focus on collaboration across the cruise line’s fleet of ships, as well as its luxury cruise line, Explora Journeys, to offer a sophisticated, differentiated and upscale experience for discerning travellers. Emirates and MSC Cruises will also explore growth strategies that will help expand cruise traffic movements beyond Dubai.

The airline and MSC Cruises will explore joint promotional strategies and marketing campaigns that drive awareness and consideration in key markets to boost Dubai’s appeal as a cruise destination and drive interest and bookings for Explora Journeys as well as close coordination of flight and cruise schedules to optimise passenger itineraries and reduce transit times. Emirates will also identify initiatives across its network to support MSC Cruises deployments beyond the UAE. 

Both travel brands will seek to share relevant operational data and insights to improve service delivery, explore cruise blocks inventory allocation, in addition to coordination on flight and cruise schedules and facilitating a smooth check-in process at Port Rashid Cruise Terminal.

The 16 dedicated Emirates check-in counters at Port Rashid enable disembarking cruise passengers to process their luggage and secure boarding passes up to four hours prior to departure, allowing them to bypass the usual formalities at the airport and proceed directly to their departure gates.